@stuartk Unfortunately I’ve never had the opportunity to hear any Fritz speakers but have read nothing but very positive things. Given that they’re sold direct I’d guess the Carbon 7s would sell for about the same price as the original Pulsars, and the specs between the two seem very comparable. That said, to me the real magic of JA speakers is in the crossover that can’t be duplicated because it’s patented. I believe this is a big part of why JA speakers just sound special to me, but I’m sure the Carbon 7s are also excellent in their own way with those intriguing series crossovers. From what I’ve read the Alyssas may have been voiced with a little more laid back treble region, and as the Pulsars strike an optimal balance of detail and air to me without sounding bright or edgy if the Alyssas stray from this it’d be a definite no go for me. But not having heard either of them this is just pure conjecture on my part so not really worth much, and at this level I really think it comes down to personal taste more than anything.
Anybody have Experience with Alta Audio Alyssa Speaker
I have been reviewing speakers in the $5K price range and came across the Alta Audio Alyssa speaker. I have put these on my watch list. I am very interested in hearing if anyone has personal experience in listening to these speakers. What other speakers would you compare them to. Interested in reading what you have to say.
Just found the Stereophile follow-up review, responding to H. Reichart’s original : https://www.stereophile.com/content/alta-audio-alyssa-loudspeaker-jim-austin-december-2020 What seems odd, given what YouTube reviewers have reported, is the second Stereophile reviewer’s assertion that "they are at their best with female voices and higher instruments". Huh? What are we supposed to deduce from such a disparity? What have you decided to do ? |
I recently auditioned a pair of Alyssas and was greatly impressed. For reference I've been listening to Triangle Signature Thetas with two SVS SB2000 Pro subs. If I could find speakers combining the best of both they would be perfect! The Triangles are more "lively" and I missed that with the Alyssas. However, when it comes to bass reproduction there was no contest: the Alyssas were simply astounding in that regard. Yes, they play to 32Hz and seemingly lower in my room. And the bass is controlled, detailed, and palpable. I also heard bass passages in the mids and upper mids that I swear I'd not heard before even though I was very familiar with the tracks (and this from a musician/bass player). I also turned the subs off once I knew what the Alyssas were capable of, and never missed them. The soundstage was large: wide and deep. Highs were never bright, and overall the presentation was what I'd consider neutral; "Honest" would apply. As I said, I missed the liveliness of the Triangles with the Alyssas, but I think with Alyssas more is gained than is lost. Pretty sure I'm gettin' 'em! Good luck. |
I made a point of hearing the Alyssa's at AXPONA this year. I visited the room twice and unfortunately the demo music was always focused on their amazing bass reproduction, to a fault I thought. I would have liked to hear something a bit more balanced to see how they perform across the spectrum. Not knocking them by any means, but it does seem like a speaker that you want to hear before you buy it. Noting the previous post, I also visit a room with the Triangles, it was really good, and yes lively.
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@airwatcher I’d recommend listening to the Joseph Audio Pulsars if you can. Given what you described they may well be that best of both worlds speaker you’re looking for. Just my $0.02 FWIW. |
I heard all three Alta Audio speakers shown at Axpona. All of them had the same issue. It sounded like the midrange driver did not correctly meet the tweeter making vocals seem recessed / distant / veiled. There was a suckout that just didn't work for me. The Stereophile measurements of the Alyssa not only show the suckout, but a peak at about 1.5k that make it even more obvious. It was clearly audible. I am with @soix , go with the Pulsars. |
I listened to Alyssa speakers at Axpona. I was really impressed. Obviously it was in a hotel room but I sat front and center and the sound was solid. Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson singing By the Rivers Dark: sublime. When I upgrade my speakers I will give them a serious critical listen, but the glimpse I saw at Axpona was memorable. |
Thanks for this. I for one am crossing them of my list.
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