Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grands

Erik Tracy

There's a pr up for a low price on audiogon

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hockeyboy

Erik Tracy wrote: »

There's a pr up for a low price on audiogon

[no affiliation]

Wow that guys asking $450 and bet he would take $400. Good deal almosts tempts me but girlfriend would kill me:eek:

mdaudioguy

The $450 pair is the older (I'm guessing) Haydn (not Grand) model - notice the rear port. The seller of the Haydn Grand model is asking $800. The Haydn Grand port is on the front, behind/around the tweeter.

skrol

How are you liking the VA's? BB new me still has the Bach's with the cabinet damage and are at a tempting price. They also have a pair of Mozarts.

How do you think the Haydens sound as compared to LSi9 and LSi7?
Stan

mdaudioguy

skrol wrote: »

How do you think the Haydens sound as compared to LSi9 and LSi7?

Hey Stan. I haven't heard the 9s, but I did own the 7s. To me, the VA Haydns have a much fuller sound than the 7s (and I thought the 7s sounded fantastic!). My guess is that they would be comparable to what I think the 9s would sound like. Yeah, kind of stupid making a comparison to a speaker I haven't heard, but let's just say this - the Haydns have me no longer interested in seeking out some 9s. My son and I were listening to them last Saturday night, and his comment was, "I never noticed this song had so much depth." The sound stage these bookshelves create is expansive and I think he nailed it with depth. It definitely seems to be three-dimensional. Also, though most towers go lower, they certainly give the illusion of having the range of tower speakers.

What are they asking for those Bachs with the cabinet dings? When I bought, they were still too expensive for me, considering the damage.

Ed

Jstas

madudioguy, did you decide on amplification for these yet?

'Cause I have a set of Totem Rainmakers that you mentioned liking as well. I think they have a similar sound to the Haydens but the Totems are a better speaker IMO. Then again, getting into higher end levels, the differences aren't as wide so it's more like what your personal tastes are and what your wallet can afford.

Anyway, I have a pair of Rainmakers and I've been powering them with a Peachtree Nova.

http://signalpathint.com/index.php/Nova/Nova.html

The Nova is an integrated amplifier with a bunch of different options. It's a bit pricey but you can get them used for a good price. I would seriously recommend that for you or your kid's starter system. I was quite surprised at how well it matched with the Rainmakers. I thought it was going to be a compromise but it really isn't. The Nova matches up well with the Rainmakers and should be a good match for the Haydens as well.

If you can't find one for a decent price though, I suggest a different path. Get an ADCOM GFA-535MkII. Then grab a tube based pre-amp for it. The nice thing about the ADCOMs is that they are good solid power. They have a "sterile" sound for most people and I can see how they can call it a lifeless sound and so on. However, the quality of the source matters alot with them and they respond well. I have a GFA-535MkII and it was pushing my SDA 2Bs for a long time. I was running it with an Onkyo pre-amp and then later a Carver C-1. They sounded good but not as good as other SDA's I had heard.

I couldn't afford the high dollar gear that other people had so I thought an EQ might help liven things up. It did but not as much. Then I ended up with a different EQ, a parametric EQ with a shelving filter. This is similar equipment used for recording studios. It's highly adjustable and had balanced outputs. It's also has a tube based filter that can be switched on and off. I played around with it for a while and the ADCOM, when the shelving filter was run through the tube filter...it just woke up. The ADCOM and the PEQ cost me a grand total of $250 and I got very close to the sound I was looking for for a fraction of the price. I've moved on to different equipment since then but an ADCOM is usually fairly inexpensive and can be made to sound very good with the right sources. So keep that in mind for a budget system.

skrol

Ed
They have them down to just under $400. I am very tempted but it would not solve the issue of my wife wanting the floor space. How much were the Hydens when you got them?
Stan

Erik Tracy

A pr just went up on audiogon....hmmmm....flipper?

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1294765996&/Vienna-Acoustics-Haydn-Grand-Piano

KrazyMofo24

Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to look in to getting the Mozarts if I can get a good price on them.

AudioGenics

i'll have to take a walk to the Columbia BB store and check this out....

angelsfann02

My BB has the grands for $550/ pair. They were the demos. They are sharp looking.

mdaudioguy

Jstas wrote: »

madudioguy, did you decide on amplification for these yet?

'Cause I have a set of Totem Rainmakers that you mentioned liking as well. I think they have a similar sound to the Haydens but the Totems are a better speaker IMO. Then again, getting into higher end levels, the differences aren't as wide so it's more like what your personal tastes are and what your wallet can afford.

