been in this 50 yrs., as improvements came along i tried to adapt , but realized 20 yrs. ago that the peak MUSICAL sound repro was around 1957 , been happy every since ; OFF the audiophile merry-go-round why am i here ? just to check in occasionally
A couple years ago at the Audio Ark in Edmonton, Canada I heard the Acapella Atlas Horn Loudspeaker with massive blue horns and a plasma tweeter all driven by top of the line Audio Research Amplification. It was a beautiful thing to behold. I especially enjoyed the fantastic plasma tweeter, it was so beautiful to look into the horn and see this little ball of plasma. One of my favorite memories was blasting Mike Watt's "Big Train" from his "Ball-Hog or Tugboat?" album. Haha... what a blast that was. I was so stunned listening to those speakers. I don't have $100K for speakers and $200K for amplification and sources, but if I did I would spend it on a system like that. Holy shit, just another level.
I was totally thinking the same thing, "How will you ever enjoy music the same way after hearing that system". I exaggerate, but there is some truth to it, eh? I think I would cry myself to sleep for a month. 😢
After the initial shock you'll appreciate what your current system can do and gain perspective. I had a similar experience with an all-Linn analog system around 1990.
"Never heard it sound like this" is consumer audio. Each listening event is shaped by a unique assemblage of conditions at that time, place and person. Nice to get out and about to hear variety. Nice to come home too. Nice to have the music float in the well lit and attractive main living space.
Amazing Set! Brian Eno Ambient Series are beautiful! Another interesting ambient album is Steve Roach & Robert Rich - Strata and Vidna Obmana - The River Of Appearance.
I love my Avantgardes. They are the finest speakers I've ever heard, and I've had a ton of speakers. They are so good that two of my buddies bought their own!
Hi Arthur, May I ask what other speakers you had? I’m orientating on new speakers. I now have a VPI turntable and unison research s6 tube amp. I’ve heard the avantgardes uno a few weeks ago and I was blown away, but I also see (haven’t listened to them) brands like focal, Sonus Faber, b&w getting recommended a lot. I’m curious about your opinion. Thanks in advance, Leroy
I've been lucky enough to hear that amp with a horn speaker, not this one, but an awesome one nevertheless in a large hotel suite at a hi fi show many years ago delivering a top flight front end turntable signal... I've never heard anything else that even comes close... divine! It was the price of a house but if I'd had the money I'd have bought it.
The original release on vinyl of ambient 4 had a diagram for a 3rd rear speaker (using positive terminal from L+R channels) Maybe on safety grounds or copyright issues they removed it.
Miguel, You may want to look at Audio Quest Niagara 5000 or 7000 conditioner or the PS Audio P15 or P20 regenerators. I think you will be impressed. You have a wonderful system. Great job in hand selecting these items.
The room sounds boomy but it just must be the video since you loved the system sound so much. Cool apartment indeed. I’d love to see more of it as a dwelling lover. I’m sure the rent or cost to buy it would be sobering to most of us but welcome to NYC, Boston, SF, et al. It’s a different lifestyle for sure, no matter how much money you have or do not have. To each their own. It’s all good. Thanks again, Steve!
@@miguelbarrio Even though I'm a HUGE proponent of significant acoustic treatment in essentially all rooms, audible issues (echo-y) in a recording such as this video are oftentimes misleading. You expressing that it's not as lively/echo-y as the recording would suggest is consistent with my experience. I'm guessing most reading this know, our hearing is orders of magnitude different/more capable, than a microphone's pickup. It serves us well being discerning in an environment subjected to multiple arrivals... up to a point. Of course the MF and HF directivity of those Avantgardes help too. Fascinating system, I really dig the savvy implementation of the powered LF section, with the Onganku on the top ... an ideal application, ... just killer! All in that sweet room, I'm sure it brings you immeasurable joy. Thank you for sharing!
