new refrence 3a mm de capo

Tube grooves thanks for your info, it was ment for you. I own a pair of Merlin Tsmxe speakers and I love them, just wondering how they compare to the Decapo.
Thanks
Ryriken

Ryriken,
I went from a pair of Merlin TSM-mmi's to my current De Capo's, so it's a question I can speak to.
The Merlin is a very mature and very refined design. Bobby Palkovic is a first-class human being who gives world-class service to his customers.
That said, the De Capo's, in my system, are making me very happy. They are imaging "monsters" and throw an enormous soundstage if the material warrants it. The midrange is beautiful, highs are sweet and extended and not harsh (especially with the new tweeter) and there is enough bottom end (I think they are rated down to 42 Hz) that orchestral music and bass heavy rock 'n roll have good authority and I feel no need for a subwoofer.
Also, in my system, they paint a coherent sonic picture of the performance that I find involving and intoxicating. It is very, very hard to describe in words exactly what these speakers get so right, but the result can be a level of emotional, musical communication that is quite wonderful. They are bringing me a lot of pleasure.

What's the price on the new De Capo BE?

Rebbi, I owned the earlier De Capo i's and they were wonderful in the ways you describe. However, I found them a bit too forward sounding. (I expect their measurements would be less than optimum.) Do you find that with yours?

Slick2,

contact Galen Carol, San Antonio Texas, he has been a Reference 3a dealer/retailer for many years and can give you expert info regarding these speakers.

Interesting how you perceive them Drubin. This doesn't surprise me at all. I would think many would have this perception of these speakers which in many ways parallel the Merlin line, a more forward presentation as opposed to a mid-hall laid back speaker. I would doubt very much that this impression would change with the new model. Interestingly for me the first time I listened I thought they were a bit more laid back and polite than the VSM, at least at the dealers. When I got them home in my system I discovered that they were not at ALL polite, quite dynamic actually with huge lifelike images on well recorded material. On the other hand they really change with the recording and mic placement resolving the acoustic space in a most convincing way and that can change to a more mid hall impression if it's on the recording. In this way I find them even more resolving of space than the VSM which are VERY good in this area of performance.

I do have a question for you Drubin when you mention forward are you referring to the 700-1K boost noted in several measurements of the speaker and noted by some listeners or do you find them generally forward regardless of that bump?