Experience with the new Avantgarde Duo Omega

I have only owned my Duo's for a couple of months, but would like to hear from anyone who has done the upgrade as well......... I've got to say the cost seems Crazy out of line though........ From what I can tell from the pictures, we're talking four drivers, a few resistors, and about four feet of wire...... Simply crazy.

Chris

Cost is $7K. Four new drivers (108dB sensitive, 18 ohm, Alnico magnets), pair of new high-pass crossovers for tweeters, and all new internal cabling and hardware. There's a lot of very high quality stuff here...wait 'til you see the magnet structures!

OK, here's my first take after only a couple of days' break-in (maybe 10-12 hours of music time):

- treble is significantly better; simultaneously more air & detail, but w/LESS glare. Amazing, like an electrostat with balls.
- definitely more overall ease & detail throughout the spectrum
- my 18 watt amps, which admittedly have always belied their modest power rating, now have seemingly unlimited power & dynamic authority (still using 8 ohm taps, will experiment w/16 ohm taps shortly). Compression is simply not on the menu.
- at a loss to explain this, but perceived bass level is higher at same settings on subs (likely greater clarity in lower range of mid horn, which goes down to 170 Hz).

As things open up more over the next few weeks (?), will post further impressions.

Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted on your findings.

So now to the definitive question. Do you think the $7,000 you spent on this upgrade brought you more than you could have gotten from spending the same amount upgrading another component?

I am intrigued but that is a lot of money.

Thank you Triode for your initial impressions... Consistent with feedback on Avantgarde's web site.

How difficult was installation? I am told it is easy to do. How long did it take you?

As far as pricing, I received one response for $8,000 and a second response at $7,500. Your stated cost was $7,000. I have not pursued explanation of such differences at this stage of my decision process.

Incidently, I run my Duos with Fi Audio of NY 2A3 Monos and Fi Audio full function preamp. Interconnect is Kondo Silver throughout. Speaker wires are Kondo Copper (bi-wired). I'm very happy with that combination. The 2A3 Monos seem to have plenty of authority with the Duos. I've not been bothered with any glare, or bass integration issues, at least to my ears. I think the Duos are great speakers, yet apparently the Omega upgrade makes them even better.