Anyway, I have a pair of Rainmakers and I've been powering them with a Peachtree Nova.

http://signalpathint.com/index.php/Nova/Nova.html

The Nova is an integrated amplifier with a bunch of different options. It's a bit pricey but you can get them used for a good price. I would seriously recommend that for you or your kid's starter system. I was quite surprised at how well it matched with the Rainmakers. I thought it was going to be a compromise but it really isn't. The Nova matches up well with the Rainmakers and should be a good match for the Haydens as well.

If you can't find one for a decent price though, I suggest a different path. Get an ADCOM GFA-535MkII. Then grab a tube based pre-amp for it. The nice thing about the ADCOMs is that they are good solid power. They have a "sterile" sound for most people and I can see how they can call it a lifeless sound and so on. However, the quality of the source matters alot with them and they respond well. I have a GFA-535MkII and it was pushing my SDA 2Bs for a long time. I was running it with an Onkyo pre-amp and then later a Carver C-1. They sounded good but not as good as other SDA's I had heard.

I couldn't afford the high dollar gear that other people had so I thought an EQ might help liven things up. It did but not as much. Then I ended up with a different EQ, a parametric EQ with a shelving filter. This is similar equipment used for recording studios. It's highly adjustable and had balanced outputs. It's also has a tube based filter that can be switched on and off. I played around with it for a while and the ADCOM, when the shelving filter was run through the tube filter...it just woke up. The ADCOM and the PEQ cost me a grand total of $250 and I got very close to the sound I was looking for for a fraction of the price. I've moved on to different equipment since then but an ADCOM is usually fairly inexpensive and can be made to sound very good with the right sources. So keep that in mind for a budget system.

Those are some good ideas there - thanks! Right now, they're running on this Pioneer A-717 integrated I picked up for $60. I also have a Cambridge Audio 640Av2 integrated that would probably also do the trick. Finally, sometime this week, I'm picking up a Yamaha CA-600 (I think) integrated and a Yamaha YP-600 turntable from a guy at work for the awesome price of... free! So, since my gift to him was the speakers, I'm leaning toward giving him the free amp, or "lending" him the Pioneer. It does sound pretty good with the Pio. I'd also like him to start with something basic, to leave him room to upgrade as he begins to appreciate this stuff. That, and it's all going to be in his dorm room next semester. Since he's into digital formats at this time, I'm thinking about an older, used Apple TV with analog out for a source, so he can stream his music from his laptop. Maybe for his upcoming birthday...

I'd like to eventually find a tube pre to run with my Monitor 11s, which I'll probably power with either the Cambridge or the Pioneer, if I can get the Yamaha to play nicely with the Haydns.

Those Rainmakers were quite pleasing to my ears when I listened to them at a local audio store. I believe they were running on a NAD integrated.

mdaudioguy

skrol wrote: »

Ed
They have them down to just under $400. I am very tempted but it would not solve the issue of my wife wanting the floor space. How much were the Hydens when you got them?
Stan

I got them for $598, new in the box.

skrol

Wow, that is a sick price.

KrazyMofo24

$600 at my store too for the Haydn's if only I had known two years ago! Hopefully I can snag a pair of Mozarts.

KrazyMofo24

I want to thank the OP for making this post, because without it I don't think I would've gone to Best Buy anytime soon. I picked up one of the last new pairs of Mozarts in DFW. I think the only other BB that has a new pair is in Hulen which I think is a suburb of Fort Worth.

In case anyone else is interested. The BB in Plano has two pairs of Mozarts left one demo and open box. They also have the Haydn's and the Waltzs. The Mozarts are listed at $1200 I think they'll be able to lower the price since they are open box/demos.

skrol

Well I had my eye (ears) in a pair of floor model Haydn's at BB for $720. The agonizing is over as someone helped my out by buying them. I can't decide if I am sorry or not. I figured I could have bought them and been done with it or I could pick up a pair of LSi9's and do the XO upgrade. Maybe the later would not sound as nice but it may be more fun and rewarding.

KrazyMofo24

skrol wrote: »

Well I had my eye (ears) in a pair of floor model Haydn's at BB for $720. The agonizing is over as someone helped my out by buying them. I can't decide if I am sorry or not. I figured I could have bought them and been done with it or I could pick up a pair of LSi9's and do the XO upgrade. Maybe the later would not sound as nice but it may be more fun and rewarding.

