Gallo REfF3's-All their cracked up to be?

If you are looking for owners that have stuck with them for awhile, I upgraded from Quad ESL-63's to Gallo Ref 3's about 2 years ago after auditioning countless other speakers. I have written a lot about them on these forums, and still think as highly of them as when I first purchased them. I find the sound very Maggie / Electrostatic-like in a more convenient package.

Lately, I have been considering Zu Druids to explore the low-powered SET route, although I am still undecided. With the possible exception of the Zu (as I said, I am undecided), I have yet to hear another speaker that makes me want to change.

Jeff

Thanks guys.But must say one seller told me that he thought that many folks who might have sold 1)didn't wait for break in period and 2) may have run with too few watts.He just thought that the subs needed curent to open up.One other member was going to sell but he changed from a Evo amp to a CJ300 watt and that made him want to keep the Ref 3's.I just got twitchy seeing so many up on the block all of a sudden knowing that sometimes in Hifi different can send a box out the door but not necessarily satisfy in the long run.

Zaikesman Brightstar is selling pretty tall bases for the speakers if you want more hight.Used to work for a dealer that sells the little ball set up so thought I'd get a pair close to dealer cost and see what's what since he hasn't stocked them.But another seller Spearit Sound had a pair o try out and sold them.Wrote to me that he thought withy B&W and Thiel (the later not my cup of tea) he thought he's have a hard time selling them and there have been a lot up.Think as with the older Ref's matching and palcement is critical and as folks mentioned beak in time.But since old boss also has B&W it's a toughy for me.I run a 40 wat EAR EL34 iinto German Odeon Tosca's which I got for $1500 (though I nevr would havce paid the $7500 list.Their big ass ones give an altenative but don't necessarily best Avantgarde).If I didn't have them I'd probably drop the tube amp for current and get a pair of 803's.But the new 803Diamond throws a wrench in that idea as for $2500 more list (not cheap at $8K) the Diamond teweeter on the 83 (and up in the line) is as good as any esotar,scanspeak whatever.They match ESL Quads,Maggies or Appogee ribons and are equaled only by the $20K crowd like the top of the line Ariel.

My real problem is I love 'em all (at different times) from Audio Physic one day to Avantgarde or Wilon Benesch the next and would have a pair of K-Horns in my garage if I could.But the Gallo's and NHT Xd (which BTW got even a bter follow up in Stereophile with an added sub).I think many more companies will use DEQX and other digital processing in the future but that may not be a reason to buy the Xd now.Need to hear.But will post if I do go get the Gallo's and am going to call Bob Warzalla at Sound Anchor and ask if he has some heavy iron to match those Brightstar bases if I do.Still was with all the buzz on these Gallo's I forgot i found the 2's "gmmicky" and thought they or the other big buzz NHT to maybe the Holy Grail.No mater what I do I am still waiting for the speaker messiah and unfortunately probaly always will
Chazzbo

How many owners of the Ref3's also use Gallo's sub-amp? If so, what difference does the amp make? I own a pair of the speakers and am considering buying the sub-amp to power the woofer's 2nd voice-coil. Any advice will be wecome.

How many owners of the Ref3's also use Gallo's sub-amp? If so, what difference does the amp make? I own a pair of the speakers and am considering buying the sub-amp to power the woofer's 2nd voice-coil. Any advice will be wecome.

i use the sa.

took a while to get it dialed in, but the bass has better attack and more body (but I have some of the big room problems already addressed). I also took some time & effort to get a speaker cable that was better for the low end than the one I was using for my mains--Nordost SPM that was a biwire set... at first, I used one side of the bi-wire for the mains & one side for the second voice coil, but whil eI love the spms for mids & highs, they didn't do the low end justice.