Fostex based speakers: Cain Abby or Omega Super3R

I have been using the Omega Super 3 (Narrow Cabinet - same dimensions as the standard cabinet, it is just turned sideways) for the last 7 months in 2 of my systems. To cut to the chase, it is only when the speakers had about 350 hours on them that I decided that they would be keepers. (Note: Prior to this experience, I did not buy long break-in times.)

In one system (room size 20 X 15 X 8 1/2) the Omegas were paired with a vintage (mid-70's) solid state Marantz 2240 receiver (40 wpc); a Music Hall MMF CD 25 cd player; Signal Cable Silver Resolution speaker cables and IXOS Silver Gamma interconnects. Speaker placement was on top of a bookcase about 12 inches from the rear wall. This system did not begin to sound right until I introduced the silver/copper hybrid cables.

In a second and current system (room size 15 X10 X 8.5) the Omegas are paired with a Prima Luna Prologue Two tube integrated amp (40 wpc); SONY SCD C555 ES SACD player; Signal Cable Classic Signal Wire speaker cable and IXOS Silver Gamma interconnects. Speakers are on their sides and placed inside of two bookcases about six inches from the bookcase rear wall.

The Omegas are not fussy with placement ... they will sound at least good with less than optimal placement, as I have demonstrated. The Omegas are fussy with the upstream equipment and cables that they are paired with. I find, in general, that silver hybrid cables allow for a certain amount of delicacy and improved resolution to the sound ... especially with acoustic instruments and vocals.

When compaired to other monitors that I have owned/still own (NHT SB2; EPOS 11; EPOS ESL 3; B&W 302), the Omegas are the most lively and smoothest sounding and they are very forgiving of how well a CD has been recorded. They are especially impressive with vocals and acoustic music. The Omegas are not particularly warm or rich sounding (compared to NHT's), but I am not convinced that any single driver system is.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Rich

Rene it's a little unfair to compare these two models. The Super 3R is a bookshelf and the Abbys are floorstanders.There's no doubt about it. The Abbys are definitely easier to drive. They also throw a much larger soundstage and the bass is much deeper. Don't get me wrong the Omega 3Rs are very nice in a small room. I listened to the Abbys on Grommes monoblocks . I believe these amplifiers are 55 wpc if I'm not mistaken. It sounded better on them than the ASL Orchid 2a3 3.5 wpc. The Orchid could just barely get the Omega 3's up to a decent volume.
It sounded strained the entire time we listened to them.

Room placement isn't that big of deal with these speakers as Rich has pointed out.
Just give them atleast 6 1/2 feet apart and a few feet off the rear wall..they will be happy.Since this model uses the whizzer cone..you can tow them in to cross in front of you, without losing soundstage depth or width.

The speakers can sound very warm and rich..it depends on the equipment you put in front of them. The Abbys are much richer sounding than the Omega 3s..I'm sure the extended bass has something to do with this.The 6moons review nailed every thing I heard with the Abbys. The review is correct..if you add a subwoofer, the placement becomes even less of an issue.

I didn't see the need to even consider the larger Ben model. With a sub or even better two the Abby makes this $5500 speaker sound pretty bad!

I think that in a review from the omega site the reviewer said that the 3r was a little leaner in the bass and midbass than the abby but less colored. He thought the abby cabinet was the culprit. Speculation to be sure and bias as it was a omega review. If it were an Abby review I am sure that it would have been biased the other way. Also, the real flea power stuff (1-2 watts) will be a little better with the abby than the 3r but both better with at least a few watts. I think Terry Cain said the Abby is great with higher power too.

The 3r is less expensive than the abby and might be logical for a fist step. However, from the looks of things I thing the solid wood cabinet of the abby is top notch and worth the money. I bought the last set of 3r's to come up on Audiogon last week but do not have them yet. Terry Cain only lives a couple of hours from my house and I will eventually get down to his place to listen to his great line. I can't own just one or two sets of speakers as I have so many rooms :)

Good luck, it is my first adventure down the single driver speaker path too. One thing for sure is that the higher efficiency gives a really nice and dynamic speaker.

Stephen

Here's another option..and you can save some money if you want to. Bob Brines can build you a custom pair the way you want it for a base price of $850. Click on the link FT-1600 MkII .