Have you checked out all the Best Buy/Magnolia in your area? I know over here they are listed at $600 which I'm sure if there is a new pair left it would be the same price. Also that would make the floor models a little cheaper.

dorokusai

I've gathered about ten pairs from my local and all of them are sold.

skrol

I saw the prices that others stated here but my local BB was holding to the $720 for the floor model and no boxes. At $600 they would be mine.
Stan

skrol

So, I picked up a set of black Haydn Grands floor models at BB. One of them has some scrapes on the top. They aren't through the paint but I don't think they will buff out either. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

skrol

I have another question that is bound to be subjective. I realize that, out of the box, the Viennas are likely superior to the LSi9, as they should given the price difference. However, which would have better sound quality, the Vienna Haydn Grand or LSi9 with the XO mods?

Erik Tracy

skrol wrote: »

So, I picked up a set of black Haydn Grands floor models at BB. One of them has some scrapes on the top. They aren't through the paint but I don't think they will buff out either. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

You might want to try some Flitz polish. Soft wet cloth, a small dab of Flitz, and elbow grease, then buff dry.

shack

skrol wrote:

I have another question that is bound to be subjective. I realize that, out of the box, the Viennas are likely superior to the LSi9, as they should given the price difference. However, which would have better sound quality, the Vienna Haydn Grand or LSi9 with the XO mods?

I am a huge fan of Vienna Acoustics and even did a mini review of a demo on the Hadyns (not the Grands) going back several years ago. I liked them a lot. I also liked the LSi9s a lot. They are different speakers and are good in their own way. To say one is hands down better is not correct. To me the Haydn is a laid back, lush sounding speaker that is ideal for a small room. If you are looking for loud, heavy metal, techno, whatever...this is not your speaker. Placement is critical to get the bass right...but once done it provides clean, crisp bass that is very good for a speaker its size. Bang for buck the LSi9 is hard to beat right out of the box. It does a lot well...and for many...given the price...would be the choice over the Haydn. I could live with either one...but the Haydn would be the choice for me if price was no object...simply because I like the sound.

skrol

Shack
You mentioned that the Haydn (non-Grand) is placement dependent for good bass. Weren't they ported in the rear? The Grands have the port in front. Would this ease the placement issue? Are the LSi9 also sensitive to placement?

I don't rarely listen to anything very heavy, techno, or loud. I do like bass that goes deep but not necessarily thumpin'. The listening area is large 18'wide x 16' deep but is completely open to the adjoining kitchen for a total listening area of 18' x 32'. Which ever speaker, they would be replacing my RTA11TL.:frown:

My wife has been after me to get rid of the RTA11TLs for a while so she can get book cases. (See thread http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88743&highlight=RTA11TL). She doesn't know I got the Haydns yet and I don't know if she will scream or kiss me. If I am giving up the RTA11TLs, I want something GOOD. I have 30 day to return the Haydns.
Stan

shack

As you can see from the attached picture...the original Haydns were rear ported vs the Grands which are ported around the tweeters on the front. The issue I found was that when not placed optimally, the bass could get a little muddy and the Grands may be more placement friendly.

Wow...you are dealing with two completely different animals here. There may be a big difference in what you hear. It may not be bad...just different. My recommendation is to hook them up asap...and spend as much time as possible with them before your 30 days is up...then decide if it is something you like. You may be pleasantly surprised or you may miss the RTAs "big speaker" sound. Figure it out while you can.

shack

A pair of LSi9s might work better given your circumstances...but they are really not a "bookshelf" speaker and need to be on stands to get the best out of them. LSi7s are more similar to the Haydns. I still prefer for bookshelf speakers be placed on stands for best performance (including the Haydns and LSi7s) but that would negate what you may be trying to accomplish as the footprint would be similar...but smaller...than the RTAs...but still on the floor and not on/in a bookcase.

skrol

What about on a wall mount bracket? Would this be a better solution than sitting on a shelf?

BTW, I attached a photo of the deeper scratches. The others are spider web scratches that can be buffed.

shack

skrol wrote:

What about on a wall mount bracket? Would this be a better solution than sitting on a shelf?

Not in my opinion. On a shelf you do have some ability to move the speaker if need be to get the best possible sound. Sometimes the ability to move the speaker just a little can make a big difference.

blueboxer

Anyone think $2400 for a pair of Mozart Grands is a good price?