REFERENCE 3 A SPEAKERS

A speaker should well, speak to you. The Reference 3a Decapo does just that, at least to me. I wouldn't say they are the absolute smoothest monitors I've listened to, maybe the lack of a crossover, just a blocking cap to the tweeter contributes to that impression but their ability to communicate the musical message and make you forget about their sound and engage you in the performance is just very special. Timbre and pitch of instruments, micro dynamics and natural resolution are all excellent. The 8" main driver and BE tweeter with their wide dispersion contributes to excellent soundstaging and better than average in room bass performance for a small monitor. I recently had a spectrum analyser in my room that indicated a slight rise at 80 hz that was ameliorated with bass traps and indicated virtually flat response at the listening position. In addition to a Berning amp I am using a custom Berning tube switching augumentation booster that enhances bass 5db below 35 hz which makes the speaker behave more like a floorstander in the bass.

To specifically answer your question Nyaudio98 I would say the Decapos have outstanding soundstaging, when properly set-up and excellent imaging. There are many monitors that image well, so nothing too special there but their soundstaging is very noteworthy of mention, for reasons given above. I would add that, with the right amplifier and source component these speakers can make the music breathe with the energy of a live performance easily resolving the space of the recording venue. Also they work well with all types of music from rock to symphonic. There is no substitute for listening as YMMV.

Hello Nyaudio98

I've noticed you've posted several threads going back a few years regarding Reference 3a speakers. It seems you are asking for the same information yet you're still not convinced.

No speaker is going to be the same thing to everyone and your priorities and preferences may be different than mine or someone else's. In addition, for what it's worth, few have heard all the condenders under ideal circumstances in all cases. I know it is difficult to hear everything and you certainly want to make the best choice but at some point you've got to pull the trigger. Asking the same questions and getting the same responses, negative or positive will NEVER substitute for hearing first hand. I've listened to many loudspeaker and systems over the years and while the Ref 3a's are not perfect they ARE suited for music afficianados but maybe less so for die hard audiophiles that have a tendency to overstate, understate a product based on THEIR taste. It is often difficult to wade through the opinions and get some real concensus. Sometimes the best thing to do when this happens is to read the reviews and see if you can find concensus there along with the opinions of past and present users. Those that have casually heard but quite possibly not LISTENED should be ignored. Regardless of the information you receive you have to read between the lines. Even then listening with YOUR ears with commensurate electronics is ultimately going to be the real tell. For the dough these are damn good loudspeakers, IMHO! :)

Good luck!