Alon speakers? Short speaker story, need opinions. (1 Viewer)

[Matt Parsons]

I was at my local audio specialty store looking for a 6 speaker system for around $2,000 and the owner, who has been pretty good to me over the past couple years, had some interesting opinions.
He suggested 3 Alon bookshelf speakers for the front and 3 PSB 10S for the sides and rear.
1 - Is anyone familiar with Alon speakers? He says they are a specialty speakers from NY and he just raved about how amazing they are. (Unfortunately, they were out of stock - I have to go back tommorrow afternoon to hear them.)
2 - He feels there is no reason to match like make/drivers between the front and rear channels, especially when the rears are all non-directional like the 10S.
3 - He also took issue with using a receiver x-over to the sub, saying something about it "just slows everything down" and I was better off running my mains as "large" and wiring the sub directly?
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Matt Parsons]

bump:b

 

[John Chow]

Ok, I mightas well give this a shot...

1. Never heard of them.

2. I'd say that's more or less true, matching fronts and rears is much less important than having the front three match. The nondirectionality comment i'm not sure i understand, I'm assuming the 10s are dipoles or something? There are quite a bit of opinions on what type of speakers to use in the rear, especially when considering a 6.1 setup. I'm not get into it since I am by no means an expert, but I use direct radiating speakers all around.

3. Have no clue what he means by 'slowing' things down. I have never heard of this and have never read anybody saying anything like this. Sounds like BS to me. However, wiring everything through the mains and setting them to large works also, and gives an advantage if you want to play anything through an analog bypass, or would help in the case of SACD & DVD-Audio, since you wouldn't have to worry about losing Bass that was sent to the mains. You'd still lose any Bass that went through the Center or Surrounds though.

 

[Larry Seno Jr.]

I haven't heard of this brand, and neither had Audio Review. They even have reviews of the notorious white van speakers. That CANT bode well for Alon. I'd stay away. Check out the B&W 602s, they are incredible and fit within your budget when matched with a center channel.
edit:
checked out the website, if LOOKS matter at all? GOD LOVE THEM they are GORGEOUS!

They also have dealers all over. I STILL recommend the B&W speakers over ALL others.
(PS Could they FIT more speakers on that tower?)
(PPS Talk about arbitrary pricing! $120,000! Where do they get off? They don't have an advertising budget)

 

[Lito]

I haven't heard of this brand, and neither had Audio Review.

audio review is notorious about not updating their site for new equipment.

(just for kicks, trying looking up the yamaha rxv2200. it's been out for

quite a while and it's still not there. )

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Alon is a reputable speaker company that has nice loudspeakers. Your dealer needs to get an education in 5.1 channel sound. Have him start at the secrets website.
Link Removed
With the bookshelf Alon speakers, a good subwoofer is essential.

 

[Doug BW]

Actually, Audio Review has them listed under Acarian Systems. I believe Acarian is the name of the company and Alon is the product line.
http://www.audioreview.com/Acarian+S...L_1194crx.aspx

 

[rich wu]

The owner/designer designed speakers at Dahlquist a few years ago before starting his own company. Acarian speakers are very highly regarded by Absolute Sound and Stereophile. I have heard their speakers many times at shows and they have always reproduced excellent sound.

They are comparable to B&W, Genesis and Vendersteen.

 

[Matt Parsons]

Thanks for the replies, I knew you guys would come through.
I tried to locate the web site prior to posting but couldn't find it searching for Alon, but it popped right up searching for Acarian. I'll check them out this afternoon.
Thanks Again
Matt

 

[Larry B]

I had the pleasure of hearing the system shown above (Exotica Grand Reference) at last year's HE Show in NYC. I have heard many high-end stereo systems but none have equaled the realism of these babies. Unfortunately, they're a tad more than $2,000.
Larry

 

[Steve Stogel]

Well, you're on the Net doing the research, so I might as well point out a couple of Internet-only speaker companies. I've never heard them, but they seem to be highly regarded by those that have. $2,000 goes a long way with out the brick and mortar. So, without further ado, I'd check out nOrh (http://www.norh.com/)and Swan Divas (http://www.av123.com/divaswans.html). Just my two cents.
Steve

 

[John Sturge]

Alon's are great speakers, transparency and buttery highs that are just amazing. They happen to one of my top favorite speaker makers. Anyway, here's a Alon` Mini-Monitor Review from Stereophile: Acarian Alon' Petite Loudspeaker & PW-1 woofer system
Here's the website:Alon` By Acarian