I have not heard these yet, but, don't they look like Kef 104.2's which are still GREAT speakers!!!! I dunno, these look sorta like clones. As for sound, I cannot really comment and would hope they have everything the Kefs have, with additional bass. I still may buy em and try em, I know I was not to impressed with the ZU.
I have not heard them with the Red Dragons. The amplification I tested with was Cary and McIntosh. The Cary sounded great, the Mac had a death grip on bass control so it stayed.
As to the Kef reference, I mean no offense but I believe the Adagios sound much better as I have not heard any Kefs I could stand for more than 5 minutes. Now I have hardly heard the full lineup but their top line with the Uni-q did not move me. Maybe their older stuff sounded great but, to my ears, today's Kef sounds upper-mid-fi.
Tvad, I only heard this combo at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I kept going back because the sound was so good. One time I went back and found it had lost its magic. The amps had been changed.
Does anyone have any opinions on how the Adagios would do with large scale classical music based on actual listening experiences? I have not heard these yet but plan to. I have had my Magnaplanars 15 years. While they are great speakers I never got the feeling that I was at the symphony. Of course part of the problem is that the I really need large SS amplifiers and I use an Audio Research VT100. My room is 11' X 18'.
Well I have just finished the audition and I have ordered a pair of the Adagios. I was slightly concerned whether the amplifier power I had available would be enough, moving from 94db Living Voice Avatars, to 89 db. I use a 50 watt SS and 22watt SET. I used my Lavardin and a cheap but good Chinese amp with 18watts in triode which the dealer had and the speakers coped well. The Lavardin volume went from my customary 9 o'clock to 12. playing much louder than I usually listen at. I through Wagner and Mahler at it and the speakers coped excellently. As others have said, good transparency and dynamics, but not at the cost of losing full development of the instruments tonal range. Imaging was good, the soundstage not wide, but it was a very cramped room, about 14 by 14 feet. What more can you ask for, well deeper base I suppose, but tight control of the base that is there is was very evident. A demo drum track was excellent, every drum had its own character, clearly differentiated. Oh and it looks more gorgeous than the photos. So I should be getting the 10th pair to arrive in the UK in a few weeks. Anyone over here wants a listen and is near Oxfordshire, let me know.
I would have liked to audition these speakers but dealer moved me to a room with some Analysis planars which sounded awesome but not quite right with the equipment he had them paired with. I was interested in the VR4 Sr's which also weren't setup sitting in a hallway with the Acoustic Zens. I'll tell you something, these speakers looked very impressive. I plan on an audition of these speakers paired against the VR4 Sr's which the dealer told me would out class the Zens. The comments I've read here have me even more intrigued.
It will be interesting to hear your experience Dsalvo55 when you hear the Adagios versus the SRs side by side... I did that when I auditioned the Adagios, and they easily were my choice of the two (on Cary solid state gear at least). For some reason the SRs have never clicked with me, and that is strange as I love VS speakers in general. Go figure...
>but dealer moved me to a room with some Analysis planars<
Are you a sheep to be herded against your will? If you went to hear a particular speaker, why didn't you hear it?
>I plan on an audition of these speakers paired against the VR4 Sr's which the dealer told me would out class the Zens.<
Ok, you are talking $12K against $4.3K. It should be a given. I haven't heard the Adagios but I have heard the Sr.s. You might be surprised at the outcome.
Just because someone sells a speaker doesn't mean it's not any good. Using your reasoning would indicate that all speakers for sale on Audiogon involve some sort of hype. There are many reasons for selling a speaker.
I didn't go to the showroom to listen to the AZ Adagio Ozzy62. The AZ's were in a hallway with the VR4 Sr's therefore I planned an audition at a later date comparing the 2. Just because a speaker cost twice as much doesn't always translate into twice the sound. It would be "sheepish" to think so. I've read the reviews and seen them in person. I'll post a followup DRseid after the audition.
And yes I'm gonna give the smaller Analysis planars another listen!
>Just because a speaker cost twice as much doesn't always translate into twice the sound.<
My point exactly. I wasn't all that impressed with the VR4 Sr. when it was only 8K, and unless it is VERY improved in it's new iteration, I think it offers poor value for the $$ at 12K. So I wouldn't be surprised if the Adagio was better.
