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Avalon's "Symbol": Good As "Other" $3500 Spks??

Need input about Avalon Acoustics "Symbol" speaker and how it compares to other speakers in the $3500 price range, like Revel F-30, Audio Physic Tempo3i, Totem's "Forest". How deep and tight is the bass, considering it uses only two 5.5 inch drivers for the mids and lows. Is the "soundstaging" and "imaging" as good as the more expensive Avalon speakers. Or, is this just a Home Theater product which does not qualify as "hi-end" sound?? The Symbols look cool, but seem fairly expensive for what they offer. Are they really worth their retail price??
sunnyjim
budrew
467 posts
 
I heard these the other day at a local dealer's recommendation. I had gone in asking about higher end Avalon speakers, something like the Arcus. The Symbol did not give me the sound I was expecting to hear. I had heard that Avalons are extremely good speakers, the kind you keep for the rest of your life. The only other Avalons the dealer had for demo were something like $34,000 so what's the point. The Symbol was good with spot-on imaging, but lacked the bottom end and wasn't terribly resolving. I'm looking for two channel and they weren't my cup of tea. However, for home theater or possibly surround sound they might be killer.
hpshps
66 posts
 
The Symbols take quite some time to break in. Before they are broken in, they do not sound too pleasing and certainly not involving. And yes, they do not have a lot of bass. I have heard them with several different amps and CDPs. These make a big difference, properly matched the Symbols are excellent for their size and, to some degree, price. They make excellent HT speakers, though. I heard the Symbols used as front and rear channels augmented with the Avalon sub and center. Spooky. Very realistic. I personally would probably not buy them because I like more bass but if looks and small amount of space required matter more than the bottom-most octave, I'd go for it. I own a pair of Avalons Eidolons and I have every intention of keeping them for very long time.
carlman
21 posts
 
I have the Revel F30's but, I've moved to a smaller room so, I'm selling them. I have an ad for them here. My room is only 11x12'. The Revel's are too big for the room. However, when they were in a larger room, they provided great detail, transparency, and impact. These speakers are very convincing on most music. The only thing I think it misses on is acoustic guitar. It's not bad but, not as convincing as it recreates piano and all other instruments. That's my biggest nit-picking.

The bass on the Revel's is much more than just another octave... it's a detailed layer of bass that is seamlessly integrated with the rest of the sound. The bass, mids and highs are very detailed.

The Avalon's I heard which were about 7,k on sale at a dealer sounded more mellow, relaxed, etc. The Revel's are more forward and have greater impact but, do not image quite as well.

So, that's what I know.
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