Avantgarde Uno Loudspeakers: Comments?

With all the fuss over the Avantegardes I arranged an audition from a dealer of the Duo 2.0s. They are very good speakers and certainly well positioned for their price point. However, they possess an upper midrange coloration that can only be described as "cupping" to my ears. I listened with SET and push-pull tube amplifiers and found the coloration with both. I also found the subwoofer to be somewhat incongruent with the horns. People who like upper midrange emphasis via coloration (like electrostatic hybrids) should like these speakers. Strangely, I found these speakers make most female vocalists sound like Barbra Streisand, and make Barbra sound like Ethel Merman with a cold. On Sudafed. With a megaphone.

Khry, you are someone else who hears the same sound from these speakers as I do. I have heard these at three CES shows, and although the show is no place to make a final decision, I did not hear enough of what I wanted to pursue it further. I do plan on listening again this next week, the show begins on Saturday. I would like to note, that I came from a background of horns, having been the technical rep. for JBL commercial. I began my career with Klipshorns and Electro Voice, when horn systems were required, due to the lack of high quality, high powered amps. The original horn speakers, like JBL, are true compression drivers, that is, the driver is a small phase plug configuration, driving into a horn load, designed for that frequency. The Avantegarde is actually a CONE speaker, with a horn set in front of it. The horn adds a distinct direction, and intensity (efficiency), but this is not a "true" horn speaker. And, before anyone gets mad, speakers are all about the sound you like, and the space you listen in. If they work for you, it does not matter what others think. Best to you!

Khrys - your description of the Duo's affect on female singers is hilarious! I have only heard these very briefly and can't really comment since the demo room was tiny and packed with people. I think they are quite striking visually is about all I can say. If you are married, better check with the wife first!

Khrys, you didn't have your head stuck in the midrange horn while you were listening did you? Any Uno or Duo owner who agrees with Khrys, please email me with a price. Prefer v2.0.

Khrys, please accept my apology for the above comment. When I posed that question I didn't know you were a girl. I would never have been anything but gentlemanly had I known. Again, sincere apologies.