Shootout: Raidho C3.1 vs Vivid Giya 2


Similar specs, similar cost, which would you buy?
rfarris

No contest Vivid any time, the Vivids produce great bass, can play louder, and are more dynamic.

One might argue that the Raidho's are a touch more transparent, but can not match the Vivid's in the areas were the Vivids reign supreme.

Both speakers throw a big sound stage, the Vivid's will still produce a larger one.

Quite frankly both of these speakers are awesome and your can't go wrong with either one, it is my opinion that the Vivid's are the more complete speaker.
And If they are both great speakers and you can't go wrong w either then how can the Vivid be no contest better?? Could it be because you are a Vivid dealer???? Inquiring minds want to know.

Dear Swampwater,

Dude take a chill pill, the guy is in SINGAPORE! I can't sell him either pair of speakers and there are dealers for both products there.

Everytime a dealer posts you guys like you go wacky thinking here is something to gain, I got no skin in this game.

My opinion is based on hearing both speakers. I really admire the Radhio's there tweeter is very airy and they are very high resolution devices, I have heard very few speakers at any price that can do dynamics or bass the way Vivid
s do. A famous story was when the G1 was introduced in Vegas Philp O Hanlon the importer was playing a Yello track with heavy bass and the ceiling cans were vibrated out of the ceiling! That demo was six years ago and I can still remember the visceral impact of those speakers.
Well, to be fair, it is probably true that both are great speakers and one probably wont be really disappointed with either. My question is really more about which is more complete. And i suppose that as with all audio, there is probably some degree of personal preference in terms of style of sound.
Thanks to all. My sense is that the Vivids are more dynamic and visceral with a tighter, more forceful low end when required. As Audiooracle notes, the Raidho's have a bit more air, maybe transparency/clarity in the upper end, and are a bit sweeter than the Vivids. But just a bit.

Just wondering what others' experience has been.
Audiooracle- I guess I should no better than to question an "oracle". I don't mind dealers or manufacturers posting, in fact I welcome it, but that should always be disclosed up front, esp. if you are weighing w an opinion about a product you sell vs. one you don't. As far as the OPs beiong located outside the U.S., if you were only interested in helping him, perhaps you might just have p.m.'d him.
Its high cost and unique appearance ensure that Vivid Audio’s Giya G2 is not the speaker for everyone...

What else are you considering? Another option, also in the Raidho range is the Raidho D-2. I am also based in Singapore and have the Raidho D2 at home. You are welcome to visit and listen if you have the interest. kiwi_1282001@yahoo.com
@Kiwi_1282001. Thanks. I want a bit more low end extension so I have been thinking more about the C3.1s.

Re the Vivids, I hear you about the funky appearance, but it doesn't bother me. The Raidhos are clearly better on the appearance front, but I have so far loved the Vivid's dynamism and clarity so I can live with the look. I think its a tough fight between the Giya 2s and the c3.1s.

Thanks for the offer to listen. Would love to hear your rig. I'll PM you about that.
Swampwalker makes an excellent point. How can it be that "can't go wrong with either one" and "no contest"? You should reread that post. Makes no sense is an understatement.

And just because you can't sell a pair of speakers to this particular gentleman in Singapore doesn't mean you can't benefit from the free advertisement your posts afford.

Think about it.

Shakey
Agree with Swamp and Shakey but at least he didn't post under his non-commercial moniker, audiofreakgeek, which is generally used to hide his dealer identity.
Free advertising under the guise of 'helping' potential customers when a phone conversation would be more appropriate seems to be more prevalent when speakers are involved.
And just because you can't sell a pair of speakers to this particular gentleman in Singapore doesn't mean you can't benefit from the free advertisement your posts afford.
Exactly.
I don't mind dealers or manufacturers posting, in fact I welcome it, but that should always be disclosed up front, esp. if you are weighing w an opinion about a product you sell vs. one you don't.
Why? Who cares! One should practice CAVEAT EMPTOR to ALL posts. Who knows who is behind the monitor and on the keyboard.
I listened to both again yesterday, although in different systems. With the caveat that I recognize that my perception of differences may have more to do with associated electronics and cabling than the speakers themselves my impressions are:

-- These are both great speakers and its a tough fight between the two.

-- The Vivid's struck me again as slightly punchier, especially in the low bass, and more transparent. However this came at the cost of the Vivid's sounding a bit edgier at times.

-- The Raidhos are also very transparent, but a bit smoother than the Vivids, without being warm. I am surprised by how much bass those tiny drivers produce, but it seemed to me just a hair less composed and tight than the Vivids.

-- The Vivids seem easier to position. The Raidhos seem to need to be close to walls and have lots of toe-in.

-- The Raidhos are much easier on the eye than the Vivids. Some may well like the look of the Vivids, but I dare say most will prefer the Raidhos by far.

Now...which to buy...tough...
I heard both of these speakers at the New York Audio Show last month.

Andy Singer of Sound by Singer was exhibiting a Raidho floorstander, I believe the C3.1, powered by top of the line VAC preamp and amp. I thought the treble sounded somewhat harsh/edgy and the mid-range had a veiled, "plasticky" quality. I did not like the sound of the room either day I was there. And I usually love how VAC sounds, so the problem was either the room or the speakers. (I actually thought the Raidho monitors driven by Merrill Veritas monoblocks in another room sounded better than the floorstanders.)

Philip O'Hanlon was exhibiting Vivid Giyas (I think the G2, but might have been the G3). I thought they sounded good, better than the Raidho floorstanders. However, they were too large for the room, so the bass was a bit overwhelming. But if you like deep, visceral bass, you should like these speakers.

Honestly, I was not completely wowed by either speaker. I preferred the Coincident Pure Reference Extreme, among a few others. But if I were choosing between Raidho and Vivid, I would get the Vivids.