JM REYNAUD OFFRANDE Opinions Please

Ryriken,
I tried to be careful not to compare the Offrandes directly with any other speakers, it is curious to me you got the impression that I found the Merlins bright. That may or may not be my impression but I dont want to be critical of other gear in this thread( maybe another day), that is too easy, and probably not fair because too many external factors effect a speakers sound, in my system I was just happier with the JMRs, also I think I was fair in admitting I like a slightly sweet sound, we all have different tastes, and I am sure there are many who could be critical of the Offrandes, I am just glad that they are what I get to listen to.

Hi,
Picked up a pair of Offrande speakers about a month ago. They are replacing an old pair of Spendor Sp1's that I sold for $500. The Offrande has better imaging, but it does not trounce the Sp1. I'm pretty sure these speakers are post 2000 vintage. Glide3 is right about the top heaviness. The top view rectangle of the cabinet (baffle) is 8.75"x 16", the base is about 8.75"x 14.25". The spikes under the bases form a 7.5"x 13" rectangle. With even the most anal set up procedure, these are wobbly compared to the Sp1 set up I had. It looks like the pair that Mgwatt is selling have wider bases. I haven't been able to get any information about different base sizes from JM Reynaud (or anyone else I've emailed). I'm in the process of bolting .5" thick 11"x17" aluminium platforms under the bases and tapping in spike threads at 10"x16". Maybe I'm nuts, but I can't help thinking that a good high end speaker should exhibit a minimum of movement or recoil effect when it's throwing out energy. In my system, (Wadia 21i/Nordost Quattro fil/Coda 11/OTA wire) they sound edgy and bright on some (mostly rock) recordings, but on alot of ECM, Soul Note, Intuition, Tzadik, Enja or CMP recordings they deliver incredible presence and detail. After some wiring and set up bugs are ironed out, I expect to be as happy as alot of the other Offrande owners.
PS If you get some, DO NOT buy R. Crump jumpers for them, they don't fit properly.

hard for me to believe you think the merlins are bright...the vsm-m are very nice speakers..

I owned the Offrande's upgrading from Trente's. I thought them to be a very good speaker which did great service to the music. I think 1967 has done an excellent job of describing them. I would probably still own them but a curious 8 month old has moved me to a more stable speaker. As you may notice the Offrande's, with their dedicated stands, are somewhat top heavy.

Great post 1967, honest appraisal of what you like and why. Makes me want to hear these now.

Eddaytona,
I have a one year old pair that I love, I can not give you a comparison with the twins but I owned many speakers prior to the Offrandes (Aerial 10t, Verity Parsifal, Maggie 3.5, Silverline Sonata, Sonus Faber Extreema, Audio Physic Virgo, Merlin VSM Millenium) within about a one(expensive) year period, once I got the Offrandes I quit looking and began assembling a system around them. I find them to be excellent at staging and imaging, which is mandatory for me, they really disappear. Here is where my review becomes subjective, I find them to have the perfect balance between resolution/detail but still with a musical tone, some speakers I have owned sounded way to brite and edgy while others were sweet, but lifeless and boring, the Offrandes are beautifull sounding but the cymball is still there in the room with you with along with great dynamics and vocals, but I never feel the need to lower the volume or get fatigued after listening for long periods. My taste tends toward the sweeter than life , slightly euphonic tube sound compared to a krell or levinson amp so this review needs to be read with that in mind. Many "class A " or reccommended speakers do not sound at all natural to me they may be dynamic and impressive but unatural and not musical. with the Offrandes I get excited to bring home a new CD especially a live recording and experience a musical experience in my home. The biggest lesson I have learned in this hobby is to never buy equiptment based on reviews, however the fact that you are familiar and happy with JM Reynaud it may be a logical upgrade.