Rcprince,I currently have the Ascents 8 1/2 feet out,into a 22.5x13 room.The staging is superb,yet Avalon would like them an additional foot out.This won't happen.Not to sound like I'm trying to rationalise something I own(every hobbyist is guilty of this,to some extent),I have been told by Avalon,that they had recently gotten back a pair of Ascent MK 2's,in trade,and "had forgotten how good they were"!I am constantly appealing to myself,not to rationalize these speakers,yet truthfully cannot find any reason to upgrade.I,also,take care of them "to a museum standard".Steve Huntly,of Great Northern Sound,has also recently stated,to me, that these were Avalon's pinnacle product,in his opinion.Obviously the Osiris is a much better speaker, for a larger room,yet I have been able to bridge the gap(a bit) by adding one REL Stentor sub,and bringing it in at 24hz.Very low gain.What can I say,as I do LOVE SO many competing designs,including much of the new Avalon line,yet the Ascents are an incredibly easy load,and are a sealed box(makes a diff).The external crossover is a really nice touch,and the system maxes out at 110 lbs more(mass is a GOOD thing in many speakers)than the newer competing Avalons.They just exude "old world hand craftsmanship".Well I guess I AM rationalizing a bit,but NOT much!!Though I really do believe that these were discontinued in favor of a better marketing version product,by adding the crossover to one box,and not needing to tri-wire.Makes sense,but I'll still keep my "Iridescent Tropical Olivewood Beauties".I'm really hooked,even years after purchase.That's a REALLY good thing,IMO!
As this thread IS about the Osiris,all I can state is that Avalon has admitted to the fact that it was far too expensive a design to produce(Wilson ruled back then,as they do today,and not alot could be sold),and felt the newer Sentinal(I have not heard this,yet It must be superb)was more economically(from a production standpoint)viable!Anyone wanting to trade me a pair of Osiris' for mine?I'll take it!The Osiris' were capable of incredible dynamic range,like many of todays super speakers.Could reproduce inner detail,also like many of todays top designs,yet few of the really mega speakers could DO realistic timbres,like the Osiris!I don't know,but those modded metal domes,in the upper frequencies,seem more natural than the ceramic stuff.Maybe it's just me.And YES,the Osiris will definitely need to be well out into the room.Anyone owning them I automatically HATE(just kidding)!!
While we are at it(and I'm NOT married to one product line),the Isis looks WAY cute too!!
Best regards.
As this thread IS about the Osiris,all I can state is that Avalon has admitted to the fact that it was far too expensive a design to produce(Wilson ruled back then,as they do today,and not alot could be sold),and felt the newer Sentinal(I have not heard this,yet It must be superb)was more economically(from a production standpoint)viable!Anyone wanting to trade me a pair of Osiris' for mine?I'll take it!The Osiris' were capable of incredible dynamic range,like many of todays super speakers.Could reproduce inner detail,also like many of todays top designs,yet few of the really mega speakers could DO realistic timbres,like the Osiris!I don't know,but those modded metal domes,in the upper frequencies,seem more natural than the ceramic stuff.Maybe it's just me.And YES,the Osiris will definitely need to be well out into the room.Anyone owning them I automatically HATE(just kidding)!!
While we are at it(and I'm NOT married to one product line),the Isis looks WAY cute too!!
Best regards.