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My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

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richardw42
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First off please don't let this descend into an active vs passive fight. I'm not hear to preach or convert but just reports the facts as I see them. I'm not a very technical person ( a lot of this stuff goes over my head), so please excuse my less than expert view / review. First off the reasons for demo. I've been back into hi-fi for about 3 years. I'm generally very happy with my HC and apart from bi-amping and maybe swapping the GS10s for 20s have no intention to make changes. However the hi-fi is a whole other start. I've never really achieved what I've wanted and swapping boxes, cables etc has only really brought short term satisfaction. I'm fed up as I'm worrying more about the equipment than the music. I do recognise that for some people part of the joy is making changes and improvements , just not for me. I want something that suits me as it is. Multi box hi-fi is like mixing a cocktail, the ingredients might be great but that doesn't mean anything. I can't mix cocktails. So, where next. The AVI ADM9s have interested me but since learning of the 40s thought I'd wait for them. And living near Swindon means the factory is very local. I loaded a memory stick with some very familiar tracks, and went to have a listen. I'm quite reticent so they'd have to impress. I got to Ashley (James) house. The 9s were set up. So plugged the stick into a Mac book to the speakers via an AE. Started off with "Where has all the love gone" - Kasabian. I'd never heard the track like this. I've seen people describe the 9s as being a bit brttle and lacking bass. I can tell you now that is rubbish. Let's not talk about bass but there was real substance to the sound and detail like I've never heard. Tbh I would have bought the there and then. I then listened to some Rammstein and Depeche Mode. I am a massive DM fan and hardly a day goes by I don't listen to them and I have never NEVER heard Dave Gahan sound so good. The ability with voices is extraordinary. I did comment how impressed I was with them even with the help of the Sub. It was then pointed out, the Sub wasn't on. ( Durrrr Smile ) If the 40s didn't exist the 9s would be in my living room, but I had to listen to the floorstanders. So play the same tracks and I was in meltdown. I'd decided before I went that I would be quiet and not to sound too enthusiastic. Well that didn't last long. This was exactly what I was looking for. I listened to SAINT THERESA by JOAN OSBOURNE. I know this track well, it sounded like she was there with you. You could follow all the individual instruments (I've not had that before). The result is I have ordered the 40s. I think they're a bit of a bargain even at 3k. The new 9s are worth of serious consideration too. Please, please don't badmouth them. Just go and listen if you can. Nothing I have owned now or in the past even approaches these speakers. I'm hoping now upgrading has ended and they could quite conceivably end up saving me money.

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TV room : Samsung 60" plasma-ATV3, Denon DBP2012UD-Yamaha RXV3067-AVI ADM9RSS,MA RSW12,/Sonos ZP90 via optical, Sky+ HD & Sky Connector, PS3

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The_Lhc
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

I take it the intention is just to plug the ZP90 optically straight into the ADMs?

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richardw42
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

That's the plan. Cdp hardly gets used now. Might use a Sony S570 BDP for emergency CD duties.

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maxflinn
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

Thanks for sharing, i'd love to hear the 40s myself, though there's no chance i could afford them at the moment, and i'm very happy with what i've got, still, i feel a weekend trip to Blighty might be on the cards this summer, and a demo  Smile

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richardw42
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

The 9s are something else too. I'd be ecstatic if I had them. It's just that the 40s are there calling me.

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TV room : Samsung 60" plasma-ATV3, Denon DBP2012UD-Yamaha RXV3067-AVI ADM9RSS,MA RSW12,/Sonos ZP90 via optical, Sky+ HD & Sky Connector, PS3

HiFi : Sonos ZP90 - AVI ADM40

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Ajani
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

Thanks for posting your thoughts! It's good to hear that you found the bass of the 9's acceptable even without a sub. Bass would be my only major concern with the 9's.

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Overdose
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

Thanks for your review, more food for thought.

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Dan Turner
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

Very interesting, thanks for the review Richard.  These speakers and their manufaturer seem to cause a fair bit of controversy for one reason and another, but personally I love the philosophy and anyone who has actually heard them seems smitten.  I reckon I might just throw caution to the wind and order a pair of '40s on the strength of this and other reviews and get out of all this hifi malarky.

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maxflinn
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

Dan Turner wrote:

Very interesting, thanks for the review Richard.  These speakers and their manufaturer seem to cause a fair bit of controversy for one reason and another, but personally I love the philosophy and anyone who has actually heard them seems smitten.  I reckon I might just throw caution to the wind and order a pair of '40s on the strength of this and other reviews and get out of all this hifi malarky.

You'll have plenty of cash left after selling your current kit too  Smile

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Dan Turner
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

ooh.. wrote:

You'll have plenty of cash left after selling your current kit too  Smile

 

A definite benefit. I was on the brink of placing the order a few seconds ago, but we're away at the moment, and my wife has insisted that I wait until we get home so I can walk her through, and she can visualise, exactly what's going to change in the lounge before I take the plunge....I'm sure she'll be happy when I do!