The problem I have with listening to any audiophiles impression of the way a system sounds is that so many of them only have ears for a 2-stage speaker one that incorporates a full range and a tweeter pre Bose acoustimass era most speakers came with three distinct drivers that delivered three distinct sounds that grasped the listener with a full range of listening pleasure and the reason why I say pre Bose is because Bose introduced us to the two level Sound Stage cube speaker with the hidden base module and every other company that produced speakers canceled the mid-range speaker and substituted the base for a full range and this is what some even most audiophiles here and act surprised when they hear a 3-way speaker
I don't know how you can stand listening to that kind of junk. I used to think horns were all shrill and a bit brash; however the modern ones have come a long way. Amazing, and great video as always.
If me and my wife ever win the Powerball we will buy you that apartment and those speakers that's how much we love you we just recently moved back to the city from Florida hoping to accidentally bump into you someday your big fans Steve & Kathy Costello...
Miguel, any chance you can provide a feedback on Ongaku volume control vs Rossini volume control (Ongaku at 100% volume)? A Truly Beautiful system by the way!
Yes. Ongaku does not have a remote. What I do is set Ongaku to a volume essentially as loud as I would like to play it (say half way) and then use the Rossini volume to trim it down just a bit to what I need for the particular piece of music. In fact, I have set up Roon to show a volume control between -20dB and 0dB so I get more precision in the slider.
I'm sure that Brian Eno record will sound amazing after Steve records the playback on his iPhone and I replay it at low-resolution through TH-cam on the built in speaker of my Galaxy. Just like being there!
The system is not to play for . It is too expensive and needs to be saved . Just like people when by a Rolex , keep them in the drawers to preserve the value . LOL
I wonder how Miguel could afford this apartment AND this system on even a senior physicist's salary? 'Wonder whether he went into finance with his quant skills?
Steve, when are you going to review the new Klipschhorn? I hear the new Klipschhorns don't have to be placed in a corner if your room won't accommodate corner placement.
59seank I know they made an anniversary, or some other special edition like that for sure, because I read the Klipsch website that described it. But I'm not sure if they're all that way now. I don't think they are, but don't quote me on that. Either way. Any Klipschorn can be used this way. They make a device you attach to them (you could make them yourself even). Basically just like a little corner of a wall. Made out of plywood, or whatever. So corners are the least of your worry. What you need is a big place for them. They're HUGE, and probably won't even fit through many doorways. And you have to sit pretty far back for them to sound best too. They do sound great though, in a big room. I dream of owning them (I love low power tube amps), and have the money. Just not the space unfortunately. Maybe someday. Seems I studied the wrong subject. I should have took physics in school. 😊
Oh, and almost forgot. Steve probably won't be reviewing them because they're so huge. He'd never get them in his apartment. Although maybe he could bring them to the CNET offices, and review them there. If they have a big enough room that is. 😂 😂 😂
Adrian S the Forte is a much smaller, less dynamically alive, dimensionally constricted sounding speaker. That said, it has better midrange tonality. In my room
Hi Steve tubs rock so get some I have and there’s no going back it would’ve been nice to have seen the speakers and amplifier properly though loving the chain gang T-shirt Apologies Steve I didn’t see the other video with the speakers and amplifier on display
Steve I have to ask, why do you never let us hear the systems on your videos? I find it extremely frustrating and a missed opportunity. Most of us will ever get to hear these systems. Most viewers have no delutions that you would get the same sound via a youtube video compared to being there, however still have the awareness to get a sense of the sound when compared to the rest of the video recording such as your voices etc. I would really appreciate your explanation and hopefully it will save me a lot of frustration. Thanks 🎶
Morne Coetzee He has answered that before in former video. It's simple really, you can't hear the system over a video because your hearing your system playback. You have to be there.
