Gallo Ref 3's for musician?


Friends, I am building a new system for my practice space and would appreciate your thougts. I am a semi-professional musician (get paid but not enough to eat) with tenot sax and clarinet as main horns. I am working a on my improvisational skills by playing along with the greats - Stitt, Ammons, Bill Evans, Brubeck, and Getz, and with vocalists like McCrae and Cassandra Wilson. I am particularly into samba these days as well. My practice space is appx 13'x30' with sheetrock walls, carpet over concrete. The ceiling is a sloping cathedral. Speaker placement is unlimited in the room, and there is very little furniture, all of which can be moved as needed.
My needs are simple, though perhpas not simple to satisfy. I am a student of technique and tone. I want a speaker that is accurate; one that, to the extent possible, faithfully reproduces the true tone, color and pitch of the recorded instruments. And I need a speaker that throws a wide soundstage. When I honk along, I tend not to stay in one place, but try to find a spot that places me in the group. I am also looking for a speaker that has a good vertical stage as well - that sounds strong whether standing or sitting.
After some initital research I came across the Gallo's. The words people use seem to match my needs with regards to accuracy and soundstage and overall musicality. As there is no dealer within reach (according to the Gallo website), I am looking to you folks for your thoughts and suggestions in the $2k range - new or used.
I am also looking at Rogue componants, on the lower end or an integrated like the Tempest Magnum, PL Prologue 2 or the Cayin a88. I like the idea of being able to fine tune the sound with tubes.
I appreciate your assistance and thoughts.
deliberate1
The Gallos certainly throw a wide soundstage and do not restrict you to a narrow "sweet seat" location. To me they rank very high from an "overall musicality" standpoint. I've heard them described as height-challenged, but I don't hear that, though I do have mine up on 6" stands. You should be able to get a used pair cheaply enough (say $1300-1500 if you bide your time) that you can flip them at little loss if they don't work out to your satisfaction. Good luck, Dave
I second the Gallos. In fact, Mr. Pogue is the one who got me addicted to the damn things. I now have a pair of the Ref 3s, a pair of the Ref AVs, and 3 Dues. The do throw a very wide and deep soundstage and are exceedingly musical.

Used prices are right around 2k right now, however I snagged mine for $1700 a year ago. Keep an eye out here and on Videogon, you might get lucky...

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Also look into Quad 22L,Usher,Totem if you have decent power and want competion.These are all over achievers at price point.I have not heard popular Aperion line but getting good press.And the former owner of a company called Audio Alchemy came out with a $2K floorstander that is supposed to very good at $2K.Think also ahead f you are going to want 5.1 in same room and realize that matching center/rears of Gallo go for $1200 since they discontinued lower priced (lesser though) Gallo Due.Generally speaking you are going to get better sound with separates but used over 100 MINNIMUM with Gallos.They can suck it up.What will you be using for power?Using a underpowered sounding receiver will hold back some speakers more than others and this is the case with Gallo's.I have budget a champ that would just push these if not last forever and that is the HK 3480 rebuilt receiver you can get from Harman on Ebay.120 watts lot's of current.All for less than $200.But hey deserve at least 120 watts and better separates or amp in $1K list range.If you want HT Denon is best but really good can cost.Your digital and wiring can be improved down pike.If you play LP's I'd prioritize 1)speakers3)amp 4)cartridge,phono section,turntable and pre-amp at about equal 5) again wiring and digital down pike.Others disagree being "equal links in chain/garbage in garbage out but you have to pony up with some priorities.But being muiscian and non-m,uiscian does not factor in.Good sond and value are same for us all.Better is better.
Chazz
Chazz is right about the Gallos loving current. Mine are mated to H/K Signature separates: 2.1 amp with 2.0 preamp. Amp kicks out 100 wpc into 8 0hms, 150 into 4 ohms. But it has MASSIVE current, +- 100 amps. I bought the amp for right around $500 and the Pre was $350 - I think I did pretty well for the money spent [smile].

You might want to check out the Emotiva products, they appear to be a real bargain and they're having a sale right now - look at the Ultra Theater Series: $799 for killer separates, a smokin' deal!.... http://www.emotiva.com

or

http://www.emotiva.com/products.html

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