Swans Divias: are they still the style/price/performance kings? (1 Viewer)

[Kelly Scott Rickards]

I have been out of the HT loop for a few months (march 2002 till now) and I was wondering if any other internet-only gems have sprung up.

For electronics, you have Outlaw Audio

For subs, you had HSU and now SVS, the reigning kings

For speakres you had Nohrs and then, out of nowhere the gorgeous Swans Divas.

Have I missed any other new intenet finds recently?

 

[Juan_R]

I don't think you missed anything.

 

[Russell _T]

Well, there's always Axiom, and ACI, but I'd say the Divas are still the reigning kings and for good reason.

 

[Grady Hollums]

I just got my Divas this week, and I have never heard a better speaker or seen a better looking speaker my whole life! I wish I could support my love of them with some testing so this reply was more than just a raving of the speakers, but I honestly do not have the equipment for that.

They are just the best I have heard!

 

[Russell W]

Kelly,

We happen to think the Diva's are AWESOME TOO! Thanks to everyone else here for the support. BTW, They are all on SALE!

Russell Woolfolk

AV123.com

 

[Marcus Lewis]

www.ascendacoustics.com
... My next purchace will be from them BTW ...
Also take note of http://www.gr-research.com/
I would have ordered the Gr's but I never got a follow up on my shipping inquiries ... Same for the Diva's ironically ... no follow up shipping ...
The CBM 170's have been compared as very similar to the AV-1's from Gr-Research by a bud of mine.

 

[Peter Johnson]

Didnt know they ever were the performance/price kings.

Looks are subjective. Ie some love the nOrh look, others hate it.

They are very popular at AVS forum, and less popular here. They almost never get mentioned on just about every other forum...although I am sure there is a few that I am not aware of.

There are several brands that are likely to be as good, or better than Diva's. These *might* (I have heard anything except nOrh) included nOrh, VMPS, AV Reality, GR Research, Ascend etc etc.

The Diva's hands down recieve more hype than the others...I am guessing looks are a factor.

 

[Jeffrey Forner]

The Diva's hands down recieve more hype than the others...I am guessing looks are a factor.

That could be true. They are very handsome speakers. However, I doubt that they would receive so many accolades if they didn't perform well. In fact, I would wager that people would heap praise on the Divas even if they looked more ordinary than they do.

By the way, the nOrh 4.0 speakers are fantastic. I hope to compare them head-to-head with the Diva 2.1s sometime soon.

 

[Martice]

For what it's worth, I prefer the midrange and treble of my bookshelf sized GR Research AV1+ speakers over the midrange and highs of my PSB Goldi's. It is very important that you take notice of the associated gear that the average (in this case) Diva owner is using. It speaks volumes when you can't hear the speaker in person and you're trying to see through the emotional fog.

 

[Tim_S]

I would add VMPS to the internet finds:
http://www.vmpsaudio.com/
Their ribbon monitors are slightly more expensive than those others but I think quite worth it.
Tim

 

[Walt N]

Due to the price, looks, and performance Diva runs the full spectrum of customers. These are the first good speakers many have had, and others have traded in their Maggies, ACI's, nOrhs, etc. to have them. Some of their fans use inexpensive receivers and others use esoteric tube equipment. They must be doing something right, they're hitting every market and consumer base. Hype alone can carry a product only so far.

 

[MarkHendrickson]

We just received our 7 Divas on Monday. Although we do not have the refined ears of many, we were thrilled with the sound. I did end up replacing my KEF speakers with no regrets!

Don't underestimate the WAF of Divas. My wife much prefers the look of the Divas to others we have seen. She thinks that they are more traditional and "dressy" looking when compared with others like the nOrhs.

 

[Joseph_Mikhail]

I was considering the Divas. However, the looks of the speaker would severely clash with the rest of my living room.

Not too fond of the current exterior. It looks like a Keebler elf is about to pop out of one of the woofers.

Hopefully they will come out with a black exterior one of these days. I am in no hurry.

 

[Larry B]

Grady:

They are just the best I have heard!

To help us put this in perspective, could you please tell us what else you have heard.

Thanks.

Larry

 

[Grady Hollums]

Well, like I said I really have not trained my ear as to what is the best sound one can possibly get, but I do have the experience of enjoying music and theater over the past 12 years of my life. I used to own Infinity Overture 1 fronts, CC2 Center, and RS3 for surrounds, but I have spent many an hour in the local B&M store listening to Paradigm, Definitive speakers, and several others. The only ones I can tell a large difference ion are the Martin Logan or Static speakers. There sound really is very clear and clean, but I don't have that kind of money to spend on speakers. I am by no means an expert in the area of audio, but I just love my Home Theater and I probably know too much to be dangerous. I am the typical HTFer, I know more than any salesperson, but have not taken the classes to be certified in ISF for video or audio (even though I would love to)
Just a person opinion from a personal kind of HT lover. All reviews and comments are personal opinion, unless you are a hard core specialist and only look at the specs and numbers. I will always be the first to tell people to just buy what they think sounds good and then be happy with it. These speakers I am very satisfied with and honestly are my favorite speakers I have heard. And I have not eve broken them in yet.
I hope this answers your question. The last think I want to do is be the object of other peoples' anger because I posted a review or opinion that is not substantial at all. I am up front that I am not an expert, but I do like to give my opinion and my love of the Diva speakers.
I have rarely dealt with a company as good as av124.com (maybe SVS) and I would like to support them, but I also just flat out like there product! Have a great day!

