JM--In my experience the Aerials do need power--lots of it. I heard them twice at a local dealer many years ago. First time completely underwhelmed with a medium power tube amp. Second time was a completely different experience with high wattage solid state.
If you want to keep the BAT and pair it with a gorgeous pair of full range speakers that are very easy to drive check out the Daedalus lineup. Lou had the smaller Apollo's at the Florida Audio Expo last month and the sound blew people away--yes, he paired them with the new VAC Statement integrated at $150K, which tells you a little about the quality of speakers Lou builds and the sound they are capable of producing. For $12K you could probably get a pair of Argos and be done for life. Strongly recommended! |
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Joseph Audio Perspectives and Nola KOs would play nice with that much tube power if you can find them. Best of luck.
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I love the beethovens, but I can’t justify paying new prices when used gear thats in great shape can be had for a fraction.
I used a Krell kav300il, anthem 225i, and a hegel h360. Mine are the 2 woofers and 2 mids in the 2nd version which I believe is the same size cabinet as the grand. I could hear improvements with the krell and hegel but they always sounded good. |
I have been waiting to hear them as well. The local dealer hasn’t brought them in yet. I have listened to the Beethoven Concert Grands and liked them just not enough to buy. I am hoping the Reference series will make the changes I wanted to hear. I think Vienna Acoustics has some great products and beautiful cabinets.
on the other hand I am strongly considering Aerial Acoustics 7T but haven’t heard them in a few years. The local dealer doesn’t stock the,. And I hate to invest without one last audition.
So I too will be interested in the suggestions in this price range.
So to the OP, I ask what is about the Aerials you haven’t liked? In your 20 years of ownership, have you had any problems, failing drivers etc? And how has the finish held up?
Just asking if you don’t mind or answer via private msg if you prefer
Theo |
The Focal 1038BE at todays clearance prices might be something to check out.
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Question #2: Suggestions for speakers in the $8-12K range ... good for full orchestra (think Mahler 5th) Here are a few mid-sized speakers I heard playing Mahler 5 (better still Mahler 8) reasonably well (i.e. the rest of yr musical choices follow): Vienna Acoustics Beethoven (as above), Genesis V (latest model), Devore X, Wilson Sasha / Yvette (but, price???), Gamut 7, Focal Supra 3 / Scala. These are models I’ve listened to; there are many others, for sure. A small point driving the Beethovens: when I had (an older model I suppose) these at home, I used a big solid-state 125W class A amp. Orchestral music: the sound was fantastic. Jazz; same. Prog rock & blues: great Heavy metal: a bit on the polite side (including too much info, not enough noise -- if I’m making sense). Vienna Grands for 12k sounds good to me, why not stick to these? I think they’re much easier to drive than your Aerials—although they are a nominal 4ohm load, so not SO easy! |
So jmfawdofile, did you ever get to listen to the new Reference series? I would be curious to hear your thoughts and comparisons to the previous version as well as you Aerials.
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Hi All
Thanks for the suggestions. Sorry I didn't get back to you. Just been overwhelmed.
Theo and gregm,
I've listened to the Focals -- several. And liked them. The huge monitors are amazing. And several Wilsons (which I did not like -- too clinical.)
I loved the 7Bs...but they were showing their age every time I listened to new speakers. Not fast, and low sensitivity for my amp. The finish is still mint. I moved them to my second system - Spectral amp and pre. Now they growl! I removed the SUB. No longer needed. They were starved for current -- not just watts. And they are in a smaller room.
I was able to spend half a day in Philly on 3/13 and listened to the Viennas. Loved them. Bought them. Had them delivered by mask-wearing folks a few days later. Thrilled I have them now. Whenever I think the amp or speakers are bass shy, I put on some Micky Hart and quickly realize the recording I was listening to lacks bass. These (not) babies ROCK. Scared me a few times on AC/DC. And Mahler! The change in sensitivity is significant. No bi-wire option, but seems OK. I've got Van Den Hul cables on loan...for a while it appears. Not sure I love them. I've heard better from AQ. Thoughts on that front?
Joe |
Yes. Listen and enjoy. They're wonderful speakers
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I really do wonder how much of an improvement the new Reference line is over the previous models. For comparison, you can get a used Liszt for considerably less than the new price of the Concern Grand. Hmmm. |
Thanks all for the suggestions. I failed to add that the aesthetics of the speaker is extremely important. I can't live with Focals or Wilsons. Or the VA Liszt or a few others. They sit in a semi-formal living room. And the VA Beethoven Grand Reference is like a twin to the Aerial 7B. It sounds great and looks great. Now I just have to get the speaker cables right.
Joe |
Congrats on your new speakers Joe!
