Another vote for the 5A carbons from a happy owner. tomic601 said it all with very few words.I will say the same thing with more words.
When I first heard them I was hard pressed to tell the difference between the 5A carbons and the 7s. Now I can tell. But on most recordings its not a big difference. The 5A carbon has the same mid range and sub as the 7.
The powered bass properly tuned to the room differentiates these from almost everything on the market. I could never go back. You can play music with subterranean bass as loud as you want because the main amp isn't powering the low bass. Its pants flapping, tight, not boomy and definitely not one note. You will hear things you never knew were there. The sound stays relaxed and airy because the main amp never gets pushed.
The carbon clad balsa wood mid range is magic. IMO the only thing better is the 7 but its a lot of money.With the 7 you are paying for a better cabinet and two more drivers made from balsa wood.
Finally, these speakers transformed my wife's attitude. She used to tolerate the big stereo in the living room. Two days after the 5A carbons were setup I came home to find her listening with the lights dimmed and a candle going. She greeted me with "You have to hear this song on these speakers." Now she invites people over to listen. Complete transformation and she helps me evaluate electronics.
If you want a pair the best source will be a dealer with a customer upgrading to 7s. You won't find them on Audiogon except very rarely. Audio Connection is a good one and there are others.
When I first heard them I was hard pressed to tell the difference between the 5A carbons and the 7s. Now I can tell. But on most recordings its not a big difference. The 5A carbon has the same mid range and sub as the 7.
The powered bass properly tuned to the room differentiates these from almost everything on the market. I could never go back. You can play music with subterranean bass as loud as you want because the main amp isn't powering the low bass. Its pants flapping, tight, not boomy and definitely not one note. You will hear things you never knew were there. The sound stays relaxed and airy because the main amp never gets pushed.
The carbon clad balsa wood mid range is magic. IMO the only thing better is the 7 but its a lot of money.With the 7 you are paying for a better cabinet and two more drivers made from balsa wood.
Finally, these speakers transformed my wife's attitude. She used to tolerate the big stereo in the living room. Two days after the 5A carbons were setup I came home to find her listening with the lights dimmed and a candle going. She greeted me with "You have to hear this song on these speakers." Now she invites people over to listen. Complete transformation and she helps me evaluate electronics.
If you want a pair the best source will be a dealer with a customer upgrading to 7s. You won't find them on Audiogon except very rarely. Audio Connection is a good one and there are others.