Opinions? Re-thinking my Gallo reference 3.5's.


Here's my system so far:

Amplifiers - Spectron Musician iii MK2 mono blocks
with Bybee, V-Cap and Premium Fuse upgrades.

Preamp - Joule Electra LA-150 SE

Speakers - ?????????

Please keep in mind, recommended speakers will have to work with the above equipment.

I am supposed to pick up my 3.5's this Tuesday and having second thoughts for some reason. I've read the reviews, listened to them with various types of amps on several occasions, but never with my equipment.

Loved the spatial component to the 3.5's (as there is no "sweet spot" listening position in this room). Certainly thought enough about them to order them.

I believe what I have been concerned with is the "fullness" of the sound. It's difficult to express my 5% of uncertainty.

Of course, sound is subjective. That being said, are there any other speakers, new or used, within the $3,000 to $9,000 range that deserve a last look before the cash goes to the Gallo's?

Thanks in advance for giving me something to review this weekend!
bhpedalpusher

Showing 2 responses by dopogue

Your new Gallos will sound okay out of the box and then go into an extended break-in period during which they will sound pretty awful, so don't decide whether you like them or not until they have AT LEAST 100 hours on them. The owner's manual will confirm the 100 hour break-in, I understand.
Bear in mind that the 5LS (what you're calling the Ref 5) uses the same mids and tweeters as the older Ref 3/3.0/3.1 speakers, plus a bunch of 4" "woofers" pointing to the rear. I heard the 5LS speakers a couple years ago when I was using Ref 3s with the dedicated Mapleshade stands and was not sufficiently impressed to consider upgrading from mine, although the 5LS certainly LOOK impressive.

When a friend brought over a pair of Gallo Stradas, which use Gallo's latest generation mids and highs, I was able to compare them to my Ref 3s and the Stradas were CLEARLY superior, leading me to buy a pair plus a pair of TR-3 subwoofers. The Stradas and TR-3s use the same drivers as the $6K (MSRP) Gallo Ref 3.5. I seriously doubt that the 5LS would sound better than the 3.5, but I have not heard them side by side.