Odyssey and Cayin
May 31, 2005
I looked through your archives and could not find any
reviews of products by Odyssey Audio. I know that these products are considered great
bargains, so I wondered if you planned to review some in the future.
Also, if it is permissible to ask two questions in one
post, have your impressions of the Cayin TA-30 remained the same, or have they changed for
the positive or negative over time?
Thanks for the great site.
Julia
You may be interested in the
review of the Odyssey Audio Khartago that we conducted on our sister site SoundStage!
back in March of 2004. There will also be a review of an entire Odyssey system appearing
on SoundStage! on June 1. We have requested review samples from Odyssey, so
perhaps you will see some future GoodSound! coverage, but we have nothing in from
them at present.
Regarding Cayin, our reviewer, Jeff Van Dyne, still owns
the Cayin TA-30
integrated amplifier, and from what I understand it still sees daily use in his
reference system. So I suppose to the already favorable comments Jeff made about the Cayin
last year, you can now add long-term reliability to the list of attributes! I can tell you
for sure that he still loves the amp.
Axiom versus PSB
May 26, 2005
I am considering the Axiom Millennia M60ti speakers for my
living room (14' x 27'). Are these the right size? I also plan to check out the PSB Image
T65. I found it interesting timing that you are reviewing these speakers for next month.
Because I cannot hear the Axioms and you gave them a glowing review
in March 2004, I was wondering which way you would go between the two speakers, or if
you have any other suggestions. I am using an NAD C372 amp. Also wondering if you have
checked out the PSB Image T55.
Randy
You're smart to be considering large floorstanders. Your
room is fairly large and it will need a speaker with healthy output capability and good
bass response to sound both full and musical. Both the PSB T65s and Axiom M60tis (as well
as the even larger M80tis) should fit the bill. You'll also be able to omit a subwoofer
(unless you're really into home theater, as well). As for which speaker will sound best to
you in your room, that's anybody's guess. Both products are fully up to date and designed
and constructed with modern engineering and good production practices. If I were you I
would consider Axiom's money-back guarantee so that you can hear them in your home. You
don't say either way, but if you have a PSB dealer nearby perhaps you can get a loaner
pair of T65s for a night or two before you make up your mind. I really do think you're in
a can't lose situation. Our reviewers like both brands, to say the least, so either choice
is likely to be a winner.
Acoustic Research?
May 23, 2005
I have an old pair of Acoustic Research H.O. speakers. They
are 15 years old at least. Can you tell me if the company is still in business? I have not
seen the brand being sold anywhere.
William
Acoustic Research is now owned, it appears, by Audiovox
Incorporated, which is located in Hauppauge, New York. For a number of years it seemed as
if the brand had disappeared totally, but perhaps it's being resurrected. Looking at the Audiovox website I see some of the AR speaker models I saw being
displayed at the CES several years back. Whether the company is actually producing these
products and selling them through an active dealer network is another story. I can't say.
If you decide to give the company a call to pursue the status of AR speakers further,
please let us know what you find out.
|
