tlea

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $495.00 from Demo

Summary:
These are teamed up with a Linn Classik in my second system. They replaced a pair of Sound Dynamics RTS-3 monitors. I found a demo pair for less than 1/2 the MSRP. They are exponentially better than the Sound Dynamics (at >4x the $$ they should be). I also auditioned the Spendor 3/5 and 3/1 and found the Soliloquy 5.0s to be in the ballpark for substantially less cost.

Strengths:
Transparency, imaging, and sound stage are outstanding. The music appears to be in the room rather than out of the speakers. The cabinetry and build quality are excellent. They sound very good at low volume, which is not as commonplace as one might think.

Weaknesses:
At the list price of $1100 I would have considered them a bit expensive. Like every small speaker I have experienced they lack dynamic range at the bottom end. And they need decent stands to deliver what bass they can. But for what I paid, I can find no significant flaws.

Similar Products Used:
Sound Dynamics; Axiom; Ascend; Spendor

Price Paid:  $540.00 from Sensible Audio

Summary:
Revisited these speakers with a Le tube pre-amp and an Amplifine Class AB 40wpc EL34's. Major sounstage improvement and transparency. Best speakers for the price (got it second hand with original stand). Got more atmosphere when driven with tube. SS sounded a but shallow and hard.

Strengths:
Sound stage, tranparency +++

Weaknesses:
Dynamics

Similar Products Used:
epos es 14, magnepan smgc, tannoy m1, b&m 604

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Hooked up to paragon 12A and Adcom 545, CAL Audio DX 1 Tara Labs interconnects and Linn Cables Very Musical, transparent, excellent sound stage, sweet highs Beautiful aethetically. Softened up amps and made this system warmer

Strengths:
Sound stage, tranparency, mid-range inegrity

Weaknesses:
Dynamics. Gets a bit muddled with complex transients. doesn't want to play Rock

Similar Products Used:
B&W 604, Magnepan SMGC, Epos, Infinity RS 4.5

Price Paid:  $850.00 from Local Dealer

Summary:
I decided to go with 4 of these precious gems for HT purposes. After listening to these and several other excellent bookshelf models I realized that paying $850/pair just for the speakers would have been a great deal but the dealer, who happened to be an old friend, tossed in the stands...thank you very much...a steal if ever there was one. First of all, the 5.0's sound great even with my solid state AVR (Denon 4802) so don't let anyone tell you that tubes are needed to make these babies sing. Simply not true. Granted, the Denon leans toward the bright side so the highs can sound that way if you have a reflective listening room. However, the Denon had no adverse effect on the mids (very, very smooth...even slightly warm), and the bass is quite robust for a small speaker (I still recommend the sub for effective HT). In addition to producing wonderful sound, all Soliloquy's are incredibly attractive and built like Fort Knox. Even the stands make a fashion statement. However, a word of warning --- You should fill the stands with sand for the very best sound. Unfortunately, this makes them VERY heavy. Moral of story...place properly before filling otherwise make sure Hulk Hogan is somewhere close by. I learned this lesson the hard way. Conclusion: These speakers sound wonderful and look great. Even at MSRP they are an excellent value. Before buying these I listened to B&W CDM-1NT's, Polk LSi9's, Monitor Audio GR-10's and KEF Q-1's. A few of these weren't even close to the Soliloquy's, and when I factored in the looks, fit and overall build quality it was a no-brainer.

Strengths:
Sound, looks, fit, finish, build quality.

Weaknesses:
A little bright at the top end, a little shallow at the bottom. Everything in between sounds terrific.

Similar Products Used:
See comments above

Price Paid:  $485.00 from audiogon

Summary:
I have had these speakers for about 5 months. I bought them used at a great price and when I got them I was fairly happy. At that time I was running them with a Musical Fidelity X-A1. Not bad, but, my final conclusion was, after listening for a few months, that these speakers, and, for that matter, any speaker with a 10ohm or higher load, must be heard with tubes to be judged fairly. It would be similar to hearing panels with a 50 wpc solid state and then saying they have no bass. So out went the MF and I picked up a pair of M60 Quicksilvers, and a dual mono version of the Cary SLP 90. This was an entirely different world. I realize that this was a huge jump in price from the MF, but I also listened to a Classe cap 100 and the quickies were what truly made a major difference. Classe was better but not "right". Tubes are the only way with these speakers. With this setup they sound incredible. Tibre and color of instruments is very true. Imaging is extremely good. The top is no longer even a little bit harsh but is very open. These are incredible monitors. They are very highly reccomended. Take the time to hear these speakers and be sure to hear them with proper amplification.

Strengths:
Imaging, truth to timbre, detail yet easy to listen to.

Weaknesses:
Should really use tubes, don''t work well half as well with solid state.

Similar Products Used:
lots of everything