If you have only heard box speakers, you won't be able to imagine what you are missing.

all Apogees will kick you in the ass if fed less than ideal electronics.

My Stages have gone through an evolution of an ever better supporting cast of audio equipment since my last post and, like Lloyd below, I thought I should give an update. In my lower post, I was using Bryston, B&K, and Sony. Even though visiting listeners felt my amp/cd player were making great tunes with my Apogee, I still knew there was room for improvement. Knowing the Apogee Stage is capable of near perfection, I sensibly looked at my other components for the culprits, instead of dumping on the Stage. There was a hint of grain, a distinctive brightness, some ringing in piano, and a little thinness overall. About that time a friend brought his Jolida cd player over for a listen. The Jolida cost a two thirds less than my still under warranty Sony ES. There was no contest. The Jolida was better in every respect. This successful upgrade got me thinking about the Amp. Watching Audiogon, I snagged a Jolida 1000 tube amp with upgrade tubes. This amp had a mean power rating of 100 watts compared to my B&K‘s 200 watt rating. Again, no contest, despite the phantom power inequality, the Jolida was better in every category except bass slam. The Jolida provided a better trade off by smoothing the bass, digging deeper, and making it sound more real. The Jolida’s well bodied midrange and smooth treble were so much better its not funny.

With this humble assortment, I can play the mighty Zep so loud, as to bring in the police. Percussion, even from this “baby Apogee” will send shivers down your back. All the while cymbals, and high hats have more realistic air and clarity than any dome or cone can serve out. Orchestras are laid out with proper width and depth. Each instrument can be picked out from the whole, even during the heat of a crescendo, right down to the faintest triangle accent. Each instrument retains its own characteristic sound, never muddied as will happen with dynamic drivers. Singers can be reached out and touched. Another beautiful thing about a perfect synergy Apogee set up, unlike box speakers, is that no matter how loud things get, it never is fatiguing. Also, if you want to turn things down real low you can do so without diminishing any other aspect of the performance. Now that’s transparency.

All, save one, of the reviewers below have agreed on Apogee’s supremacy over any box speaker they have ever listened to. In my own experience, all my visitors have unequivocally proclaimed Apogee best they've heard at making music. My brother in law, owner of a complete High Definition Tv theater set up, warned me about buying into “old technology.” When he finally was able to make a visit, he did so with a handful of dynamic cds in tow. He was literally floored by what he was hearing. Firstly, never having heard dipole speakers before, he was entranced by the music’s independence of of the speakers. Then he remarked on all the little things he had never heard before. He summed up his comments by admitting he had to eat his words, and proclaim this is the best he had ever heard.

Unfortunate for some owners, Apogees are chameleons. They will mercilessly betray any weak link in your audio system. I know this, because I have heard Apogees sound awful. Placement is critical. Room characteristics can make or break an Apogee performance. An ailing Apogee, i.e., one with stretched ribbons, will fail the listener. There is one more crucial player in a good system - a healthy listener. Ears can deceive, especially if damaged over time.

I can say from my own experience, both listening to my inexpensive, but great set up, and to other successful systems, healthy Apogees NEVER sound plasticky, grainy, wispy, or tinselly as reported by Lloyd below. If they did suffer from any one of those negatives, then Apogees would not have ended up at the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum flanking Mozart’s piano, and Audio's Anthony H Cordsman would never have chosen an Apogee over the IRS Series 5, and Duntech Sovereign 2001 as the world’s ultimate speaker.

Here are a few of Cordsman’s quotes: “Instruments and voice retain all their natural quality, from the softest to the loudest passages...The Apogee allow me to hear musical detail in an exceptionally convincing and realistic way, especially in the areas which depends on complex harmonics or overtones, resolution of detail in low level passages, and handling very rapid changes in dynamics.”

There are thousands of Apogee owners out there who know how lucky they are. Just check out comments here and at where you can read all the great Apogee reviews as well.

Let me conclude by saying this is my swan song for the fabulous Apogee Stage. I have sold my Stages to a fortunate and eager buyer. As for a replacement, I thought I should just go out and buy a cheap JBL. Nah! I’m getting an Apogee Duetta. Look for my next review there.

Vincent

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Thiel, Magnepan, Klipsch, Vandersteen, Boston Acoustics, Martin Logan, Bose, Infiniti, Cerwin Vega, and JBL.

evocative and lifelike, engaging sound across the entire range. These speakers force you to listen to music.

Correct placement is important, stands a must have.

If you can find some of these speakers in your area to purchase used do so without hesitation. I was lucky enough to get them from my Brother-law who was forced to spend a lot of money to get smaller speaers when he returned to college. He had them for 10 years and used them in a Wadia/spectral/spectral/mit system that costs more than my car. You would have to spend some very serious money to outclass these speakers -- and then only if associated equipment is off the charts. These speakers are compelling on vocals/instrumentals/percussion. They are not the last word in low bass reproduction, but are much better than 90% of the flabby subwoofers you hear. Test tones flat to under 35 hz. If you get a chance to listen to them I think that is all it will take to make you a convert. The only downside is they are big and heavy and shipping is likely to be expensive/risky.

