I have a pair of Continuum 1.5s from around the year 2000 and I had the privilege to hear several other GMA models, as Roy Johnson used to let me hang around his shop in Old Colorado City and help burn in new speakers while I was trying to decide if I wanted any of his speakers and then later while I was waiting for mine to be built.
I also am familiar with and like the new Vandersteens. I just heard the new model threes (I think that's what they were) this weekend and they were terrific. The Quattro Woods I also like.
I'm not really sure what you mean by "warm", though.
I can tell you I love the Continuums for their ability to play loudly (and still sound good) and their ultra-modern looks.
The smaller GMAs, I think they're called Callistos, are also very cool but I don't recall them sounding, well, as big.
Those Vandersteen threes I heard this weekend did sound kind of mellow; maybe that's what you mean. Smooth and easy to listen to. The GMAs do not have that quality, at least not as much. But I think they make up for it in other ways, particularly in detail and realism. Listening to drums through GMAs is always surprisingly realistic and makes you wonder why quick sonic transients like that are so shortchanged through other speakers. I think this makes the GMAs ideal for rock and pop, maybe less for classical or bluegrass.
I'm sure I didn't help much, but I think if you get a chance to hear the GMAs you'll be able to tell right away whether or not they're for you.
I also am familiar with and like the new Vandersteens. I just heard the new model threes (I think that's what they were) this weekend and they were terrific. The Quattro Woods I also like.
I'm not really sure what you mean by "warm", though.
I can tell you I love the Continuums for their ability to play loudly (and still sound good) and their ultra-modern looks.
The smaller GMAs, I think they're called Callistos, are also very cool but I don't recall them sounding, well, as big.
Those Vandersteen threes I heard this weekend did sound kind of mellow; maybe that's what you mean. Smooth and easy to listen to. The GMAs do not have that quality, at least not as much. But I think they make up for it in other ways, particularly in detail and realism. Listening to drums through GMAs is always surprisingly realistic and makes you wonder why quick sonic transients like that are so shortchanged through other speakers. I think this makes the GMAs ideal for rock and pop, maybe less for classical or bluegrass.
I'm sure I didn't help much, but I think if you get a chance to hear the GMAs you'll be able to tell right away whether or not they're for you.