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Ajani
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

Dan Turner wrote:

ooh.. wrote:

You'll have plenty of cash left after selling your current kit too  Smile

 

A definite benefit. I was on the brink of placing the order a few seconds ago, but we're away at the moment, and my wife has insisted that I wait until we get home so I can walk her through, and she can visualise, exactly what's going to change in the lounge before I take the plunge....I'm sure she'll be happy when I do!

Sounds like a BAAAAAD idea!!!! Suppose you end up prefering the sound of your existing kit??? There's no way the wife will let you keep it after seeing how little clutter the ADM40 provides...  rolling on the floor laughing

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plastic penguin
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

richardw42 wrote:
First off please don't let this descend into an active vs passive fight. I'm not hear to preach or convert but just reports the facts as I see them. I'm not a very technical person ( a lot of this stuff goes over my head), so please excuse my less than expert view / review. First off the reasons for demo. I've been back into hi-fi for about 3 years. I'm generally very happy with my HC and apart from bi-amping and maybe swapping the GS10s for 20s have no intention to make changes. However the hi-fi is a whole other start. I've never really achieved what I've wanted and swapping boxes, cables etc has only really brought short term satisfaction. I'm fed up as I'm worrying more about the equipment than the music. I do recognise that for some people part of the joy is making changes and improvements , just not for me. I want something that suits me as it is. Multi box hi-fi is like mixing a cocktail, the ingredients might be great but that doesn't mean anything. I can't mix cocktails. So, where next. The AVI ADM9s have interested me but since learning of the 40s thought I'd wait for them. And living near Swindon means the factory is very local. I loaded a memory stick with some very familiar tracks, and went to have a listen. I'm quite reticent so they'd have to impress. I got to Ashley (James) house. The 9s were set up. So plugged the stick into a Mac book to the speakers via an AE. Started off with "Where has all the love gone" - Kasabian. I'd never heard the track like this. I've seen people describe the 9s as being a bit brttle and lacking bass. I can tell you now that is rubbish. Let's not talk about bass but there was real substance to the sound and detail like I've never heard. Tbh I would have bought the there and then. I then listened to some Rammstein and Depeche Mode. I am a massive DM fan and hardly a day goes by I don't listen to them and I have never NEVER heard Dave Gahan sound so good. The ability with voices is extraordinary. I did comment how impressed I was with them even with the help of the Sub. It was then pointed out, the Sub wasn't on. ( Durrrr Smile ) If the 40s didn't exist the 9s would be in my living room, but I had to listen to the floorstanders. So play the same tracks and I was in meltdown. I'd decided before I went that I would be quiet and not to sound too enthusiastic. Well that didn't last long. This was exactly what I was looking for. I listened to SAINT THERESA by JOAN OSBOURNE. I know this track well, it sounded like she was there with you. You could follow all the individual instruments (I've not had that before). The result is I have ordered the 40s. I think they're a bit of a bargain even at 3k. The new 9s are worth of serious consideration too. Please, please don't badmouth them. Just go and listen if you can. Nothing I have owned now or in the past even approaches these speakers. I'm hoping now upgrading has ended and they could quite conceivably end up saving me money.

Did you take your Kandys and RS6s with you to compare directly?

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Overdose
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

plastic penguin wrote:

Did you take your Kandys and RS6s with you to compare directly?

I would imagine the original equipment would still be there waiting for a back to back home demo when the ADM40s arrive. Better to test in your home environment I suppose and I'm sure that if the product is not to the liking when seen in the cold light of day, it could be returned.

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bigblue235
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

richardw42 wrote:
Started off with "Where has all the love gone" - Kasabian. I'd never heard the track like this. I've seen people describe the 9s as being a bit brttle and lacking bass. I can tell you now that is rubbish. Let's not talk about bass but there was real substance to the sound and detail like I've never heard.

Thanks for the review!

What do you mean by "Let's not talk about bass", if you don't mind me asking Smile The Bass is the main worry I have about the ADMs. Presumably this was the very latest model, maybe it's a bit bassier than the predecessor?

richardw42
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

No. I didn't take my kit with me. But over the weekend I listened to the tracks a lot at home. So all very fresh.

It was such a clear difference. It wasn't even close. My current hi-fi sounds really poor (TO ME) now.

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TV room : Samsung 60" plasma-ATV3, Denon DBP2012UD-Yamaha RXV3067-AVI ADM9RSS,MA RSW12,/Sonos ZP90 via optical, Sky+ HD & Sky Connector, PS3

HiFi : Sonos ZP90 - AVI ADM40

Bedrooms : 2 x Sonos Play 3 

Ipad for Sonos & Spotify

richardw42
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RE: My Demo of AVI ADM 9s and 40s

When I say don't talk about bass. I mean the whole bass subject seems daft. When you listen to live music we don't comment about bass quality or amount. And that's how I felt. It was so precise I was amazed. If I'm not sounding daft bass strength and integrity are what it's all about.

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TV room : Samsung 60" plasma-ATV3, Denon DBP2012UD-Yamaha RXV3067-AVI ADM9RSS,MA RSW12,/Sonos ZP90 via optical, Sky+ HD & Sky Connector, PS3

HiFi : Sonos ZP90 - AVI ADM40

Bedrooms : 2 x Sonos Play 3 

Ipad for Sonos & Spotify