Summary:
Probably one of the best speakers you can buy in the $5000 range if you use a tube amp and listen to everything but rock and roll. (As far as imaging and transparency they compete with the best.) Not a lot of bass extension. Very good for jazz, classical, and instrumental. They absolutely disappear in your room especially if you have good gear with them. Would only recommend solid state that has a softer tube sound like YBS or Electrocompaniet. Also, as you upgrade your system and cables the sound only gets better. With my system they sound like live music. Draw backs are that they are difficult to move because they come in two pieces and they are heavy (110lbs.) and you cannot bi-wire them if that's important to you.

Strengths:
Transparency, resolution, imaging, depth

Weaknesses:
Bass cuts off at about 40Hz. Cannot bi-wire.

Similar Products Used:
Numerous over the years.

Summary:
I have had a pair of Diamantes for a number of years. They remain a pleasure to look at and listen to. They work well with both solid state and tube amps. They may give up a little at the frequncy extremes but they definitely get the midrange right. Their ability to imagine and total disappear is second to none. They delight everyone who has listened to them, audiophile and non-audiophiles alike. Green Mountain does a great job af supporting their customers.

Summary:
Here's my stupid opinion, and to give you a comparison benchmark, I heard the Diamante Series II against the Merlin VSM-SE w/Bamm and I'm sorry BFS (meant respectfully), but the Diamante's are better. Only area that the Merlin's bested the Diamante's was in soundstage width but the Diamante's had better depth, so I suppose a trade of there. Diamante's have better top to bottom end. Would I pay full retail for either? Nope, can't afford it. I got lucky and bought the Diamante's for a lot, lot, lot less than retail, for various reasons. And I'm glad I stuck with them after FINALLY hearing them with cabling and components.

Summary:
Having gone to various shows like WCES, I must say that Green Mountain's Damanate Series II speakers remain one of my favorite for speakers in the $5000 price range. Many would agree with me that these speakers are truely reference level products, including some of the most famous designers in the industry. Granted that the bass doesn't go down deep enough for a floor standing 3-way design (38Hz), it is one of the most natural sounding and transparent speakers regardless of price. The finish is unlike any other, Roy Johnson, the designer works for a whole week to build each pair from scratch and often include pattern matching to your favorite piece of marble tile. The speakers are made of proprietary man-made marble material, unlike some other speakers which are made of kitchen counter stuff. The company pays attention to each of its customer and offers custome cross-over modules for the Diamantes to truely tune the speakers to the listeners taste and his/her listening room. 5 speakers!