Comments for Audiolab Stereo & Video Center

Comment on Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 Stand-Mount Speaker (each) by Thomas Flora

Thomas Flora — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:46:23 +0000

Absolutely phenomenal speakers. I worked with Marc to trade in a pair of Martin Logan’s that I was not satisfied with, to something smaller. These took a little while to break in and with some proper adjustments, they sound absolutely mind-blowing. Very detailed, larger soundstage and they “blend” in with the rest of your system, practically disappearing.

Highs are detailed yet not too “tinny”, mid-range is superb and low-end/bass is pretty tight. However, I would definitely add a subwoofer to round everything out.

Highly, highly recommended!

Comment on SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System (Set of 4) by bill_van

bill_van — Sun, 17 Dec 2023 14:42:11 +0000

Thanks again to AudioLab for the usual stellar service! Regarding these feet…. I love bass…. BUT, it’s got to be clean and tight. 99% of my use is for music so I don’t want to hear it unless it’s in the original recording and then, I want it smooth and flat. The route to this sound is isolation from the room. Through experimentation and considerable measurements, I found that suspending the sub(s) on shot filled stands ~24″ above the floor produces the best results. HOWEVER, this system only works if the sub is not down firing (port or driver) giving you a clear “bottom” to set on the stand. I created a 2×2 array which is truly amazing with extension to 21Hz which is perfect for most any music genre.

Enter the SVS feet. On another of my systems, I needed a way to isolate 2 -12″ bottom ported subs from each other as they are a 1×1 stacked array. For those not familiar with stacking subs, do a search and give it a try! I installed the SVS feet on top unit and immediately noticed the tighter bass on really low frequency content. The feet also smoothed out the response from the interaction between the 2 and cancelled a peak @ 27Hz. While the bottom sub is not on SVS feet (yet) I fully expect to buy another set and reap the benefits. For those interested, the bottom sub is elevated 3″ from the floor for port clearance so I’m still trying to figure out how to make a spacer since the SVS feet are about half the height needed.

Your milage may vary with isolation but one fact is that subs do sound better when isolated and I can’t think of a better way to accomplish this than using the SVS Sub Iso System.

Comment on Revel Performa3 F206 Floor-standing Speaker (Each) by vgiorno

vgiorno — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 02:17:08 +0000

Went to Audiolab to try and find 3-way floorstanders that I could afford, wanting to upgrade my Totem Sky towers. Love the Totems, but I listen to a lot of classical music, and one tweeter and one 6.5″ midrange/woofer in each cabinet just can’t do justice to an orchestra. Had listened to Dynaudio and some other speakers elsewhere and they were all good but nothing clicked. The sales reps showed me some Magnepans and Bowers & Wilkins, but, again, no click. All of these had their strengths, but … After listening to me rambling on about what I wanted to hear and wasn’t hearing, they basically said that they would not consider anything available in my price range to be a significant upgrade to the Totems, including the Focals I asked about. I appreciated their honesty and asked if there was anything maybe just a little higher up the ladder that they might recommend, and they said the Revel F206s were on sale. At only 10% more than I was hoping to spend, why not? They connected them and fired them up and I was gobsmacked. They had it all! I played pretty much the same tracks for all the speakers I auditioned, but here was the clarity, detail and bass presence I wanted, in a balanced package. I was actually able to hear in one orchestral passage I had heard many times that two instruments were doubling the same notes that I had only ever heard as one. I just kept listening, and the magic spell never broke. Still hasn’t, and I’m enjoying music I’ve heard over and over with new excitement. If I had to identify something that wasn’t perfect, I’d say I *might* slightly prefer the silk tweeter in the Totems (the Revels have aluminum but also an acoustic lens/waveguide), but the increased overall detail, soundstage and bass muscle of each Revel’s four drivers compared to each Totem’s two are way more satisfying. If you have not heard these speakers, do yourself a favor and do so. (I have to confess, though, that based on how much I am enjoying the F206s, I am eyeing the F208s as a quick, final (LOL) step up. Will have to really consider, though, whether the acoustic benefits of the jump from 6.5″ to 8″ woofers and a slightly larger cabinet justifies spending more money, but it’s nice to at least fantasize!)

