Price Paid:  $120.00 from richer sounds, Mance

Summary:
i have used these for about 3 years and found them to be an average quality speaker until last year when i purcased a new yamaha amp. now i find then to be very impressive. so much so i went out and bought some eltax extreme 400 which at 400w each sound absolutly great. i now have the extreme 400`s as front speakers and the 6.5`s as the surround speakers. now when i have the amp on 6ch stereo the sound is amazingly crisp and clear, v,v loud. to make the eltax range of speakers work correctly you need to be able to power them with a good amp.

Strengths:
good price

Weaknesses:
need a decent expensive powerful amp to make em sound right

Similar Products Used:
kenwood, mission, marantz, all sorts

Price Paid:  $110.00 from Richer Sounds Newcas

Summary:
I bought the Eltax LR6.5 yesterday from Richer Sounds Newcastle, I decided that these would be a risky bet but overall a better value over some Mission 702e speakers I also considered. I was replacing some Mission 701 speakers, so I needed something a little more smooth and a floorstander design. My budget was £110. Luckily I managed to grap the last pair from the "ex-display", meaning they come with a 3 month garantee, no box and no manual. They are supposed to be discontinued now. The speakers are supposed to be sold for £350 and in that respect sounded a good deal to me. I bought them and took them home. Up till now I have been pleasantly surprised with the subtle improvements. While there may not be such great difference over the 701s, there is noticeable nice spots, such as the smooth but detailed treble and better midrange. Vocals now appear more up-front and out of the speaker. There is better sound staging, and the air around the speaker is full of little details. I can now manage to recognize the different instruments in music, such as the use of a tambourine in some of Rooftop (Stereophonics J.E.E.P.). There is a noticeable difference in lower midrange, where small bass melodies can lie and somehow seem overlooked with the Mission 701s. I have yet to know how much these speaker have been used, they could have been used in Demos, and such, so I’ll have to see if there is a benefit in the future of some heavy use. At the moment there a definite sign of improvement. However, to say these designs cost £350 would seem a tad steep. Their finish is brilliant, even if mine are scratched, they still look gorgeous, and the drive units have a 25mm thick front baffle. They’re also bi-wriable, and they can be filled with sand, although it would be difficult to get it out. I recently noticed that the two speakers are not a pair when I wired them up, one has a black sticker and the other one white, I had to remove a drive unit to straighten a screw and notice the label “Spare Part No. 9042”, eh? The other woofer has a Vifa label on it. Seemingly these have some strange counterparts, but are not different in sound terms. They may not have grills, boxes or a proper warranty but sound ace, although I’ve never heard a better speaker –since these are the most expensive speaker I’ve heard. I need to buy a new amp now, as there’s not a great bass kick. They are supp

Strengths:
Nice finish; Price but not available anymore; nice smooth flat sound; solid construction (thick walls and are heavy)

Weaknesses:
I would not pay £350 for these. Plastic woofer frame, and paper cone.

Similar Products Used:
Mission 701, Pioneer 1987 Three ways

Price Paid:  $150.00 from on line

Summary:
I chose these speakers as an alternative to some Missions which were out of stock. They are musically well balanced but driven hard vocals do become distorted. Fortunately this is at uncomfortable levels. The bass is reasonably good and more than sufficient if you have a loudness filter. They are a nice piece of furniture but you may have to shell out at Ikea if you want a matching beech theme throughout. They are floorstanders but because of their slender design they do not dominate my sitting room.

Strengths:
Will do justice to a wide range of music. Look good and are very cheap.

Weaknesses:
Will distort if pushed hard.

Price Paid:  $120.00 from Richersounds (Exeter)

Summary:
i was initially dissapointed by the lack of thump, but after a long listenting session they began to losen up and i began to appreciate the incredible difference compared to my previous fl/st.
even if you don't like the sound of them, they would make great pieces of furniture for 120 quid!
perhaps not worth the £350rrp but well worth a listen for the discounted price.

Strengths:
Price! a measly £120.
Looks
Crisp treble

Weaknesses:
No real punch for those d&b and hardhouse fans at high levels.

Similar Products Used:
Acoustic solutions ds1000 mkII
Eltax 5+

Price Paid:  $199.00 from Richer Sounds In £

Summary:
See above.

Strengths:
Not bad for price @ middle volumes in my large living room

Weaknesses:
At higher volumes (still easily within speaker ratings & with different amps) loses voice frequencies completely... almost to distortion... started off liking them but saddened on thorough testing.

Similar Products Used:
Mission M72, Celestion F3, Mission 702e and Tannoy Revolution R2 the latter which I am going to trade these for.