I wasn't all that impressed with the VR4 Sr. when it was only 8K
Interestingly, I heard this speaker at a dealer in SF. A friend was considering them as a possible replacement for his VR4Jr's. Frankly, they sounded like...well...BAD. There's no other word for it. I was really surprised. We all were, especially considering how much we like the Jr's.
So, I made the suggestion that they pull the speakers to the other side of the room, because the system into which they were first placed was considerably lower in price/quality than that of my friend's at home. They moved them across the room into the better system, and lo and behold, the speakers sounded much, much better. The dealer then said, "Well, you know, that other side of the room is the worst of the three we use in the room. For some reason, it always sounds boomy and resonant." He wasn't kidding. Had that been the whole of the audition, my friend would have walked away utterly disappointed.
Although not 100% sold--but close enough--my friend bought the Sr's that day. Guess what happened when he had a week or two to play around with them at home? They were phenomenal. Everything he liked about the Jr's, but fuller, deeper, richer, you name it. I too left the dealer like my friend did, crossing his fingers that they would be an improvement over the Jr's. When I heard the Sr's in his system, I knew he'd made the right move.
Bottom line is, without the chance to tweak a bit, thereby comparing the component to ITSELF, you can never be sure if you're hearing it at its best.
In a few month the price on the speakers are going up, but by then there will be others out and awaiting evaluation. My wife said no so the question right now is moot.
Well My Adagios are in place and even the wife is happy with the Mappa Burr finish, not the base drivers mind you, they are too black(give me strength). They are more than I expected, out of the box they are clean dynamic, excellent soundstage. I can't hear a crossover notch or the slightest colouration. Fast speakers are often tonally deficient in my experience, theses are not, instruments are clearly different. I was expecting a long burn in, if they sound this good out of the box, I can't weight for when they are burned in. An unequivical recommendation then I repeat the earlier offer, anyone in the UK near Oxfordshire wants a listen let me know. They are on dem at the Park inn Heathrow show this weekend I believe, I'm hoping tomorrow.
No. The mid/bass drivers are custom made (not in China) and the tweeter is custom assembled by hand in CA by Robert Lee himself. Every speaker is assembled and tested in CA. Robert Lee actually listens to each individual pair in a system before they ship. How many speaker companies will actually audition each pair or <$5k speaker, by the owner even, before headed to their new home!! These are not an assembly line product.
Yagbol2, I didn't think it would come across like that. If it was offensive to you, for that I appologize.
My ICs and speaker cables are all Acoustic Zen and Robert Lee is one of the best cable designers today and I have not heard better cables than AZ in the price range. When someone wants a cable recommendation, AZ is the first brand of cables I recommend.
What I was trying to say, and I probably had to be more clear about it, is that if the Adagio speakers are indeed made in China, it should not be a hidden fact, don't you agree? I have no problems with where equipment is made, as long as it is high quality and sounds good. I just think if it says made in USA it can not be made in China or anywhere else for that matter. And to let you know, I just listened to Cayin, VAS and Aurum Cantus Volla speakers and thought all of these components sounded awesome. I especially liked the Cayin integrated. If I am not mistaking, all of these are made in China. I have no problems with where equipment is made, as long as it is high quality and sounds good.
I believe the cabinents are sourced from China. The reason I say this is because my dealer and I were talking about the "new" Adagio model and he called AZ to inquire when they would be ready. AZ informed him that they had a container in port waiting to clear customs. By the way, the new models have a slanted baffle to reorient the mid-range drivers (ala JMLAB Mini Utopia) to "focus" the sound toward the tweeter. Additionally, they now produce a monitor version of the Adagio with the same driver layout, about half as high with the transmission line exiting the rear of the speaker. New colors includiing a metallic/graphite.
As far as their provenence, I would say that they are designed and assembled in the US with parts sourced from overseas. Cool! Keep up the great work Robert Lee!
