Reynaud's Evolution 3 speaker.---Rave or Rag It ?


The J.M.Reynaud of France makes some exotic speakers. Would appreciate any input on their new model called: "Evolution 3' It is a two way system with transmission line loading. Just got a "rave" review in an alternative hi-end mag, "The Listener"(March/April) It lists for $3295 which seems like a lot of dough for a two way design. Any and all comments appreciated.
sunnyjim
Great answer Chris. I have heard several reliable sources rave about the Reynauds. Would love to be able to audition a pair some day.
Personally I havent heard the Evolution 3, but I do have a pair of Trentes, they are the monitor version of the Evolution. They are amazing sounding speakers and they work well with either solid states and especially tube amps. I am driving them with Audion Sterling and they sounded excellent. The Trentes are one of the best monitors at the price point, IMHO. They are very easy to setup. As far as speaker cables goes, the Analysis Plus Oval 9 or Acoustic Zen Hologram are very good choices for the Reyauds.
Rave.
I own these and they're special, they don't sound like you're listening to electronics, very natural, fluid, coherent, clean, musical, emotional, rich. Once you've lived with them for a while there's no way back to other speakers.

Their value is incredible, they beat the new Virgo 3's in almost all aspects: musically, tonally, dynamics, coherentness, etc. Soundstage of the Virgo is deeper.
Besides sound quality, their design and build quality (layered wood) are special too.

They work well with relativly cheap amplifiers, but deserve the best you can afford. I use them with Plinius and Gaincard (together $13000). I've just ordered JM Reynaud's "ultra-high-end" speakers: Odyssee, but I think I'm keeping the Evo's too, he makes products you can fall in love with, acoustic masterpieces.

Btw. they require very long break-in, the woofer needs time for dynamics and detail, the tweeter sounds too bright when new. Don't be put off by a bad demo, you'll miss something special...