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Magnepans

Vocals. These speakers can handle all kinds of music from rock to whispered balads. Great sound stage.

Must be well fed and cared for. Placement is critical.

I have had my Stages for 9 years. I refuse to give them up. Excellent sound stage, timbre, and detail on vocals, strings and pianos as with all Apogees. They did not put the big brother Divas in the Smithsonian for nothing. They put them there to play back recordings of some very famous musical instuments. They wanted it done right. I have upgraded mine to Mini Grands by adding the DAX and subwoofers. I can not tolerate box speakers even expensive ones like Sonus Fabers. Stages provide excellent sound stage and musical involvement even at low volumes. There is no box to have to get out of. I if you have interest in any of the Apogee speakers or need parts including ribbons visit: www.apogeespeakers.totalserve.co.uk/ This is a users group where lots of information is available. Good listening.

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Dahlquist DQ-10, Advent

I first heard these speaks in a HIFI shop in Northern CA in 1989. The electronics was a full KRELL sys connected to THE Apogee STAGES...I remember that these were right along side the top PROACS ,Vandertsteens and I believe some nice Avalons. Enya's Watermark was the musac....HANDS DOWN the Stages sounded more "REAL". The next day a friend and I were in another shop listenin to some Martin Logans...I don't recall which. Still, THE REALNESS of the stages lingered in my brain. I week later I ended up with some Celestions...the $2000 price tag for the Stages was too steap for an 18 year old. I wasn't a rich kid! About ten years later late 98' I found a mint boxed pair for $800. I week earlier a read an old review on the STAGES. "A SPOOKY REAL MIDRANGE" I remember the reviewer said! The first night when I brought these babies home I hooked em up to my Sound Valves 35 watt TUBE AMP...budget custom Preamp from Scott Frankland....Proceed PDP..and .Monarchy DIP! Once in a while I switch the lights off and sit and listen! The reviewer was right these things are SPOOKY especially with a top notch recording of female voice and the LIGHTS OFF. Midnight adds to the effect too! Yes, a 35watt tube amp does the job perfectly.I also had a chance to use a 100watt ARAGON amp.....I HATED IT!...Many hifi people don't realize that PANEL TYPE SPEAKS EXCEL WITH TUBE AMPS....my 35 watt job won't be best for the DIVA's but I think a 200watt VTL will crush any solid state, ANY! For the 1 person who may read this sorry review and buy a pair of used stages toeing in does wonders! For midrange I hear NOT MUCH compares with the Apogee stages, even Centaur majors or big brother Divas, they are not suited for MOST rooms! Bass is mooshy on the STAGES but actually extended!The soundstage DEPTH is topnotch too! I thought my WILSON WATTS were my favorite...NOT ANYMORE!!!!!!!! 4stars cause they are not perfect! Nothing is!

I had the stages for about 3 years now.It has absolutely the best mid range I have heard from any speaker
so far, and that includes magnepan, ML, Wilsons, Proac,
Totem, Infinity, Dunlavy, etc. The bass is not as extended
as some box speakers but is plenty for 95% of music.
But it is tight, fast and full sounding if one use a good
amp such as the MBL 8010 I used.
Highs are extended but can be bright but can be tammed by a
good front end such as SFD-2 mk II.
Low level detail, sound stage, and smoothness are all first rate.
5 stars if you have the right gears to drive it.

I may not be a critical listener, but the Stage do win my heart with its crystal clear treble, superb transparent, and there is something unique about its sound I can't describe. Two thumbs up way up!!!

Closest thing to live i've heard on acoustic music and vocals. Currently using with McCormick monoblocks to control the bass. I've had the pair from the day they were intorduced and have never lusted after another. Many other componets have come and gone but the Stages are the foundation.

Very touchy on placement and vertical sound stage flattens above the seated level.

What more can I say. When will a Jason Bloom want-to-be return with this classic design.

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I've auditioned most of the current brands and the best of the dinamic speakers have better pace and punch on rock and jazz but I'm never satisified at the end of the day a just relax and enjoy music with hte stages.

The most transparent and natural sounding speakers I have ever heard. It has the resolution of speakers costing more than $10,000. It is so sad they are no longer in business. You should try to audition for these speakers if you have the chance.

Nice sounding speakers with superb treble and midrange transpareny and clarity. However, bass is rather disappointing. It lacks the slam and power of a dyanmic speakers. Mid-bass could be overwhelming, do not place the speakers too far from the rear wall if you are experiencing too much midbass. Nevertheless, this stage qualify as one of the best sounding midrange and treble speakers out there.