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Congrats on your new VA speakers. I recently bought VA BBGs, Symphony Edition (NOS). What is the difference between the new Reference and the replaced Symphony Edition? I find it interesting you liked Focals which to me are polar opposites from Vienna Acoustics. Once again, weigh back in when they are broken in and congratulations! |
Thank you for responding. I have considered the previous VA Beethoven's and found them just a little lacking in emotion on higher volume. I really like the sound at lower volume but some music cannot be played at lower volume, probably why Muzak doesn't have a version of Stranglehold.
As mentioned before the Aerial 7T's have been on my list but I haven't heard them for years and I am not even sure if the local dealer is a dealer for Aerial anymore.
But in your comments, I take it that the new VA ref series is vary close in the voicing? I do love the VA woodwork and would be happy with them, but the local VA dealer won't bring any in till the old models are gone. Which I understand, and with the COVID I assume that may be a while.
Thanks again and sounds like you are happy with the new speaks!
PS: I liked the Focal Sopra 2's and probably would buy them but they just raised the price 4K and with all 5 speakers that would be about 6K and that just is out of reach for my wallet.
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Hi Theo
Where are you located? They are in Philly at David Lewis Audio. The Reference sound great at low and high volumes...but the Focals do have an added zing. I just cannot live with the look of them. And without the covers on, they don't look right. The finish on the VAs is exceptional. Mine are in cherry. I have been experimenting with different cables that I have at home (since The Cable Co lending library is currently closed). The difference is not minor.
I'm going to play some Nugent now!! Thanks for the suggestion.
Joe |
JM, I am in Colorado so a bit far to go demo. I will say that the VA and Aerials both are much better looking and I do prefer wood over paint. I hope the VA dealer gets his sold so he can bring in the Reference, I have given up on the Aerial dealer, unless someone else picks up the line.
But thank you for sharing your experience
Happy listening
Theo |
I am huge fan of VA. I have owned in the past, the Haydn Grand, Bach Grand, Mozart Grand and I think Beethoven Baby grand.
Not sure the difference between the reference version and these older ones.
The only speakers I thought beat them but sounded similar in how they do things so well were speakers from Sonus Faber (older models, not the new ones), Verity, and Devore.
I bought a Verity Parsifal to replace the VA it was much better, and then finally Devore Orangutans, my final speaker, that beat Verity handily.
Either of them (Verity, Devore) could rival the VA in looks and sound better IMHO.
And Devore speakers are much more tube friendly, VAs need SS to really sound good. Although high-powered tubes might work, but why do that if you can get better sound in a more efficient speaker designed for tubes like Devore.
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The new VA's have maintained the older models musicality while overcoming the dynamic compression the earlier models suffered from. I love it when VA's are parked next to Kef or Revel, two companies steep in the science of sound because more often than not these awful measuring speakers leave the competition for dead in a listening demo.
As for bringing up Verity, Devore or any other brand after the OP stated on HIS thread he already bought his speakers, why? kicking sand? go start your own thread about how great your speakers are. |
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Thanks! I get we all have our preferences and aesthetics. And none of us have heard every combination in every space. I’m well aware the VAs are not wow-sounding Focals etc., but I vastly prefer the look and natural sound. And I find the sound gorgeous as opposed to stunning. I can listen all day. And the amp/speaker match is fine — thank you. I can scare myself, and probably shatter a window. AC/DC is doing just fine. As is The Who — loud. Oh, and so is jazz, chamber music and female vocal. These are not the Baby Beethoven’s. They are the Reference. Go listen, those who wonder. And Steve, thank you.
Joe |
Only after I posted, I saw that the OP had already bought his speakers. Nevertheless I let the post be cause I thought perhaps it could help someone else googling speakers. As many posts in in other have helped me while I have been googling speakers and brands.
No need to get so pissy and make this forum an uncomfortable place; this is a place for all hobbyists who enjoy music and equipment, not for sniping at each other at the smallest excuse. |
Joe, what model Van Den Hul cables do you have? What don't you like about them? I've read that they're not very dynamic sounding, whats your impressions?
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Beeyhoven grands are amazing.
not so much a rock speaker, more for soft rock, acoustic, jazz, etc.
75W is way underpowered.
You need more power. |
Congratulations on your acquisition.
Timely thread.
I'm about to throw out a ridiculous offer on the little sister- Beethoven Concert Grand SE. Hope it sticks.
These are unfortunate times for all of us but, I've been mentioning for over a month it's time to pounce on that audio gear deal if you're in position to do so. Best time to submit outrageous counteroffers, since it's REALLY a buyers market now.
I would love to stare at a new pair of boxes while riding out this bad movie. |
