Avantgarde..... Still a contender???

Chris, I owned ML SL3 for several years and Apogees before that. So, you know I like planars! Anyway, I made a change to an set amp are high eff speakers this year and I'm having a great time listening to music. Your room is similar to mine in general dimension, and I too used tubes on my MLs so we have some similarities there.

I still like the way the MLs sound, and maybe if I can have 2 systems they will be one of them. For one, the MLs present a much taller, deeper stage than non-linesource speakers. But I wanted to try out the set/high eff thang, and so my journey changed direction...

To answer your question, I don't know if you can do better for the money than AGs. The AGs have alot going for them including high eff and built in powered subs. They can be super tough to get seamless sound out of. But, I know it can be done as I've heard them at many shows and at one person's home. If you want a world class system that can do it all, the AG may be just the ticket. Heck, I almost got a pair--believe it or not, my wife liked the way red Unos looked on the website--did I marry right or what?!

Despite this, I went more simple and got Cain & Cain single BENs. They are a different speaker with different priorities. When you get a set amp you have so many choices of system flavors and objectives. As Phil notes above, the Zu is a compelling choice. For one, you get the single driver approach without bass sacrifice. To me, the benefits of set amp design alone are worth changing from push pull. Add in the benefit of going single driver (or "augmented" as is Zu & Cain) and you are really onto something!

As for amps, there are lots of choices. Will depend on speaker to a certain extent. The AGs are supposed to like Audiopax. There are lots of options now--heck, I built a kit!

Enjoy your journey.

I have never posted before here and must say that I own the AG Trios and lived with a pair Duo's for a number of weeks.
I really enjoy these speakers and the amps really make a difference. I have had Wavelength XS 300b,Venus 45's Lamm ML2'S and now Audiopax 88's on these speakers. It is amazing how revealing the speakers are to upstream changes.These speakers CAN sound warm with the right gear in front.As far as bass intergration,as with any speaker it takes a little time to get it right. In the past I have owned Genesis 201's,Wilson Watt/Puppy 5.1 and 6's,Martin Logan Quests years ago, Thiel,
B&W 801 III'S, Duntech, Sonus Faber Extrema and more.And I always was wanting for something more in my system.The reason I state this evolution in my system is because I am very happy where I am now. There has been many years of costant playing with the gear. I feel no need to go look at speakers. The Duo's do alot of what the Trio's do but have a leaner presentation. This hobby is all about what works for you and what your idea of music is all about.It's like checking out a live show in a good venue and realizing how far we really are from that in the home!
Hope you enjoy the hunt.
Dave

I second Lukestr. I have had Sound Lab A-1's, Quad 63 and numerous box speakers. Never has a speaker changed my enjoyment of recorded music like my Trios. They should call Horn speakers "Dynamic" speakers because that is what they do to music. They put the dynamics back in both micro and macro. To me without the dynamics music seems like a 2 dimensional picture and planar speakers can paint the most vivid 2D picture of all. Super high resolution like the finest camera can take but loss of the dynamics. I'd much rather accept some distortion in that picture to be able to see it in 3 dimensions. It's like taking a picture out your window and comparing it to looking through the window. Even if the window is slightly dirty the 3D view is better than the 2D view with the window open.
The dynamics of music are the wow factor yet some people are willing to give that up for tonal accuracy. We each have to pick what turns us on. I only wish I had checked out horns 25 years ago.

hi chris

your room size seems fine for most of the horns out there as all you need is 7foot + from the speaker for cohesive sound stage formation.
I have some AVG Uno's V2 with the upgraded subs which are faster and classed as one of the best possible for the price.
I have heard the newer version of the uno, the nano but prefer the overal sound of the unos as they are generaly larger and made for the job without cutting corners.

Amps: i have tried Musicfidelity Electra 300 tubes which are great but to powerful as you will get hiss issues at low volume. I have now gone to a arcam av top amp which has almost no hiss and a natural sound with out the harshness that people are getting with the other amps.

It all depends what you want from your speakers.
I compose and produce music on mine which is a experience in itself. Albums at www.mattsgallery.co.uk
Music made for Horns on Horns

I own the Duos. I don't hear any horn "shout" and prior to purchase compared them side by side with cone/box speakers and again heard no shout. As to the integration issue I have listened nearfield(6 feet away) and heard problems with integration. However, past 12 feet away I hear no integration problems at all. I have no idea whether I'm sensitive to this or not. Also for such large speakers they completely dissappear in the room(aurally not visually). Sometimes for the fun of it I listen in the dark and cannot locate the speakers in the room with music playing. Your room size seems fine as long as you can sit 12 feet away from the speakers while still having some distance between the speakers and the front wall. My personal feeling is that these speakers are tailor made for SET or OTL amps. SET are usually single ended but some OTL's such as Atmosphere are balanced and should sound good with the Duos. I also made the jump from SS/cone speakers to horn/SET and will not go back. More musical involvement. Hope this helps.