Montana Speakers? Have they fizzled out?

I read the question with intrest "Montana Loudspeakers? Have they fizzled out". Well as far as I know, PBN Audio (the manufacturer of Montana Loudspeakers) has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 10 years. Distrbution in 5 country's Various good reviews on multiple models and an average sales growth of over 20% per year (according to stereophile press release a couple of years ago) are quite an accomplishment in the tweeky high end audio business. The Mighty WAS loudspeakers for sale on line are expensive (although quite a deal on the 'Gon) and Quite large! I owned a pair for Three years and still believe they are the best I have ever heard. I played with B&W, Magnapan, Thiel and various electrostats and subs. There is nothing on earth like the Big WAS in a Large room. Alas, I too sold mine. My new dedicated theater 14'6" X 21" was a pressure pot with 4 15" woofers and 500 watts of power. I imagine the gentleman selling his (in a quite elaborate finish I might add) is a little cramped with the monsters in his smallish listening room. BIG speakers need a some room to open up and sing. As for me I have a pair of custom Montana EPX on order. And I can't wait to here them!

Average sales growth of 20%? -- now here's something to test what type of person you are -- take the funds you might invest in one of their models and instead buy into the company -- that is if they are publicly traded.

Got to say -- I think I am much more an instant gratification type and want the speakers. Or maybe I should just say not affluent enough to have all I can dream of!

Hi all. Jamesg quoted my response to him regardng the Montana SP IIs that I sold him. Let me reiterate and say that I did indeed regret selling my SP IIs as these were the most musical speakers I have ever heard; among them dynaudio
Contour 3.4, 1.8 mkII, medowlark kestral & osprey, soliloquy, vienna acoustics, triangle, etc. etc. etc. The defining attribute was (and still is in my opinion) a crystal clear, delicate and truly life-like sounding mid-range. Like Barry Willis wrote in his Stereophile review, "as though the performers were present in the room", at least a paraphrase of it. These speakers, while not forcefull at the lowest bottom octave, have a tight, controlled and body-felt thump, and the highs are smooth and liquid as I have ever heard. I must say that I am quite happy that I sold my SP IIs.....because if I had not I would have never obtained the SP IIIs, for which I got a killer deal in the most beautiful birdseye maple finish. In summary, I believe that I will grow old with these speakers since they provide my the essence of music and the reason why I am into hifi at all. I realize that much of this hobby is subjective likes and dislikes, but my advice is to build a system around the speakers, not the electronics. With the Montana SP IIIs my sytem has come into its own and I am happy as a clam.

Regards to all.

One more thing...I have bought and sold at least a dozen speakers on Audiogon. My experience is that used speakers sell for roughly half retail cost, specifically those in the 8/10-9/10 rating. I agree with Jamesg the larger/heavier model such as Montana EPX, Wilson, etc. can actually sell for less than half because of the shipping hassles with moving them. The recent pair of Montana SP IIIs I bought were nearly new (less than one year with 4 years still under warranty) and flawless in every way (better yet because I do not have to break them in). My cost for these were again less than half retail, but the sellser probably could have gottem more on the open used-market (I found them through word of mouth).

I have a pair of 1yr old KAS speaks. Now I bought these to crank up and not worry about anything(within reason). So far I've gone through 2- Parasound 5.1 amps now I'm on my second Aragon 3005. Everything is bi-wired, $5000. speaker cables and so on. But after almost a song same ol' stuff,Keep blowing fuses or tripping amp to shut off. Very ebarassing when showing off your system. I realize that I turn it up louder than the average bear, but I thought the amps mentioned could handle it. Any suggestions? I feel I need a monster pair of mono amps to get the most out of these guys. Let me know, Thanx. G