mikemitchell1

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $8000.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
Wow, i have been amazed by avalon sound when i heard the entry level it blew away speakers twice its price like jm labs and wilsons but the opus is the best sound i have heard, and i am considering $50000 utopias and wislon watt puppie 7 the most transparent and open holographic sound, other speakers cant even show depth and height the entire spectrum has definition and quality build quality is phenomenal, resulting in glorious sound i feel like i am in heaven

Strengths:
transparency, clarity bass definition, build quality

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
no others can compare

Price Paid:  $12500.00 from goodmans

Summary:
What sold me on these speakers are their bass. It is as fast as lightning but still deep and powerful. They also throw a very wide and deep sound stage. With some recordings the effect is mind bending. The build quality and woodwork are first rate.

Strengths:
Speed, bass, sound stage, build quality.

Weaknesses:
expensive

Similar Products Used:
Owned Pro-Ac response 3 prior to avalons.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Hong Kong

Summary:
I am happy with the new Avalon although it is the first pair of Avalon I ever bought. I am happy with the size, sound stage, imaging and transparent. Perhaps, I was B&W fans, from old 801 series 2, 802 series 3, to 801N, 805N..... In fact, my next room home entertainment center is fully equipped B&W. However, the size of B&W speaker is a major problem. It is very difficult to manage very good room acoustic because of the size. Avalon gave me a lot of flexibility. I can easily move the speaker by myself when I set up the equipment.

Strengths:
transparent, sound stage, mid to low range, image, and size

Weaknesses:
lack of very high range, too up-front in term of music color

Similar Products Used:
B&W 801N

Price Paid:  $17000.00

Summary:
Im I the only one who own one of the best speakers around ?
Where are the reviews ? OK here is number one.
I lived a couple of years with the Avalon Eclipses. A very good but also a little difficult loudspeaker.
When I sold it i bought the OPUS without listening to it.
I was shure that the team of Avalon build the same quality as they did with the Eclipse, but with some extra's.
Well.. extra's they build in.
The Opus gives me the most musical experiens i have ever had.
No stress, extremely transparant, very dynamic (real dynamics), real bass, and lets not forget : the imaging.
When you listen to the Opus, you can get rid of your Home Theater.
It builds up a huge soundstage with everything in it.
And they did that with almost every music and also with bad recordings.
The only minor point is maybe the price.
I use the following electronics :
Mark levinson 37 CD transport > MIT AES-EBU > TACT RS2.0 (can't live without this machine anymore) > MIT AES-EBU > DCS Purcell > 2 x NBS AES-EBU > DCS Delius > vd Hull MC Gold > K&R KT6000 35 watt tube monoblocks.
The results are super.

Strengths:
Musical contrast (Dynamics, imaging, natural sound, no stress, extreme low coloration

Weaknesses:
Price maybe, although...it is so good that it can bear any price.

Similar Products Used:
Avalon Eclipse, Sonus Faber Amati (from a friend), Thiel CS6, Audio Physics Caldera

Summary:
Easily reaches the Eidolon's characterstics and quality levels, with only possible exception of soundstage size. An absolutely phenomenal loudspeaker for the money (or for any cost at that matter!). Auditioned with Wadia 861, BAT VK 50 SE, BAT VK 500, and Cardas Golden Cross. Build quality and finsh is excellent and have never witnessed this quality in any other loudspeaker. Even though costs around $17000 woth premium finish, a bargain compared to others in price range.

Strengths:
soundstaging, dynamics, imaging, realism, transparency

Weaknesses:
bass extension excellent for size of speaker, getting down to around 30 - 35 cycles in proper room

Similar Products Used:
Hales Transcendence 5's and 8's, Eggleston Andras,Revel Studios, Revel Salons