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

[rodneyH]

Actually a "poor mans" 800 series, would be the CDM line,and a "poor mans CDM" is a 600 line, don't assume that just because the Divas look like the B&Ws, they sound like them. (IE-a soft dome tweeter sounds totally different than a metal dome)

this is not saying the Divas sound bad, just different than B&w

 

[rodneyH]

It looks like Walt got to the subject before I did (side tracked by a phone call). sorry to repeat what he said

 

[Russell W]

The Diva's were designed to compete with speaker costing 2-3 time the price that would include B&W,Paradigm,KEF,Monitor Audio, Sonas Faber..etc. We stand by that 100%. We don't necessarily feel they sound just LIKE any of these brands and this was not the design goal. We feel we have achieved our design goals to compete with these quality brands for much less $$$$$$.

We challenge anyone to sign up to take a listen at audioenvy and take a listen. Can't guarantee they will be your favorite but, We guarantee you'll agree they compete.

Please call us if you have any questions.

Russell Woolfolk

AV123.com

 

[rodneyH]

Russell, with all do respect, I think that the 3x price range is a bit of a stretch (at least when you are talking about B&W, in other words you are saying that the top of the line 6.1s "compete" with the 803 or 804. I am not sure what your definition of "compete" is perhaps it mean like in a FB game Nebraska VS New Mexico St, sure they may "compete" with one another, but NMSt will never actually "beat" Nebraska).

That being said (after all, you are a salesman and have something to gain from this). I do agree that the Divas are an incredible value. So much so that I have thought about buying a pair of 4.1s or 5.1s for my HT set up, and use my B&Ws just for music-the deal is so good, I am tempted to buy them just to try them. I would say that it is "fair" to say that the Divas could compare to a set of speakers, maybe 1.5-2 X the $$ (so when talking about the 4.1 that would mean that they may compare to the B&W 604, that is one example, but I would find it very hard for the 6.1-about $1500 to compare to the CDM9-$2600), but I a still not sure that my definition of "compare" means to "beat". After all, like I said earlier, they will display different characteristics than B&Ws (my favorite speakers) based on the tweeter material, this is the only thing that is slightly holding me back, since I already have a pair of very nice Vandersteens and ADS speakers that I don't use because I prefer Metal Domes over silk (just a personal preferance).

I would say this as a final thought, if I really really liked soft domes, Divas would be the first speakers I checked out (Russ, any chance you guys come out with a Metal dome version??)

 

[Joe Wilmore]

Rodney,

I noticed you are in Mission Viejo. You really owe it to yourself to go down to Escondido and listen to the EFE Technology speakers designed by Ed Frias. The T-22's which you can see the reviews on at audioreview.com are definitely better than the B&W's. Price is $990.00 a pair. I agree with Poming that the crossover is definitely as important, if not more than the drivers.

 

[DennisMc]

I am not sure what your definition of "compete" is perhaps it mean like in a FB game Nebraska VS New Mexico St, sure they may "compete" with one another, but NMSt will never actually "beat" Nebraska).

Love the analogy Rodney.

Ex-Husker in MN

 

[ChristopherD]

Hey Joe,

Where in Esco is EFE? I've heard much about him and didn't know he was located down there. My parents live right by there. Imagine their SHOCK when I tell them I'm coming down for a visit!:b

 

[MichaelJ]

I have to agree with Russell the Diva's are the best speaker I have heard in a while. I was just included in a sound audition that a friend of mine gave for a friend of his that was looking into doing a new home theater in his home.We went to three houses with slightly different systems ,but all considered to be good.I had just received my 4.1 set up and he asked if I wouldn't mind allowing them to hear my set up.Both of the men looking to buy decided to order the Diva's upon hearing them and that is just how I felt when I set mine up.You know that really good feeling you get when you made a really good choice about something.I didn't make them but I sure am glad I own them.By the way I bought them without ever hearing them first (unheard of for buying speakers).. Michael

 

[Nico]

MichaelJ,

Do you mind telling what speakers you owned/listened prior? What kinds of music do you listen to?

