Alright you british speaker lovers... Check this post - Acoustic Energy

Drenis
Drenis Posts: 2,871
edited February 2012 in Speakers
Acoustic Energy AElite One's - Anyone heard or know much about them? I'm contemplating going to listen to a set to purchase for my desktop rig...

This is the ad for them... http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/648981347-acoustic_energy_aelite_one_bookshelf_speaker_black_ash_real_wood_veneer_mint_cond_9910/

So far what I HAVE read is good remarks for them. They look so minty and the guy lives not a 5 minute drive from me.

Fair price?

Edit: I originally wanted a pair of LSi 7's for a desktop so was looking for something similar to compare. Don;t think I could get LSi 7's for the price though.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2012
    They look similar to the same stuff API (Audio Products International) used to distribute; Athena, Mirage, and Energy. They look closest to Athena's. A 40Hz low end for a small bookie is wishful thinking.

    They look nice, go have a listen. Don't overpay

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    Don't overpay

    H9

    MSRP - $899

    There listed on Kijiji as well which is equivalent to your CL down there for about $100 more. I contemplated whether I could snag them for $250 if they sound really nice.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2012
    Never heard of this. But the design looks interesting. Worth a listen. I agree with Brock. There is NO way that that 4.33" woofer is going to hit 40hz in that "tiny" box (less than one foot high with tapering?). I suspect that the LSis have these on the low end. That's an awfully small bass driver? Might be a limiting factor.

    And the speakers are light in weight. But then again. Totem Rainmakers weigh nothing compared to other speakers in their class and above. Always wondered how Totem gets away with that...light bracing, light cabinet?

    Give them a whirl and listen to the "lows"! 899 doesn't mean much...lots of speakers are overpriced.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    MSRP - $899

    There listed on Kijiji as well which is equivalent to your CL down there for about $100 more. I contemplated whether I could snag them for $250 if they sound really nice.

    I saw the MSRP.....sorry, but it doesn't mean much to me. Rarely, if anything, including high end gear sells for the MSRP.

    Ultimately it's up to what they are worth and always think about what you could realistically get if you had to flip them. Speakers, like many things in this hobby take time to evaluate. You may like them on your first demo, but once you get them home and sepnd some time with them, maybe not so much. Leave some room for an out if they don't work out.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2012
    Check out Tannoy for nearfield. http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/648969965-tannoy_revolution_dc4_speakers_2_pairs_available/
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    Appreciate the comments. I welcome more.

    I honestly have no idea what they're worth so I guess I was looking for a base. I just tossed in the MSRP but I know that's rather irrelevant.

    And I know they wont hit low. It's for a desktop setup. I would much rather integrate a 8" sub into the setup for the lows but that's not necessary. Anything is better than nothing and right now, I have nothing.

    I think I've also picked up the Int. Amp I'm going to use for this setup. :)

    Face - I'll have a look into Tannoy.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,904
    edited February 2012
    acoustic energy is known for getting a lot of bass out of small speakers.
    this is maybe their most famous speaker http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/ae/ae1.html
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2012
    I only know one brand of Brits - Mission. I have a few misc pairs, all books. I am always amazed at the bass coming from those little boxes, esp when given some power behind them. Excellent soundstage too.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    marvda1 wrote: »
    acoustic energy is known for getting a lot of bass out of small speakers.
    this is maybe their most famous speaker http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/ae/ae1.html

    That review is for a different model of theirs... I did find this however: http://www.tone.co.nz/reviews/acoustic-energy-aelite-one-stand-mount-speakers-review-70
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited February 2012
    40hz is the overall response (kinda like SDA's are 12 hz there)

    From the manual:
    Frequency response ?3dB 45Hz to 23kHz
    Frequency response ?6dB 55Hz to 21kHz

    Clearly they got the 3 db and 6db specs flipped, but by the standard specs, those go to 55hz.

    Anyhow, give 'em a whirl. More than anything else, I think speakers are prone to individual taste.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2012
    It begs the question if they are worth the money. Here is something that is about the same price point and I's be inclined to go for these, but that's just my bias of knowing KEF vs. the other brand.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?129458-Kef-Q100-book-shelves-Like-new.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2012
    Of the missions I have, 761's are my faves. At least I think so - their model numbering is way too confusing. I think the woof is 175mm and it goes to maybe 70Hz. But that 70 almost always impresses me. They have an airy quality and brilliant soundstage that I find utterly unique and inviting, and, although they are on the bright side, they are very smooth. Great for a small room (sitting way out from walls). Especially for 50 bucks or so.

    I bet I would like those AE's you're looking at. They look a helluva lot better than the things I have!

    Craig
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2012
    Brocks advice, for the WIN.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    heiney9 wrote: »
    It begs the question if they are worth the money. Here is something that is about the same price point and I's be inclined to go for these, but that's just my bias of knowing KEF vs. the other brand.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?129458-Kef-Q100-book-shelves-Like-new.

