Fostex based speakers: Cain Abby or Omega Super3R

Wow, thanks for all the feedback and comments to my small question.

Rar1, thanks for your detailed comments on the room placement of your Omega Super 3. This really helps me out quite a bit. Since you have the Omega’s in the narrow cabinet: Have you actually had a chance to listen to them in a "wide" cabinet? I know the narrow cabinet would be better for upgrading to a Fostex Alnico driver at a later time. Otherwise I have not found much about the differences between the different configurations. I guess I should call Louis at Omega to find out, why he switched to the wider configuration, compared to narrow cabinet of the original TS3.

Gmood1, thanks for all your comments on the Abby and Omega speakers. You are right that the comparison is quite unfair. I like the unusual looks of the Abby, but I am a little afraid that it might be a little overwhelming in our smallish rooms. Following your comments on the richer sound of the Abby's I probably would prefer the Abby's, though.

Kbuzz is probably right, in that it will probably come down to room size and floor stander/monitor decision. I would prefer a floor stander since I have been living with smaller monitor speakers for the last seven years and since I am longing for change. However, the smaller Omega's seem more flexible for smaller to medium rooms (one of our rooms is square with 10ft x 10ft, the other 17ft x 12 ft with several corners, niches). Probably the nearfield Abby might be the better choice for both rooms.

Is it possible to easily switch drivers on the Abby? That way I could try both the nearfield and regular Fostex drivers. Also, I read the 6 moons comments on the different drivers. Does anyone have experience with the Fostex FE206E driver, which was a favorite in this article?

Fostex driver comparison

Also, I still have to read the 6moons review on the Abby's:

6 moon: Abby review

I have been waiting for this review for a while and completely missed that it came out during this last week.

Again, thanks for all you comments.

Rene

Gmood1, one more question: What sub you are using with your Omega speakers? I saw that Omega recommends the CSS CLARUS subs. The smaller model can be had for a fairly small amount:

Clarus sub

Has anyone have experience with the Clarus sub in combination with the Omega's?

Thanks again.

Gmood, thanks for your suggestions of the Adire Rava subs. I will certainly look into that. If I would go with the Omega Super 3 I would surely add one or even two of these subs.

For know I would be using the EL34 based Jolida as the main amp to drive the Omega's or Abby's. I was thinking of getting the Sonic Impact T-amp to break in the speakers. I do not really want to run my tube amp 24/7 for 300 hours. I guess I should look at the Clari-T as well. It sound like it would be an excellent amp as well, either backup for my tube amp or as main amp.

So far great recommendations and great food for thought.

Thanks again.

Joey, what 300b amp are you getting for your single driver speakers? I would be very interested in hearing more about your experience once everything is broken in.

Best wishes and enjoy!

Rene

Rich (Rar1), thanks for your comments on the different cabinets. I will talk to Louis about the different options. Also, I will certainly use a tube amp: After getting the EL34 based Jolida about a year ago there is no way back to solid state. For the future, a 300b SET amp or similar is on my list

All the best.

Rene

Well, I ordered the Omega Super 3 today. It should be coming in pretty soon. Also, I will get one of the Acoustic Visions MRS10 subwoofers which should be in in a couple of weeks. I am still interested in the Abby and will drive up to Colorado in 2 weeks to listen to them; I will probably take the Omegas along and do a comparison as well. I just could not resist either one. If I like the Abby's too much I will have some really good surround speakers that should match well tonally. Another Super 3 single speaker might be great center speaker. Certainly sounds like an itneresting idea.

Anyway thanks to everybody for their help. I'll report back as soon as I have a chance to listen to all the speakers.

SGI - I also ordered the standard version with wide baffle, however with the
upgraded ports. Louis had these in stock, so that they will arrive already on
Friday. As for break-in: I just got a Sonic Impact T-amp, so that I can run the
Omega's continuously, without sacrificing expensive time on my tube amp.
They will be connected out of phase, covered with a heavy blanket and run in
24/7 for a week. That way I should have them ready to listen to in about 2
weeks.

Nick - Thanks for the Skylan suggestion. I will certainly check them out. Hey,
out of all the Audiogon people, you will probably be the first one to give them
a listen. Once I get to Calgary you should stop by some time.

Mghcanuck, Miklorsmith - I would love to give the druids a listen. Where are
located, so that I can invite myself?

Anyway, I still plan to drive up to Golden, Colorado to give the Abby's a listen.
I will probably take the Omega's along. Someone up in Colorado who wants to
give the Super 3 a listen? I would not mind getting to meet people there and
listen to music for a while.

Rene

Miklorsmith - Thanks for the invitation. I am thinking of driving over to Vancouver/Seattle sometime this summer. I'll make sure to contact you and bring some wine/beer along :). Maybe I'll be able to bring the Omega's along, too.