A question for you Adagio users, any thoughts on supports? I have a carpet on a suspended wooden floor and have the version of spikes with a blunt rounded end, though of course I can change to true spikes. Has anyone experimented with supports for the speaker, not too obtrusive if possible? Additionally, any thoughts on positioning. Ihave mine about 7ft apart straight down the room with no intowing and about 15 inches from bookshelves behind. I think these speakers are so good, they deserve a bit of effort to get the very best out of them.
I can't believe the comment made by Yagbol2!! i have personally been to the factory in san diego and i'm a true witness that the whole line of acoustic zen products are made there!! that is absurd! Yagbol2, if you are ever in the san diego area you should call mr. Lee and i'm pretty sure he can arrange a mind boggling tour!!!!
Yagbol2 your commnets are unbelievable! Word of advice .... if you are not sure, do not say it. It will hunt you forevere !!! I am about an hour from Acoustic ZEn Factory and I have seen those guys making the Adagio. I've seen them making from thier ribbon tweeter to connecting all the crossover. I bought two pairs...... I know I was in San Diego, and not in China.... coz I used yahoo driving instruction!!! My SUV could not fly or swim... so I think I am sure I was in San Diego!! I encourage you Yagbol2... my friend to visit them.
Lighten up guys. I can find nowhere that he said they WERE made in China. He just asked IF they were made in China. I realize you guys are proud of your speakers, but aren't you being a little hard on someone asking an honest question?
You may wish to toe them in quite a bit, do feel free to experiment. This is because I find the ribbon tweeters quite "directional", so actually they do benefit from toeing in greatly. For me I toe them in so that the tweeters just cross slightly behind my head. Also because of the MTM arrangement, if you have enough space, do make sure you are at least 9 feet from the speakers so that the drivers can "integrate". Maybe you need to space them slightly farther apart than 7 feet, if possible.
I just picked up my Adagios in San Diego with a friend who is an Acoustic Zen cable dealer. Mr. Lee showed us how the drivers were assembled and tested in house. We also saw how the cabinets were finished.
I just realised that the tweeter is really good. I was able to listen to some tracks on a famous speaker (which I shall not name) having a Scanspeak Revelator D2904/990000 tweeter. The amp and source are much more expensive than my stuff, but the treble from the Adagio is just so much more realistic and natural with more inner detail, while the Revelator sounds more "hifi" and impressive on first listen.
I've got the itch and am interested. Anyone know where you can hear them in the New York area? Everyone who's heard them seems to be west coast... Never mind the reviews, which I don't trust due to advertising conflict of interest--opinion among A-goners seems unusually in agreement, but I wanna hear myself. Also, anybody got pictures of the slanted baffle version?
Katzs02, Contact audiogon member Philnyc. Phil is a dealer for Acoustic Zen cables and loudspeakers in the NYC area and has a demo system set up with the Adagios. E-mail me if you have any questions.
hey Katz, you might try calling AZ and they will likely find an option for you...a dealer or an end user who would let you listen. By the way, I have heard the "new" adagio and they are indeed even better than the originals without the slanted baffles. Not by just a little either...YMMV
A picture of the new monitor version in graphite with the slanted baffle can be found at the link below. Not a perfect picture but it will give you an idea. Good luck. I have NOT heard the monitor, only the floorstanding version.
Read somewhere that AZ is working on a sub for the Adagios. Anyone heard the sub or have have any info on them? Sounds like the monitors and sub might be the ultimate setup for these.
The subwoofer has been out for a while but not a lot of information has been released. I don't know if this post will past the moderators but if it does, you can see the sub and details at www.responseaudio.com. Robert really needs to get speaker products on his website but until they are posted, I hope this message makes it's way onto the board.
It was strange that there were no Adagios at the RMAF, or at least I could find none. What I heard at the Audio Zen suite was a very poor sounding larger speaker. It was so bad I could not stay in the room to ask anything about it.
The Red Dragon room had what I think was their speaker. It too was dreadful.
Last year the Adagios with the Red Dragons were the best sound IMHO. This year I spent no more time in either than I could.
Rja, As far as I know the sub is available, when I bought my Adagios there was some info with it, with a picture. It is called the Allegro, available in the same colours, I believe for $3000. 1000watt amp, 92db sensitivity, Frequency 19 to 100hz+- 3db, H 18", W 29", D 19". Personally, the Adagios have enough base for my needs.
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