Official Anthony Gallo Owners Thread - Page 70

Are you recommending he not use a sub for music only, because the 3.5 + SA cannot replace a real sub (eg. SVS PB13U, Seaton SubMersive, Epik Conquest etc).

Some of the better subs (eg. the Seaton which I personally own) are also more agile than the 3.5 with no perceptible decay, and extend significantly lower (7-15Hz depending on room).

For reference I have both the 3.1s and 3.5s running off power amps.

I have a completely random question. I am looking at buying some used micro's or a'divas along with floor stands. Would the A'diva's fit on the stands made for the micro? Thanks for the help!

The A'Diva Ti's will work on micro stands. The original A'Diva's are too heavy and will not.

hey guys...just wondering if it is doable...i have limited space in my setup .
placing TV over fireplace. Gallo 3.5 as floorstanders.have a denon 3311.
no room for center channel or rear 5.1.
question how do i hook up my avr for both tv watching and for music. or can it be done.

Looking for suggestions on an acceptable tube front end to my Parasound 2250, AG 3.1 References. Its time to move the current PDA1500's out of the mix and add in a tube pre-amp. I can't afford to replace the 2250 as of yet on my way to go full tube so a pre-amp is my next purchase. The John Curl designed amp at 220rms is currently acceptable as amps go but a little to clinical in the current setup of now.

I am hoping the intro of the tube amp will color/warm up my current system.

My budget is about 1k for the pre-amp and with the onslaught of better quality Chinese/North American designs hitting the market, I think its a good time to move forward.

Looking forward to your suggestions/recommendations.

Jim
White Rock, BC, Canada

Here are two you might want to check out that are within your price range:

Promitheus, http://www.promitheusaudio.com/frontpage.html

Dodd, http://doddaudio.com/batt_pwred_preamp.aspx

You can also check out Audiogon and look for something used.

Do you have the SA amp? You should if you are going to a tube amp in the future.

To all the Strada owners, how does the Strada center stack up to more common centers like the Klipsch RC-64 II, or Paradigm CC-690?

To put it simply, I haven't heard any Gallo speakers at all, but the reviews sure seem to sing their praises. I've actually been looking for a center channel to mate with my Boston Acoustics E100 L & R. I tried the BA VR12 (that seems to get a decent amount of praise from its followers), but after having used a phantom center with the E100's till now, when I tried the VR12, it sounded... like the sound was coming from a box, as if I was using one of those ridiculous Bose cubes for a center channel. The VR12 didn't even come close to matching the range of the E100's phantom center when I reviewed the vocals on some of my favorite chapters on the 'Across The Universe' BD.

I've previewed older versions of Paradigm's CC-590 and CC-690 and can tell the difference between the two from just listening to vocal solos. The 590 lacks some of what the 690 can produce, and I'm not talking about volume. It's in the frequency/tonal balance. It's like there's a dip/hole in the range. The VR12 is lacking in this same department (potentially even worse than the 590).

You know how the frequency response and acoustic reproduction range of products seems to diminish the lower down the chain you go? i.e. those cute little Bose cubes sound like crap because they can't reproduce much of anything except within a very limited spectrum and when apired with their underwhelming subwoofers, you get tinny highs, not much lows, and a severe lack of anything in the middle. Upgrading to a better sub doesn't help much because now you have the big boom of the low end, but the tiny cubes still can't reproduce a decent midrange or any mid-bass to mate to the sub, so the sound has a hole in it (that folks happy with their Bose systems are fortunate enough to be blissfully unaware of).

I'm trying to find a center channel where I won't feel (hear) that loss/deficiency when paired with the E100's (and I'm not saying they're the best speakers available either, but I am, for the time being, pleased with the way they sound). I have a pair of Bag End Infrasubs which I believe should be adequate for reproduction of the lower frequencies, so I'm basically looking for a center that isn't deficient in the midrange to midbass region (like so many smaller speakers tend to be). As I asked above, has anyone with a Strada center heard one of the more conventional centers like those listed above? And if so, how do they compare?


Max

The 3.5's make The Absolute Sound's Editors Choice Awards list for $5K-$15K speakers.


http://www.avguide.com/review/the-20...-15000-tas-211

Nice! Congrats to Anthony!!!

I would greatly appreciate feedback, critique and advice for my first posting on this thread.

