Omega, Harbeth, JM Reynaud, ad Skylan


On a previous post I asked for thoughts regarding Harbeth and JM Reynaud speakers.  My subsequent speaker upgrade journey led me to discover Omega speakers, and specifically the Super Alnico Monitor.  I took the plunge, taking advantage of Omega's 30-day home trial.  So here is my update.

These speakers are now a permanent addition to my system and my musical enjoyment.  I am so thoroughly satisfied. While break-in took a good 100 hrs, the sound of these Omega Super Alnico Monitors is beyond reproach. Every day my wife and I are amazed at what we hear when we put on an old cd that we haven't listened to in a while. I have had several audiophile friends come over for auditions (folks with NHT XRS system, the new big JansZens, Vandy 2s and 3s) and to a person they cannot believe the level of detail, sound staging, spaciousness, and just overall great sound these speakers produce. And when I point out they go for $2K, their jaws really drop. I made one additional tweak to the system and got dedicated Skylan stands. The addition of the stands, and a bit less toe-in (as some Omega users have posted) seemed to really put everything in place.   The combination of these speakers and stands goes for less than $2,500, and I encourage anyone looking for new speakers in this price range to seriously consider the Omega's.

Are these the best thing since sliced bread? No, they do not do everything, nor would I expect them to, but I also have that same feeling for all other modestly priced speakers ($5K or less, can't believe I consider $5K as being modest).  But to my ears, these speakers are 95%+ of the way there. Is this a speaker I can and will live with happily ever after?  YES.  While I will still read all the high end mags, all the various audio websites, go to AXPONA, and regularly visit my local shops, I am done speaker shopping. Now I am just enjoying the music, which is really my ultimate goal.

Finally, I am still intrigued by all the Omega owners who rave about the combination of Omega speakers and SET amps. While my tube/SS hybrid integrated sounds great with these speakers, I am really curious about what improvement, if any, a low watt SET might provide.  Maybe that will be my next audio journey.

Finally, I would like to give a shout out to Loius Chochos of Omega  and Noel Noland of Skylan.  Louis has been a real pleasure to interact with, his customer service is nothing short but outstanding, and the quality of his product is absolutely first rate.  In a similar light, I have the same high regard for Noland ad the Skylan stands.  Dealing with both gentlemen was an unexpected pleasure in this day and age.  Thank you both.  And thank you for your fantastic products (Louis, your speakers do live up to the accolades presented by others on the Omega User's Circle website).

Final score:  Omega Super Alnico Monitors + Sylan Stands = about $2,500.  The Harbeth 30.1 monitors I was going to get would have been $5,600 (new, around $4K used), plus about $400 for stands.  Total savings for me = about $3,500!!!!  Even if I get a new SET integrated amp, I am still looking at $2,000 or more left over from my budget for new music!  

ihor
I am jealous!  Thanks for the update, Omega Super Alnico Monitors look terrific and the single driver technology has some great benefits. One question, what is the height of the speaker stand? 
My stands are 20 inches.  When I called Skylan and spoke with Noland, he told me he regularly builds stands for Omega speaker owners, and the ones I ordered are the ones he has for this specific monitor.  My understanding is that he will do other heights to meet your specific needs.

It is a shame that TAS and Stereophile only occasionally review single driver speakers, (Audience being one such speaker they review and like) and rave about 'exotic' new ones (like the $2.5K Bonsai mini monitor TAB raves about in its Tokyo Audio Show report in the Jan issue), yet overlook a truly high fidelity and high quality single driver products made here in the US.
Omega speakers are fantastic and they don't get near the acclaim they should. They are definitely one of the best bargains in audio. Besides the top of the line Alnico drivers the new RS5 drivers are significantly better than his older, but still excellent,  drivers. Also Louis Chochos is a very talented, honest and decent person who gives you an awful lot for your money. His workmanship is top notch!! Louis doesn't advertise or go to shows, but his speakers smoke many of the speakers, single and multi driver, speakers that get raves.
Ihor,

I think it's really great that you saved 3500.00 buying the Omega rather than the Harbeth. Did you ever do an AB comparison between the two?



Not at the same time. But both were auditioned in my home with the same system and acoustics.  Obviously the Omega's won!