Avalon: are new models quite better than older ?

Sirspeedy, thanks for your 2nd post, i'm really glad with my Radians now... but it seems so difficult to explain to other audiogoners that a new project (read: Eidolon) not necessary is better than a previous one (read: Ascents or Radians). Cheers, Luca.

I have Eidolons now and Radian HC too. Well, I can't decide if I definitely prefer the one or the other ! Call me crazy but Eidolons have better resolution, transparency and detail in the mid/high region, the bass is more extended and deep BUT the bass itself has less speed, articulation and dynamics: it seems that the ported woofers cannot match with the speed of ceramic drivers... When I listen to a well recorded drum-set with Radians the sound is tight, I can clearly distinguish the leather of drums, with Eidolons the drums sound more deep and visceral but a lot less tight and "kicking". Even worse with a well recorded double-bass.
The power in the mid/high region partially make up for this limit adding lots of energy and speed on higher notes but the result is unsatisfaying for me... Am I the only thinking that on Eidolons vs previous sealed Avalons like Radians ? I wouldn't miss the magic and energy of Eidolons in mid-hi frequency but cannot live with a slow and little muddy bass.
Waiting your opinions and advices. Thanks, Luca.

Luca, as I mentioned at the outset of your thread, I experience no slow or muddy bass on Eidolons here. Here the bass on the Eidolons is extremely tight, well defined and agile. But the Diamonds are better defined still, so perhaps the Radians are as well. But this is a matter of subtle degree of refinement, not the gross level of difference you seem to be describing. If you are using the same amplifier with both the Eidolons and the Radians, could it be that the amplifier is not as good a match to the Eidolons as it is to the Radians?
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Dear Rushton, the amps are the same: Pass X600, well know for their great control on speakers drivers, so I doubt that could be a problem due to amps. Anyway, thanks again.

I believe that you will find the Ascent mk2 to be the speaker that does it all for you(based on your comments).This was Avalons premier product originally and they have not bettered it in any of their three way designs regardless of ad copy or industry hype.They were a sealed enclosure(more articulate bass and midbass).They were a very easy load on an amp(lowering how hard your amp has to work,meaning lower distortion).They came with a seperate external crossover(would you want a crossover in a potentially resonant enclosure or external?).They had significantly more mass in the enclosure and had unbelieveably high resolution in the vital upper mid to high freq.They were discintinued due to wife acceptance factor(4 cabinets,including crossovers)and the need for Avolon to distribute a more compact design.These speakers really have to be heard to be believed.They are occassionally available used at about 5-7k and are a steal.I have heard them on numerous occassions in various Manhattan loft set ups and always felt that this was Avalons towering achievement.Don't take my word for it ,try to hear a pair.Avalon once had indicated to me that they had received one pair back on trade in and "had forgotten just how good the sound".YOU can believe me or not,but I'm not making this up.