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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
mtrot OP
804 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies and info! @David12, I might have to check out those DA-RMAs. BTW, in perusing the Daedalus site in the past, it seemed to me that some of their speakers were for specific room types or specific applications, and I wasn't sure if they would match my room and setup.
mtrot OP
804 posts
 
@Nek, I am in East Texas. Interesting that you wrote about running your mains as LARGE, as that is how I run my system. After a series of unsatisfactory center channel speakers, I just resorted to a "phantom" setup. And I also send the LFE to my Legacy Audio Signature IIs, which go down to ~20hz. My Krell amp has plenty of juice for doing that.
keithr
1,306 posts
 
I agree with Roscoe that these two speakers aren't ideal with your requirements. Both are more intimate sounding, despite size.
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,212 posts
 
I've owned the Ulysses. Nice speakers with exceptional cabinetry... but I agree with Roscoe and Kiethr in that they don't excel in the areas you desire. I sold mine to go back to Harbeth M-40.1's.
keithr
1,306 posts
 
fwiw, Mtrot there are several speakers that do provide the sound you're looking for.

First are horns like Avantgarde. Second are Zu Definitions. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but they are big, open, with great tone and dynamic as hell with sealed bass. They won't win over the nuance/reticent speaker crowd like Harbeth/SF/Audio Note and won't image or resolve like a microscope Magico, so its personal taste.
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