Nico

 

[Brett Miles]

6.1 owner here. I'm one that upgraded from much older, crappier speakers, and my electronics are relatively terrible as well. My critical listening experience is next to nothing. For all these reasons, I haven't personally been in all the Diva threads talking sound quality. There are much more qualified people than myself. I could't tell you what speakers the Divas do or do not compete with, since my city is pretty much HT wasteland and there isn't much to demo. I do, however, know something about service! I don't exaggerate when I say that I haven't dealt with any company that does this better (or probably as well as, even) than av123. I think service is a pretty important factor to consider when one is looking to spend $1000s. Sorry to hijack, just wanted to throw this in.

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

Russel,

Hopefully you are still tracking this thread.

I've been a B&W owner for several years. I'm curious if you've sold any Divas as far north as Alaska? I would love to check them out as I've been thinking more and more about seperate systems for HT and music listening.

If the Divas are the value that folks say they are, I wouldn't mind a set-up for HT. Let me know if you are aware of any Diva owners in this neck of the woods.

You can private message or e-mail me if you have any info.

Jeremy

 

[Peter Johnson]

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.

I agree. The best set of drivers in the world will sound like crap without a good crossover. The crossover is the "brain" of the speaker according the several DIY'ers.
Having said that, all things being equal, a speaker with better drivers will sound better. All things are never equal..but its impossible to argue about which speaker has a better crossover.
I am not questioning Diva's value for money. I am questioning their performance. Whilst I am not personally a big B&W fan (I find them a little edgy at times), there is no question the Nautilus series is a fine series of speakers. Saying they "compare" to them is a little misleading. When they ARE as good (as I said, they might be..I've never heard them) according to several people, then I might be more convinced..

 

[GeorgeK]

Have a listen to the new Polk LSi line of speakers. They can be found similarly priced to the diva speakers if you shop around. I have not listened to the diva line , but I can say for sure that the LSi's are very , very impressive. Many people have developed a negative impression of Polk because of their widely sold mass market lines, but the LSi speakers are in a different league entirely. I have hardly left the house since I hooked up my new LSi15's.

 

[Mike Kao]

yea, the Polk LSi series might give the Divas a run for their money (even if they are slightly more expensive). So far I've seen nothing but glowing reviews. Most all so far who have demoed these speakers were so impressed they ended up buying these other similarly or even higher priced speakers! One owner actually stated that they were better sounding then the divas, however, I personally cannot attest to that. If I'm ever able to scrape up the cash, the LSi's will definitely be my next upgrade choice!

 

[John Desmond]

"Style, price, performance kings"

Wow, sounds exactly like my favorite: ACI, for 25 years they've set these exact standards. Well, frankly some of their styling has been a bit "old" in my opinion. But the new stuff all is very attractive to me. I also happen to like the fact that they're U.S. built and have exceptional customer service.

 

[Mark LS]

Hello...

The Polk's are really good speakers. The drivers are first rate and the crossovers are nicely done as well...

THEY are certainly very formitable competitors to our DIVA line-up... and I should add that they are built in one of the most beautiful and modern assembly plants I've ever seen anywhere in the world. The Polks, BTW are made in Mexico...

All the best...

mls

 

[Mark LS]

Hello Jeremy...

I've asked out guys to tell me if we have sold product into Alaska... not too sure myself...

I can share with all of you that the DIVA's were benchmarked against many of the speakers named in this thread... Yes to B+W and Paradigm as well as many others... Some of you heard our B+W 803 vs. DIVA 6.1 at the CES two years ago (with Perpetual products in the mix)...

We feel our products do in fact stand up nicely at a 2.5 to 3 X market price comparison... But lets face it... a good part of that is that we do not have dealers. That accounts for a fair bit of it.

Our feelings have always been that the best way to demo speakers is in your home. You have that option with us...

Thanks...

and all the best...

mls