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  3. 1198362006

Anybody else heard the Avalon Acoustics Isis?

I spent a delightful afternoon on friday listening to the Avalon Acoustics Isis speakers. These retail for $62000.00, so I was expecting a high level of performance, but was still surprised at how wonderful these speakers were at creating the sound of real music.

Even though this was in a store environment with electronics that are not my favorite cup of sonic tea, current Mark Levinson gear, the Isis's offered the following:

1) I'm quite enamored of the type of soundstage and natural layering that planer dipolar speakers provide, my home reference are MG-20's, the Isis was one of the few box enclosure speakers that offered this type of illusion regarding space. They just did not disappear, but offered this very natural 3D imaging without making individual players sound like "cutouts" against a background, but layering in a very natural way that sounds more like live music.

2) Great macrodynamics and resolution without sounding etched or in your face, and this was with electronics that I personnally don't find to be very musical! I would want to hear these speakers with a great tube pre and SS amps like Pass Labs XA's.

3) The whole sonic presentation was seemless, again reminding me of what great planer speakers have to offer, with a quick and rock solid bottom end.

I have listened to Wilson's, Kharma's, B&W's, Magico's, Dali's reference speakers on other occasions, and I was not as impressed as I was yesterday. Am I trading my MG-20's for the Isis's, no but if you have a chance to hear them I think you find it a very enjoyable experience.
teajay
strapper211
119 posts
 
Hi,I would like to make a comment.As for the Isis vs the Diamond it is a whole different world,It does everthing better.I could fill a page with the differences but the only thing I would not do is put the isis in a room that is say 12x20 or smaller,it will play fine but you will not get the most out of them.Electronicbliss is right placement is everthing and also when they are in their final position and toe-in is right you should laser level them,it makes a big difference.I have heard most of the major contenders and none have tempted me to change the Isis,the only speaker that is interesting is the rockport altair,which I have not heard.All the big speaker have their strong points but to me none sound more like music then a properly set up Isis.
Robert
nilthepill
842 posts
 
Hate to continue comments on MBL 101E but I think I need to respond to Dev adn Sydsrig's questions.

Dev, Looking back on the auditions at two different set ups many time last year, I am not sure which components of all MBL system contributes to my perception of Mettalic or excessive upper mids/low highs sound. Digital front end or the 101Es. In any case at times, with right material, the system sounded uncannily life like, err in a lively amplied way. But alas with only select few cds. The strongest suit of MBL 101Es was the bass/mid bass, so much filled with life like nuances, definition and dynamics. Another aspect was the unusually high soundstage of this system. Same system when heard later this year in well designed 'large' room sounded easily acceptable and less metallic. Trust me I love MBL electronics(preamp/amps) and am not trying to bash MBLs. In fact I am thinkibg I may be able to get in to 101Es, with right front ends. The smaller MBLs 116 (?) did always sounded good to me.

Sydsrig,
The other amps auditioned was Pass Labs X250 and sounded equal or little better than the MBL 9008 in stereo mode(not monos). I found the set up lacking in lower freq range and sound to be rather boxey. IMHO of course.
microstrip
180 posts
 
Do you have experience using conrad johnson electronics with the ISIS? I am particularly curious about the cj premier 350, that seems an ideal match.
psacanli
535 posts
 
Sirspeedy, good question. The finest single malt in a decent 4 oz shot may be found by some to be wanting, compared to an 8 oz shot-but the drink is identical. In fact the Eidolon has an irrefutable advantage in the size of the midrange driver.
Strapper, when you say the Ises is a "whole different world" it would be helpful if you could describe the differences-perhaps not the 'full page' you mention but enough meat that we get the flavor.
strapper211
119 posts
 
Good point,first off my room is 15x25 and the Isis throws a soundstage about twice as wide and twice as deep as a diamond.The Instruments in that soundstage are layered and seperated with much more blackness between them.It added another octave to the top and bottom over the diamond,It can move a lot of air and the top really fills the room.It is much more transparent in the midrange believe it or not and it has outstanding impact that the diamond was lacking and lastly it is much more coherent or should I say involving.I also forgot to mention that it is 3 db more efficent and will play very loud and dynamic,also I was told the new price on them is 65,000 for standard finish.
I have had them almost 2 years now and I have yet to find their weakness,before that I had the diamonds for about 3 years.If you cannot afford still take a listen it will amaze you what they can do especially for a speaker with their size.
Robert
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