Anybody else heard the Avalon Acoustics Isis?

I use to own a pair which were set-up in my designated room but sold them off aprox. a year ago, they actually replaced the Diamonds which I can say was a real improvement. I agree they are a great speaker but I had a few issues that I could not live with any more so I sold them along with the electronics and the room sits empty currently. I tried all kinds of solid state and tube combos and found they really sounded great with VTL 750's with the 7.5 pre, I also had Audio Research Ref 300 MK2 amps. which did not control the speakers properly. My main issues were that they would not fill my room to my liking along with not disappearing like I wanted them to which bothered me also so I sold them off after owning them for aprox. a year and a half. So what do I put in this room to now compete with my other set-up? huum!

Other current set-up being MBL 101E's which I have to say I prefer and the speakers were less costly, I have some CAT JL3 MK2 mono blocks ordered and on their way supposedly to arrive by year end and also the Berning Quadrature-Z mono blocks which are suppose to be special scheduled to arrive in Jan. so this should be interesting. I kinda wish I still had them so I could have heard them with these new pieces coming but I have to say that my new MBL's are doing things that no other speaker I have owned has been capable of doing which is absolutely amazing.

Branimar which 2 speakers are you referring to? As we all know that there are many combos available but nothing is perfect only different, it really all comes down to our own listening preferences along with associated component set-ups along with our rooms which can dramatically change the end result.

Dev,

Wilson Alexandria X2 and Rockport Altair. X2(now in Series 2 version) is most impressive in dynamics and room-filling sound. Although I am not big fan of Wilson house sound X2 is IMHO one of the five worlds best speakers. Rockport Altair is another amazing speaker. More extended at bottom the Isis(and more accurate down there as well IMHO), with more dynamic ease and shadings. Its midrange is most natural to my ears of any speakers. Soundstage size is as well huge with more depth. Both of these speakers are more expensive then Isis. So, they should offer more IMO...
And I agree with you regarding room-filling issues of Isis. Still, I found it the best speakers that Avalon ever produced. Auditioning any of these speakers by yourself is an imperative! Dealer support is another very important thing as well. And all these speakers require room of decent size...
IMO personal(music taste and sound taste as well as exterior design look) preferance will be here a key factor in final choice. For example I admire your MBLs but, their sound is not my cup of tea...
Simply said all speakers mentioned above are more or less SOTA and potential costumer will be(I am pretty sure of that!) more then happy with any of them...

I think the TAD Ref-1 is a nice alternative.Same price range too.It has the distinct advantage of a dual concentric midrange/tweeter,and constructed with berrylium.Stunning clarity and exceptionally coherent.Also,it employs two "ten inch" bass drivers(not beryllium here),which though smaller than the Isis' bass drivers,are constructed in a brilliant way.The rubber surrounds have multiple folds,and allow for very large excursions,with amazing linearity and detail.A MUST to audition,at this price range,and a brilliant design.
Good luck.

Sirspeedy,

TAD Ref One? Sure, if you like very wide baffle loudspeakers... And shortcomings that such wide front baffle is bringing... I audition it in NY Stereophile show and although impressive, its voicing is not my cup of tea. Sweet spot is pretty narrow(look at toe-in in all TAD show presentation, they use more toe-in then Wilson) IMO.
TAD Ref One is indeed very impressive technical design but, musical and engagin?

Thanks Branimir for the info, a good friend has the X2's and awaiting to receive MK2's. I have to say it may be his set-up but they only impressed me short term and you need to play very load. Now the Rockports you have mentioned sound very intriguing as I have done some research but big bucks so I my expectation of their performance would have to be very high.

You mentioned in your thread you don't like the sound of the MBL's, just curious what is it that you don't like. I can't believe these, they sound scary realistic and the best over all that I have owned. I have owned Avalon's (Diamond, Isis), IRS Infinities (their flag ship speakers), Mag 20.1, Martin Logan, Apogee, Wilson, Eggleston, Revel, Quads, B&W,PMC BB5 active to name a few.

As any speaker it is important what you match them with proper cables and electronics including your room but nothing is perfect but these 101's WOW!. It will be very hard for me to listen to box speakers, my friend was over who owns the Wilsons and left in awe. He goes to shows allot which I don't and said he never thought of getting them because of what he heard but after hearing mine his thoughts have now changed 360 degrees and he realizes that his can't reproduce what the 101's can.

I'm not one of these guys if you don't like what I have or say something negative gets upset because all I'm trying to do is recreate the best I can in my own home for my own enjoyment and not for others but when guys haven't heard or only heard at shows start commenting please don't wast our time, I'm not suggesting in anyway that you are one of these individuals but allot of others do this. They have the attitude mines the best bla! bla!I read a thread recently from this guy about the CAT JL3 SIG MK2 amps pretty well suggesting they were crap in so many words, what a joke and thank goodness others jumped in setting the record straight. That being said I have learned allot over the years and I'm never shocked and will try about anything just to satisfy my own curiosity.

Teajay above has been great, his reviews very helpful and I have to say so far he has been spot on with reviewing some of the identical gear that I happen to have also. A+ for you Teajay we need more like him.

When I was at another members home and had the pleasure to hear the MBL's for the first time the image was not that precise and big but I don't seem to be having that issue, my image is just so slight less focused and in size (were talking about the size of the head of the performers along with the mouth size etc.) than my Eggleston's but with the added 3D holographic image going on it absolutely surpasses what the Eggleston's could do and the bass is the best I have ever had in this room. Putting these speakers onto Sistrum platforms just totally transforms them assisting in better base and more focused images.

Are the MBL's the best? nope, I don't think there is a best out there only different. Out of the speakers I mentioned above that I have owned previously the Eggleston's 1st and 2nd the Mag. 20's but two different images being cast along with other things going on but if I had a huge space the IRS Infinities were very impressive but need a very very large room to perform properly.

The Avalon Isis speakers are great but I have to say I really don't miss them and the MBL's are doing a marvelous job of allowing me to enjoy each and every performance.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR! to all.