Ref. 3a , GMA & Tyler compare ?

with the GMA first order cross-over will it need room to develope its sound? They are truely amazing speakers wich I spent several hours really enjoying them.....just not sure how far you need to be away from them to sound ideal.

with the GMA first order cross-over will it need room to develope its sound? They are truely amazing speakers wich I spent several hours really enjoying them.....just not sure how far you need to be away from them to sound ideal.

I can't comment on the 3A as I have not heard that one (but I do hear a lot of good things about it)...

As for the Tylers and GMAs, I have heard both of these, and have owned the Signature Monitors (technically I still do, as they are the top half of my Linbrook System two piece floorstanders).

I The GMA Callistos I heard about 3 months back and was quite impressed. They get much lower than one might expect, and they had very nice sounstage depth and detail. Classical music seemed to mesh very well with them in particular, and I could easily be happy with them in my home (save for their looks that just don't do it for me, but did for the other person who auditioned them with me)...

The Linbrooks are warmer speakers than the GMAs and get even lower bass still. Speed of drivers and midrange are both close between the two, but I give the edge to the Linbrooks. Top end is about a draw IMO... I loved them both in that area. Dynamics I would give a slight edge to the Linbrooks...

Bottom line is both speakers are superb and I am sure you would be happy with either of them... If you prefer a bit of a warmer sound then probably the Linbrooks would be a closer fit (but keep in mind they are rear ported, so yo will need some space behind them)... If your tastes are a bit more bright (but not overly so) then the Callistos may be what you are looking for...

---Dave

>> your tastes are a bit more bright (but not overly so)
>> then the Callistos may be what you are looking for...

something is not right here when a person calls the Callisto "bright"!!
I've heard these speakers & would not call them bright in any way, shape or form.
Maybe the Linnbrooks are warm/soft just as some tube amps have that tubey sound from the 1970s & 1980s?
(I'm trying to get a feel for the Linnbrook sound using just words! ;-) )

I've owned and used Reference 3A MM DeCapos (non-i version) and Tyler Tylo Reference Monitors in my smallish room. They are setup in a nearfield setup. For my room and taste, I easily prefer the DeCapos. The bass is more solid and well defined, the midrange is better developed and the highs are just right. I also like the idea that you can drive them with almost any amp (in a small room). I've used everything from a 1.5 watt/channel 45 amp, 5 watt/ch. 2A3 tube amp, 40 watt "chip amp" and 170 watt HT receiver.

If you can find a pair of DeCapos at a good price, buy them and try them. They are very popular, so you could just re-sell them if you didn't love them.

Enjoy,

TIC