Are the Anthony Gallo Reference 3.5 still up to it?

I disagree that they are "not that expansive."  I find the soundstage to be very wide and holographic at times.

I agree though that in standard form the image is much too low.  I have overcome this by raising them 8 inches on ballistic rubber blocks.  This places the CDT unit at my sitting ear level, eliminating the vertical dispersion deficiency.

http://www.blackironrubber.com/products/ballistic-control-rubber/

Yes, the Gallo 3.5s hold up very well.  My friend brought his pair over a couple of weeks ago and they sounded great.  They image well with a wide soundstage and good dynamics.  Very impressive speakers. He loves them and I can understand why.  If you want to try something different, buy a used pair of something else and see if you like them better.  

we were a Gallo dealer for years no, the 3.5are not going to sound as good as modern designs, even when they were brand new they had a rolled off top end also the image size is low and not that expansive.

We would recommend listening to Alta audio, Dali Epikore series and legacy signatures.

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

dali alta legacy dealers

I'm running a pair of 3.5s to with a Luxman L-507z and a gallo amplifier for 2nd voice coils in woofers in secondary listening room.   Still love the sound.  Now you all have me thinking I need a set of powered subs too?  

Unfortunately the Ref 3.5's are largely undervalued because they have been paired with mid-fi components based on their original asking price.

I bought mine new in 2010.  They replaced Avalon Eidolons and PMC AML1's.

I originally had them driven by Rowland mono blocks and a Wadia front end.  

Currently, I use Bricasti M28 mono block power amplifiers, a Weiss Jason transport and a Berkeley Reference DAC.  The cables are TARA Labs 0.3 loudspeaker cables and TARA Labs Zero Evolution interconnects.  

The point in describing the associated equipment is to demonstrate just how good the Ref 3.5's really are.  I have no plans to replace them.

I hope my description removes any doubts on your keeping your Ref 3.5's.

Just to chime in: I have 3.5's in my main system and personally I have not heard anything that makes me want to switch. I have upgraded other components around (including adding a JL Audio F113 some years ago - it provided the best integration with the 3.5's I could find at the time). In fact, I have a spare pair of 3.5's I found NIB a few years ago as insurance should anything happen to my main pair. 

Why are you asking for "outside" confirmation? It’s meaningless. All that matters is what you think. If you still enjoy them, why bother looking for a replacement? Sounds like audio OCD.

Thanks for that reply. You might have just helped me save a lot of money!

Any other views on the 3.5s in this day and age?

I know someone who still rocks the Gallo 3.5 after all these years. He has switched up every other component probably 5-10 times over the years. All of it is wildly more expensive by now. But the Gallo 3.5 speakers stay anchored in the system, I don't think he'll ever switch those. That's how much he loves them.

He did upgrade some years ago to these big wood platforms on the base of each speaker. And later he added a pair of subs which cost more than the speakers. Still I'd say the 3.5 is worthy of existing even in a very fine system in the year 2024.

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into adding a couple of subwoofers as an option.

Yes, the Gato amps are the PWR-222s. I like them a lot. I have them paired with the new PRE-1 and I'm very happy with the setup. That's what's got me wondering whether the Gallo speakers are up to it!

Off-topic (sorry) but I see you have Gato monoblocks and if those are the PWR-222s, how do you like them?  I have been interested in them ever since my speaker manufacturer (Michael Kelly with Aerial Acoustics) became a Gato dealer (for a short while - no longer), and recommended using their amps with his speakers, and also based on this very positive review.

BTW, good luck figuring out the best thing for your speakers.  Adding two subs to already good sounding speakers was probably the biggest improvement I have made to my system in 10 years.  You have recommendations from a couple of pretty solid posters so far.

Gallo subs are excellent if you want to go that route.

Adding a pair of subs should up your love for the 3.5s. VeraFI Audio Caldera 12" are reasonably priced @ $399 https://verafiaudiollc.com/products/vanguard-caldera-12-active-subwoofer