@@TheFidop yes he's said that or similar.....but, I do think there's more to it. Given Steve does his vids daily....I don't think recording quality is his focus. Sometimes he's barely listenable. Imagine trying to record some crazy high end system with his current gear, even for a short time. It would sound like cr@p! So....I think reading between the lines, Steve is more interested in his daily output, than recording quality. Take it or leave it as is... We all come here for his thoughts, not the quality of his vids. Therein lies the conundrum....we like to hear from Steve and value his views, but many would like more from the production side of things. So....whilst we get glossy new shirts now and then, we don't get such a change in production. Tbf....I'd have no idea how to record even a simple video, mostly as I've never tried. Daily is Steve's priority, not higher quality production. Each to their own.....just imagine if we the viewers could have it all. 🎶
I am really sorry to be the bad guy here and this really is not about me being envious but these horns do not sound natural at all. The mids are some sort of hyperefficient yet plastic sounding, colouring the sound way more than Steves Klipsch do whoch are the far better speakers overall. Both playing not even remotely naturally. A mix of harbeth and horns would be great....
I'm with Mr. Sweda here. A TH-cam video of Miquels setup playing music for obvious reasons would not be close to a perfect representation, even via a pair of quality headphones, but it most surely would give you an idea of how it sounds, or if nothing else an illusion of the same; somehow an experience would form through this other than being told how it sounds. Steve's videos are great, but please, Mr. Guttenberg, consider including segments of the stereo actually playing - in the seating position.
Mark Donen - Miguel's Duo Mezzo's were pre Basshorn DSP as the HD versions didn't come out until late 2015. As Ben points out, the new Duo Mezzo HDs have DSP room correction for the Basshorn only. There is no DSP in the mid range or tweeter for any of the Duo or UNO HD line.
Duo Mezzo HD (new version with DSP room correction in Basshorn) are over $80k US retail. The original Duo Mezzo was about $65K retail usd plus $2k shipping from Germany.
Miguel consider renting Airbnb for audiophiles 💰 😂
Well, Steve, you’re halfway there with your new love of horns. Time to go tube!
been in this 50 yrs., as improvements came along i tried to adapt , but realized 20 yrs. ago that the peak MUSICAL sound repro was around 1957 , been happy every since ; OFF the audiophile merry-go-round why am i here ? just to check in occasionally
what a lucky man
This was so much fun to watch! Great system great conversation
I’ve heard those speakers, the best I’ve ever heard
Thank you Steve and Miguel for the video.
Horn speakers are the way to go if you want to bring your music to life!! Your video made me smile.
We need a part 3. Ask him how he feels about cables.
I am more amazed by the apartment than the music system. That living room is huge and windows are fantastic
A couple years ago at the Audio Ark in Edmonton, Canada I heard the Acapella Atlas Horn Loudspeaker with massive blue horns and a plasma tweeter all driven by top of the line Audio Research Amplification. It was a beautiful thing to behold. I especially enjoyed the fantastic plasma tweeter, it was so beautiful to look into the horn and see this little ball of plasma.
One of my favorite memories was blasting Mike Watt's "Big Train" from his "Ball-Hog or Tugboat?" album. Haha... what a blast that was. I was so stunned listening to those speakers. I don't have $100K for speakers and $200K for amplification and sources, but if I did I would spend it on a system like that. Holy shit, just another level.
My mouth is watering wishing that I could hear that system in person.
I was totally thinking the same thing, "How will you ever enjoy music the same way after hearing that system". I exaggerate, but there is some truth to it, eh? I think I would cry myself to sleep for a month. 😢
After the initial shock you'll appreciate what your current system can do and gain perspective. I had a similar experience with an all-Linn analog system around 1990.
I could aspire to such a system. Steve. The idea of highly efficient horn loaded speakers mated with tube amplification appeals. Well done Miguel!
The painted speaker horns are a killer option. They always look so cool!
ONLY, of course... if you use high-end audiophile paint chosen for its tonal qualities.
"Never heard it sound like this" is consumer audio. Each listening event is shaped by a unique assemblage of conditions at that time, place and person. Nice to get out and about to hear variety. Nice to come home too. Nice to have the music float in the well lit and attractive main living space.
So anyway, lets have a 1 min demo of this scrumptious, delicious audio setup! Meanwhile, im trying to save for an entry level primaluna amp!😂
Miguel really seems like a really nice dude! Next time use "Serge Forte-Funky Oscar" a reference to audition horn speakers!
