new refrence 3a mm de capo

I had a pair of the De Capo iA's that were about 6 months old and I recently upgraded them to the new BE tweeter. The new tweets made a great speaker even better. I can't say enough good stuff about the De Capo. I am a very happy customer.

Ryriken,
I went from a pair of Merlin TSM-mmi's to my current De Capo's, so it's a question I can speak to.
The Merlin is a very mature and very refined design. Bobby Palkovic is a first-class human being who gives world-class service to his customers.
That said, the De Capo's, in my system, are making me very happy. They are imaging "monsters" and throw an enormous soundstage if the material warrants it. The midrange is beautiful, highs are sweet and extended and not harsh (especially with the new tweeter) and there is enough bottom end (I think they are rated down to 42 Hz) that orchestral music and bass heavy rock 'n roll have good authority and I feel no need for a subwoofer.
Also, in my system, they paint a coherent sonic picture of the performance that I find involving and intoxicating. It is very, very hard to describe in words exactly what these speakers get so right, but the result can be a level of emotional, musical communication that is quite wonderful. They are bringing me a lot of pleasure.

Drubin,
I cannot be entirely helpful here because I've never heard the De Capo i. Mine came as the De Capo i/A with the white, "acoustic lens" rather than the older, fat phase plug at the center of the main driver. I then upgraded to the BE tweeter when it became available. Plus, even before the i/A, the "i" itself had gone through some changes, I think.
What I can tell you is that my De Capo's have never sounded overly or obnoxiously bright to me. They DO require a good deal of break in time to really show what they can do. The drivers apparently have to loosen up and that big capacitor has to break in and "form."
Art Dudley, who reviewed the De Capo i for Stereophile back in 2003 (and found them "unforgettable") said he heard a "hooty coloration" with some recordings. I think I may know what he was referring to but any trace of that has vanished with playing time. John Atkinson really didn't like how they measured, but I wonder whether the newer iteration would please him more.