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Reference 3A line updated

For those of you who follow Reference 3A, it seems that their entire line has been updated with:
A new, high tech, sound-absorbing finish called "Nextel."
A new, beryllium dome tweeter on all models, including the entry-level Dulcet.
Two new models, one called the Nefes, and a huge, 7-driver model called the Sena.
Hoping somebody out there going to Vega for THE Show next week can check out their room and report back.
The Ref 3A web site has had a nice redesign, too.
rebbi

Showing 4 responses by brownsfan

brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
tubegroover, I bought a pair of deCapo Be's a few months ago to use in a bedroom system. I'm very slowly putting the pieces together for that system, but in the interim, they occasionally get rotated in to my living room system. My experience is substantially consistent with yours. They are just amazing monitors. Not the most neutral speakers I have ever heard, but they do so much right! Really remarkable.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Dubrin, Since you addressed your question to Tubegroover I refrained from posting until he had answered. He answered well, and I agree with what he said. I would underscore a couple of things. The drivers are extremely well integrated. Also, there is indeed no etching in the upper registers. Where they deviate from neutral, in general, the deviation is euphonic in nature, not offensive. I would characterize them as being a bit on the warm side. I bought these speakers to use in a bedroom system where I will use them primarily to listen to solo piano and chamber music. I will appreciate the warmth there, I think.

It has been about 30 years since I bought my last monitors. This was a very good purchase!
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Tubegrover, Take a look at my system page. Until I get the rest of my bedroom system together, when I listen to the deCapos they are in my main system, switching out the 3.7Rs. The system is dead neutral with the Maggies in. When you rotate in the deCapos, the tonal balance shifts to just a bit warm of neutral.
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Tubegroover and Drubin, Thanks!

Based on what I hear, I can't fathom anyone thinking the deCapos are dry or analytical. This has to be some serious system mismatching.

It surprises me how well the deCapos hold up by comparison with the Maggies. No, the Be tweeter doesn't have the magic of the Maggie ribbon, but it is very good. Sins of omission, not commission. They won't play as loud as the Maggies without a bit of congestion, but for my needs, that is not an issue. I'm not going to be listening to a Beethoven sonata at 90 dB as I fade into sleep.

The deCapos have perked my interest in the 3A line. I think I could easily live with this sound in my HT system. To bad they don't make a center channel.
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