lenhoffcpa@yahoo.com

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $95.00 from EBAY

Summary:
So I discovered EBAY has stereo equipment and bought a pair of Bose 601's Meanwhile I bid $120 on these and nobody else bid. I really didn't know them but saw good reviews. This is an incredible speaker. I am using an 18 year old NAD amp with 50 watts and only turn the dial to 9 o'clock. The bass is very nice althtough I'm experimenting with other amps for the first time in 18 years. Vocals on these from Mick Jagger to Chrissy Hynde and Natasha St. Pier are fantastic. Horowitz's violins are beautiful as are Niel Young's guitars. The fullness of sound without harshness is amazing at the price. (see the Julian Hirsh review on the Pinnacle web site).

Strengths:
Vocals, precision, dynamic range, staging.

Weaknesses:
If you like wood you have to learn to like vinyl. Redecorate around these beauties.

Similar Products Used:
Go find them under $2000

Price Paid:  $798.00 from Local Shop

Summary:
I bought these speakers from a local audio shop for $798 for the pair (this is before I was big into ebay). They are the first REAL speakers I have owned. They were worth every penny. The bass is incredible for 8 inch woofers. And keep in mind, the bottom woofer which is meant to be bi-wired is facing forward, not downfiring like NHT or others. Pinnacle has done a fine job with tuning their enclosures. I highly recommend bi-wiring them. There is a noticeable difference. There isn't a better speaker for the money. I have thought BRIEFLY of replacing these, and have auditioned many speakers including Polk, Infinity, Paradigm, Klipsch, and B&W. I honestly can say that I would not pay the extra money for the B&W's or Paradigm's for the little difference. The Pinnacles have far better bass in my opinion. The midrange could be a bit better, but that is what they make the 3-way for. Remember, this is technically a 2 way speaker, until you bi-wire them. If I had it to do all over again, I would probably spend the extra few dollars and get the 3-way with the extra midrange woofer. Buy these speakers if you have the chance. You will love them. But remember, BREAK THEM IN! They only get better with age. These speakers were meant to be played loud. I setup my gear at an outdoor party last summer. I had a Denon AVR-3600 receiver, and a Denon DCM-270 5 disc cd player. The Denon was pumped up to -5 for about 7 hours straight playing hard rock like AC/DC and Aerosmith. A guy I know came up to me and complimented me on my setup. He couldn't believe how good the Pinnacles sounded, especially outside. He has the same receiver, but he has B&W towers. I forget which model they are. The point is, you don't have to pay $2000 to get high quality sound. Also, my opinion is that the new speakers today are focusing more on home theater and less on music. These Pinnacles are the best speaker you will find for under $2000 for all around performance. I have recently sold my Denon AVR-3600, and upgraded to a Harman Kardon AVR-7000. WOW! These puppies are really singing now! When I listen to music, I find myself turning OFF my Jamo D6 subwoofer just so I can hear the Pinnacles. Amazing speakers. BUY THEM! Current setup: Harman Kardon AVR-7000 Denon DVD-3300 DVD player (changing to HK) Denon DCM-270 5 Disc cd player Sony VCR JVC 501 dish network receiver w/ digital out Pinnacle CGT's Pinnacle widescreen center Jamo D6 THX 15" 400 watt sub (wow) Mission 780's for the rear (these speakers are unreal for bookshelf) And believe it or not, CRAPPY WIRE! I'm talking Radio Shack type wire. I need to spend the bucks on some good wire and cables.

Strengths:
Great Bass and highs. Very efficient and powerful.

Weaknesses:
Midrange

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer, JVC, Sony, Cerwin Vega, Yamaha (junk), Mission, Bose 901

Price Paid:  $495.00

Summary:
After having these speakers for more than a year, I can suggest some set-up ideas. Try placing them at least 24" from any side obstruction and 8" from the back wall with 1" of toe-in on each side. Place them around 8-10' apart for best soundstaging. The longer I own these speakers, the more I like them. Try Audioquest Type 4 speaker cable and bi-wire them. This is a perfect combination of cable/speaker. Try the Type 4 with the CGT's, you'll be glad you did.

Strengths:
- get better with age - deep, distortion free bass - intricate highs/mids

Weaknesses:
- cheesy finish

Price Paid:  $325.00 from Ebay

Summary:
This is an update to my previous post. I've now had these speakers for about a year and in 3 different listening areas. I've decided I like them more now than I did before. I still think the midrange could be better, and for the life of me, I can't figure out why Pinnacle put the awesome Audax mid in with the dual 6.5" but NOT in the dual 8" CGT's. Despite the isolation cones, mine sounded best when I had them elevated. I didn't think bi-wiring would help, but I just built cables yesterday and though I haven't had a chance to fully exercise them...I noticed a difference. The highs went the direction of a soft dome sound, and the bass "seemed" to be a little less muddy. I recommend about a foot of elevation and bi-wiring. I'm happy I bought them, I just wish they'd put the Audax in em! I haven't heard the Wharfdale Vladus 500's, but they seem to be the latest hot cheap floorstander, and from all I've read I'll bet these Pinnacles blow them away.

Strengths:
Bass, even though the woofer frames aren't cast, It's tight. High's stay "airy" even at high voulume, which I is where I usually am.

Weaknesses:
Could be just a tad more present in the midrange. They are sensitive to room placement. They need to be away from the wall. (Not really a weakness, just an observation)

Similar Products Used:
None similar

Price Paid:  $325.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I'm driving these with a single Carver 65WPC amp and Carver tuner/pre-amp. I have a Nakamichi deck, Carver CD and an old (yet very good) Hitachi turntable.
The only complaint I have about these speakers is the upper bass and midrange seem a bit weak. I've only had them in one household so I'm waiting to see if it was just the acoustics of the room. (I just moved and haven't hooked them up yet.)
My plan is to get another Carver Amp identical to the one I have, then either bridge mono for each channel or bi-amp.
I'll try both and see which sounds better.
I did have one of the isolation cones break off but I guess that was my fault.

Strengths:
Bass

Weaknesses:
Midrange

Similar Products Used:
None