I have been doing research for a higher end desktop 2.0 or 2.1 system using my laptop (Sony Z) as a source and am considering the Strada for these reasons:

1. Size - Relatively compact. For the audio performance, it is difficult to find anything of this size. This is also a transportable size during the short stints when I travel overseas.
2. Flexibility of placement and roles - Stradas seem to be less sensitive to placement and will offer me the flexibility of moving it to my living room. I'm impressed that they seem to work well wall mounted, desktop free standing and floor standing. A couple of reviews suggest that they work well near field unlike many speakers. In short, it is able to function very well in multiple roles from desktop to the living room.
3. Cost - for what it does, the value proposition seem high.

Here are some questions:

1. Does my reasoning above make sense?

2. Solution to take the audio out of my laptop into the Stradas with a subwoofer? Ideally, I'll have a USB output to a DAC. I am know about Peachtree amps but don't need the IPOD integration of the iNova. Is there any alternatives out there that may be better and still be compact for a desktop? I'm not necessarily a fan of Peachtree's pricing policy and do not need the ipod capability.

3. If anyone here uses the Peachtree Nova or iNova, any comments?

4. Sub- what subs would you recommend that would have a retail pricing of $1K or less? I've read numerous posts indicating that the TR3 can be bettered for the price.

5. Anything else I should know or think about?

Thanks,
UL

Assuming that you'll be sitting fairly close -- as is the case with most 2.0/2.1 systems hooked up to computers -- I would have to say the Strada might be more speaker then you really need, or could use effectively.

I don't imagine one of the design goals for the Strada was to use them for "near field" listening. In order to get the full sound stage you probably need to sit a bit further away from them then a foot or two, which is more then likely how close you'd be positioned in the typical speakers-hooked-up-to-my-computer arrangement.

For near field listening what might be a better choice is to pair the A'Diva Ti's with a sub like the TR1. If you would rather look into other alternatives here are some 2.1 systems worthy of further consideration:

Orb Audio's Classic Two

Swan M50W

Acoustic Energy Aego M

Avi Neutron 5

Blue Sky MediaDesk MKII or eXo2

Jamo i300

Focal XS 2.1 (expensive)

Genelec First Step (real expensive)

Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS

Audio Pro ADDON Three or ADDON Four

Cabasse EOLE2

Antek SoundScience Rockus 2.1

Axiom AudioByte


Of course, if you're more of the adventurous type you could always mix-and-match using something like the AudioEngine A5 and the S8, or the Swan H5 with the H6. There are myriad choices if you want to go that route though -- what I showed are merely two quick examples.

Thanks Jim. I'll look in to your options. You gave an AMAZING list! Much appreciated.

The speakers will be three feet away if on my desk, and about 4 or 5 feet away if floor standing. I thought about the Stradas due to their potential for normal living room use later, and also the 6moon review.

I'll check into your options. Currently I have the Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 and it is great except that the bass extension is highly inadequest. The MM-1 has a very good DAC, especially the headphone out. I have no idea how I could connect it to a sub as the USB connection to the internal DAC in the MM1 takes over the soundcard functions.

Of the options you listed, I'm familiar with two:

a. The Focal XS is not too expensive but I think it is more 'clinical' than the MM-1 but have much better bass extension.

b. I also thought about the Genelecs but for the money, would probalby go with the Focal CMS40 and their sub. But at that price point (well over $2K) we are not that far off from a Strada and a decent integrated amp. Probelm is that i have no idea how the Focal CMS with sub will compare with the Strada and integrated amp.

Thanks again for your comments. Love to hear more comments from any any and all. (Did wonder if I should have posted my query in a new thread instead.)

Thanks,
UL

You're welcome UL...


Although I have heard of the MM-1, I'm not personally really familiar with them. Have you contacted B&W to see if they have any thoughts on adding a sub? I would imagine since they have their own DAC, and connect via USB, the answer would more then likely be "sorry, you can't do that", but it might at least be worth a shot.

Sitting 2-3 feet away from the Strada's is probably still too close, but 5-6 might be sufficient. I've never head them at that distance, so I can't say for certain, but perhaps someone who owns them will chime in and give a more authoritative opinion.

