No idea, but I use Avalon sub as a stand for my printer. No, it is not connected anywhere.
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They're excellent speakers. Unfortunately, I believe the Eclipse tweeter is out of production. When I accidentally damaged a tweeter in one of my second hand Eidolons I sent them an email with my request and speaker serial numbers. They promptly emailed a purchase request. I printed it and filled it out, enclosed a check and mailed it off. I received the part within a reasonable amount of time. Chit chat? No. In addition to their unbelievable musical presentation I simply haven't tired of looking at their stunning, most imitated cabinetry for almost fifteen years. When guests ask why they're positioned out in the middle of the room I simply drop the needle and, well... |
The Eclipses image superbly in the right room where you can bring them out a bit from the walls. Probably a little bass shy, especially if you want the last octave of bass--they don't go much below 40Hz--but the bass they produced was very good. They were beautifully built and finished, though I recall they only had a couple of finishes (I think one was olive wood, the other a Nextel finish). They partnered well with Jeff Rowland amplifiers, and I think Stereophile liked them with ARC tubed amplifiers as well. I really liked them and their bigger brother, the Ascent, but ultimately opted for the Duntech Princesses because of the better bass. I think, though, that concerns about service and replacement drivers, plus the fact that you haven't heard them, would suggest that you pass on them (unless you like long drives). |
I would do it if they are in good condition at that price. You’ve probably wanted and dreamed about them for years, and time goes very fast. I took the same chance years ago on a pair of Nestorovic 5AS speakers that I had dreamed about, and even though I only kept them for a few years I never regretted the experience. I don’t think you will either. Besides, road trips are always fun! |
Actually, I am curious more than anything. Nestorovic is also one of the speakers I am curious about! It is just fun to experience all those past products that were the best at their time. I will probably resell them at one point but I want to have that experience. We love road trips but still a stretch for a purchase but still thinking, still thinking :) |
never heard them, but this excerpt addresses your question, quoting Charles Hanson: "But you know, time has a way of sorting things out. I believe that the Avalon will be one of a handful of products from its time that will stand up in the years to come. Look at the 1950s—as far as we've come, there are still a select few loudspeakers that could make you happy today: the Klipschorns, Altec A7s, KLH 9s, original Quads... Think about it—if I told you that you could only have one system for the rest of your life and it consisted of a Marantz 7, a Marantz 8B, and a pair of Quads, could you be happy? I could. That stuff sounds good, looks good—there's integrity to the design. I'd like to think the Avalon will be remembered like those products." |
30 year old speakers - in general - are not worth a 12 hour drive and $700. Consider two factors - can you sell them and who else the seller could sell them to? They are too expensive to ship, a pain to store, keeping something you don't love is more of a hassle than a joy. Speaker are so subjective, there is really less than 20% chance that you will fall in love with them, in your room, with your gear. |
Yeah for $700 it’s hard to see going wrong. From John Atkinson’s review they lend themselves to brightness quite readily so hopefully you have partnering equipment that won’t trigger their brightness, but their imaging/sounstage abilities appear to be sublime — not surprising as that’s an Avalon house strength. Best of luck! |
Hey @celo, if you're still pondering this, this may help you. I once drove from L.A. to Albuquerque (11 hours) to get a used pair of Genesis speakers at a 90% discount, they were about 12 or 13 years old, unseen, unheard. That was back in 2007. I keep saying I'm going to get rid of them, but I still have them. Go for it, man! |
I have never purchased a pair of speakers unheard in my entire 40 year audiophile journey. Speakers are far too subjective for anyone to take a chance on purchasing without auditioning them first. My recommendation to you would be to, if the speakers are that compelling to you, then you'll have to just go ahead and bite-the-bullet and make the long drive so you can audition them first. That would be the wise (financial) thing to do. Happy listening. |
@jayctoy speaking of R3. I think it was 2001 CES when Mark Levinson was promoting them the very first time. I got to meet him too. He was saying you don’t need a center speaker if you have good pair of speakers. They were very good I remember. Good times. Now, CES isn’t fun for me. |
If it was something you know you want, you would have gone already, so $700. seems like nothing for them, and yet, it’s plenty, there are a ton of used speakers for sale for $700. on hifishark, it’s always, what don’t I get when I stay below _____? Seems to me you know ahead of time they will lack low bass, is that ok? For how long?’ Marvel at whatever they do very well and uniquely, until it is clear what they don’t do, then you marvel at yourself, how you could have wasted soooo much time, effort, knowing there’s no low bass, no surprise. If you search, your country, perhaps $800. max, then see so many choices, next, limit to only a few hours away, where you can truly check them out, hear them, say no if needed more easily. Next, a limit of $1,600, i.e. double the maximum. Now what do you get? Now enough bass to live with for a heck of a long time? Easier to repair in the future? Easier to re-sell? Might be better to make a short list, sell something, wait for something to pop up close enough, ....... Search daily, filter by ..., sort ’first seen, new first’, know a great opportunity, don’t let someone beat you to it where do you live, zip code? |
Well, sounds like a road trip to me! Shoot on up to I10, catch Hwy98 (goes along the gulf coast) . Stop in Apalachicola for the night at the Majestic Jewel B&B after a long ride, get a dozen oysters and a grouper sandwich and grab a beer at the brewery. Next morning pick up the speakers, (you know you want to) then enjoy traveling home, stopping to see some sights along the way. If you like barbecue, Hammaknockers in Crawfordville for lunch is a must. Then stop in Sopchoppy for some Tupelo honey. I’d stay on I10 over to St. Augustine, spend the night, then just take 95 home. And don't forget Wakulla Springs State Park, right after Sopchoppy. Crazy clear water.
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@thecarpathian makes it sound so appealing, I want to join. |
Could be stolen.., don't get popped after driving 12 hrs. Erin from Erin's Audio Corner lives nearby in Alabooma. Give him 700 bucks and maybe he'll a) pick it up for you b) measure it on his klippel and start hearing all kinds of things before he looked at his graph (the fakeass lying golden ear 'subjective listener' that he is)...i.e., without ever looking at a graph, he'll tell you he heard a 0.5db bump @ 3200hz!! In short, don't trust the way of these Alaboomans too much...be cautious. |
@thecarpathian cool! Does sound like a region out of the touristy tracks. |
@thecarpathian I just read your itinerary with my wife, she loves it :) She says we might make that trip; speakers or not :) @deep_333 I doubt they are stolen. It is a super nice lady (I think her partner owns them). I can tell from her writing. @grislybutter he is a nice person. He may accept if I asked, but still I wouldn’t feel right about it. |
I bought a new / demo pair of them back in 1998 or so. Great speaker even though a two way that as someone noted , very bass shy. Avalon is no longer the company they were back then under Neil Patel. In my opinion the new line is good but not for the asking price and a difficult speaker to get sounding right . I sold them around 2005 when the tweeters could not be replaced if anything happened to them . They could be very expensive but good looking book ends if they went bad but $700 and if you could get the crates which is a must with those speakers …..go for it. Hell concert tickets are that much now !!!! |
@celo I am with you, I would be hesitant to ask too, but then again: Karma, I am sure you have done favors too, expecting nothing in return |
and c) freight ship it to you (maybe)