AV123 Strata Minis

[Sleestack]

Just got these today and am testing them out in my Epiphany setup. Anyone with a $2K budget for a pair of speakers should absolutely check them out. For me they redefine "audiophile bargain." Impeccable build and amazing sound quality that I've simply never seen at this price point.

 

[Sleestack]

A picture of the Minis in-room uncorrected response curve. I have separate signals going to the sub drivers and the rest of the speaker, for greater corssover and correction control and true bi-amping. The smooth curves are one of my preliminary correction curves and you can also see the 95Hz 12th order crossover I'm using:

 

[billnchristy]

I just went and listened to these today here in Atlanta...amazing stuff.

They were in a large room, open to one side with a vaulted ceiling and still filled the room.

Lifelike, detailed, clean...amazing bargain for sure.

I cannot wait to compare my full range project to these, but really if anyone is on the fence about these...I really do not see any way you could be disappointed.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Sleestack, are you on the list for their new Uber-Linesource? Sounds like they should leave the Mini's for dead.

 

[Sleestack]

Sleestack, are you on the list for their new Uber-Linesource? Sounds like they should leave the Mini's for dead.

No, I'm going to Epiphany 20-21s. The one problem I had in judging the Minis is that my point of reference is the Epiphanys and Andra IIs.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I'm seriously considering the Onix linesources. Danny Ritchie (sp?) designed them, and as you well know he did the x-overs for your Epiphanies. I wouldn't try to claim the Onix could best them, but the word is Danny does consider the new ones he's created with AV123 as the best he's ever done in many respects. And the one thing I know for sure is that the cabs will be far better than you'd have any right to expect for even twice the price.

 

[Sleestack]

I'm seriously considering the Onix linesources. Danny Ritchie (sp?) designed them, and as you well know he did the x-overs for your Epiphanies. I wouldn't try to claim the Onix could best them, but the word is Danny does consider the new ones he's created with AV123 as the best he's ever done in many respects. And the one thing I know for sure is that the cabs will be far better than you'd have any right to expect for even twice the price.

I'm sure they will be fantastic, but I can't imagine them sounding better than the Epiphany's in the range I need them for. Although I'm sure Dannie's work on the new speakers is great, I also think you have to take things with a grain of salt given his interests. The 20-21s (at $20K+) are also a significantly more expensive speaker, although that doesn't necessarily mean anything. They don't have great low end, but in my setup or a HT setup that is a non-issue.

More importantly, the Epiphany's are perfect for my 2.2. cornerload setup where I only run my mains past 200Hz. The Onix design would be wasted in my rig. I do, however, think they will be a great choice and encourage you to check out the wonders of line array speakers.

 

[Rob Babcock]

No, I didn't mean to imply the were better. And Danny himself is "staying out it" since he has an interest in both. People who've spoken to him off the record are the source of my comments. I imagine the big Epiphanies will be incredible.

The Onix lines will be a bit more in my price range, though.