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Falling out of love for my Gallo Strada 2’s (long)

History: For many, many years I enjoyed Martin Logan Sequel 2’s, followed by Ascents with a Logos center. I’m talking decades. About two years ago, my SO asked me to downsize from the monstrous Ascents.  So to comply with her request, I ended up with three Anthony Gallo Strada 2’s (F C R) and a pair of their TR-3D subs.  Still using the same pair of Monitor Audio bipolar speakers for surrounds for the last 20 years.  I’ve enjoyed the Strada’s, but always felt they were very light in the low end (should be expected from a speaker that size I guess). The Gallo subs were also anemic.  I used to run a Velodyne ULD-15 with my ML’s.  I recently bought a single SVS SB 4000 to upgrade the Gallo subs, and the SVS is actually amazing, but hasn’t helped the Gallo’s lacking low midrange. I’ve used my Anthem MRX-510’s ARC (room correction) to compensate for any room deficiencies, with some, but not dramatic success. It has the Gallo’s and the sub crossed at 160hz. I’ve tried lowering the crossover to 100 per some recommendations I’ve read, which didn’t do much. Note the MRX is acting as a processor and amp for the surrounds - I also have an Acurus 200x3 driving the fronts - it’s a 5.1 system.

For home theater, which is about 70% if it’s use, the system is great, but 2 channel music is where I find it lacking.  And I’m finding that percentage is leaning more towards music these days.

I realize I’m not comparing apples to apples with m experience with excellent full range Martin Logan speakers to tiny “lifestyle speakers” like the Gallo’s, so after a discussion we’ve agreed that I can go back to somewhat larger speakers if I need to...

Naturally my first instinct is to look for some used ML’s, but i’d like to consider more reasonably sized boxes if possible. My problem is I haven’t keep up with the market so I’m kinda starting blind.

Being in the NYC suburbs, theres a good used speaker market out there, but I’m hoping to get some guidance on where to start.  

I’m also not averse to buying new, but i’d prefer the used market to get considerably more for the money.

So my question is really two part.

1) Am I going to be able to find a way to open up the Gallo’s (I’d like to keep them if possible) - perhaps some overlap on the low freq crossovers?  Bring the Gallo’s back down to ~100 and raise the SVS maybe?  Or is it a lost cause?  I’d hoped the Anthem Automatic Room Correction would have done all that’s possible with that...

Or 2) Am I going to find good full range sound from bookshelves, considering my SVS sub, or am I going to have to go back to full size full range speakers?  In either case, recommendations? (Brand, model?) considering how much I loved the Martin Logan’s, should I just bite the bullet and go back to a set?  Note I’ll end up keeping the Gallo Strada 2 center, as it just fits my environment perfectly for now.

I’m prepared to spend about $2-3000 hoping to sell The Strada’s and subs to recoup some funds.  

Any suggestions are appreciated.
mchad
prpixel
876 posts
 
Strada 2's have less bass than Strada 1's.  Gallo made the 2's more efficient but they had to sacrifice some bass; lows of physics and speaker design.  The negative 3 point on the 2's are 68, so crossover should be set around 70-80.  Having spoken to Gallo, I was told that they were shooting for the THX standard for the crossover point between the 2's and a sub.  There's only so much bass you can get out of a 4" woofer and they were looking to take some of the "strain" off of it.
Setting your crossover too high will put it into the lower ranges of voices.  It's always a good policy to set your crossover as low as possible. 

You didn't mention speaker placement.  Moving speakers closer to the wall can re-enforce bass and mids.

That being said, I would look at your amp.  I owned the Acurus 200x3 and thought it was shrill.  At the time, I was using an Aragon 4004 Mark2 for the fronts and was looking to stay with a Mondial design for the rears and center channels. The Acurus didn't stay in the system long, about 4-6 months before I replaced it.  

Try removing the Acurus from the system, rerun ARC, and see if it makes a difference.  If you don't hear a difference, then all it cost you is time.  If you do, then it's time to look for a better amp.

For reference I own a pair of Strada 1's driven by a Wadia 151PowerDac Mini and a custom Sub..  I listen to Flac recordings from a Boulder Cable modified Squeezebox Touch.  In my Home theater, I have Martin Logan Summits, ML Theater Center, and Magnapan Motorized Walls for surrounds.  Processor is an Anthem AVM60 and Amp is by D-Sonic.  I do the majority of my listening to the Strada's while "working" on the computer.  

Hope this helps.
soix
9,528 posts
 
A few small footprint tower recommendations:

New:
Ascend Sierra Towers -- 30-day trial sold direct, can be ordered with Raal ribbon tweeter that should be sweet like your MLs

Used:
Joseph Audio Profile -- neutral and natural sounding with excellent imaging and 3D soundstage.  Manufactured on LI so should be able to audition locally and maybe find nice demo pair.  Available here now used. 

Proac Response 3.8 -- read Stereophile review.  Available here now used, and located in northeast Bergen County NJ so prob not too far to audition in person.  

Just some possible options FWIW.  Best of luck in your search. 

svenerik
21 posts
 
I’m having a similar dilemma with my Strada 2s used in a desktop nearfield system with a REL R205. Great imaging & clarity, but no mid-bass punch, just dull thuddy low bass. I’m planning to try some other subwoofers before giving up on them. Top contenders are Rythmik F8 or SVS SBS-3000, both of which cross over up to around 175, Has anyone compared these two subs? The F8 seems the preferable choice based on driver size alone. I can fit either one on my desk behind the Gallos, but big boxes will look more cluttered.
spenav
429 posts
 
If you haven't heard them yet, I would recommend a pair of Audience 1+1 V3's.  I am quite happy with mine and they have a small footprint like the Gallo's.  I have them on stands.  I also use four ML subs to supplement the bass and like you I have a music/movie combo set up.  Good luck with your search.
seasoned's avatar
seasoned
181 posts
 
I recently decided to try something different and took the Gallo Strada 2's out of my AV system. I replaced them with Klipsch Heresy 3's. WOW! what a huge improvement in realism and excitement. TV is much more intelligible and dynamic. 2-channel music sounds much better as well. Before the change, folks would come over and not even say anything about the Gallos. Now they ask, "wow, what kind of speakers are THOSE?"  I am so glad I made that change. Whodathunk!
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