 

[Martice]

I hope this answers your question. The last think I want to do is be the object of other peoples' anger because I posted a review or opinion that is not substantial at all.

That's all any of this is unless you are into measurements. No one can say what you hear isn't the best speaker that you've heard. I stated that I preferred my GR Research AV1+ speakers in the mid/high freqs over the PSB Goldi's. That doesn't necessarily mean that everyone would have the same assessment between the 2 speakers. However, a lot of us on this site can and are swayed by totally emotional posts and can give someone the impression that one product is actually better then it really is until it is put up under the microscope of associated equipment, room size and source material and of course measurements.

Shopping on the net can be tricky, especially if you can't hear the piece for yourself. Web shoppers rely heavily on input from people who have usable information to pass on regarding a product that cannot be easily heard so even if your response is emotional and you love your product, think about the person who hasn't purchased the product yet and throw them a little more useful information that they can use. I'm sure you've benefitted from this useful information from this site so pass it on and continue to enjoy your speakers.

 

[Peter Johnson]

I actually meant to say I havent heard anything except nOrh. Amazing how two letters can flip the entire meaning of sentence
I have a problem with that everyone says they are the best they have heard etc etc...yet they are often someone's first "real" speakers, or a step up from some old, crappy speakers etc (not in every case of course, its just that I have read it many times).
Also, the B&W Nautilus series comparisons are really pushing it...and IMO are HIGHLY questionable. nOrh, AV Reality and VMPS all use essentially the most cutting edge dynamic driver technology in the world (VMPS also uses ribbons)..so they are likely to be in the same league (or better) than B&W. I am not saying the Diva's couldnt do it..I just question it, thats all.

 

[Martice]

Also, the B&W Nautilus series comparisons are really pushing it...and IMO are HIGHLY questionable. nOrh, AV Reality and VMPS all use essentially the most cutting edge dynamic driver technology in the world (VMPS also uses ribbons)..so they are likely to be in the same league (or better) than B&W. I am not saying the Diva's couldn't do it..I just question it, thats all.

Your skepticism is understandable. One thing that most people don't make known when they give their opinions on speakers is the source material that they listen too. If they listen to mostly commercial music they are more than likely not going to really hear the revealing capabilities of a very good speaker which make the comparisons to 'inferior' speakers less noticeable. Commercial music tends to be better if played loud which to me works for the listener who wants to compensate for poorly recorded music with volume.

The average B&W (or comparable) Nautilus speaker owner is not into commercial music and has a taste for 'finer' recordings such as Classical and Classic Jazz and refined vocals. Why else would anyone spend that much on a speaker if they didn't have discriminating tastes.

This rant doesn't answer the ultimate question if the Divas rival the sound of the Nautilus speakers but it reinforces the probability that the Diva may be a "poor man's B&W although it doesn't mean that it performs or sounds like one with the material the B&W (or comparable) was intended to sound it's best with.

***Which speaker plays Brittney Spears the best?

 

[PomingF]

Peter, I can't help but have to disagree on your 'cutting edge' driver equals good speaker implication. Yes, companies like Dynaudio, Vifa, etc makes great drivers at high levels of tolerance. But the usage of such drivers does not necessarily yield a good speaker. There's as much behind the scene in X-over, cabinet design than using expensive drivers in the making of a good speaker. The magnesium/aluminum composite Hi-Vi woofers used on the Diva's are highly regarded even within DIYer circles. If one factors in the favorable cost/performance ratio of the Hi-Vi vs other big name manufacturers' products it will not be hard to understand why the Diva's are such popular speakers within their price range.
As for your 'first real speakers or step up from old crappy speakers' comment, granted the Diva's price range fits into the budget of those folks who audition many other comparable 'crappy' brands and decided they like the Diva's the best. Of course not too many of us have the audiophile's taste and the wallet to go with it.
PF

 

[Walt N]

Skepticism is a useful trait to possess when considering things audio. Surely the ability to usefully seperate the wheat from the chaff of audio product testimony requires a mixture of experience, and the former.

While I think this thread is now closing in precariously on a "Joe Six-Pack" reference or other aspersions, I'll give you a little more input. Despite the physical resemblance to B&W speakers, they don't sound like them. Leading the list of why that is would be the metal tweeter diaphragms vs. silk domes.

There are many Diva owners who do listen to the same "finer" and highly revealing recordings that owners of more widely acclaimed hi-end marques enjoy. Many of us even understand the significance of proper and natural reproduction of female vocals. And some of us have heard (or even own) speakers from the B&W Nautilus Series yet we still think very highly of the Divas.

The previous suppositions I've seen here are interesting, but in the end they are just that. Audioenvy.com puts interested parties together with those who have Divas to audition. Once you've auditioned them with your music, please then let us know your thoughts.