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Audio Physic Caldera mkii...still good?

Hi,

I just bought (without hearing) some 7yr old Audio Phyic Calderas for £1750 UK. They havent arrived yet...so i thought i'd ask about your opinions!!!

Are they as good as say a newer Virgo III?

How do they compare to the Dynaudio Condifence 5 of the same age? I had the Dyns and loved them...regret selling them!

As a comparison i recently sold my Dali Euphonia MS4's...they were very good but i sold them for almost double what i paid for the Calderas :))

+'s and -'s appreciated...i can take it...i think!

Richard
enjoy_the_music
mdhoover
695 posts
 
Richard,
Any news yet?
-Bill
samuel
266 posts
 


I owned the Calderas for 4 yrs, and still have extremely fond memories of them. They are some of the finest imaging speakers I've ever heard. I wrote a full review of them with comparisons to Kharma and Talon speakers for Ultimate Audio just prior to the mag's demise. The review got posted on StereoTimes, and you may still be able to find it there.

The only two caveats I had with the three-box Calderas were the challenge of getting a proper tri-wire cable set for them, and optimizing the Calderas to get fully integrated, pleasing bass response. I ended up inverting the bass cabinet, bringing the side-firing woofers up under the mid drivers rather than near coupled to the floor. Your experience may be different. Make sure you bring them out into the room a ways for ideal imaging and spatial presentation.

They are definitely a member of my personal, speaker hall of fame. You got a smoking deal, and IMO, they are far better than the latest crop of AP speakers-- after Joachim Gerhard left AP.

The Virgo 3's are a good speaker, but they are no Caldera.

Grant
samuel
266 posts
 


Ah, I found the link to the review:

http://www.stereotimes.com/speak021302.shtm
mdhoover
695 posts
 
Samuel:
That is a great review! Thanks for sharing the link. By the way, what did you replace them with after four years? (I'd think that with one or two Rel sub-bass units, with the crossovers set waaayyyyy low, they'd have even more closely approached sonic perfection.) Just curious, as the Calderas had achieved "holy grail" status in my mind after listening to them years ago.....

By the way, I've heard things similar to what you said above about the newer AP products, but have no direct personal experience, so cannot make any judgement about them.
-Bill
samuel
266 posts
 


Hi Bill,

I own the Wilson MAXX2's now, which seems a dirty word here on 'gon, but I am very happy with them. Even built a room with Rives to optimize their performance.

If I could own a second pair of speaks they would easily be the Calderas due to their refinement and dissappearing act. They are also easy on the eyes with flawless wood work.

Best,

Grant
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