    H9

    $300 US + Shipping, Taxes and brokerage will net me probably $400 canadian all said and done. Possibly more? That's a rough estimate. And yes I'm picky... I don't like the cherry. I can't find any KEF's here locally for anything comparable... minus a pair of Q900's for $1200. :s
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    $300 US + Shipping, Taxes and brokerage will net me probably $400 canadian all said and done. Possibly more? That's a rough estimate. And yes I'm picky... I don't like the cherry. I can't find any KEF's here locally for anything comparable... minus a pair of Q900's for $1200. :s

    Hey man, I know........it was more a general example. Being local like you are to the other pair, you have nothing to loose to go and listen to them. Maybe they will "WOW" you on the spot. Very little effort on your part to get your ears on them.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    You're right. Originally I was to be buying a pair of Monitor 40's for $150 to run but my buddy has decided not to part with them. I ran across these and thought "Ugh... my wallet. It's just a damn computer setup!!".
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2012
    For a desktop setup, dual concentrics like Tannoy or KEF are the way to go. Having the tweeter in the center of the woofer will be much more coherent up close. Tannoy is a little on the warm side where KEF is a little on the detailed or forward side.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2012
    Those KEFs are perfect as near fields (as Mike points out 'above')! Color? Forget about it. I never pay attention to "color"; it's price and sound, price and sound quality! Bottom line!

    M-40s would sound "bloated" by comparison....IMHO.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    You're right. Originally I was to be buying a pair of Monitor 40's for $150 to run but my buddy has decided not to part with them. I ran across these and thought "Ugh... my wallet. It's just a damn computer setup!!".

    If you can find a pair of the older Polk RT25i's they are everything Stereophile said. I have a pair now and they are impressing the heck out of me. Vocals and midrange to die for.

    http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/417

    Just another suggestion to add to the list.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    cnh wrote: »
    Those KEFs are perfect as near fields (as Mike points out 'above')! Color? Forget about it. I never pay attention to "color"; it's price and sound, price and sound quality! Bottom line!

    M-40s would sound "bloated" by comparison....IMHO.

    cnh

    Price... and that's half the problem. I doubled my budget with the current offerings but even I didn't want to spend that much. Going for the KEF's is just too much. If they were $300 all said and done I might consider it... but again that's a stretch. As outlined above with my price assumption. To be honest I was hoping to do this ALL for under $200... then I considering upping the budget a bit more, possibly doubling it. You guys are pushing me to go beyond that and I cant.

    I'm taking the suggestions about the KEF and Tannoy offerings considering their benefits. More research...

    And h9, I wanted the ones you grabbed for that very purpose. Damn you. :razz:
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2012
    I am finicky, and I have no use for 3 pairs of bookies so they may be for sale sooner or later. I grabbed a pair of RTi38's for comparison too. I am only keeping one pair, but it takes me forever to do a proper demo of each. If you are still looking when I get ready to sell one or the other, I'll give you first dibs. One of them will eventually go. Maybe in the next 30 days if you are still looking.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,606
    edited February 2012
    Drenis wrote: »
    I'm taking the suggestions about the KEF and Tannoy offerings considering their benefits. More research...

    May I suggest the Kef C55's. Nice little speakers. I have a set sitting in the closet not being used.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    So I stopped into a local B&M store tonight who has a KEF line there. Saw the Q100 up close and I must say it is pretty. I'm sure it sounds great but I didn't bring any source material I'm familiar with and there choosing was not my taste. Regardless, it's the prices that got me thinking...

    Between the two:

    KEF C1 - On sale for $148 before taxes.
    KEF Q100 (LIke the pair listed in the FM) - On sale for... are you ready? $348 before taxes. Regular $599. It would be more economical to buy the ones locally on sale brand new then the used ones in the FM.

    They had some entry level polk bookies as well like the R series but I quickly lost interest... The $88 price tag was nice.

    I'm still waiting to hear from this seller for the Acoustic Energy's. But now I'm contemplating the KEF's. Decisions decisions...

    h9 - Definitely let me know. I'm in no rush. BTW do they include crossover upgrades? :p

    halo71 - I just looked these up. There somewhat of an older model according to what I read [C55 (1988-91)]. Not sure I want speakers THAT old. Thank you though.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2012
    If you're going to get KEF, don't bother unless they're dual concentrics.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited February 2012
    Having a pair of KEF Q900's & loving their performance I would recommend you going back with your own CD's & really sit down with the KEF Q100's. The Uni-Q driver in the Q series is simply amazing. For that price the Q100's are hard to beat. The Q100's are the baby in the Q line but are dynamite little speakers.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    I seen the Q900's as well. They are quite gorgeous.

    I do plan on getting a listen in with the Q100's.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,217
    edited February 2012
    Drenis wrote: »

    h9 - Definitely let me know. I'm in no rush. BTW do they include crossover upgrades? :p

    Most likely, since I have most of the parts already

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    Heard back from the seller. Going to go hear them in 30 minutes... putting together some music to take.
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  • Drenis
    Drenis Posts: 2,871
    edited February 2012
    So I bought them. I listened to them for 45 minutes. They were being powered by a Yamaha RX-900 to a wyred 4 sound amp (gorgeous). To make a long story short, I brought them in and set them up. I've listened to them for a couple hours. Spent the last hour withe subs crossed at 80hz and it blended so well. I love the sound. Different from the A9's. More laid back.... I dont know how to describe it, I'm diggin' the sound. I packed them back up. Only about 80 hours on them. Absolutely flawless. My girl sat for the whole time and loves the sound. I think I understand what people refer to as “bright” with the RTi A's...

    More to come when I'm not typing a novel using my Playbook.
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  • pyrocyborg
    pyrocyborg Posts: 524
    edited February 2012
    Great news Drenis, looks great by the way... way way better than Polk RTi if you want my opinion. And best of all, if you like the sound... :)

    I'm still waiting for my LSi7 to come in and enjoy "laid back" sound too :P
    Speakers: Polk Audio LSiM 705, LSiM 703, LSiM 704c
    Receiver: Denon X3500H
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