Audio Physics ...Bright or forward?

Why don't you buy a pair of entry model from him and negotiate a 100% trade toward upgrade within a year. if you do not like them, your loss is minimised. If you do, you are in business. Cable-wise, try DH Lab Q10, a steal and the right sweetness yet revealing. Or Audioquest if you can afford it, used Gibraltar for example.

I'm quite familiar with the Virgos, have heard the Calderas, and I've owned AP Avanti Centuries for the past few years and do not find them fatiguing in the least. When AP speakers are set up properly the sound field is laid out wholly behind the speakers which simply disappear. Follow the guidelines in the AP positioning guide to get started - proper setup will pay big dividends - presumably your dealer can help with this. Like any other speaker, the APs will sound better with certain cables over others. I'm inclined to agree with Narrod - look elsewhere in the reproduction chain for a cause of 'forwardness'. Do you hear the same characteristics in the dealer's setup as you do at home? Of course my comments are relative to my system - YMMV.

It might help if you could describe the rest of your system.

Good luck!
Tim

For me, a speaker needs to be love at first listen. That is how it was with my AP Spark IIIs. I wouldn't necessarily call them bright, but they are indeed detailed speakers. I listen to a lot of rock and heavy metal and these speakers really are up to the task. With a Nait 5 they are fabulous with drums and do a great job of producing the energy of electric guitars.

I auditioned the Spark III against the Tempo III and preferred the Spark...give them a listen before choosing the more expensive Tempo.

Vaughn3d said:
"I auditioned the Spark III against the Tempo III and preferred the Spark...give them a listen before choosing the more expensive Tempo."

EXCELLENT point, IMO. The best sounding speakers within a line are NOT necessarily the most expensive, or even the more expensive between two models. My experience in listening to other brands tends to support his point. Usually, the more expensive speakers within a product line sound incrementally better, but NOT always.

I have to agree with the poster who said that if the AP speakers sound bright, look elsewhere in your system for the cause. I've heard many supposedly great speakers, but few have the sheer musicality and insight that the mid-to-upper level AP speakers offer. I'm now with Avanti mkIIIs which are stunning.