I have owned the original Ref's (polymer spheres), have also owned the aluminum Solo's, and have heard the aluminum Ref's, and the Ref II's.
In NO way are these gimmicks, IMO. They have been fantastic speakers, with high frequencies amongst the best I've heard (Maggie true Ribbons right alongside).
The bass on the Ref's goes deep and tight, while not moving as much air as larger speakers. But I got (with the single spehere Solo's) down into the 30's in a very tough room for bass.
The Ref's and Ref II's do a better job in the mid's than the Solo's, that and the bass/dynamics are the big difference. The Solo's had perhaps a more laid back, less pure and dynamic midrange, though ti still was windeful overall. This probably showed the most in well-recorded piano pieces.
Take a look at www.audioreview.com for more reviews on the Solo's, and maybe the Ref's a s well. You'll see the ratings they get.
FWIW, I have found they like power. I had heard the Ref II's driven by Art Audio Jota amps (lower power tube), and they sounded great. But in the same store, I also heard it driven by the Spectron digital amp (300wpc), and it really shone with that.
So, I'd say shop/buy with confidence. The only caveat is that they're not in current production, I believe Gallo is focusing on the Micro's and new Due's (can anyone correct me if I'm wrong ?).
Thanks,
Todd (chams_uk)
In NO way are these gimmicks, IMO. They have been fantastic speakers, with high frequencies amongst the best I've heard (Maggie true Ribbons right alongside).
The bass on the Ref's goes deep and tight, while not moving as much air as larger speakers. But I got (with the single spehere Solo's) down into the 30's in a very tough room for bass.
The Ref's and Ref II's do a better job in the mid's than the Solo's, that and the bass/dynamics are the big difference. The Solo's had perhaps a more laid back, less pure and dynamic midrange, though ti still was windeful overall. This probably showed the most in well-recorded piano pieces.
Take a look at www.audioreview.com for more reviews on the Solo's, and maybe the Ref's a s well. You'll see the ratings they get.
FWIW, I have found they like power. I had heard the Ref II's driven by Art Audio Jota amps (lower power tube), and they sounded great. But in the same store, I also heard it driven by the Spectron digital amp (300wpc), and it really shone with that.
So, I'd say shop/buy with confidence. The only caveat is that they're not in current production, I believe Gallo is focusing on the Micro's and new Due's (can anyone correct me if I'm wrong ?).
Thanks,
Todd (chams_uk)