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Green Mountain Audio Chroma HX Review

I just had my Green Mountain Audio Chromas upgraded to Chroma HX. The difference is the crossover, with the capacitors being exceptionally high-grade. The low-pass filter is specially made to Roy Johnson's specifications. Unobtainium (not for sale) Litz wire is used with the latest unobtainium solder. The change is dramatic enough to consider the HX a different speaker, even though the schematic is essentially the same.

And the result is absolutely stunning. I was expecting a substantial improvement, but I was unprepared for the result. It's going to be difficult to put this into words, but I'm going to try. Let's face, we've heard it all before.

I have never heard a speaker that so effortlessly plays music. Every note has more music in it. I guess you could call that greater detail, but the HX transcends that description. Perhaps I should call it harmonic richness. The sound is unbelievably accurate, yet musical, throughout the frequency spectrum. The copious bass digs down deeper while being more well-defined. I would call it high-definition bass, to coin a term. The midrange is similarly tuneful, clear and also hi-def. It just flows naturally and cleanly. I would describe the treble as ethereal, sparkly and airy, never bright.

The HX is also the most coherent speaker I have ever heard. The woofer and the tweeter coexist happily. It is impossible to tell where the crossover frequencies are. You cannot hear the port either, just the bass. I find myself listening for hours, without fatigue, because the music captures my attention and holds it.

The sheer accuracy seems to lend itself to the soundstage, imaging with pinpoint precision. You know where every voice and instrument is at all times. This is an area of audio that I didn't much care about previously, but I cannot ignore now.

Any criticisms? Well one, maybe. If you like to crank the bass hard enough to drive your neighbors to yell death threats, you're going to need a powered sub.

I have heard many speakers in my time, among them Wilson Audio, Joseph Audio, Paradigm, Triangle, Meadowlark, Dali, Thiel, Usher and Vandersteen. None of them can deliver what the HX can. It's not even close. If you have a pair of the already excellent Chromas, HXing them is a must. I have found the speakers that I am going keep for life in the Chroma HX.

Related equipment:
Musical Fidelity A308cr with upgraded clocks
Audio Note Kits DAC 2.1
Pass Labs B1 buffered passive pre modified for shunt volume control
Pass Labs Aleph 3 power amp
BPT BP-1 balanced power conditioner
Audio Magic Matrix Mini power conditioner
Pass Labs Aleph 3 power amp


dave122
dave122 OP
2 posts
 
It's called an opinion. Opinions are subjective. And, if I thought any other speaker was better, I would have bought a pair of them instead.

Each speaker of the other brands cost at least what the Chroma HX costs. Feel free to compare any comparably priced speaker and draw your own conclusions. I stand by mine own conclusions.

I don't really care which models they were,as none are as good as the Chroma HX. That is an opinion.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Yes, opinions are just that.  I get that and it's what makes forums function.

The only problem I have with your post is that you can't have an opinion, without basing it in fact.  To say that something sounds better to you than something else, you must hear both or all.  That's called fact and not an opinion.  

You took on many lines of outstanding speakers and you didn't even whittle them down to the comparably priced speaker.  You just made a very bold statement that the 3400 speaker : " None of them can deliver what the HX can. It's not even close."

Again, very happy for you Dave. I really and truly am, but your statements are hype until you audition all the other's current models. 


dave122 OP
2 posts
 
I did hear the brands I mentioned above, and none came close to the Chroma HXs. They all cost at least as much as the Chroma HX. Based on price, any such speaker should be at least as good, but none was. I made a very bold statement, but the HXs are that good, the others were that bad, or both. I gave all these brands a fair hearing, but I don't give out participation trophies. If you don't agree with my opinion, fine, you can write your own review.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 
@ctsooner, take it down a notch. You wouldn’t have jumped in if Vandersteen wasn’t mentioned.  Candidly, GMA’s are more similar than dissimilar to the Vandersteen design principles.  If you don’t have the physical space for Vandersteen’s, you can do MUCH worse than GMA 2-ways (I say this as an owner of both). 
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Renter, I guess that's fair.  I would have jumped in actually. I did the same on another thread on another site a couple of weeks ago.  Someone made a very similar statement about Wilson and Magico and I did say teh same thing. I try to be constant at least, lol.

As you noticed I didn't say anything against the GMA and never would.  I hope most understood the point I was trying to make.  As I said, it's great that folks love what we own or even love what we want to own, lol.  

Sorry if I ruffled a feather or two. Wasn't my intent at all.  Pete
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