Hi PEdrillo,
I sought out and auditioned the Gallo Reference speaks when last shopping for speaks + liked them very much. Didn't have a chance to listen in great detail though.
I did like Quad electrostats the same dealer had better, but these cost 5X as much as the Gallos.
I ended up buying the Ohm Walsh (f)5s Series 3. With sale price, trade ins and such these ended up costing me about the same as would have the Gallos. After living with these for a year, I'd assert these are superior to either Quad or Gallo, which are two of my favorite more esoteric designs.
Consider also Ohm 100s Series 3 which could be had new with nice cabinets and with no financial risk if not satisfied for under $2K. These are probably closer in design and sound to the MBLs you covet, are easier to place compared to pure omnis relative to walls, and you could end up saving considerable $$$$s down the road by not feeling a need to go MBL.
I sought out and auditioned the Gallo Reference speaks when last shopping for speaks + liked them very much. Didn't have a chance to listen in great detail though.
I did like Quad electrostats the same dealer had better, but these cost 5X as much as the Gallos.
I ended up buying the Ohm Walsh (f)5s Series 3. With sale price, trade ins and such these ended up costing me about the same as would have the Gallos. After living with these for a year, I'd assert these are superior to either Quad or Gallo, which are two of my favorite more esoteric designs.
Consider also Ohm 100s Series 3 which could be had new with nice cabinets and with no financial risk if not satisfied for under $2K. These are probably closer in design and sound to the MBLs you covet, are easier to place compared to pure omnis relative to walls, and you could end up saving considerable $$$$s down the road by not feeling a need to go MBL.