Reference 3a Decapo Anniversary

I had a pair a few decades ago. Their lone "Achilles Heel" was tweeter smearing on the speaker face, which was easily corrected with fiber rings (think flat donuts) that fit closely around the tweeter and extended to cover the metal face. Of course one had to purchase quality stands

2 days ago I got delivery of an even better speaker: Emerald Physics 3.4 12" carbon fiber woofer with concentric polyester tweeter in an open baffle design. 96 dB nominal 8 ohm. The top of the speaker face is a mere 40" off the floor. Full bodied enough to satisfy ~ 90% of the recorded music. If one desires plumbing the depths simply add 1-2 powered subwoofers

These retail for $4995, BUT, factory close out price is a pittance @ $995 a pair while they last. Mine are in Audi Blue which looks almost black


https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649616505-brand-new-emerald-physics-34-direct-from-the-factory-m...

Update.  I added the newest Rel 7 series sub and it improved  the sound in every way. Absolutely seamless and no smearing of the mids.  I am every bit as enamored of these speakers as when I received  them, and break in has improved  them still.  Very transparent  to cables, especially  interconnects. The MHDT Orchid DAC has great synergy and tube rolling shows off big differences. They make piano sound so real I am now listening  to much more classical  music and the Decapos/sub are serving all genres well. Astonishing "budget" system that i would put up against  almost anything. 

One of the things I have found most impressive is the even handed nature of the sound. Notes almost never push too forward and fatigue. Yet, they are among the most dimensional speakers I have heard and create a huge wall of sound. I can also listen to really poorly recorded music and still enjoy it. 

For months I was having a hard time determining what it was that really drew me in to these and now I can confidently say there is an "ease" about the presentation that is rare. It doesn't  sound like two boxes squeezing music out. Music just "happens"   

The 40th Anniversary MM de Capo BE is a direct result of the trickle down technology employed in their reference Reflector monitor.  In a conversation with the designer, he wanted to celebrate the speaker that put 3a on the map but had to limit the number produced because he knew it would cannibalizes sales of the $12k Reflector monitors. I believe that Anniversary model is now sold out.  The AE is a significant sonic improvement over the already stellar standard de Capo BE.  

I have heard the "regular" Decapo, but too many years ago to compare. The 40th is essentially the same beast, more resonance control and, I believe Tash adifferent tweeter cap and wiring. I haven’t heard the Reflector but I have seen them at shows. Nefes looks interesting too