Vienna Acoustics Bach Grand

Finding the right amp for Vienna Acoustics Bach Grands was pretty tough. After spending about 13 months with 3 different amps (CREEK Evo; MATANTZ 2235B; ATOLL IN100 SE), I would have to agree with several people who have responded here; these speakers need power. Without enough power, the VA Bach Grands can sound a bit boomy in the mid-low range. I have settled on the ATOLL IN100 SE for several reasons: (1) its a bright and lively amp, (2) its a dual-mono amp, and it gots lots of juice-power, and (3) its not too expesive (1500 Tx-included). NOW... whoa... these speakers sound boss! So my advice is this: these speakers can sound amazing, but you need to try out some lively and powerful amps.

Viennas are really nice.. you should really consider a real amp not some best buy receiver. A power amp+ pre amp. If u use some new garbage from best buy you will always have garbage sound.
Look into vintage amps. High current. Luxman, nakamichi, harman, yamaha, onkyo all had good stuff. I prefer Japanese as they are diligently designed. Not fixer uppers or projects from NAD or adcom. As far as vienna.. best speakers I’ve heard. I have beethovens, and haydn bookshelves. Looking to pick up bachs. They are as they say laid back speakers compare to say bowers and wilkins. Ive heard and owned bunch if bw stuff. I would no doubt take beethovens over 804s bw. In a 2 way speaker in general u won’t hear a super pronounced midrange. On haydns (2way) it’s actually pretty good. Not absent like in say bowers and wilkins dm602 s3. If u like new age, electronica, and listen to it loud then probably try bw.. but u can’t listen bw for long. U get tired quickly from brittleness and "in your face"Ness of the sound.
I’d say vienna is a step up from brands like bowers and wilkins , monitor audio.. (jessica timberlake, bose, bmw of high end) vienna is more like leonard cohen , vienna, bugatti veyron.
People get obsessed by trying to hear new detail. "Oh shet I haven't heard That string sound on my old speakers, these speakers are more detailed.. " thats where bw gets u with aluminum tweeter and blown up thin mid range.  "Detailed". 

I have the Grand Mozart's. I agree that they may have a softer high-end and may add some mid-range bloom. With the right amp its just a touch.

I have to also agree that they have an amazing soundstage. Highly musical with pretty amazing detail. May have less than some in the highs but you can listen for hours. 

Also you need a high current amp. I would also look for more watts than your receiver. I have older Exposure amp with high current and 90 watts a side and they absolutely sing. I agree a better amp is in order. Think bigger power supply. Most people who don't like these speakers don't have enough current. 

The Vienna line has a great sound if properly set up. One of the previous posts talks about using a receiver which is your first mistake..... you should be using a pre amp and amp of the same caliber as the Vienna speakers.... not a receiver. 

I have owned a pair of Bach Grand for about 3 years. I am VERY hard to please and these please me very much. I have bought and sold a lot of gear in the last few years to try to perfect my system. The Bach grands have remained in my system whilst I have seen many brand names come and go..

With the correct gear, cables, placement etc, these are a beautiful sounding speaker. superb bass for their size. Vocals are amazingly natural and the highs are never shrill, even though they can be a little bit understated sometimes.

this is not a speaker that jumps out at you, but with the right equipment it will ooze sound into your environment. They are more seductive than pushy.

I stress, use warm amplification , warm sources, and warm cables and you’ll have a beautifully organic sound that is VERY hard to achieve with other brands of speakers.

My setup.. Dynavector HX1.2 power amp. I think this is really where a lot of the warmth comes from as I’ve had several other amps that just don’t come near this.
Cambridge Audio preamp , Marantz DV9500 SACD player. Audioquest interconnects, and Dunlavey speaker cables. Power cables are so important too. Stay away from silver unless you want to destroy atmosphere in your sound.

In essence the speaker has the capacity to give extremely natural, open, warm analogue type reproduction. If you’re into vocals, these can be amazing. They have the capacity to create an atmosphere that the music sits in, but it really is a VERY fine balance of equipment and cabling.

I haven’t needed a sub in 3 years, and only in the last 24 hours have I plugged one back in. They don’t go super low but do go down to around 35hz I would believe. There is an octave missing for certain, but so few recordings have this anyways. the bass is very natural. Double bass sounds like double bass. Ride cymbal sounds like the real deal. etc etc. I think you get the picture. Imaging is very good and can be quite deep, wide and high.

To me this is one of the most balanced, organic and natural sounds I’ve heard in 45 years, and I’ve been either playing with , or selling audio gear professionally in that time. I’m also a musician with expensive taste in my musical instruments. Bach Grand reproduce all instruments extremely naturally and honestly.