Steve you have never done this, you must have been hooked and Miguel’s system must be utterly fantastic or in a word, breathtaking.
sid vicious there’s no way your speakers or headphones w could reproduce that sound.
Amazing Set! Brian Eno Ambient Series are beautiful! Another interesting ambient album is Steve Roach & Robert Rich - Strata and Vidna Obmana - The River Of Appearance.
I love my Avantgardes. They are the finest speakers I've ever heard, and I've had a ton of speakers. They are so good that two of my buddies bought their own!
Hi Arthur,
May I ask what other speakers you had? I’m orientating on new speakers. I now have a VPI turntable and unison research s6 tube amp.
I’ve heard the avantgardes uno a few weeks ago and I was blown away, but I also see (haven’t listened to them) brands like focal, Sonus Faber, b&w getting recommended a lot.
I’m curious about your opinion.
Thanks in advance,
Leroy
Brian Eno must be 1 of the most underappreciated and unknown (by the masses) contributors of modern music . . way, way, way ahead of his time.
True artist and true art never was for the masses
I've been lucky enough to hear that amp with a horn speaker, not this one, but an awesome one nevertheless in a large hotel suite at a hi fi show many years ago delivering a top flight front end turntable signal... I've never heard anything else that even comes close... divine! It was the price of a house but if I'd had the money I'd have bought it.
The original release on vinyl of ambient 4 had a diagram for a 3rd rear speaker (using positive terminal from L+R channels)
Maybe on safety grounds or copyright issues they removed it.
Steve ! Musical sound is your Lover . The Passion is palatable.
Congratulations Miguel!
Best and most fun speaker I have ever heard
For what is that system worth - you can get Eno on a plane to NY and make him cut an entirely new album just for yourself!
Happy to see you find a new good bliss.
Miguel, You may want to look at Audio Quest Niagara 5000 or 7000 conditioner or the PS Audio P15 or P20 regenerators. I think you will be impressed. You have a wonderful system. Great job in hand selecting these items.
All Miguel needs now is a good turntable ,cartridge and tube phono pre amp to be blown away again
It's a little daunting: turntable, arm, cartridge, phono amp, record cleaning machine...
@@miguelbarrio You'll never look back!
@@miguelbarrio
If there's little to nothing lacking in your listening experience, I wouldn't change your source path.
@Miguel Barrio
Exactly why I gave up on vinyl myself!!
Grande Miguel !
The room sounds boomy but it just must be the video since you loved the system sound so much. Cool apartment indeed. I’d love to see more of it as a dwelling lover. I’m sure the rent or cost to buy it would be sobering to most of us but welcome to NYC, Boston, SF, et al. It’s a different lifestyle for sure, no matter how much money you have or do not have. To each their own. It’s all good.
Thanks again, Steve!
I realize the room sounds very echo-y in the video. But it's not as echo-y as it seems.
@@miguelbarrio
Even though I'm a HUGE proponent of significant acoustic treatment in essentially all rooms, audible issues (echo-y) in a recording such as this video are oftentimes misleading.
You expressing that it's not as lively/echo-y as the recording would suggest is consistent with my experience.
I'm guessing most reading this know, our hearing is orders of magnitude different/more capable, than a microphone's pickup. It serves us well being discerning in an environment subjected to multiple arrivals... up to a point.
Of course the MF and HF directivity of those Avantgardes help too.
Fascinating system, I really dig the savvy implementation of the powered LF section, with the Onganku on the top ... an ideal application, ... just killer!
All in that sweet room, I'm sure it brings you immeasurable joy.
Thank you for sharing!
Impresive system! lucky owner :)
So very cool. Thanks.
"So big, so full of life" That's what she said last night...😂🤣
Great system! Have you considered using royalty free music to test and record systems like this for TH-cam?
