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How do reference speakers rank to today's standard

I think that most of us at this forum had an experience like I am having now: to choose between a once reference speaker and a recent midrange speaker.
For 8 years I have been the owner of Audio Physic Spark III's and I love the sound of the AP's so I want to cling on to this brand. But what to do.
I can choose between two offers, both in the same price range. One is the Audio Physic Avanti II (the year 2K version, the Century), 11 years old and once a reference speaker.
The other one is a 2 1/2 year old Audio Physic Tempo VI.
I know that speakers do age and that 11 years old speakers won't sound as they did 11 years ago.
Also, in the 8 1/2 years that seperate these AP's there has obviously been some development in speaker design.
But do you think that the Tempo's sound better than the Avanti's ?
And what about the (remaining) lifespan of both of them. For the record, I am not able to listen to them at home. Any advice is highly appreciated. regards, Ton
linkingpin
linkingpin OP
8 posts
 
Ok, so Larryi, you're saying that 11 years is not a big problem when quality speakers are used ? But what about the 8 1/2 year of "evolution" between the Tempo's and the Avanti's. Could that make the Tempo's a better speaker even if it ranks lower in AP's list ?
xti16
1,525 posts
 
If the drivers have a foam surround they (the foam) would most likely have to be replaced. I have a pair of 20+ yr old speakers with a rubber surround and they still sound great. I don't use them too often in the last 3 years since I've upgraded to speakers that 10X as much.

That being said I would be very concerned if they may have been abused (overdriven or driven to the max).
linkingpin OP
8 posts
 
Thanks all, and I agree, abuse is more concering than the 11 years. The drivers and the filtercomponents in the Avanti are all of high quality and will still be Ok. I also assume that the audio enthusiast that buys an Avanti will automatically take good care of his speakers.
But are there any Audio Physic owners who could say anything about the two types ? Will the Avanti still overpower the Tempo's in all aspects ?
jarecneps
4 posts
 
I purchased a pair of Avanti Century's 2 years ago. They replaced active Linn 5140's with 6 channels of Chakra amplification. There was no contest. At the time I was looking at new Linn 212's and auditioned Sonus Faber, B&W 804 and a few others. The Linn's were of omission only, lacking dynamics and not great imaging etc. I went to listen to the Avanti's and within 30 seconds I had to have them. Extremely fast, dynamic, pin point imaging, tall expansive sound stage and seamless speaker integration. I was afraid they had to be placed 1/3 into the room. Not so. I guess an $8000 speaker in 2000 should be good, $2500 was a bargain. Against todays $3500 speakers that I looked at there was no competition.
linkingpin OP
8 posts
 
Hi Jarecneps, thanks, I think that your answer makes the choice easy. Also your remark about the positioning into the room was helpful, that was also a worry. In favour of the Avanti's is that it's an enclosed system while the Tempo has a port at the back, making it, I think, less easier to put the Tempo's close to a wall. On the other hand, the Avanti is a side fire, so I guess he won't like it close to a side wall.
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