Over the last weeks I have been listening to the Omega Super 3 some more:After much longer break-in (right now around 300+h) the sound has become a little fuller with a little more authority (as far as small monitor speakers go). Pairing the Super 3 with the Acoustic Visions MRS10 subwoofer is an incredible tight, musical sounding, and exciting combination. The bass and midbass is much tighter and faster than what I am used to with the EL34 based amp and somewhat balances the soft bass, the EL34 based Jolida 302b is known for. Also, the Omega's dissappear more easily and soundstage is better than the other monitors (Spendor S3/5, Mission 751).

Recalling the Abby's in my memory, the Abby's are still richer and fuller sounding, with a significantly larger soundstage. But that really is expected due to the difference in size.

After having the Omega's now for a longer time it is getting difficult to go back to the Spendor's or Mission's. The sacrifice in speed, transparency and openness is just too much. I am still planning to get the Abby's, but now I'll certainly keep the Omega's around for a while.

Well, I finally got to listen to both: The Omega Super3 and the Cain Abby.

I received the Omega Super 3 (standard version with upgraded flared ports) about 2 weeks ago, broke them in for 150+h with extremely loud music and burn-in CD's (by connecting the speakers out of phase and canceling the most of the sound). CDP is an Audio Aero Prima, using my Jolida JD302b and a Sonic Impact T-amp (stock version) with batteries and wall wart power supply. Total listening time so far: about 30h.

The Abby's I listened to at Sounds Real Audio in Colorado for only about 4 hours. Source was again an Audio Aero Prima. Amps were the Jolida amp and a Sophia Electric EL34 amp.

First of all: Given the time constraints these are only first impressions, but nevertheless might be helpful for someone here. Other speakers around were Mission 751 monitors and Spendor S3/5.

First thing one notices when listening to the Omega's is their speed. I don't think, I have ever heard a speaker this fast; the Spendor's are close, but could not keep up with the fast changes, e.g. on Korsakov’s "Scheherazade" (Reiner, CSO). Along with the speed the Omega’s display a transparency, detail, and soundstage that I have only heard on QUAD ESL 57’s. On Tori Amos ‘Little Earthquakes’ CD the Omega’s displayed a delicacy to Tori’s voice that was incredible. These amazing ESL like qualities are probably due to the relatively small single driver in the Omega’s. However, this did come with a trade-off: The Omega’s could sound occasionally thin and had a slightly dipped up balance. Of course, this should get better with longer break-in, and could be improved with a warmer sounding amp than the Jolida. The Sonic Impact was a little warmer than the Jolida on top, but actually (believe it of not) gave up a little in speed. Amazingly the Jolida did give the Omega’s a faster, more liquid sound. The problems with the Omega’s are also highlighted in my current room, which apparently pronounces the 4-7KHz part of the spectrum. Overall the Omega’s are incredibly good speaker’s and together with the $30 Sonic Impact make a great system. Also, I did run the Omega’s with a Acoustic Visions MRS10 subwoofer for a while, which did help to provide a little more body to music, although the Omega’s still did not even match the fullness of the Mission’s or Spendor’s.

As with respect to the Abby: As predicted by several of the above posts: Comparing the Omega’s and Abby’s is like comparing apples and oranges (they are both single driver speaker, but their sonic signature is quite different). Listening to the Abby’s, it is quite clear from first sight/listen, that these are large floor standers. The Abby’s produce an incredibly large soundstage and large wall of sound (probably other larger speakers do the same, but compared to all monitors, I have been listening to so far, it was incredible). And they really like to be played loud. Voices and instrument had a texture and fullness that surpassed any of the speakers I listened to so far. The oud on Rabih Abou-Khalils “Sultans Picnic” was fuller and much richer than with the Omega’s. The picking of strings was much more realistic and displayed incredible shades, not heard before. The Abby’s still displayed a lot of detail and speed; however, compared to the Omega’s, they sounded almost slow. Also, as mentioned in several reviews, there are some (cabinet) resonances that are clearly audible. There was no damping material in the ports, which might have helped a little. One, important note on the side: The Abby’s sounded much better with the Sophia: Full, very tight sound with very liquid smooth highs. The Jolida could sound in comparison somewhat rough (with Tesla ECC83, Mullard CV4024). The Midrange had sometimes a strange forward (honking?) sound that was not there with the Sophia. Different tubes (Brimar 6060, GE 5751) smoothed this out quite a bit. Overall, it seems the Abby’s require a very careful amp, tubes, speaker’s cable matching, but a good match will be an incredible reward. The AA Prima, Sophia EL34, Abby was a great combination. I don’t even want to know how good a SET amp will sound. Also, besides their sound, the Abby’s are some of the most gorgeous speakers I have seen. The woodwork is incredible and far beyond what I would expect at this price.

Well, the bottom line: The Omega’s display a speed and transparency that is unbelievable for the price. The Abby’s on the other hand are a real full size speaker. Overall, I enjoyed the fuller sound of the Abby’s more (even given some resonance problems) and after owning small monitors for a wile I will probably go with the Abby’s.

And finally thanks, especially to Jim at Sounds Real Audio for giving me the chance to listen to the Abby’s. Also thanks to everyone for all your recommendations.

Rene