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Gallo REfF3's-All their cracked up to be?

Having won award from Absolute Sound,6Moons etc just wondering if how they compare with others in $25r00-$5K range.With Maggie 1.6/3.6's,Spendors,Harbeths,B&W Nautilus 803's etc not to mention used Quad 988.989,Infinity Preludes that have been seen as low as $3500,Gershman RX-20's used,offerings from Audio Physic (again good values used,heard Sparks where I liked low volume dynamics and read the Gallo's need to be pushed to come alive) well it's a crowded market.But seems like the twop speakers that have major buzz factor are the Gallo and NHT Xd system (selling for a bit over $6K).Live in sticks anbd would like to hear from folks who have put the Gallo's up against other speakers with empahsis on accurate midrange.Had as pair of Ref 2's but never got system set up around them nor dialed them in correctly.Was so nervous that tweeters might blow which were irreplacable got me nervous and I got rid of them pretty quickly.Have heard from dealers that Gallo can be unpleasant in cutomer support and lack of back tweeters could have been his resent ment that they did not sell better.But even though that's speculation is does say that they could be beter in support area.Maybe new models and sales might correct this.,They seemed to have great attributes but also weakneeses.Couldn't shake the feeling they were "gimmicky" in some respects but againn perhaps they were not dialed in proprly.Would lkike to run with 40 watt glass but could go 200+ solid state.Any auditions or owners who could give the good ,the bad and the ugly?
Thanks
Chazzbo
chazzbo
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
I must admit the two times I've auditioned these speakers I
wasn't impressed. They do have a great top end and good bass
extension.

Where they lack for me, is the all important midrange. The
speakers sound thin on both occasions in two separate
systems and rooms, I've heard them in. Even the owner of the
last pair I heard was a little disappointed. Not my cup of
tea by a long shot. I went with the intention of buying the
last pair. Thinking maybe the first pair weren't set up
properly...no dice though.

They do look cool though! I'm sure they make great
conversation pieces if nothing else.
loomisjohnson
1,944 posts
 
to me, the overarching question is whether anyone would buy the gallos if they didn't look so unique. not that there's anything wrong with buying on the basis of style--it's your money--but i can't help but think that with gear generally. many of us are influenced more by form than by actual sound quality.
texas42
98 posts
 
Actually, I bought them despite their looks, which I was not fond of. I first listened to the Gallo 3.1s at CES (actually THE Show) a few years back and I thought they were one of the best I heard there. I eventually bought the SA amp to go with them and thick granite stands to raise them a bit as I always thought the soundstage sounded 'short' (for lack of a better description). While I loved the sound (and still do), I eventually sold them and moved on. Currently I have the VS VR 4 Jr's and think they are absolutely fantastic with no weakenesses in any area.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I bought mine despite thinking they looked wimpy as hell, especially next to my former Gallo Ultimates. Even ended up co-designing some special speaker bases (just listed them on Audiogon) to raise them 6 inches. The trick to these things is POSITIONING. Although Mechdude1 found them pretty much plop-n-play, it's taken me a long time to get them to world-beater status. The Mapleshade bases make an amazing difference, but that was after I had already moved them all over the place and ended up with them 8 feet from the back wall and 3-4 feet from the sides. Don't get me wrong; I liked them from the beginning -- well, after the break-in -- but I like 'em a lot better now.
goatwuss
877 posts
 
I am a 3.1 owner.

I have owned several different types of speakers, 2 pairs in the 10k+ range. These are my favorites! Very open and transparent sounding, with some of the best imaging capabilities out there regardless of cost.

Everyone has different tastes, but when setup properly, I would not describe them as "thin" whatsoever... actually the contrary, I get a very meaty sound out of them. But yes, if you have bright/thin sounding equipment, and/or a room that is reflective with not enough damping, I can see how they might sound harsh.

Very dynamic and BIG sound despite their small size. I personally recommend an amp with some current to drive them. I started with a 60WPC tube amp, but unfortunately the bass was a bit mushy and transients were lacking. A Wyred 4 Sound Class D amp fixed that right up.
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