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Post by SteveC on Nov 21, 2015 13:47:07 GMT
Having owned Avalon Indras for almost eight years (from new), I have embarked on a search for some new replacements!
I attended the recent Whittlebury Hall & Windsor Shows (my first for five years) and listened carefully to likely contenders. I did the ticketed Absolute Sounds demonstrations of Magico and Wilson and spent considerable time in the Nu Nu Distribution room, where TAD CR1's and Compact Evolution speakers were making music.
I then visited the KOG room and spent a long time listening to the Estelon XB speakers that were being demonstrated.
Courtesy of KOG, I have just had a week long home demo of the Avalon Compas' speakers and on Thursday, they very kindly brought down a pair of Estelon XA speakers for me to listen to for the next two weeks!
Estelon are an unusual design (to say the least) and will be "Marmite" to many (beauty being in the eye of the beholder) although I have to say that their substantial profile and weight (85kg) have less impact in room than a traditional box construction speaker of similar dimensions and internal volume.
The design concept is interesting, the body of the speaker being formed from a marble-based composite and finished in a flawless automotive paint. The designer sources his drive units from Accuton in Germany (as do Avalon) and the sound is very transparent, aided by the firm foundation provided by the 11" ceramic woofer. Initial listening reveals that these speakers image very well in my listening room and depth, scale and timing is the equal of Avalon.
Designed and built in Estonia (who knew?), they are available in liuid gloss and matt versions of black, white, silver, red, blue and violet! The demo pair I have are the matt white and the light colour does mitigate their presence to some degree.
It's early days, but I am enjoying revisiting CD's from my collection that I have not listened to for some time and the next two weeks will prove interesting!
Here are some pics of the Estelon XA speakers in situ in my living room.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 21, 2015 13:58:19 GMT
They certainly look different from the Avalons, Steve. The drivers look like an all-ceramic line-up. Do you think they're keepers? What differentiates them from the Avalons?
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Post by SteveC on Nov 21, 2015 14:41:20 GMT
Indeed Martin! Some of the bigger Avalons, like the Compas' and Time can look a bit "coffin-like" but I have always admired their attention to detail, furniture-grade cabinetry and veneer finish which is flawless. The driver line up in the Compas' speakers I had at home last week are all Accuton ceramic (2 X 9" woofers, mid and tweeter). AS you remarked, he Estelon speakers also have all-ceramic drivers, but in the case of the XA, 1 X 11" bass driver, plus mid and tweeter.
I think I prefer the look of Avalons (beautiful wood veneer and grilles on) compared with the nude look of the Estelon (with cages protecting the ceramic drivers and a painted finish).
I am looking for a presentation that will exploit the bass quality of the dCS Vivaldi stack and certainly bigger speakers than my Avalon Indras, deliver this in spades!
Both the Avalon Compas' and Estelon XA dig deep, but I am preferring the slightly more refined mid and treble delivery of the Estelon at the moment. One thing I did not want to lose was the holographic imaging that I love with Avalons and the Estelon XA has not disappointed in that respect. Being a product from within the EEC, they also offer better value for money (if that is possible in high-end hi fi) than those shipped from the USA.
If you get the time over the next week, you should pop over and have a listen. I would certainly value your opinion!
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Post by MartinT on Nov 21, 2015 16:01:47 GMT
Hold that thought, I'll see if I can do that.
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Post by John on Nov 21, 2015 16:09:18 GMT
Fabulous looking system Steve
The speakers look a bit different but I think it good to stand out from the crowd
Let us know what you decide
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 21, 2015 16:25:54 GMT
They look interesting, certainly a bit marmite-ish!
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Post by MartinT on Nov 22, 2015 9:10:28 GMT
I was thinking about WAF and couldn't decide if the average other half would kick you out or rather like the Estelons!
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 22, 2015 10:00:28 GMT
Mmm - no.
I've had some weird looking speakers in my time, and like to think I am broad minded ... but I don't think I could put up with those!
Marmite - I hate marmite.
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Post by Tim on Nov 22, 2015 10:11:23 GMT
I rather like them - I certainly like the room and could definitely relax and enjoy some music in there  What turntable is that Steve? |
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ynwan
Rank: Trio
Posts: 185 
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Post by ynwan on Nov 22, 2015 10:20:50 GMT
Looks like a TW Acustic Raven GT.
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 22, 2015 10:45:02 GMT
I was thinking about WAF and couldn't decide if the average other half would kick you out or rather like the Estelons! A bit of each, I think: The average other half might kick you in the Esticles |
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Post by SteveC on Nov 22, 2015 10:50:32 GMT
The turntable is indeed a TW Raven One, with Graham Phantom II arm and a Transfiguration Orpheus L m/c cartridge.
Both the turntable and my Whest phono stage were displaced when I ran out of shelves on the Stillpoints ESS rack. I am, however, in the process of acquiring a second Stillpoints ESS rack to sit alongside the existing one. I will then reposition my turntable, motor unit, phono stage and preamp power supply on the new rack!
The Estolons are a difficult choice. They sound excellent but the looks are radical and I am wondering, if I decide to go for a pair, what colour I should order them in?
Martin, as far as WAF is concerned, SWMBO's first reaction was horror, but I'm working on it!
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Post by SteveC on Nov 22, 2015 10:54:28 GMT
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 22, 2015 10:57:47 GMT
Well, they are shaped like a tree stump, so how about brown with darker vertical striping?  -- and you could sit a stuffed squirrel on top of one of them. |
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Post by SteveC on Nov 22, 2015 11:41:50 GMT
I think there's a 'branch' that sells the 'arboreal' option!
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 22, 2015 11:59:59 GMT
I'm sure that version will probably have a more pleasant sounding timbre.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 22, 2015 13:27:40 GMT
Piano black, I think.
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Post by SteveC on Nov 22, 2015 13:29:57 GMT
And I was convinced you would prefer silver!
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 22, 2015 13:39:00 GMT
I quite like the matt black version. I think they might look great in a deep (ie not blingy) bronze shade but that doesn't seem to be offered on the website.
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 22, 2015 13:52:30 GMT
Steve, I see a couple of Karan units there - I half remember you had one of their preamps, but what's the other one under the turntable? Presumably these speakers are no trouble at all to that big CJ?
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