skipper320

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
This is a review for the new sparks. These speakers are a steal. Their imaging and soundstage is second to none. Sweet, extended highs and unrivalled midrange. They are relatively small for a floorstander, but the sound is just amazing: natural and silky smooth. I run mine with tubes and the sound is so real it's scary. They could use a little more bass extension but the sweet midrange makes me not miss that last bit of bass. Certainly sound better when farther away from the back wall (4-5'). Overall, an excellent choice for vocals, classical and jazz. They suffer just a little strain when driven hard with rock music at higher volumes, but this doesn't occur until very high volume levels. I tried them with solid state amplification and they definitely sound better with tubes. If you can find them for a good price used, you can't do any better for the money.

Strengths:
Imaging and soundstage Smallish and non obtrusive size Curved cabinets seem to eliminate standing waves

Weaknesses:
Not biwireable and could go a little deeper. A small price to pay for the overall sound

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm Studio 60's B&W Nautilus 804 PSB T55 Boston VR3

Price Paid:  $2000.00

Summary:
I think for the price, this speaker is probably the best kept secret in the Audio Physic line. Althoug many people mentioned the drawback of the low bass extension, it's simply because people tend to compare it with it's sounstage, transparency and accuracy, which never be found in this price range speakers. I've been through many speakers, and the Sparks can always give me new feelings of the music. It's superb for its own right, I just don't feel the urge to buy the Virgo when I purchased them. I also audioned the newer Sparks III, they look better, just not the same delicate and artiuculate. Maybe Audio Physic just put in more soul on earlier models? Pricewise, the speakers costs the least in my system, but it's just difficult for me to find an absolute winner to replace them. matching equips: Conrad Johnson Premiers Naim CD+cap, Linn LP12 Nordost, Kimber, Cardas cables.

Strengths:
Construction in'Nout, nice build/looking cherry on mine. Detailed, accurate, transprent sound, of course it's superb 3D soundstage..

Weaknesses:
matching(better with tube amps and warmer cables), <60Hz bass extension(then the price likely to be in a different league).

Similar Products Used:
B&W N805, Sonus Fabre Concerto, ProAc R2.5, Spedor SP1/2

Price Paid:  $1800.00 from Orpheus Audio Athens

Summary:
This is an excelent speaker that suits small to moderate rooms and with the addition of a subwoofer, even a large living room more than 400-500 sqare feet. The sub is almost mandatory for those who need extended bass performance,although the mid-bass driver, aided by the bass reflex mechanism , provides a reasonable and tunefull bass, enough for many mid-sized rooms and listeners.

Strengths:
Simply fantastic imaging and deep soundstage. In my listening room everything starts clearly beyond the imaginary speaker plane and extends really deep. In many recordings, especially in the audiophile ones, i also gain a spectacular width of the stage. Tonically i find that the speaker deserves a high level of neutrality in the mids and treble and that permits the owner (or the candidate one) to built the sound he/she wants simply by selecting the components behind them.

Weaknesses:
Low bass extension for some kinds of music and rooms, the small mid-bass driver restricts the speaker from playing loud. The latter is not a problem if the speaker is combined with a good sub. Also it is not wise to be used with components under the $1000 range.

Similar Products Used:
Chario Syntar model 1998

Price Paid:  $1250.00 from Walrus systems

Summary:
Very good imaging and treble clarity. I cannot find any sensitivity data though - will they be driven ok by 18 watt audionote valve monoblocs I ve just ordered?

Strengths:
as above

Weaknesses:
lack bass but thats is good for me at present.

Similar Products Used:
a/e 190's

Price Paid:  $2000.00 from corneraudio

Summary:
beautiful AND beautifully made speakers for the true audiophile.

Strengths:
soundstage, clarity, craftsmanship, design, veneer quality

Weaknesses:
weak low bass, take some time to position correctly, long break-in time