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Silverline LaFolia--anyone heard'em?

Hi guys,

I've been curious about these speakers for a while, and last I heard Silverline was having a hard time getting any more of the Dynaudio drivers. Any knowledge of whether these are still available and if so are they still using the same drivers? They're still on the Silverline website if that means anything.

Also, I'd be especially interested in any thoughts from those who've heard both the LaFolia and Sonata II--what are the major differences and are the LaFolias really better since the Sonata upgrade? How would you characterize their sound overall? Also interested in any other comparisons or thoughts on the LaFolias, as my nearest Silverline dealer is about 500 miles away--I don't care how good they are, I ain't goin' that far for any speaker. Thanks.

Tim
soix
priz
49 posts
 
I purchased the LaFolias over the Sonata IIs because they work better with high powered SS amps than the Sonata IIs do. I’m using the Spectron Musician II which is rated at 500 watts per channel. Also, Alan Yun of Silverline told me that with the rear firing woofer, the LaFolias should be placed closer to the back wall (about 2 feet). This was ideal for my room since I don’t have the luxury of placing the speakers 3 to 4 feet out for optimum midrange and imaging. I find them to be incredible speakers with the above mentioned amp. My source is a Cary 306/200 and the pre is a VAC Vintage. Finally, another reason I choose these over the Sonata IIs is that the drivers in the LaFolias are much higher quality. Hope this helps!
Jim
audio999
178 posts
 
Priz answered correctly ! LaFolias is highly recommended which used hell smooth Esotar tweeters.
radman
7 posts
 
Hi. I have the LaFolia and Dunlavy Alethas at my home. Although I have no concrete evidence, I have heard that the focal polyglass woofer was no longer available and so a polykevlar (also by focal I believe) is now being used. I have not heard of any problems with supply of the Dynaudio drivers, but who really knows.

In regard to the Sonata II vs. LaFolia issue, at one point, Mr Yun told me that the Sonata II had more slam than the LaFolia, but the LaFolia was more transparent. After having the LaFolias, I have a hard time envisioning a speaker with more impact or slam in as small and svelte an enclosure.

Compared to the Dunlavy, the LaFolia is more laid back in the midrange (with my gear at least) with the vocalist in plane with the remaining soundstage, while the Dunlavy puts the vocalist and midrange more upfront or forward. The net result is that the Aletha possibly sounds more "you are there" on great recordings (audiophile stuff), but suffers on the more mundane popular stuff that many including me listen to. The LaFolias just sound inherently musical no matter what you throw at them. The Silverlines will also play louder than the Dunlavy without strain and sound better at low volumes than the Aletha (perhaps the acoustic suspension design needs more power to get the acoustic (air) damped woofer going. PS: the "you are there" experience of the LaFolia does take time to evolve and requires over 100-200 hours. Mine are still breaking in each day with new strides in transparency and realism.

SYSTEM:
Fanfare Millenium tubed preamp (no longer made)
Plinius SA 250 MK IV power amp
Electrocompaniet EMC II 24/192 CDP
VPI Aires Scout w/ Clearaudio Sigma into Plinius Jarrah phono stage
Interconnects: Siltech FTM 4 G3 and FTM 4 Gold, or Nordost Valhalla (playing with 1 piece to see its effect, or Acoustic Zen Silver Ref. Mk II.
Speaker cable: Purist Audio Collossus biwire
Power cables: Custom Power Company Top Gun Special and Top Gun HCFi.
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