Altos or Utopia

I have the Alto Be and can say they are the best speakers I have heard for under 20K.Of course, they do reveal the sonic deficiencies of the componants used in the system.It is crucial to match everything to your particular tastes.They love a big powerful,dynamic SS amp and a neutral,full bodied pre.Once again,system matching is critical and crucial, but worth the effort.

Thanks for your responses. I guess I need to hear both side by side some how to be sure but I am leaning to the Utopias (mostly because I heard them and realy loved it.)

I've heard the Utopias in a shop and thought they were superb and powerful, but I ended up buying the Altos because of the beryllium tweeter. I think the older line Utopia series is excellent. I've also heard the Mezzos, but the new series is really something special. I think the Utopias might be the ticket in a larger room where more bass is needed. I think the Altos are the choice in a smaller space. it's a tough call. it really depends on your sonic preferences and musical choices as well as amplification, sources and cables. I recently upgraded the power cables on my amps and sources to Purist Dominus and the supposed deficiencies on bass response with the Altos simply went away. Now I have more than enough bass, so I'd be careful about making too many judgements on the Altos until the rest of the chain in the system is complete.

Don't believe everything that you read. Trust your ears.