About to audition Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Grand Reference - advice?

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!

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.

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