Agree with the previous poster -- too close. A good friend of mine has desktop mounted Stradas running off a very nice 2ch amp (forget the model) and he finds they don't sound good until he walks back a couple meters at least. He also has about +3b around 1.8KHz among other issues (possibly too many reflective surfaces in the room).

The speaker is designed to throw a wide sound stage, I would not use the Strada or Refs up close, but further back they sing.

Thanks. I guess the Strada won't work then. Sigh.... Back to the drawing board. Thanks for the help though - probably saved me from a lot of grief.

UL

You could also look at the other Gallo family members like the Micro, A'Diva, or Due (Discontinued, but better than Micro or A'Diva could find them used at Ebay or Audiogon).

Also Orbs sound very good and spacious. Need sub with all the above if you want some low end.

Thanks. Thought about Orb but it seems that they have a smaller ball and less internal space, thus the extension is not as low. I've seen comments of people that think Gallo are better, some who thought they are similar, but not seen any that thought Orbs are better when A/B side by side. Is this true in your opinion?

Thanks,
UL

The regular Micro is the same. The Micro Ti has a bit more "sparkle" on the upper end then the Orb, but the midrange seemed to be about the same. The A'Diva Ti has surprising presence, better lower midrange and more "sparkle". The regular A'Diva I've never heard, so I can't comment on those.

All the Gallo's are more expensive, including the Micro, but whether or not the additional expense is worth it is a matter of personal preference. The A'Diva Ti's I found to be pretty darn nice though, even near-field. And, like the Orb, they can play a lot louder then you might realize.

Sizewise the Orbs are larger than the Micros and rated a little lower if you look at the specs. I have both, and to my ears the Orbs seem a little more spacious and have a larger soundstage. The Micros enclosure are more rigid and sound a little tighter, they have the S2 technology they claim that makes the enclosure sound much bigger. The Orbs also use better magnet, neodymium, which the Micro Ti also uses, but not the Micros. I think the value proposition is better with the Orbs, they are almost half the price since they sell direct. You could buy use but Orbs, for some reason, don't show up in the use marketplace, Audiogon and Ebay, compared with Gallos. Orb does have an Outlet section selling at a discount. They also have a 30 day return policy. You could also buy the Gallos used and if you don't like it resell for what you paid for them.

Srayan from 6moon used Stradas in computer setup. Here you can read about his experience. Cau, d.

FWIW- as far as the Adivati's go for for NF monitoring - Stevie wonder used them when they first came out to monitor the album he was working on at the time - so apparently yes, they can be used as high quality nearfield monitors.

I wasn't aware of that. Nice piece of trivia.

Thanks everyone for the comments. yes, read the 6moon review. Appreciate the comments and help. of course, this is all a bit non conclusive because now I have some sources that say the Strada or Adiva Ti would not work for nearfield desktop speakers, and some that say it would.....

I'll have to do more research - and welcome any additional comments. Really appreciate everyone here.

Thanks,
UL

3.1's for sale on Audiogon.

I'm trying to find a dealer listing for my state but Gallo's website seem to be under attach? At least my firefox is not allowing me to access the site.

I think the site is www.roundsound.com?

Thanks,
UL

I would dare to have them in near field as I tried some near field listening with AG 3.5 which I have. I know that this statement and act sounds a bit crazy but I found this kind of listening also enjoyable. If you have a chance to try them do this as I believe they are really marvel among the speakers. Try A'diva too if possible and see what is best for you.

cau, d.

I just got a Strada center channel for HT a couple of weeks ago. The only difference between the LR is that the center has the tweeter rotated 90 degrees for horizontal speaker orientation. The center channel's tweeter's horizontal dispersion is also limited to 120 degrees vs the LR which have a 180 degree tweeter dispersion (supposedly to better localize the center channel).

Aside from that, they're pretty much identical. I have the center on its table top mount and honestly, I wouldn't be averse to trying a pair of Strada's for nearfield monitoring (I currently have a pair of JBL 4326's). I 'might' actually get a pair of Strada LR's in the future and if I do, I'll try them out in a nearfield config, but this may not be anytime too soon.


Max

6moons' full review of the Classico III is out...

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/gallo11/1.html

Me too.
Goggle did report some nasty stuff on there.
May be, someone linked to a suspicious site or some.
Roundsound probably hasn't realized this yet...

I just tried roundsound.com and everything seems to be working fine. Maybe it was a temporary glitch?