Kef ls50 or avi adm9rs or other?
I agree. 
[EDITED BY MODS to correct poster's misplaced quote mark-up]
So you don't think AVI's 20+ years of a cracking reputation for quality hi-fi products (with 20+ years of great reviews to match) is enough?
My comment is not aimed at the products but the marketing style. It was tedious when Linn and Naim's most senior personnel were doing the same thing (only without the internet) in the hi-fi press and via their dealers and followers in the 1980s and it is equally tedious now.
There was an infamous phrase coined in the 1980s (by Linn and Naim) that claimed "If you can't hear the difference, it's not worth talking to you".
It carried the same arrogance that is frequently displayed by some of the more extreme proponents of AVI today.
In contrast look at Rega. The company and their products also - like AVI - have a great reputation, but that was achieved without any advertising in the last 40 years. They have no company web forum and you have to delve quite hard to find the rare interviews that Roy Gandy has given. He has never claimed they make the greatest products or 'dissed' other companies (or their customers).
Of course there are AVI product users who - like yourself Alec - I respect and have found quite informative and influential (and funny) and who don't have an 'agenda'. There are some others who show all the signs of being 'cult' followers. I have never liked cults in hi-fi (as I said earlier, overdosed on that in the bad old days of the Linn/Naim nexus of the 1980s that dominated the UK hi-fi scene to it's detriment I believe).
Regardless of whomever might be considered a fanatic or cult member of AVI (enthusiast might be a more balanced term), the product stands up well to any scrutiny and is clearly excellent.
It would be a missed opportunity to not try these I think, as for the hype alone, they are probably something special.
You don't come across as a chap who would normally be swayed by the opinions of others. Would you avoid purchasing a BMW say, because of its 'rep car' status, or avoid any other product, simply because you don't agree with the actions or opinions of a few of the owners?
And I suspect those who want to genuinely "upgrade" from LS50's are going to have to spend about three times the amount to improve on them.
Agreed.
And I suspect those who want to genuinely "upgrade" from LS50's are going to have to spend about three times the amount to improve on them.
Agreed.
Well, not really, the ADM9s are less than twice the price.
And I suspect those who want to genuinely "upgrade" from LS50's are going to have to spend about three times the amount to improve on them.
Agreed.
Well, not really, the ADM9s are less than twice the price.
There must surely be a third group. (Even if it's just me.)
People who acknowledge that AVI make some fine and very competitive products, but wish that was all they were well-known for.
That'll be two of us then!
Three (not that my inclusion will help!). Shame really, the ADMs sound like exactly the sort of speaker I'm interested in but there is no way on dog's green earth I would hand my money over to Ashley James, the attitude on him just stinks, the man doesn't know the meaning of the word professionalism...
Dammit, I KNEW IT!!! It was Borat-speak, I was even going to ask about his sister but thought I better hadn't...
Nope. I once offered to evaluate a pair, but was turned down. I know a certain someone isn't too keen on products being sent back under DSR's, so evaluating a pair of 40's will never happen.
I could give you quite a long list of products/companies/things I don't like purely because of their marketing campaigns, associated individuals, image, attitude, or the arrogance involved in telling the world they're the best and nothing comes close, as well as other reasons.
Agreed.
Well, not really, the ADM9s are less than twice the price.
If someone wanted to replace their LS50's with another speaker of a similar type (ie, passive), they would have to spend about three times the amount to improve on them.
Better?
So you don't think AVI's 20+ years of a cracking reputation for quality hi-fi products (with 20+ years of great reviews to match) is enough?
My comment is not aimed at the products but the marketing style. It was tedious when Linn and Naim's most senior personnel were doing the same thing (only without the internet) in the hi-fi press and via their dealers and followers in the 1980s and it is equally tedious now.
There was an infamous phrase coined in the 1980s (by Linn and Naim) that claimed "If you can't hear the difference, it's not worth talking to you".
It carried the same arrogance that is frequently displayed by some of the more extreme proponents of AVI today.
In contrast look at Rega. The company and their products also - like AVI - have a great reputation, but that was achieved without any advertising in the last 40 years. They have no company web forum and you have to delve quite hard to find the rare interviews that Roy Gandy has given. He has never claimed they make the greatest products or 'dissed' other companies (or their customers).
Of course there are AVI product users who - like yourself Alec - I respect and have found quite informative and influential (and funny) and who don't have an 'agenda'. There are some others who show all the signs of being 'cult' followers. I have never liked cults in hi-fi (as I said earlier, overdosed on that in the bad old days of the Linn/Naim nexus of the 1980s that dominated the UK hi-fi scene to it's detriment I believe).
Wondered how long it would take 
[/quote]
Do you think there's a KEF cult? I ask as they're recommended in almost every thread, by the main KEF UK dealer, who's basically a walking KEF advertisement, these days, and many others.
[/quote]
No.
Every product has its 15 minutes of fame, especially if it's a WHFI award winner. Some people would rather ask a bunch of amateurs than go and have a dem and decide for themselves.
Yeah, hilarious.
Consulting Editor, What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision/whathifi.com Audio Editor, Gramophone