mark58
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Dave, first, my main purpose was to see if adding the CSP3 to the Taboo MK III would bring the usable volume to higher levels with the Omega Alinco 7 XRS speakers. When I had tried these speakers in the den alone, I had only hooked one up and was underwhelmed with the result....only volume was evaluated. I think if I had hooked both speakers up the result would have been better and Ill try this later. I had initially bought these Omegas for the Taboo not the Torii. In regards to volume, both the HR-1's and the Omegas performed about the same with the Taboo. Acceptable for small group Music...Jazz for me, but not particularly well for more complex music whether it be Rock, Classical or Big Band. For these the Torii and either of these speakers performed well.
What I think you're asking for, is a comparison of the two speakers...
The HR-1s are warmer and more forgiving when it comes to "Hot" recordings, poor recordings and LP surface noise (pops, clicks and scratch ticks). They are still very detailed with great midrange and more than enough bottom end for me...stand up Bass is just right and cymbals, even on Hot recordings, pleasing to my ears. These are the winners overall and I expect them to improve with further break in...I doubt I have more than 15...20 hours on them.
The Omegas are great too...well worth the $1250 plus shipping that I paid for them. They actually have even more detail than the HR-1s but are less forgiving. You hear every scratch, tick and pop clearly. And with "Hot" recordings...especially the cymbals...they are too much even with the Torii MK IVs treble control turned down...3db cut. But with good recordings these are very magical as are the HR-1s. On some recordings I found myself forgetting which speakers I was listening to. They are both fantastic when fed good recordings but with poorer or Hot recordings...the HR-1s are the clear champs...what I would expect for four times the cost. With the Taboo MK III +/- the CSP3 preamp both these speakers were limited in their performance. These limitations were lifted when the Torii MK IV was used. I hope the Omega's treble will cool off with age/break-in but the HR-1s with little break-in, I can find little to fault. Hope this answers your question.
Also the Zu Audio "Souls" performance is some where between the above two speakers and perform well with both the Taboo and the Torii but only after a very, very, very long break in. If you were to buy the Zu's, they have a 60 day trial period and you better start immediately with the lengthy brake in...at least 10 hours per day of louder than listening level dynamic music for a month minimum before you give up on them. They require a beating before they'll give up the goods and show you the magic hidden in those big 10" drivers. I recommend all of these speakers and manufactures in general. Mark.
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