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Ref. 3a , GMA & Tyler compare ?

Based on my last thread , I am taking your advise and looking for a monitor speaker for my small (10 X 11 ft.) room . The Ref 3a De Capo i, GMA Calisto and Tyler Linbrook Signature monitors have come up in my searches the most . I would like to know their different characteristics .
I will be using them in the nearfield , sometimes at low listening levels , sometimes at high levels and for long periods of time with various types of music . I would like the versatility of being able to use tubes or SS amps. It would be great if these could grow with my system as it matures and evolves .
All of you have been very helpful in the past and I am quite thankful .

Thank you .
saki70

Showing 2 responses by reubent

reubent
7,083 posts
 
I've owned and used Reference 3A MM DeCapos (non-i version) and Tyler Tylo Reference Monitors in my smallish room. They are setup in a nearfield setup. For my room and taste, I easily prefer the DeCapos. The bass is more solid and well defined, the midrange is better developed and the highs are just right. I also like the idea that you can drive them with almost any amp (in a small room). I've used everything from a 1.5 watt/channel 45 amp, 5 watt/ch. 2A3 tube amp, 40 watt "chip amp" and 170 watt HT receiver.

If you can find a pair of DeCapos at a good price, buy them and try them. They are very popular, so you could just re-sell them if you didn't love them.

Enjoy,

TIC
reubent
7,083 posts
 
Saki70,

Newbee is correct. I'm speaking of the Tyler Taylo Reference Monitors, not the Linbrook. I think this is a fair comparaison as the retail price is similar.

BTW, the tweeter in the DeCapo sure looks a lot like the one in the Tylers. I don't know the brand or model, but the do look similar. The Reference 3A mid/bass driver is proprietary and has gotten excellent reviews over the years. They use this same driver in their $4500+ speakers too. It is basically responsible for the R3A sound. Many would consider it a step up from the driver used in the Tylers.

My room is irregular in shape, but the main part of the room is about 12'X 15' with a ceiling height ranging from 6.5' to 7'. My listening seat is nearly centered in the room and the tweeters are about 7' from my ears. The front of the speaker is 31" from the wall behind the speaker. The speakers are nearly 7' apart measured at the tweeter. Speakers are on 24" stands putting the tweeter at about 3" below ear level in my setup.

I have not heard the Linbrooks or any GMA speakers, so I can't comment on them. I can tell you that the DeCapos can be successfully paired with almost any amplifier in a room the size of yours. They will also have plenty of bass and not require a subwoofer for most people.

The potential saving on amplification, along with the typical price of a pair of used DeCapos makes them a great bargain. Mine are the non-i model which sell for about $1000 for a nice pair.

Enjoy,

TIC
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