The problem I have with listening to any audiophiles impression of the way a system sounds is that so many of them only have ears for a 2-stage speaker one that incorporates a full range and a tweeter pre Bose acoustimass era most speakers came with three distinct drivers that delivered three distinct sounds that grasped the listener with a full range of listening pleasure and the reason why I say pre Bose is because Bose introduced us to the two level Sound Stage cube speaker with the hidden base module and every other company that produced speakers canceled the mid-range speaker and substituted the base for a full range and this is what some even most audiophiles here and act surprised when they hear a 3-way speaker
Awesome sound system. Virtually silent!! lol
Of course I wish we had heard them, but that was an awful lot of echo when Miguel answered your question.
I don't know how you can stand listening to that kind of junk. I used to think horns were all shrill and a bit brash; however the modern ones have come a long way. Amazing, and great video as always.
Its like explaining how great chocolate tastes are we going to hear this system?
I almost inploded on myself when you said It had 170db sensitivity
If me and my wife ever win the Powerball we will buy you that apartment and those speakers that's how much we love you we just recently moved back to the city from Florida hoping to accidentally bump into you someday your big fans
Steve & Kathy Costello...
Miguel, any chance you can provide a feedback on Ongaku volume control vs Rossini volume control (Ongaku at 100% volume)? A Truly Beautiful system by the way!
Yes. Ongaku does not have a remote. What I do is set Ongaku to a volume essentially as loud as I would like to play it (say half way) and then use the Rossini volume to trim it down just a bit to what I need for the particular piece of music. In fact, I have set up Roon to show a volume control between -20dB and 0dB so I get more precision in the slider.
Steve....play the system..?
I'm sure that Brian Eno record will sound amazing after Steve records the playback on his iPhone and I replay it at low-resolution through TH-cam on the built in speaker of my Galaxy. Just like being there!
The system is not to play for . It is too expensive and needs to be saved . Just like people when by a Rolex , keep them in the drawers to preserve the value . LOL
I wonder how Miguel could afford this apartment AND this system on even a senior physicist's salary? 'Wonder whether he went into finance with his quant skills?
I think he's a big cheese at an investment bank.
Miguel, send Brian Eno an invite!
If only I could!
He really tells how sounds create fantasy..... little improvement here and there.... cost so much 🎶💰
Horns are the gateway to nirvana.
Steve, when are you going to review the new Klipschhorn? I hear the new Klipschhorns don't have to be placed in a corner if your room won't accommodate corner placement.
What are they called?
@@NiSHAN256 Same thing they've always been called. Klipschorns. Since 1947, or something like that.
59seank I know they made an anniversary, or some other special edition like that for sure, because I read the Klipsch website that described it. But I'm not sure if they're all that way now. I don't think they are, but don't quote me on that.
Either way. Any Klipschorn can be used this way. They make a device you attach to them (you could make them yourself even). Basically just like a little corner of a wall. Made out of plywood, or whatever. So corners are the least of your worry.
What you need is a big place for them. They're HUGE, and probably won't even fit through many doorways. And you have to sit pretty far back for them to sound best too. They do sound great though, in a big room. I dream of owning them (I love low power tube amps), and have the money. Just not the space unfortunately. Maybe someday. Seems I studied the wrong subject. I should have took physics in school. 😊
Oh, and almost forgot. Steve probably won't be reviewing them because they're so huge. He'd never get them in his apartment. Although maybe he could bring them to the CNET offices, and review them there. If they have a big enough room that is. 😂 😂 😂
Let's hear a little!
Steve finally returning to the high-end from his slumming with Klipsch.
give us a listen please love
And what good would that do?? You can only hear that system if you are there...…
Do your Forte IIIs sound anything like this.... at 1/100 the price? Just curious.
Adrian S the Forte is a much smaller, less dynamically alive, dimensionally constricted sounding speaker. That said, it has better midrange tonality. In my room
Brian Eno; before and after science (and other highly ambient domains)
Steve... take us on a tour of the system and room.
