Janszen za2.1 vs nola metro grand ref series2


I am contemplating a speaker purchase. I was going to look into either a used vandy 5a or eggleston andra ii. But, I think they would both be too big for my small 12x14 room. I am also married to my 50 w triode monoblocks and I fear they would not provide sufficient power for either choice.

This leads me to the less well known janszen and a pair of demo nola metros. I have always liked the enormous magnepan 3.7 soundstage. I however found them always lacking in image specificity. So as the advice comes, please keep in mind my soundstage reference and goal is along the lines of the big Maggie's. I have read that the raven tweeter and open baffle in the nola result in a giant presentation. I am not as sure about the janszens.

Has anyone heard both of the speakers I am considering? My desire is to improve upon the sound of the Gallo ref 3.5 that I currently have. I would like a larger, taller deeper soundstage with Improved pinpoint proved imaging.

I recognize this may be an odd request, but I am hoping for real world experience as I have no way to hear either prior to purchasing the speakers. The janszens have a trial period going in their favor.

Fwiw David janszen was a pleasure to talk with about his speakers. If congeniality were a sound quality i would tip my hat to janszen.

Regards,
Brad
2out2sea

Showing 1 response by jsm71

2out2sea, congrats on moving forward with these speakers. I have had my pair for over 2 years, being one of the early adaptors. I've also enjoyed being close to David's operations and have spent time with him at his shop on a couple of occasions while he upgraded my pair to bring them to their current design. He is a great guy to spend time with as well as to do business.

As Pryso noted I used to be in the big SS amp camp but have gone all tubes. I used to have a Sanders Magtech for my Maggie 1.7s (a superb combo) but I now run a Decware ZMA with only 40 watts/channel. I actually had an earlier Decware amp briefly at 25 watts/channel before the ZMA became available.

My room is a 13' by 12' spare bedroom. I can exceed listening levels that I'm comfortable with in this room with the ZMA amp. The point here is David's speakers are indeed an easy load and tube amps from 25-100 watts are plenty unless you intend on damaging your ears.

I have come to enjoy most how correct everything sounds and how seamless the hybrid design is. Solo piano will convince you how cohesive these are. The crossover happens at roughtly the middle of the keyboard. I have tried (hard) to hear that transition and cannot, nor does the timbre of the sound change. It's perfect.

I local friend has 9' Soundlab speakers in his house. As impressive as the presentation is with those, I have no envy and feel my sound is as good or better in some ways. I like also that the soundstage is at the correct scale. I felt the Maggies were larger than needed in that area, similar to the Soundlabs.

I know the waiting is no fun. I had to for mine, as well as with the Decware amps. Do let us know your impressions once you get them.