Hi Jcote.
I hesitated in writing this, as my impressions were not altogether positive and my experience brief. Here goes...I listened to these at the local Sydney high end dealer, Audio Connection. They were expensive here - around $7000 including stands. In store I compared them directly with small second hand MBLs (311Es), both with Jadis equipment (DA50 signature amp). To be honest, I preferred the MBLs - smoother, fuller, less etched. This store has an amazing range and I also listened to Wilson Duettes and Sonus Faber Guarneri Mementos, albeit with different electronics (Jadis JA30 & ARC Ref110 amps, ARC pre and CD; ) - these speakers likewise suited my tastes more than the Metis - I'm not a huge fan of the Sonus Faber's house sound, but the Mementos, for better or worse, are voiced closer to "ordinary" speakers - silky highs, but some nice punch in the bass and reasonable midrange clarity (the Wilsons took clarity to another level, at the cost of some sweetness).
I've since purchased Usher Be718s, initially guided by the rave reviews, aesthetics, and realistic price - these are incredibly smooth, and offer a generous sound stage that impersonates a larger speaker; they benefit immensely from the matching Usher stands (to which they bolt), and from detailed powerful amplification and ancillaries - I wouldn't readily swap them for one of the more expensive alternatives: given the store demos I'm not convinced that the extra money buys sound that I appreciate - of the speakers mentioned the Mementos sounded closest to the Ushers. The Metis look great, but I felt they were overpriced and presented a smaller, slightly drier, view onto the music.
So overall re the Metis = beautiful speakers, but not ideal for my tastes.
All the best,
Rob
I hesitated in writing this, as my impressions were not altogether positive and my experience brief. Here goes...I listened to these at the local Sydney high end dealer, Audio Connection. They were expensive here - around $7000 including stands. In store I compared them directly with small second hand MBLs (311Es), both with Jadis equipment (DA50 signature amp). To be honest, I preferred the MBLs - smoother, fuller, less etched. This store has an amazing range and I also listened to Wilson Duettes and Sonus Faber Guarneri Mementos, albeit with different electronics (Jadis JA30 & ARC Ref110 amps, ARC pre and CD; ) - these speakers likewise suited my tastes more than the Metis - I'm not a huge fan of the Sonus Faber's house sound, but the Mementos, for better or worse, are voiced closer to "ordinary" speakers - silky highs, but some nice punch in the bass and reasonable midrange clarity (the Wilsons took clarity to another level, at the cost of some sweetness).
I've since purchased Usher Be718s, initially guided by the rave reviews, aesthetics, and realistic price - these are incredibly smooth, and offer a generous sound stage that impersonates a larger speaker; they benefit immensely from the matching Usher stands (to which they bolt), and from detailed powerful amplification and ancillaries - I wouldn't readily swap them for one of the more expensive alternatives: given the store demos I'm not convinced that the extra money buys sound that I appreciate - of the speakers mentioned the Mementos sounded closest to the Ushers. The Metis look great, but I felt they were overpriced and presented a smaller, slightly drier, view onto the music.
So overall re the Metis = beautiful speakers, but not ideal for my tastes.
All the best,
Rob