Talon Khorus question

I own a pair of broken-in Khorus', and my experience with them mirrors Don's above. When I first fired them up, within a minute I turned to my friend sitting next to me and said, "They sound dampened." Obviously Don has had the same experience. What I've come to realized, as he did, is that the speakers lack the "halo" around the music (as first mentioned in Stuart McCreary's Stereo Times review). It's like listening to music in front of a jet black backdrop (if your other equipment is up to the task). It does take a little getting used to, but it quickly grows on you. I've found the treble to be very detailed and not at all rolled off. The Khorus' are a very detailed speaker with the tightest, most detailed low end I've ever heard. Music just has more texture to it. My previous speakers were NHT 3.3's, and I've auditioned a number of higher end designs from Martin Logan, B&W, Linn and others. As mentioned, they are very sensitive to associated equipment and cables. I switched a pair of interconnects once, and it was almost like changing a preamp or other component. And this is from a guy who had been skeptical about the differences mere interconnects could make. I'm a believer now. In short, I've found the Khorus' have delivered on their promise and left me very satisfied.

Thanks for the additional info, Djjd. Based on my long-term memory, I was thinking electrostats might have a slight edge in the quickness department, but you would know better than I, having living with ML. Perhaps the Khorus' smoothness belies their speed. I agree that they are a little laid back, but I wouldn't call their sound warm (in my system, that is). But I can see how some who like a more "visceral" sound might think the Khorus' are a bit too smooth and polite. For those who've not heard the Khorus', if you're familiar with the sound of Sennheiser HD600 headphones, you have some idea of the laid back quality the Khorus' possess. Plenty of detail, but absolutely no harshness at all. I hope some of the comments posted here by Khorus owners help assauge the concerns I've read on the web that Talon doesn't live up to its billing. I can't vouch for the "100 times faster than traditional drivers" claim, but there is definitely something special going on here. Certainly worth an audition if you get the chance. I should add that Talon has an "X" version of the Khorus coming out soon. The changes will be cosmetic (and a heavier cabinet), with a MSRP of $18k. That may help explain why dealers and others have been selling theirs.

Don--Thanks again. Yours is the only review I've found that compares the Khorus' with electrostats. Very interesting. To answer your question, the only two cables I've tried are Harmonic Technology Truth Link XLR's and Pro-Silway Mk II XLR's. The Truth Link's sound rich and warm, but the highs were rolled off, and overall, it made the speakers somehow sound like they needed further breaking-in. Switching to the Pro-Silway Mk II's opened things up and added increased detail and sparkle to the high frequencies. The warmth disappeared, but the music sounds very natural and open. I'm also using HT's Pro-9 Plus speaker cables. BTW, I visited Talon's factory last year when I happened to be in Salt Lake City on a trip, and they said that Harmonic Technology and Anaylsis Plus are two cables that they recommend. They also are developing their own line of cables with Shunyata (sp? ). Haven't heard any of their stuff, though.

Stuart--Have you ever auditioned the Pro-Silways Mk II's with the Khorus'? Just curious how they compare with what you're using. I had heard the Analysis Silver Ovals were very detailed but a little light in the bass. I agree the Khorus' allow you to go for max detail without worrying about excessive harshness or edge, but I would be concerned about sacrificing some richness and bass authority. Thanks to everyone for their recommendations. I thought I was done cable shopping, but I may have spoken too soon.