Comment on AudioQuest Dragon eARC-Priority 48 8K-10K 48Gbps HDMI Cable by Greg Smith

Greg Smith — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 17:33:53 +0000

If you want the best sound from your tv or your AVR this is the best cable to get. Yeah it’s pricey but worth it in my opinion!

Comment on JBL L100 Classic Grilles (Pair) by Paul Jacobson

Paul Jacobson — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 18:13:03 +0000

Excellent Grills and Excellent experience with Audiolab. They got this Grills to me in California quickly in great shape. I bought them in orange to mix things up in our living room. When JBL first offered these speakers years ago, that was the original color. Orange is also the color of the university I received my degree from.

Comment on M&K X15+ Subwoofer by Joseph Saldo

Joseph Saldo — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:27:51 +0000

In my opinion the X15+ continues with the original Miller & Kreisel philosophy. These subs hit hard, but always in a “tight, controlled” manner. I was impressed by how quick and precise the 15″ drivers (push/pull configuration) could control the quality of the bass. Subwoofer reviews are very subjective and how a unit responds in different locations of various listening rooms can drastically affect performance. I also own other subs that offer much more complex settings (and apps) to partner your subwoofers with your system. The X15+ achieves excellent results with a simple integration process and does an excellent job of “disappearing” into the system. The goal of not being able to locate where the bass is coming from is easily achieved but the output is impactful. I am running a pair of X15+’s. I will not give an opinion on rather this is the “best” sub (I’m sure it isn’t) or whether it is the best value, you could argue other subs may be close in performance for a much lesser price point. I feel each buyer should decide if any “extra” quality they perceive is worth any price difference. These subs are simply well built and provide a precise, controlled and impactful sound that I recommend should be considered when looking to make a purchase. David and Audiolab were exceptional with assistance and advise through the purchase process, they have my full recommendation for whatever direction your subwoofer purchase takes you. Joseph

Comment on JBL JS-80 Stand for L82 Classic Speakers (Pair) by Bill Vanderhider

Bill Vanderhider — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 13:58:57 +0000

If you bought or they are under consideration, these stands are a MUST and worth every penny. I originally auditioned the L82 on generic stands that were to far off the floor resulting in weak low frequency output and blurred highs. They were good enough that I bought them anyway expecting to need the JS80 stands right away. I was lucky to find them in stock even though my first choice was AudioLab and once they arrived, installed and the L82s came alive! Super tight bass and crystal clear highs. I was amazed at the lower extension without the subwoofer active and once tuned with the subwoofer, pure enjoyment with the legendary JBL sound. So, if you have the L82s and are using other stands, you are not getting the most from your speakers. Buy once… cry once and smile from here on out!

Comment on Paradigm Surround 3 On-wall Rear Speaker (Single) by Victor Ambrose

Victor Ambrose — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:27:23 +0000

Speakers look well made. Nice niceCompact size. Sound good. Nice bass considering their size. Plastic wall mounts are difficult to line up with speaker when installing. Not happy there plastic either. Very disappointed to find out these speakers are made in China. I deduct a star because of that.

Comment on Dali OPTICON VOKAL MK2 Center Channel Speaker by Clarence E Marshall III

Clarence E Marshall III — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:01:12 +0000

I purchased this product due to the recommendation of the salesperson at the store. It was a great recommendation and thanks immensely for the help! Keep up the good work!!

Comment on Pro-Ject Power Box RS Phono Battery-Powered Power Supply Upgrade for Phono Box RS by Steve

Steve — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 19:12:36 +0000

I often wonder, when someone makes a claim of an amazing change with a new piece of equipment, what was wrong with their system to start with. The only thing I noticed with the addition of this item was slightly less noise in the silent parts. I run fully balanced from phono cartridge to amplifier. Equipment is all Krell pushing pair of Maggies with bass panels. All cables are Cardas. I believe that anyone purchasing this item expecting it to “fix” something will be disappointed.