Carver AL-III Plus Speakers - What do you think? (1 Viewer)

[Joel [D]]

The last time I checked, I wasn't in the market for a new set of speakers. Then I came across the opportunity to buy a pair of used Carver AL-III Plus speakers for $350.

I'd like to get some opinions on these speakers. On audioreview.com the AL-III's received numerous glowing reviews. What do you guys think? Is $350 a good deal?

I've never looked at ribbon speakers before. How do they hold up compared to cone tweeters? Would I need to be extra worried about transporting them, or pets, or anything like that?

Any advice you could throw my way would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Frank Zimkas]

$350!?!


(faints and falls to the floor)

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Buy them as fast as possible. They are excellent speakers.

 

[Greg Bright]

You'd better have massive amounts of power on hand. I considered these a few years ago, but at the time I didn't have minimum 300 watts per channel to drive them to acceptable volume levels. These babies are incredibly inefficient.
Be prepared to have lots power on hand unless you're willing to accept some distortion at moderate volume levels. Glowing may not be a sufficiently praiseworthy term to describe them.

Otherwise, Bob designed some remarkable speakers. Just look at the woofer and its tiny magnet. Some just might call it magic what it does and what Mr. Carver did.

glb

 

[Chu Gai]

This was said back in 1996.

 

[Joel [D]]

Thanks for the replies! I'm going to audition the speakers this weekend. If they sound good and aren't too beat up, I'll probably end up buying them. If I can convince my wife that 6 ft. tall speakers will "blend in" to our living room that is!!!

If anyone else out their has an opinion on these speakers, I'd love to hear it!

 

[DanielM]

Ive a friend who has had a pair since they came out he bi-amps em they sound damn good, better than any other $350 speaker out there