Just thought I'd give a quick rundown on my new front stage for anyone who's interested. Paid a visit to Metrosound in Artarmon at the beginning of the week and came away with a pair of LX160 6.5" woofers and a pair of HF-20S tweeters. Now I first heard AVI speakers about 6 months ago and would have bought them right there and then if it wasn't for their price tag. However, having forked out for them now let me say they are well worth it.
Midrange clarity is stunning. These speakers are unbelievably clean sounding and revealing and I'm hearing things on recordings that I've never heard before. The attack on complex drum patterns is very precise and each tom/snare/cymbal/bass hit can be distinctly located. Midbass extension is quite good, and I expect it to improve even further once my doors are fully sealed and deadened. Highs are strong and clean but certainly not in your face. Overall, a very well defined and clean sound, with strikingly clear midrange.
So, if you're in the hunt for a pair of quality splits, then have a listen to AVI. Prices start at $450 for their entry level series (XL), next series up is $650 (EL) and the LXs won't leave you much change from $800. Pricey, but to my ears the ELs and LXs sounded better than Boston Rallys and even Focal Utopias. Even their entry level series were remarkably good. But be warned, once you've heard a pair you'll likely want them and your wallet will never be the same again...
[ August 20, 2003, 20:32: Message edited by: Zed ]