From Avantgarde to a conventional speaker?

Neville,
I own Avantgardes and I know what you are describing. You might look into a single driver speaker like Cain and Cain, Rethm, Beauhorn, or even the inexpensive Hornshoppe speaker. Although the Bass might be a tiny bit light, the resolution and dynamics are even better than the AG's. All these brands have speakers that are smaller than the AG's too.

There are some single driver systems that are reasonably compact that have the dynamics, life and texture of horn systems, but few have the reasonable tonal balance and relavitely mild horn colorations of the AGs. Good horn systems, like Edgarhorns, also are reasonbly free of coloration, but they are also pretty bulky. Still, you should look into Edgar Titans.

Classic Audio Reproductions makes some original speakers and reproductions of classic speakers, like the JBL Hartsfield, that sound pretty good. I heard one of their original models (D-1, D-3? I can't recall the specifics) that sounded pretty good and were not that unwieldy or strange looking.

I quite liked DeVore's Super Eight speaker that I heard at The High End Show in Vegas. This is a compact floorstanding multi-way speaker that, while not having quite the incredible presence and life of horn systems, was not the constipated, lifeless lumps of BLAH, that so many current speakers have become.

The French company Triangle makes a whole range of reasonably lively sounding speakers, but they can be bright and thin to some tastes. Still, they warrant an audition.

Another reasonably nice speaker that is quite compact, nice to look at and very versatile when it comes to placement is the Gradient Evolution.

I also like Gershman's GAP 828 speaker, but, it is a bit big and somewhat weird looking (essentially an obelisk with the top half bent forward).

When I was about to move up from my Lowthers I gave AVG's a passing thought. My room is just to small. I went with the SAP Audio Quartettes. In size they look like your typical floor-stander.-(17 deep,47 high, and 10 wide.) Seems nobody has heard of these. They gave me my "horn-fix"; never heard the big horns tho.--There is just something most decent horns do that cones don't do.---I am about to be able to compare my horns to Merln MMs.(arriving this very Thurs)--Don't have a clue how it'll go.

Avguygeorge,

I had Quartettes for a short while before trading up to the SAP J2001s with the twin 12" woofers.

The Quartettes are very exciting and dynamic and can focus images in a way virtually no other speaker is capable of doing. BUT, it is one of the hardest speakers to locate and get the bass right. Also, it is not very kid-friendly, as the top portion is precariously perched on three cones and is very easy to tip over.

101 db efficient, single driver + supertweeter. 40 hz - 20 khz, even response.

These are neutrally dynamic and cover the range except the first octave with style. They have pop WAY beyond any multi-way I've heard.

Interestingly, Avantgard-owner Srajan Ebaen of 6moons has recently acquired a pair. I asked him what he thought:

"They're here breaking in. First impressions? Fu@#ing eh! Gutsy, ballsy, very good bass, no brightness, peakiness or weirdness, ability to play *very* loud without breaking up - the only thing missing right now is a bit of detail. That driver looks like it'll need mondo hours to cook. I'm tickled pink already - this is a VERY good design." (edit mine)

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/zu/druid.html

If you're a small-amp guy, these are the real deal.