i4gotmyid

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Hawthorne Stereo

Summary:
I have used a variety of amps with this speaker and found thee NAD C162/272 combo works extremely well. The highs are clear, midrange is fluid and bass is solid. I agree that it takes a while to find solid matching gear for these. As for power, I had a NAD 320BEE that was only 50 watts, produce solid sound as well, although not great dynamic range. So I dont think its the amount of "power" but the presentation they make. I too had an adcom system that produced 200 watts, but didnt care much for it. It was louder without much strain, but lacked bass and made these sound harsh. Acoustical music and rock especially live IMO are its forte, I have heard only a small snipet of classical (as thats not my taste) and the soundstage was large (although not as large as the Polk SDA SRS) and the ability to place single instruments in a three dimensional space was better than anything I have heard (except for a pair of B&W 804's). But the reproduction of the live music is awesome. Dave Matthews live at the Park was unbelievable to my ears. The audience was represented in such a way that I actually could close my eyes and hear people cheering all around me. The clarity of the guitars with the solid drums was amazing. Because these are sold with the Boston name you can get these cheap used and are hard to beat. I rate these a 5 cause they far exceed my expectations of what "Boston Acoustics" could do. I figured they werent going to impress me, but they are a solid taste of hi-end sound.

Strengths:
Clear highs, solid midrange, clean solid bass

Weaknesses:
took a while to find matching gear

Similar Products Used:
pretty much everything you can imagine under $2500

Price Paid:  $3800.00 from 10600

Summary:
First of all: I can't imagine there are no reviews upon this speaker here. Am I the first one on this planet to dicover this miracle? This really is an incredible masterpiece a fantastic speaker! It's "compact" but very heavy. The most important is of course it's sound and I can use all the audiophil phrases to praise it, but I'll just say one thing: go out to your local dealer and listen!

Strengths:
Stage, authentic, control, precise, Extreemly homogenious. Bass is just there without impressive effect

Weaknesses:
recomanded big power amplifier

Price Paid:  $2400.00 from Upstairs Audio

Summary:
Bought these from my dealer in Columbia, SC at a close-out deal... Wanted a speaker that fit the following constraints: FULL Range, dynamic, detailed; affordable. (Doesn't everybody?)

My original amp was a Adcom 555ii. The sound was pretty good but not very deep, clean or dynamic and a bit gritty on the top. While living in Jacksonville, FL i auditioned several amps (Bryston, Aragon, Proceed and a V-3). The V-3 was by far the best sounding but i didn't buy it ultimately due to concerns about its power. Still thinking about an Ayre Product... Right now have an EDGE M-8. It is much more dynamic than anything i have heard but even this amp runs out of steam with these speakers. Otherwise, the amp is still in its "Break-in Period" so I can't really objectively comment on the amp. Will let you know in 2 months.

The bottom line is that these things sound great - especially at the price i paid. But the drawback is that they need alot of power (don't look at the WPC because it means nothing) The EDGE is rated at 180/WPC but in real life it sounds like a bridged ADCOM 555 (600wpc Bridged).

I went to look at the Aerial 10T's this weekend - granted while they were not in my home with my system, I honestly can't tell if they were substantially better than the 500Ls (i just took one CD to demo these...). And we are talking about a speaker that retails for apprx 7500 vs the Lynnfields which cost 2400. I guess that should be the ultimate review: Can i justify upgrading these speakers? Of course i won't know if the 10T's are much better until i take them home. But i would be willing to bet that i would need to spend at least $7500 to get better sound (Not different but definitely BETTER).

If you can find a pair - buy them !!!!!!!!!

Strengths:
Price Paid; exceptionally dynamic, great low end, mid clean and open

Weaknesses:
Very dependent on amplification; Two piece design cumbersome; the spikes aren't very good, Would probably prefer a one "Box" speaker vs the Seperate Bass and Mid modules; placement can impact bass dramatically.

Similar Products Used:
Boston 1030's; Aerial 6's; Paradigm Studio 20's with Servo 15 sub; M&K seperates, Currently looking @ the 10T's

Summary:
AT OIGINAL RETAIL PRICE, THESE WOULD BE A BARGAIN TODAY.
I USE A SUBWOOFER FOR DOLBY 5.1 MATERIAL, BUT TURN OFF THE SUBWOOFER FOR MUSIC.

Strengths:
HAVING READ PREVIOUS REVIEWS, I AGREE WITH ALL EXCEPT THE COMMENTS ABOUT BASS RESPONSE,I DRIVE THESE 500LS WITH A PROCEED AMP2, THE BASS RESPONSE IS EXCELLENT, WITH ROOM SHAKING, TIGHT BASS. I USE THESE FOR MUSIC (THEATRE ORGAN REPODUCTION IS EXCELLENT WITH AS-YOU-WERE-THERE BASS) AND IN A HOME THEATRE WITH BOTH A SET OF 500LS & 400LS FOR THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT, WITH THE 400LS DRIVEN BY A MAC AMP., I USE A SET OF LYNNFIELD 300LS FOR THE REAR CHANNELS AND 2 BOSTON CENTER CHANNELS DRIVEN BY A 3X200 ACURUS AMP. THE PREAMP IS A MX130 MAC.
IF ANYONE LACKS A SERIOUS BASS RESPONS FROM THESE BOSTONS, I WOULD LOOK AT THE POWER AMP/PREAMP COMBINATION FIRST. ALL IN ALL, I HAVE NOT HEARD A BETTER SOUNDING SPEAKER AT ANY PRICE TO DATE.

Weaknesses:
I HAVE FOUND NONE TO DATE

Summary:
I have owned pair of 500L's for about two years and am constantly auditioning comparable speakers. With exception to some of the Aerial line they are of the most outstanding speakers I have ever heard. I am writing to comment on the reviews claiming a lack of low-end bass. Their low-end performance is exceptional; in fact maybe a bit too strong given the room and program material. I believe this critique stems from the prejudice against smaller woofers. Another possibility is the listener may be playing them with an under-powered amplifier. The 500L's require a plethora of power. Small woofers driven with an exceptionally strong amplifier section is the route many high-end sub-woofer manufacturers are taking. Taking into account their unbelievable soundstaging, imaging, and smooth response makes them a wonderful addition to any home theater or two channel audio system.