AVI ADM9s: breakthrough or too much hype?
I think you should demo some (Bartletts of Holloway Rd stock them if you're in London) and form your own opinion.
As for warmth? I own ADM9Ts (not red spots) and find them as warm as the recording. Since I bought them I've stopped analysing the music, I just enjoy it.
Agreed, absolutely. The only sensible advice is of course to go listen.
I did, and I really wanted to love them, but for some reason they were just not for me.
Really? I think you'd struggle to find a stereo integrated amplifier with comparable power to the ADMs - for the price of a pair of ADMs, then you'd need a DAC and of course, speakers of comparable quality.
I haven't struggled at all to do just that.
And can we all cut the quotes down a bit please? Makes it all a bit untidy, difficult to read and work out which bits are relevant, don't you think?
I think the reason studios use 'active' monitors is convinience, cost and size 
Colouration comes from driver resonances and cabinets. Neither of which are addressed in active speakers without DSP or similar equalisation.
Most colouration comes from cheap cabinets. Its the reason why Open baffle speakers sound so different to conventional enclosed speakers (for better or worse)
That would be an interesting demo, I would expect to hear a big difference in bass depth and control.
There was very little difference in depth, the ADMs had more control - as you'd expect from decent actives.
Simon, maybe consider contacting AVI directly to see if there is anywhere that you can go to hear them that suits. Alternatively, let us know roughly where you are and someone nearby may offer to give you a demo...I don't see what else this thread can achieve for you, to be honest.
EDIT - their list of dealers on the website has been known to be wildly out of date, so direct contact with them via email or the forum is best.
I don't see what else this thread can achieve for you, to be honest.
EDIT - their list of dealers on the website has been known to be wildly out of date, so direct contact with them via email or the forum is best.
Thanks, Alex. I am in Brixton (London) and would love to hear a pair nearby. I also intend to go to Bartlett's. But I enjoy reading people's subjective descriptions of listening to the speakers because music is always, precisely, a subjective experience.
Yes, but it's your subjective experience that matters.
And thats Alec with a C 
Sorry, I'm nowhere near you, but get to Bartletts and let us know what you find.
I don't see what else this thread can achieve for you, to be honest.
EDIT - their list of dealers on the website has been known to be wildly out of date, so direct contact with them via email or the forum is best.
to the OP:
in my 'my system' thread you can find my comparison of the 9Ts with a couple of other actives and a passive that I did at Bartletts shop. I can highly recommend them but more than that I can recommend trying for yourself. If you like neutral, accurate sound I guarantee you will like them.
you can gent them second hand for abt 700 or get the new 9RS (red spot) version (which I have not heard).
with their accurate sound and unrivalled functionality (and the resulting system compactness) they are an option very difficult to beat.
Bartlett’s isn’t too bad for you to get to, other side but straight up on the Victoria line and you’ll be back for last orders at the Dog Star. 
SIMONDB,
I have recommended the AVIs to you before. The biggest thing for me, if you discount their neutrality, power and VFM, is since buying a pair I have stopped listening to the system and now listen to the MUSIC. Before AVI ADM 9Ts I spent more time listening to/adjusting/changing the system, it had almost nothing to do with the music which is what it should be about.
I purchased mine from Bartletts and found them to be excellent fellows. A few minutes on the Tube will get you a demo and you can stop wondering. The detail, power and soundstage should amaze you. I have never listened to so much music and I NEVER worry about the system any more.
I demoed mine before buying, no matter what I'd been told, it's a lot of money, and I needed to be sure.
it had almost nothing to do with the music which is what it should be about
Good point.
That would be an interesting demo, I would expect to hear a big difference in bass depth and control.
There was very little difference in depth, the ADMs had more control - as you'd expect from decent actives.
Hi, can you explain what you mean by control please?
If it was me, I would go down the seperates route, I think you will get better VFM IMO and IME.
Sorry but I really doubt that. But to be fair there is no tinkering once you buy the AVIs.
Clinical they are not, and I think it's a lazy way of describing them.
They are just so honest. You'll be thinking more of the music and you won't question the equipment. They are a huge bargain.
Do some lurking on the AVI Forum to get some ideas of other users thoughts.
Did you miss the IMO and IME?
Its my opinion, based on hearing the origninal model and what I have heard.
Oh and the 'honest' description really annoys me, same with people describing ATC speakers, which I like BTW.
"Flat and Honest, Low Distortion etc etc" its all about nothing.
The AVI and ATC speakers are no less coloured than most speakers.
No doubt, if you want an all in one, they are great VFM, for a hifi, no IMO and IME.
Only heard the original model, and they sounded fine, nothing bad but nothing special.
I would demo both the Rega system and the AVI's and make a decision on that.
If it was me, I would go down the seperates route, I think you will get better VFM IMO and IME.
For the price (£1250) I would personally go and demo something like ATC SCM7 and Onkyo A907, maybe helped with some ex-demo SCM7's.
But the point is there is a lot more choice, and you could go S/H which means it would be even easier to get a great VFM alternative. Something like some Quad 57's, a 303 and a suitable DAC would probably wee all over both sytems to be honest.
My opinion will be of limited use because I've only heard the 9.1T model. Having said that I rate the 9.1T as the biggest bargain in hifi, I would expect them to trounce the Rega setup. Fwiw, the 9.1Ts easily kept pace with the £7k system I had at the time. Add the sub at a later date, and you'd have a system that imo would hold its own with more or less anything.
What was the "£7k system" if you dont mind me asking?
QBD76 ATC SIA 2-150 ATC SCM 19. Being very honest, the ADMs were better.
That would be an interesting demo, I would expect to hear a big difference in bass depth and control.