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Acoustic Zen Crescendo Mk2 or Daedalus Ulysses v2

Hi, wanting to replace my old Legacy Audio Signature II towers. Yes, I know the new Legacys are a very good option, but wanting to try something different now.

My priorities are a big, open, uncompressed presentation with prodigious but controlled bass. I want some serious dynamic impact on percussive transients. Needs to be a versatile speaker, as it will be used for both music and home theater. I have plenty of amp power for pretty much any speaker.

I've read stellar reviews of both the Ulysses and Crescendo as having the qualities I am looking for. Does anybody have experience with both?
mtrot
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Both are great speakers. And I have heard both at shows, but I associate neither with these desires: "a big, open, uncompressed presentation with prodigious but controlled bass. I want some serious dynamic impact on percussive transients."

They aren't slouches in those areas, but I'd look at other speakers if those are your priorities. Volti comes to mind. As does the Vapor Nimbus.
rhljazz
1,253 posts
 
I only heard the original Crescendo at RMAF 2007 powered by a pair of Halcro DM58 amps. The bass in that setup with Robert's program material was the hardest hitting, most concussive bass I've heard from any speaker. Very impressive! The overall sound was damn fine as well.

Most of the show reports since then list Triode labs amps which may not have the power of the Halcro's. That might explain the other responders opinion but who knows.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
The Crescendo sounds terrific with the Triode Labs 845 amplifier on the 3 separate occasions I've heard them, pure musical excellence. The Halcro has more power but that is only one factor of many that matter. I'd take my chances with the Triode lab based on my listening experiences. I've heard the Ulysses and believe it's a very good speaker as well. It was driven by a Mod Wright transistor amplifier which is a nice amp but the Crsecendo had an advantage with the Triode Lab amplifier pairing IMO. I'd like to hear both speakers directly compared driven by the better amp.
david12
1,454 posts
 
Not a direct comparison I know, but I switched from AZ Adagoios to Daedalus DA-RMAs 4 years ago and the difference was night and day. Lou's target at Daedalus is to get as near to live sound as possible and they certainly do that. They are very fast neutral and uncoloured, in comparison with the Adagios, which are very good too by the way, but not in the same class at all.
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