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Avantgarde Duos - right for me?

I just wanted some opinions on the Avantgarde Duos as an upgrade path for my system.

My system currently consists of Manley 300b monoblocks, Manley Shrimp preamp, Acoustic Zen speaker and interconnect cabling and Omega Superhemp single driver speakers.

Overall I have been pleased with this system and just love the strengths of an SET/single driver system. Very intimate, great speed and tone, fabulous midrange, etc.

What the system is unfortunately lacking still is big dynamics and deep bass. I have read good things about the Avantgarge Duos but I cant find a local place to audition these speakers first hand. At any rate, I would certainly be looking to buy these pricey speakers used on Agon.

Any opinions on how the Duos would sound with the Manley 300b monoblocks? How small is the "sweet spot" on the Duos? I ask this because I do a lot of entertaining and would ideally like a speaker that has a decent sized listening area. What sized room do the Duos need to sound right? My living room is 18x24. Are there any other high sensitivity speakers that would be better than the Duos?
latinsamba1
microstrip
180 posts
 
Did anybody try the Dartzeel electronics with Avantgarde Speakers?
bvdiman
491 posts
 
Since you'll be doing some entertaining, I'd pay particular attention to their placement. Despite their glorious intimate musicality, they can sound rather honky at wrong height listening level ie.sitting too close or too high (or when standing). Integration of their horns to bass modules is the key issue, and can usually be resolved through finding correct /sufficient distance. Whereas, width dispersion (spread) out of the sweet spot imo is not as much of a concern and are more tolerable.
david12
1,454 posts
 
By chance, I use Acoustic Zen Adagios and am looking for the next step. I bought a TW accustic Raven one from the UK importer, who also imports Avantgard Duos and spent a few hours listening to them. I'm sorry, but I could'nt live with them. I can see what the exitement is about, dynamic, transparent etc. Even with excellent Tron ampifiers, there was an edge, or harsh tone to them which I found wearing after even a short listen. Maybe thet will suit you, but have a good long audition first. My next choice may well be Coincident, but the Super Victories, which suit my room better.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Bass integration is not mute at 14ft maybe in your room or its just not a problem for you. But in my rooms distance didn't mater sit to far image suffers sit to close integrations worse. Duos design is a comprise and sometimes the performance shows the design limitations. Still over all I enjoyed my time with Duo 2.2. Nothings perfect.
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
The Duos would be fine in your system and room. They would be difficult in a room much smaller than yours. I use mine (DUO 2.2) in a room 35x18 feet with 12 foot ceilings. They fill the room with sound and have been my best ever upgrade. Mine are used with a TRON Meteor tube preamp and Quad IIs. Your Manleys should be fine as they're have pretty quiet circuits. You'll have to play around with the subwoofer roll-off freq and gain as well as positioning - get those right and you'll be very happy.

Good luck,

Charlie
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