Talon Khorus Speakers

I agree with Acuujim. These speakers do set a new standard. My heart beat can be altered by the force that these speakers are capable of in the "nether regions"! As far as the subs go, I have never heard them. I would love to try them if I ever move into a larger room, but in my current set-up they would probably be overkill. When setup properly I have heard that the Roc, in addition to strengthening the bass (which is SCARY),also opens up the midrange. If you do listen with and w/o, please share.

I have heard the Talon Khorus and though they do a few things well, they ultimately failed to convince me that I was hearing real music and instruments. If you want more details, e-mail me privately and I'll fill you in. So they are not on my top-5 list, but the following are: The larger Genesis line-source ribbon systems, the larger Sound Labs full-range electrostatics, the Magnepan MG-20, the InnerSound Eros electrostatic hybrids, and the Eminent Technology LFT VI. I have heard the PipeDreams systems and thought they had good potential, but lacked a bit of immediacy which bumped them off my list(ditto the Khorus). Other speakers I've heard good things about, but haven't heard, are: the Wisdom Audio ribbon systems, the latest big Dunlavy models, Newform research NHB models (with subs), and a couple upper-end models by Theil. I have heard the Avalon Ascents sound quite good, but I never heard the Radian HCs--though I've heard good things about them. Mainly I am using cables from Sonoran and from Full Spectrum Audio, with a digital cable from Harmonic Technology. I own the InnerSound Eros with a Paradigm Servo-15 sub, and I'll take that combo over 96% of everything else out there--including the Khorus--sorry. I believe that it's simply more faithful to the sound of music. I know that some of my picks are ultimately bass-shy, but a properly implimented subwoofer system will take care of that easily.

I have heard the Khorus several times. A decent speaker, but to suggest it is a contender for "world's best speaker" is a joke. I own Wisdom Adrenaline 75 line source dipoles (bi-amped system with electronic crossover). These are so far superior to the Khoruses that it is ludicrous to even compare them. The Wisdoms are so resolving that they require extremely careful set-up and matching to auxiliary components to realize their capabilities. Other speakers that I have heard that are in a different league from the Talons include the top Kharma speakers (don't remember the model--they go for around $70K), and the big Pipedreams system. Probably others too, but I'll stick to what I've heard. Personally, I prefer Eggleston Andras to the Khoruses, but that might just be an *opinion*.

Come on you Vandy owners stand by your choice. Inquiring minds want to know!

Hi Plato! I also owned the Inner Sound Eros not long ago. I agree that they are a great speaker, and probably one of the best values in audio. I prefer the Talons, though. I don't like the "light" (you call it immediacy) that electrostats and ribbons portray. I also found the narrow listening window of the Eros difficult to live with. Your listening biases are very apparent, since all of your choices are those types of speakers. I drive my Talons with an Art Audio Jota, which seems to work really well. I tried a variety of amps with the Eros. The ones that worked really well were the Aronov 9100s and the ARC VT100 Mk2. The Spectron 1KW was okay, but too digital sounding. The Cary 805C (with the KR rectifier tube) was the worst combination with the Eros. Given your relationship with Stereotimes, you must have access to a good many amplifiers and equipment. Which amps have worked well with the Eros? Also, you always seem to respond to threads about the Khorus, but not much else. You have also responded in some cases very negatively. Is there something about Talon that bothers you? As far as the world's best speaker, is anybody really qualified to make that judgement? Comparing a $14,000 product to a $70,000 product is "a joke". The Talon Khorus, as with any speaker, is a going to appeal to some people and not to others. Some of the "rah rah" for certain types of equipment on this site sounds like high schoolers rooting for their home team, while throwing rocks and bottles at the opposition. Which brings up another point....it seems like nobody auditions much anymore. This used audio equipment market has generated a whole new customer base....those that buy products for thousands of dollars without ever hearing the equipment they are buying, and do so based on other people's opinions. What caused this to happen? The high price of audio equipment? The availability of exotic components via the internet? The limited number of dealers and market for this type of electronic gear? Given the subjectivity of people's opinions based on their own listening preferences, this seems like a risky way to invest in any particular component. Sounds like a topic for another thread.