Acoustic Zen Adagio, How Good Are They?

Aggielaw,

While I have not heard the new version of the slanted baffle Adagio, I do know that for the original version you probably need at least a good 9 feet for the MTM driver config to integrate properly. Perhaps this slanted baffle helps a little in this area.

I went to the RMAS and heard the Adagio in all 3 rooms that had them,including both the Adagio and Adagio Monitor in Robert's room. I also own a pair of Adagios. All 3 rooms(Triode Corporation, Balanced Power Technologies, and Robert's AZ + ModWright Instruments)shared that natural, organic, sounds like real instruments sound. So, a few more thoughts: These speakers (both floor standing and monitor)sound so good that you simply have to hear them to believe it. I sat to the side in Robert's room and watched the visitors. They were the most toe-tapping, grinning, dancing group you ever saw. In nearly all the other rooms, I would see people straining to answer the question "What am I hearing?" "Is it great bass, mid, treble, dynamics, etc?" In the AZ rooms you just saw grins and body parts moving. They are gorgeous. Again, you have to see them. Pictures don't come close. They compete successfully against all comers at any price point, but especially against some of the megadollar designs that try so hard to be new and innovative, and fail to please because of their extremes. The AZ is very innovative (circular ribbon, hand made by Robert, underhung motors, transmission line cabinets, single crystal AZ wiring, each pair listened to by Robert before shipping) with all of this aimed at natural, undistorted, fidelity. What a bargain.

I was twice in the Balanced Power Tech. suite but did not notice any music being played. I was never in the Triode or ModWright suite. I still find it curious that the Adagios were not in the Audio Zen or Red Dragon suites.

I am not in the least denying that they sounded great last year.

Why should they have been in the Audio Zen and Red Dragon suites?

Tbg: You said earlier that you didn't see Acoustic Zen speakers anywhere at RMAS, but you were in the BPT room twice. It's too bad they weren't playing music while you were in there, but the AZ Adagios were in that room in the new black finish. Maybe you didn't recognize them because of the color. But,this year, at this show, Robert was sharing a suite with ModWright and was providing speakers, cables, and considerable expertise in setting up the room for best sound, which is no small feat. I think Dan from ModWright was providing all of the electronics in use plus a lovely Stillpoints stand. Dan does not sell a power amp at present and was using tubed monoblocs and I don't recall the brand. I don't know what speaker Red Dragon used this year but the sound in there room pretty much turned me back towards the door. I did not see an "Audio Zen" room at RMAS, but I also don't know what that would have to do with Acoustic Zen. Finally, there was a room there that mentioned, among other brands, Acoustic Zen, but I have to assume that they were referring to cables because there were some very large, highly sculpted wooden speakers in there that were being played at painful levels that also turned me right around. They also were NOT AZ Adagios. There was a lot to see at RMAS, everyone I spoke with there was very nice and personable. Very good vibe going on. I find it amazing that you would say that you didn't see the Adagios there. Robert Lee was only showing in 1 room, but two other rooms also used his speakers to great effect.