I have had the pleasure of living with the Avalon Eidolons for over 4weeks.They are without doubt the finest speakers I have owned (Previous speakers
include Avalon Ascent MK11, Rockport Sysygy, Sonus Faber Guarneri, Aerial 10T
Von Schweiker 4.5, )
The Avalons are coherent from top to bottom, the sound like a single driver
with no frequency peaks or troughs at the crossover points. Soundstaging is
superb, the speakers do create real 3D images that audiophiles strive for but
rarely acheive in their systems. The bass is tight , accurate and with the
right amplicification convincingly powerfull.
The speakers are as fast as the amplification allows.
All in all a wonderfull speaker which also looks as good as it sounds.
The only real negatives are first, it requires at least 300 hours break-in
(initial listening is unpleasant as the bass is uneven and slow and the whole
speaker sounds disjointed, after 15O hours its sounds OK and then it all
comes together).Secondly it requires huge power to get the best out of its
soundstaging and 3D imaging capabilities. At present I'm auditioning bridged
Classe Omegas (1800 watts per channel). With 'normal' amps it loses its magic,
but still sounds very good. I believe the ARC Reference 600's are an ideal match.

I heard the awesome Avalon Eidolon speakers at a proshop complimented with the highly touted Avalon/Spectral/MIT setup furnished with about $15K worth of ASC room treatments. The speakers, as I expected, has superb soundstaging and layering of instruments along with imaging and depth. It also has the smoothest harmonic detaill (thanks to their front-end and cables) I've ever heard from any system. There is absolutely no trace of harshness or brightness, which is what I mostly find from many other speakers. And probably the most salient characteristic about the Eidolons is that it is very lush, and airy, as if the music is 3-D and one can reach out and touch the music. The only weaknesses I found were the lack of dynamic highs, and not enough bottom bass. Althought the bass was extremely tight and well-controlled, it wasn't palpable, as if listening to live music. I don't know if the lack of dynamics are attributable to the speakers, or to the system itself because I lost a bit of the dynamic highs when I started using the superb Magnan Signature interconnects throughout my system.
All in all I would say that the Eidolons are very laid back and because of the lack of dynamics, the music was not lively, but very melodious. Also, there is definite coloring to the music, but in a rich harmonic and aesthetic way, like tube gear. Nonetheless, the silky smooth detail and the airy and lush characteristics are so good that it makes up for what it lacks. All in all, the are definitely one of the best speakers and systems I've ever heard and give it 5 stars regardless of the $19K or so price. If the system had better dynamics and was a bit more forward without sacrificing depth, it would be the perfect system.

Please note that the systems to which I compared the Eidolons are the following which I found had the dynamics and forwardness I like:

1.) EgglestonWork Andras (also one of my personal favorites) complemented with a $15K Goldmund transport, Levinson 30.5 Reference DAC, Levinson 333 amp, Levinson 380s preamp, and I believe MIT reference cables and interconnects;

2) (My current system) Audio Artistry Dvorak 5-way speaker system with electronic active crossover, modified Phillips transport (convincingly beat the Levinson 37), Audio Logic 34 DAC, Placete preamp, BEL MK IIIa monoblocks, and Magnan Signature interconnects and speaker cables.

Although I only listened to the EgglestonWork Andras and its complimented gear briefly, I find that it and my system sound more like live music. But as for shear smooth harmonic and intricate detail and lushness,, the Eidolons are unmatched.

At $19,000, these speakers balance on the cost/benefit analysis ratio. For the money, the Duntech Prince or Sovereigns will compete favorably with these speakers at half the price. I've heard and lived with all three, and would have to chose the Prince at the end of the day.

To the Duntech Dealer at 206.50.137.134 with at least 6 different names.
Enough already. Duntech's entire line is ANCIENT. Even in their heyday, they were not state of the art. Eidolon's are vastly superior to Any speaker in Duntech's line.

I've listened to some of the 'big boys' speakers in several hi end saloons and have felt disappointment as many of these so called state of the art designs were not fundamentally better then what you could buy for much less. The list includes Wilsons; System 5, Grand Slam, MAXX, Thiels, Martin Logan, Audio Artistry etc. I listened to the Eidolon very briefly (with MIT cables, Jef Roland Concertina Int Amp, Esoteric transport and VTL DAC) and it was definitely one of the best sounds I've heard from a speaker. The music presentation was live like and utterly transparent. These speakers are indeed state of the art.

