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Choice: Avantgarde Duo Omega or JBL K2 s9800


Am now able to get both of these speakers at abt the same price albeit both in demo condition.

Am now using a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig2 and Harbeth M30 and really wanting to try the other end of the spectrum. Heard the Quad ESL which may not be the ones for me where now decide to go the way of the horns.

A/B audition is not possible where i am attracted to JBL K2 s9800 primarily becos its (correct me if i m wrong) a mix of HORN and monitor (best of both worlds?) and also being the 2nd highest in teh line of JBL. Wld tis not make a more sound/safe investment? Same time not really sure of its dynamics as compared to the avantgarde ....

i want to stay with my BAT pre/power (vk32/vk55) ....

any comments welcomed!!!
art80342
eps
50 posts
 
Another vote for the JBLs here. The s9800 is dynamic, detailed and very musically engaging. The bass of the AGs are slow, doesn't integrate well with the mids and highs.
art80342 OP
65 posts
 
K2 s9800 ... yet again
art80342 OP
65 posts
 
k2?? anymore opinions...
triode
263 posts
 
Never heard the JBLs, though at "only" 93 dB they'd not be an option for me and my 18 wpc amps. I'm sure that they are wonderful speakers.

Properly set up and amplified Duo Omegas do not have "slow" or "poorly integrated" bass, and at 108 dB sensitivity open up the possibility of low-power tube amps, which to my ears are the best of all worlds. To each his own.
inman29
30 posts
 
Art,
Both are world class speakers and offer much.
I only heard the JBL's in a demo room and not a home situation so my impressions are thus biased. Dynamics were remarkable and they sounded mostly well balanced but I did not have as much of a musicians were in the room illusion that I hear with my Duo Omegas- Bass was powerful and maybe even a little bit aggressive to my ears despite not going as low as the AG's (35Hz-JBL's vs. 20Hz-Duo's). The Omegas are a significant step up from regular Duos and the bass is not slow or poorly integrated at all as Triode points out.
Good luck with your decision.
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