ARCHEOL

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $0.00 from demo from dealer

Summary:
Outstanding full range floor standing speaker! Excellent imaging, dynamic range, and soundstage! Build quality is amazing and they are absolutely stunning to look at and listen to! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Strengths:


I purchased these as demos from a local Talon dealer. I have had them over a year and could not be happier! They produce an amazing sound stage and the imaging is first rate! I have the Raven C version in faux burl wood trim. In my opinion, the faux burl is superior in looks and durability to real wood veneers or solid trimmed speakers. We have a collection of antiques and fine dark wood furniture, and these match perfectly with formal furniture and décor.

The Talon Raven C’s are the most dynamic and deepest reaching speaker I have owned. Their low end is spectacular given the size of the drivers. That said, I have added an ACI Titan II LE rose-walnut powered sub to add even more punch. This combination produces an absolutely stunning package in terms of punch/slam, dynamic range, imaging and soundstage.

Upon reading a number of reviews and much experimentation, I have found that they sound best slightly towed outward in terms of listening angle. Adding 2.5-inch spikes has also improved bass tightness and imaging.


Associated Equipment:

Magnum Dynalab MD-208 Discrete-receiver
Sony ES CD player
MD-10 Dolby Virtual Surround Sound Processor
ACI Titan II LE Powered Sub

pard

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $3200.00 from used from the Audiog

Summary:
I have the Raven C model and I am very happy. In a word: fantastic. Amazing bass response, huge soundstage, very full and powerful sound.

I would have never considered these speakers but I stumbled upon them while surfing the 'Gon. Someone local had them listed and my curiosity got the better of me. I listen to a wide range of music (classical, rock, jazz, blues, techno, world) and these speakers do everything very well. The midrange is very good, but perhaps not quite as present or forward as in a Wilson Sophia. Bass response is out of this world. These speakers are very sensitive to placement so set-up is very time consuming but worth the effort.

Are these the best speakers in the world? No. In fact, I think the Sophia is a better speaker overall if you are looking for a speaker in this size range. However, on the used market these speakers are a killer deal. IMO, you will not find a finer speaker for the money - again I am referring to the used market. I am very pleased - you will be too.

If you do decide to get these speakers, make sure you have a powerful amp. I once used a 100W integrated - sounded decent- but anemic compared the JC1 monoblocks I now use. JC1/Raven C combination is phenomenal - highly recommended.

Strengths:
huge soundstage
incredible bass/midbass response
imaging
smoothness and liquidity
can be played loud without issue
build quality
value (used)

Weaknesses:
must be played at volume to sound its best (like most speakers)
midrange not quite as forward as in other speakers
don't let the efficiency fool you - these speakers need power and current
not sure what the price is brand new, but there are many good speakers at the 10K range - perhaps not the obvious choice brand new (certainly used though!)
depreciation

Similar Products Used:
Wilson Sophia (demo'd)
B&W 802 (demo'd)
Zu Definition (demo'd)
Revel Studio (demo'd)
Wison Maxx II (demo'd)
Wilson Watt Puppy 7 (demo'd)
Dynaudio EvidenceTemptation (demo'd)
Focus Audio Master 2 (demo'd)
Aurum Acoustics System (brother owns - I consider this to be the reference)