Timeshare ! yes. Just love SOHO area
thats lowers east side/alpahabet city
@@auggysimcityoh cool
Chelsea in Manhattan
Hi Steve tubs rock so get some I have and there’s no going back it would’ve been nice to have seen the speakers and amplifier properly though loving the chain gang T-shirt Apologies Steve I didn’t see the other video with the speakers and amplifier on display
Almost got to see them....
Steve I have to ask, why do you never let us hear the systems on your videos? I find it extremely frustrating and a missed opportunity. Most of us will ever get to hear these systems. Most viewers have no delutions that you would get the same sound via a youtube video compared to being there, however still have the awareness to get a sense of the sound when compared to the rest of the video recording such as your voices etc. I would really appreciate your explanation and hopefully it will save me a lot of frustration. Thanks 🎶
could be blocked by the nasty youtube copyright..crap rules
Morne Coetzee He has answered that before in former video. It's simple really, you can't hear the system over a video because your hearing your system playback. You have to be there.
@@TheFidop yes he's said that or similar.....but, I do think there's more to it.
Given Steve does his vids daily....I don't think recording quality is his focus. Sometimes he's barely listenable. Imagine trying to record some crazy high end system with his current gear, even for a short time. It would sound like cr@p!
So....I think reading between the lines, Steve is more interested in his daily output, than recording quality. Take it or leave it as is...
We all come here for his thoughts, not the quality of his vids.
Therein lies the conundrum....we like to hear from Steve and value his views, but many would like more from the production side of things.
So....whilst we get glossy new shirts now and then, we don't get such a change in production.
Tbf....I'd have no idea how to record even a simple video, mostly as I've never tried.
Daily is Steve's priority, not higher quality production. Each to their own.....just imagine if we the viewers could have it all. 🎶
@@elisha770 Yes I forgot about that. This explanation would make the most sense.
@@TheFidop Did you not read my comment? I am not trying to reproduce an Avongarde on my Smartphone. But I still have a grasp of relativity.
Less SG and more playing that system...
what about his acoustics? All glass..
Miguel addressed that in Part 1.
Well at list you can show his system..
I am really sorry to be the bad guy here and this really is not about me being envious but these horns do not sound natural at all. The mids are some sort of hyperefficient yet plastic sounding, colouring the sound way more than Steves Klipsch do whoch are the far better speakers overall. Both playing not even remotely naturally. A mix of harbeth and horns would be great....
I think Audio NOte is the best compromise AN E's
20k speakers.
sound test please
also no music in this vid.......
Can't we have heard a bit would have been nice.
That's unpossible…...
@@TheMirolab why is it impossible? of course it's not
What for? You wont hear how this system sound through TH-cam and compression
@@xfilesfoxisdead7979 yes your not gonna hear how it should sound but you do get a representation of how it sounds in the room if it's mic up well
I'm with Mr. Sweda here. A TH-cam video of Miquels setup playing music for obvious reasons would not be close to a perfect representation, even via a pair of quality headphones, but it most surely would give you an idea of how it sounds, or if nothing else an illusion of the same; somehow an experience would form through this other than being told how it sounds. Steve's videos are great, but please, Mr. Guttenberg, consider including segments of the stereo actually playing - in the seating position.
The avant gardes employ dsp. Just saying.....
Just the sub. "subwoofer with DSP control" www.avantgarde-acoustic.de/en/products/duo-series/duo-mezzo-xd.html
Mark Donen - Miguel's Duo Mezzo's were pre Basshorn DSP as the HD versions didn't come out until late 2015.
As Ben points out, the new Duo Mezzo HDs have DSP room correction for the Basshorn only.
There is no DSP in the mid range or tweeter for any of the Duo or UNO HD line.
Horn Speakers are WANK!!!!
But each to there own, I guess.
✌👊
How much does this system cost?
A ... Lot
DAC is around 22
If you need to ask.....😂😂😂
Around 250k?
Duo Mezzo HD (new version with DSP room correction in Basshorn) are over $80k US retail. The original Duo Mezzo was about $65K retail usd plus $2k shipping from Germany.