shadyave

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $150.00 from ebay

Summary:
The A-50 share many of the same characteristic as the better known A-25s. The A-50s are a further refinement of the warm and musical sound of the A-25s. They have superb mid-range, and very good bass and treble. The double woofers give it a broader soundstage than the A-25s. I find these speakers to excell in reproducing music with acoustical instruments particularly piano, guitar, small ensembles (jazz trios and chamber music). For solo piano, I have not heard a better set of speakers. They sound better with analog sources than with digital.

These are not highly detailed speakers, and they are not the most efficient. The bass is very good, but it's not punchy (neither is it boomy). They probably would not be a good fit for someone who wants their music loud, or listens mostly to rock, hip-hop or for a home theater set-up. I use a 50w Jolida tube amp, and a NADC320Bee (also 50w) and, perhaps with an amp with more headroom the bass would be more pronounced. But for the music I listen - mostly classical and jazz, these are wonderful speakers.

The set I had did have the capacitors upgraded, and the wafer style tone switch (on all Dynacos I believe) was replaced. The upgrade improved the detail noticably.

I own several vintage sets of speakers, but these are the ones that I use the most. If you play vinyl, like classical music, jazz, folk these would be a great choice. They can be found on ebay now and then. Prices vary greatly (and remember shipping these will not be a small cost item)..

Strengths:
Mid-range is superb
Very good bass.
Musical and warm.
Pairs well with acoustic piano, guitar, jazz combo - music.

Weaknesses:
The large boxy shape, which is the antithesis of most modern speaker that are all vertical oriented - means you have to have quite a bit of room for them.
Not very efficient.

Similar Products Used:
Dynaco A25
Klipsch Heresy
Wharfedale 8.2

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Price Paid:  $125.00 from ebay

Summary:
For anyone who likes the sound of the more familiar Dynaco A-25s, I would consider these a refinement of all of the qualities of A-25s . The A-50s have a warm musical character, and they absolutely excel in reproducing acoustic classical and jazz. The mid-range is superb. I have not heard any other speaker that is better for solo piano than these. The double woofers mean that the mid-range and upper bass are smooth and pleasing, and the large size of the speakers casts a wide soundstage - much bigger than the A-25a. They sound best with analog sources rather than digital.

These are not ultra-detailed speakers, and they are fairly inefficient. While the bass is adequately tight, these would not be speakers for someone who listens to music with a loud punchy bass beat. Perhaps with a much larger amp than I have (I have used them with my 50wpc Jolida tube 502b and NAD C320BEE), they would also deliver more bang at the lowest registers. However, I don't think these would be the first choice for someone who is looking for rock, hip-hop, or for use in a home theatre setup.

But when it comes to what they do best, acoustical reproduction (particularly piano, guitar, string bass), I have not heard any more satisfying speakers than these. One can listen for hours and never be fatigued. If you are listening to a recording of a smaller ensemble, like a jazz trio - or even chamber music these speakers just disappear (not a small feat for speakers that are 28 x 21 x 10) and the music pours forth.

I had these upgraded with new capacitors and new switches (there is switch for adjusting the treble bass mix on Dynaco speakers - which are generally a poor quality wafer switch). The upgrades did improve the detail noticably.

I have several sets of vintage speakers, but these are the ones I listen to the most. If you have the room for them, and you listen to classical music, jazz, folk, world music - these are a great choice.

Strengths:
Excellent mid-range.
Very good treble and bass.
Wondefully musical and natural sounding for acoustical instruments.
Non-fatiguing sound.

Weaknesses:
The chief drawbackj is the large boxy size - the antithesis of almost every speaker design today.
Not a speaker for those who need to crank up the beat.

Similar Products Used:
Dynaco A25
Klipsch Heresy

sla429

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, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Craigs List Pittsbur

Summary:
I have found it. The speaker that one would say "its not what it will do but its what it doesn't do." Accurate bass response is one of the biggest reasons why people start rotating speakers. Everyone has that one recording that puts that question mark in your mind about bass accuracy. The aperion design is similar to a transmission line approach. If set up properly, these speakers go low and with no distortion. Mids and highs are open and transparent. The A-50 is a very neutral speaker. If you pour the power to them, you will forget about listening to the equiipment and start listening to the music.

Strengths:
Sound. Bass control. Excellent construction.

Weaknesses:
Unusual looking. Relatively shallow cabinet with broad front.

Similar Products Used:
Advent (Large,Small), JBl-L100, JBL-L166, JBL-L19,Epicure 100,B&W 603,Dyanaudio Contour 1, Paradigm Studio 20. Ohm L.