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GMA Europa vs. Soliloquy 5.3?

Hi. I posted awhile back on suitable monitors at the $1000 price point, and several people mentioned the GMA Europa. How would this speaker compare with the Soliloquy 5.3? I know the Soliloquy is a floorstander, but with 2 relatively small 5" drivers, I don't expect it to be especially overpowering. I have heard nothing but great things.

My only real concern about the Europas is that, being a monitor rated only down to 48hz, they may not have much low end. Some of the electronic music I listen to sounds really flat on the other monitors I have tried in the $1200 price-point. Therefore, I decided to look at smaller floorstanders as well. Of course, I can't have TOO much low end in a smaller room-that is the reason my Von Schweikert's are being replaced (these speakers are great, BTW).

My room is a living-room area that is approximately 14x11, but there is an attached kitchen that sound waves may diffuse into as well. I will eventually move into a house-this is a temporary apartment while my fiancee and I look for a house/good job in the area.

My listening tastes range from classic jazz to electronic (ambient, some trance), as well as classical, and vocals. Associated equipment is C-J PV10A preamp, C-J MF-2200 amp, Arcam CD73T. The tube/SS combo is pretty effective, and I expect it to improve as I replace the tubes on the preamp. Currently running Von Schweikert VR-2000's (4-way w/10" driver, sound great in the store but too big for this situation).
chiho

Showing 1 response by rysa4

rysa4
266 posts
 
Thought I'd chime in. I have the Soliloquy 5.3s. Room is 19 x 12 currently with opening to kitchen as well. Carpet. The 5.3s really do have an excellent sound stage and transparency in a way that reveals the music quite well. They are rated to 30 HZ, so I assume they go to 35HZ well and drop off from there. Some of that is placement and room no doubt.

The occasional addition of my Rocket UFW-10 sub to 2 channel for grins does indeed flesh out the lower octave dimension so perhaps the lower extension of the 5.3s has room for criticism.

Onething I will say is that the Sols really do need to be moved out from the wall about the 3 feet mentioned. Thats an important consideration. I am very satisfied with the SOLs and have never heard anything that made me wish I wanted something else, even the modified Vivaldis that list at 6000/pr take a back seat ( no lie).

I have never had the opportunity to listen to the GM Europas so obviously I cant make any comparison there at all.

I think for Jazz/Classical the Soliloquy is VERY strong. Weaker for hard rock but not too bad. The insides use oval-plus wiring so if you are into that type of consideraton oval plus wiring would seem to be optimal for speaker cables; I use cobalt cable but I know lots of folks dont think that kind of thing makes a big difference.

Good luck!
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