Devore or Audio Note or other sensitive speakers: wanting to listen in Denver

Drat, I was just going to say Devore, Zu (and probably some of the others) show at RMAF, right in your backyard, but I see RMAF is no more.  What a shame.

Can't help with the audition (would that I lived on the front range), but I'm very keen on Devore: lovely builds and sound, at sensible sizes, and John Devore is a nice guy.  Of what I've heard, I like the O93 and 096 better than the Nines, and think the 93 a good value, relative to the 96.

I also like Zu, both the company and speakers, though from what I've heard, they have a distinctive sound.  Aren't they a reasonable road trip from you?

My experience is with low-watt class A SS, not tubes, but you might also consider Daedalus (which I now own), and Vaughn (which I used to own).

@ghasley  @jjss49 

Is the thought that AN and Devore are "in a different class" -- presumably higher?

Zu, anyway, makes some ambitious and good sounding speakers (with a definite "flavor" to my ear, when I've heard them). 

@ghasley 

Interesting, thanks.  Lots of reason's speakers draw different crowds of course.

I didn't recognize any open baffle speakers on your original list, but if you're casting your net more widely, I'd vote for giving some a listen.

It's a distinctive presentation, but if you can give them lots of room to breathe, and an airy, holographic, soundstage you can "walk into" sounds appealing, you might like them a lot.

Since you mentioned GR in another thread, I'll say that I very happily lived with the 91db X-Statics for a year (while working away from home) using a modest 25wpc Napa hybrid amp.

I'm not sure what models to commend at a pricepoint comparable to, say the Devores (the X-Statics are much cheaper), although I know GR used to make more ambitious models, like the Super-V. (As a bonus, some OB models make comparatively easy builds, if you're into that.)

@hilde45 

Agreed the OB experience is distinctive, and  and perhaps a bit disconcerting, if you're used to the punchiness of boxes, as I am.  (Ditto omnis and planars.)

The  X3s, unlike those Spatials,  are a hybrid design, with the bass drivers in a sealed box.  Maybe a good compromise?

@hilde45 

My bad, I meant the X-Statics. The X3s, as you say, are all open.  My speculation was that the hybrid design of the X-Statics, with the sealed enclosure low end, might sound more familiar to those most familiar with boxes.