Anybody have Experience with Alta Audio Alyssa Speaker

I listened to Alta Audio Alyssa at an audio dealer (that I highly respect). I found them thick sounding... too much mid-bass for my liking. I guess some would find that engaging, but I found it distracting.

@blisshifi @tjraubacher thanks so much! I am planning to add a few more features and data, when I have a little more time :)

@blisshifi  That’s very kind, but I actually still have the CD.  I think Usher made several demo CDs so odds are yours may be different, but ya never know.

@soix Thanks for sharing the link! I’ll check it out when I get back in town in a few days. I actually have an Usher demo cd laying around. I’ll have to check if it’s the same one. If it is, I’ll be happy to give it to you if you want it. 

Don’t get me wrong, the Ushers are a very involving and soulful speaker, and they do make a great impression. I’ve been very impressed with them myself. I have a high respect for them, but having heard so many others, I know they are not the most transparent. There’s still a strong place for them where they fit well. 

@blisshifi  Interesting.  Thanks for sharing your experience.  I heard one of their top models at a show years ago and was one of the most memorable demos I’ve heard, but those speakers had the Be tweeter and I’ve never heard the DMD tweet.  Incidentally, at that show Usher gave out a custom demo CD that I’ve used for reference material for years.  You can’t find the CD anywhere anymore, but I found it on a website and the sound quality seems pretty good although I haven’t had a chance to compare it to the CD.  Here’s the link…

https://audiophilemusic.io/portfolio/usher-audio-be-there-volume-3-2006/

@soix It's just my personal opinion, but based from experience. I recently sold a pair of Usher DMD floorstanders and had some time to intimately gauge their performance while they were in possession. The Usher DMD range, both from when I've seen them at shows, and when I've heard them in my room, were a bit darker in the lower treble and boosted on mid treble. They are very good speakers for the money, but I could never live with them because they drove me wanting more and irritated my ears slightly.

The Alyssa will have a much bigger sound and reach lower, and its high frequency performance will surely surpass that of the Usher.

@blisshifi  I’m not so sure about that.  The Mini-X uses the same diamond tweeter used in Usher’s $40k flagship speakers and I believe is made in house by Usher. No slouch fer sure.

@grislybutter - yes that is a great site

@blisshifi 

Thanks for the feedback

@grislybutter That's a cool site, thanks for sharing!

@tjraubacher The Hegel is a great integrated amp and should be a fine match with the Alyssa. Clean sound (as the Alyssa is a bit on the warm side), and lots of power and current, as well as a high damping factor to control the Alyssa. I haven't heard the two together but from what I know about both units, I'd anticipate it to be a fine match.

@soix thanks for the options and your followup

@blisshifi 

I have a Hegel H390 integrated amp

I have seen them, have not heard them, but here is a comparable listhttps://speakerchoices.com/?pricemin=3000&pricemax=8000

@tjraubacher I haven’t had the Alyssa but I did own the older Alta Lelantos floorstanders for a few years. One thing I learned with Alta speakers is that they need both power and current to truly wake up. If you can match them with the right amp, boy, do Alta speakers sound great for the money.

@soix provided decent alternatives, but I would still pick the Alyssa over those recommendations. The Alyssa will have a much bigger sound and reach lower, and its high frequency performance will surely surpass that of the Usher. 

That said, a great competitor to the Alyssa that is likely more expensive is the Joseph Audio Pulsar. I’d take that over any of the ones mentioned. 

I’d add the Joseph Audio Prism and Usher Dancer Mini-X to your list, both of which are a bit cheaper than the Alyssa.