Ratamahatta

I hear you on the toxic social media, I have left many forums because of that very reason, and not just audio forums. And I can't stand those people that "look at the numbers" and don't even have to listen to it. Human ears are the best final instruments to evaluate how something sounds. And I get really tired of this "one size fits all" for something so subjective to individual tastes. Carver should be original designs that sound extraordinary period. There are a plethora of cheap Chinese companies that do " measures great" but sound less than stellar geared for the home theater crowd. I don't own any Carver gear at this time but the stuff I had I was thoroughly impressed with. The AL III plus is ultimately why I gave up the Polk SDA's. And my first real introduction into higher end audio gear. I am glad I am content for the time being with my audio world. Take care.

Mothership, Led Zeppelin

I definitely rely on the reviews more than sales pitch, private and professional. This was the case with the last few items I purchased. Especially the Audio Physic Avanti III, it it wasn't for the glowing Stereophile review I might not have tried them.

I just discovered this, the whole album is really good, I never knew Jason could sing. I forgot about these guys, great album

Zakk Sabbath Vertigo.

Welcome from another Coloradan.

All I had at the time was a Realistic receiver to run them in a maybe 14 x 20 room. I was young and at the age where you do stupid things without thinking it through. Despite all that they still sounded fantastic. I did get a Carver pre and one of those M-400 cube amps and they did sound better but never to their full potential. I only owned them for a short time and sold them. The buyer had all McIntosh gear running them and plenty of room for them to breathe, they sounded absolutely stunning at his house. I paid off the credit card I charged them to and didn't look back, especially with all the moving around I have done. And yes they were heavy, I had to rent a u-haul and enlist friends just to get them home. I have never found a set since and even if I did I would probably pass because of the weight and PITA moving factor.

Ones like these were the coolest speakers I have ever had but unfortunately got rid of them a long time ago. I never had the space or equipment to run them properly at the time though.

They take some getting used to that's for sure. I think they are extremely accurate because there is no Mass to them. I don't know if they're exaggerating sometimes or this is the way it's supposed to sound and I've just never heard it. My wife likes the Snells better just because I think she is used to box speakers. I am still undecided, going to be hard to pick a favorite out of those two.

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I downloaded the manual and watched the video before I even got them to know if they would work in my area. Already having Carver ALS Plus have some idea of how to set them up. Pretty sure they're set up fine everything sounds pretty natural but just ultra detailed. I have listened to Riders of the storm countless times and never knew he was whispering the lyrics as he was singing them until these.

I have been busy and have been doing some trading with other people I know that are into this. 1st trade was for some Snell C7 speakers, These are big and heavy but they do sound really good still evaluating but so far seem to blend with my system more than the Quad Z-4's. They have two 4 1/2" and a 1" silk dome tweeter in a "D Appolito" array actually designed by Joseph D Appolito. Two 8" opposed side firing woofers and another 1" rear firing silk dome tweeter. All drivers are from Seas and they have anodized aluminum tops and highlights. Bass extends down into the low 30's and they almost do not need a sub. These were a little tricky for setup but managed to find their sweet spot. I am really impressed with these so far though. So in the mists of all of that I had a chance to get some Martin Logan Theos. Martin Logan has always been on my list but has always alluded to me. So far I am utterly impressed with them, makes me wish that I would have tried them out earlier. I am hearing new stuff in music that I have listened to hundreds of times. The sweet spot seems to be narrower though. Still trying to take it all in and will do some more evaluating this weekend. I also picked up a Paradigm Reference sub 12, not sure where it's going to fit into the grand scheme of things but too good of a deal to pass up. It's been serviced and the caps replaced, it's an 88 lb absolute best of a sub. The SVS SB 3000's have broken in nicely and sound excellent, I would highly recommend them. So I will be busy for a while evaluating and doing some listening, I have also got a bunch of new to me Cd's as well, yes I still do Cd's, lol.

Somebody already mentioned AIC unplugged, here are three more of my reference CD's.

Thanks, I have not done anything new for a while. It is a lot of time consuming work.

I have been on this since 2010 but took a break from audio after moving and the only real place that worked in my new house was an unfinished basement. I tried like hell to make a cubed room work but finally gave up. So I took a break and got back into other hobbies. After doing some work in my basement, it sounds pretty good, and starting to get back into it and bought some new stereo gear. I don't think I will ever get back into it to the degree I once was, after finally finding speakers and gear I am content with but still fun to listen and "tinker" with.

Nine Inch Nails the downward spiral.

Take that B&W.

I've got a ton of photos, Been building since I was 12? Did a bunch of car audio subwoofers and custom installs BITD but completely out of that. I built some home subwoofers and these, DIY is about the best value in audio these days. They all sound magnificent for the price paid and work done, the Solstice especially. Edit: I never have built a folded horn but am curious.

My fav bookshelf, Zaph audio SR 71 in custom cabinets I built with piano black finish and minimal baffle, current main listening room set up. The Sony ES SS M7's and NHT 3.3's. GR research Encores were my 1st attempt at the SR 71 cabinets. The SR 71 and some Solstice speakers I put together did the veneer built the cross overs and piano black front baffle. And last but not least the Quad Z-4 in my main HT rig. All these are my favs and I still have all except the NHT 3.3's

They could be, that is the same foam I used.

NHT put these on most of their speakers to reduce diffraction on the front baffle. Mine were shot as most are, the foam deteriorates over time. Nobody makes them so I set out to make some that did not look homemade, After I made these I got tons of requests for them. I started to make and sell them on e-bay. Even the parts guy ar NHT was sending people my way but eventually it died down and I just quit selling them. I did notice a difference without them on at all, subtle but just a bit harsh on the top end. The 2.9 were the same on the front speakers as the 3,3's. I went looking for photos and actually found the listing for my old speakers. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649321123-nht-33-hard-to-find-audiophile-home-speakers/images/1406617/

That's one reason I enjoy this hobby is finding bargains. I could not enjoy it as much knowing I probably paid too much. I had a set of NHT 3.3's and loved them. Unfortunately they did not work in my new house and I sold them. Before I sold them I made some of the foam anti diffraction foam strips for them. Then I sold a bunch of sets, just about enough to pay for the 3.3's

I remember those behemoths, 15" woofer right? a friend of mine's dad had a pair. One of the first speakers I lusted after.

Old thread but these are on their way to being my favorite of the ones I have owned the more I listen to them. Quad Z-4 piano white. I love the curved cabinets and silky piano finish. I put one of my own picture so you can see how beautiful the woven carbon fibre cones are when you blow it up. https://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/z-4/