Hi, I've already auditioned Eidolon in my friend home,along with Spectral and MIT cables.I only can tell you that Eidolon is the best loudspeakers I have ever heard.I auditioned many speakers,Wilson MAXX,Eggeleston Andra,Dunlavy SC IV/A,Thiel CS 7.2,I am sure that Eidolon is best of the best speakers.
Eidolon perform superb tonal balance,huge&sharp soundstage,Mid band clarlity,deep bass yet very fast.Moreover,Eidolon is mediam size speakers and very beautiful cabinet,not same as Wilson Maxx,good sound but too big and not good looking cabinet.
I rated Eidolon is the best speakers in the world,but you have to use Eidolon with Spectral gears and MIT cables.

I've owned the Eidolons for over a year, unquestionably the most transparent loudspeaker available. I have owned everything else-X-1s, Genesis, Watt/pups, MG-20s, etc.. It can be a bit lean in the lower midrange, and requires the rest of the system be up to snuff. Works well with the Ref 600s and CAT JL-1s. Produces a full size soundstage and all from a reasonable size, beautiful box.A great company to deal with as well.

Doesn't sound like speakers;
Capable of evoking the emotion of the music

none I've found yet

I've owned Aerial 10T's, followed by Avalon Radians, both of which were great speakers.

Have had the Eidolons for 3 months. Simply amazing. The speed (which equates to the ability to recreate even the most subtle shadings, rise/decay, that create the timbre and body of each instrument or vocal), naturalness, and transparency of these speakers is unparalleled. Truly sounds as if the sound of each instrument or element of each recording is emanating from, and individually amplified from, a specific point in the soundstage 5+ feet behind the speakers.

Recently started driving them with Pass X600's (had Pass Aleph 1.2's previously). Outrageous!

These (and other Avalon speakers) speakers have the ability to reproduce with convincing realism the venue of the performance. Need more thumbs to give these the multiple thumbs up they warrant!

this speaker is one of the best in the world at reproducing music true in timbre, wide in soundstage and quick dynamically. They combine the best atributes of dynamic and electrostatic speakers seamlessly.

It requires the best in electronics and excellent placement to bring out the outstanding nature of these speakers. Any one not achieving outstanding results should examine electronics and room placement/conditioning. However, patience is rewarded as with no other system I have heard including speakers costing 5 times as much. Forget about price, these speakers are the best value on the market

The Eidolons I own are matched with the Spectral top of the line electronics. Even switching to the new 300 watt amps brought out much more detail and dynamics. These speakers while they can be driven with relatively little power, have tremendous potential to rise to the occasion. Much like Michal Jordan in key basketball games. The amazing thing is that every upgrade rewarded me with more from these speakers. Starting with Mark Levinson 333 amp and 380 pre-amp and 36s & 37 I had very good sound. An upgrade to the Levinson 33h was incredible but I quickly learned that my pre-amp wasn't up to the 33h's. After much switching, I finally changed to Spectral because it was a known success.
I know others are very successful matching with AR600's as well as Levinson and reference equitpment from others. These speakers are very capable and all equiptment regardless of manufacture must be up to the task. Once you arrive at your electronics of choice the musical reward is beyond anything described in words. It must be heard and then all you can think about is how you can get this system in your home

Similar Products Used:

Thiel, Genesis, Martin Logan, Wilson, B&W

Soundstaging, especially width; precise imaging, smooth top end, realism and timbral accuracy, images within soundstage have 3 - dimensional quality themselves

not the lowest in bass extension, but bass very accurate, in a proper room, bass should extend at least to 30 Hz

I have had the fortunate opportunity of getting to listen to these marvelous speakers for about a month now at my local dealer. Heard them with a Levinson 336, Wadia 270/27ix and Cardas Golden Cross. The sound was simply breathtaking. Never have I heard such continuity in a soundstage - it really makes you think the artists are not only with you in the room, but you are transported to the studio or concert hall or small club the artist recorded the performance in. Imaging and 'air' were top notch - the best I have ever heard. Very accuate with harmonics and timbral qualities. At around $24,000 with a premium finish (even the standard finishes are out of the world as is the build quality)this loudspeaker is a bargain and will out perform any speaker in its class or above it in my opinion.

Similar Products Used:

Eggleston Andras, Hales Transcendence 8's, Revel Salons, Revel Studios, Wisdom Audio Adrenalines