Alsyvox vs. Clarisys - What are the Sonic Differences? Anyone Understand Design Differences?
- Thread starter caesar
- Start date
Given the very high asking prices for loudspeakers from these two marques, both ought to be approaching the bleeding edge of what is possible in audio playback and therefore should be equally compelling for those with the appropriate listening room, low distortion electronics, and budget. It should then come down to things like aesthetics, product support/reliability, etc. From this perspective, I prefer the appearance of the Alsyvox (and the fact that it is made in a high wage economy) but I like the option to go active (via the CS Port ACN400) on the Clarisys.
I would assume You're a Samsung phone user rather than an iPhone one
Samsung phone is made in Vietnam. If both phones are made in high wage economy, you may need to pay double or triple.
Sadly, choice is limited when it comes to these horrid devices. Smart phones benefit from economies of scale, most high end audio products do not. Thus, if two audio products compete in the same market segment (both very expensive dipole planars) and one is made in a high wage economy and the other in a low wage economy, the latter carries more margin. Of course, other factors come into play such as manufacturer and dealer support, product reliability, product build quality (including under the shiny exterior), etc. On the build quality front, I was less than impressed by what I saw on this video:
With Alsyvox we go as far as to have the yesterday's 9 page review by RH in TAS that discusses pretty much every aspect of the build process and materials used when making the Alsyvox speakers vs. a YT video. YMMV but this is how we choose to market the Alsyvox products.
Hello
TAS issue 350 presents ALSYVOX technology and does a precise review of Caravaggio. It is a good way to have a correct version of how they work and how they sound.
My comments are surface comments about main sound difference and why. I had not compared different planars in the same room and with the same system.
The best evaluation is done by customers and reviewers because they are "independant". In reality, this is not the case. Everyone has his own preference and what is better for a person is not shared by others.
KR
PHP
Opinion about design is important and how it works could explain sound difference. That said I am a dealer who choose very few brands I found to be extremely good. I do not have a usual dealer approach.In a thread about comparing the 2 speaker designs i would hope someone will comment honestly, even dealers ! Let the mudslinging begin !
Curious as to what made this unimpressive to you in the video ..? The Clarysis if nothing else has fantastic build quality and finish ..
The metal bars that hold the ribbons in place appear to be cut to random lengths, with random width clearances and with poor alignment. I don’t expect that this impacts the sound one iota, but it does seem a bit underwhelming for the asking price and in this segment of the market these things matter.
Greg Weaver (the Audio Analyst)'s Munich 2024 review of the Taiko/Pilium/Alsyvox/VYDA room.
The metal shunt bars which hold the side plates or the metal bar top /Bottom used to hold the ribbon in Place ..?
Will look at video
Seems like quite a few dealers are plugging the Alsyvox speakers, which is totally fine. If I sold them I most likely would do the same.
I for one am happy that there are great choices in the Plainer / Dipole categories. It's also good that some clarifications are made on materials & build quality. We do make mistakes sometimes on our reporting of materials and build quality. Also things change as far as upgrades.
I would like to reiterate some of my findings & opinions. I surely don't mean to start a shit show...( some of you already have). We all have our opinions & references. That is ok, but if you have not physically seen the build quality ( hands on ) of each, your opinion means nothing. Please keep in mind I have heard both brands in intimate settings / rooms with very good amps, pre & source. I Have heard them both at shows as well, which means nothing in bad rooms. It's also a mute point to make an opinion on Videos, Why? crazy! I IMHO!
I feel both speakers are built extremely well, I love the look of the Alsyvox with the wood accents. I also like the look of the Clarisys with it's aluminum accents & different colors. The weight of the Clarisys is a plus. They are both beautiful!
Beauty is not the only reason to purchase. Buyers reference for sure.
My main concerns on the differences stem from the sound across the frequency spectrum & room interaction. Both speakers are extremely true to the source, good recordings are a pure pleasure to behold. Bad recordings, well you know!. Both are very open, transparent, fast, great sound staging, decay, timber of instruments. They both have a nice widow into the music. They draw you in. No harshness in the upper frequencies, nice & extended. No comparison to some of the crap tweeters on the market. I guess you can say I like ribbons!
My main concern was the Bass! The Clarisys are far superior in the lower region. Full, more Weight, Definition. Even the mid bass is a cut above. To me they just dig deeper as well. IMHO!
Maybe in a different setting it could be different. But my search did not bring a positive result in this category. I respect others findings, but for me I feel I made a great choice. You need to hear these in a good setup to form a educated, personal decision.
BTW, Another plus for the Clarisys is being able to go with an active crossover...WOW! Game Changer!
I for one am happy that there are great choices in the Plainer / Dipole categories. It's also good that some clarifications are made on materials & build quality. We do make mistakes sometimes on our reporting of materials and build quality. Also things change as far as upgrades.
I would like to reiterate some of my findings & opinions. I surely don't mean to start a shit show...( some of you already have). We all have our opinions & references. That is ok, but if you have not physically seen the build quality ( hands on ) of each, your opinion means nothing. Please keep in mind I have heard both brands in intimate settings / rooms with very good amps, pre & source. I Have heard them both at shows as well, which means nothing in bad rooms. It's also a mute point to make an opinion on Videos, Why? crazy! I IMHO!
I feel both speakers are built extremely well, I love the look of the Alsyvox with the wood accents. I also like the look of the Clarisys with it's aluminum accents & different colors. The weight of the Clarisys is a plus. They are both beautiful!
Beauty is not the only reason to purchase. Buyers reference for sure.
My main concerns on the differences stem from the sound across the frequency spectrum & room interaction. Both speakers are extremely true to the source, good recordings are a pure pleasure to behold. Bad recordings, well you know!. Both are very open, transparent, fast, great sound staging, decay, timber of instruments. They both have a nice widow into the music. They draw you in. No harshness in the upper frequencies, nice & extended. No comparison to some of the crap tweeters on the market. I guess you can say I like ribbons!
My main concern was the Bass! The Clarisys are far superior in the lower region. Full, more Weight, Definition. Even the mid bass is a cut above. To me they just dig deeper as well. IMHO!
Maybe in a different setting it could be different. But my search did not bring a positive result in this category. I respect others findings, but for me I feel I made a great choice. You need to hear these in a good setup to form a educated, personal decision.
BTW, Another plus for the Clarisys is being able to go with an active crossover...WOW! Game Changer!
Hi Gary, In the interest of discussion, in how many rooms have you heard Alsyvox speakers? As we all know the lower registers/bass is very room and other system variables dependent.
I have a fun idea! What if we choose an impartial "reviewer(s)" for visits to your place to listen to your Auditoriums with the six mono amps?
Then the "reviewer(s) can visit Brooklyn to hear the Alsyvox Botticelli X with low tube power?
Both the Auditorium and the Botticelli X are similar in retail price.
I'm not quite certain on what amps that I would choose as I am in the midst of testing 5 Watt 45 based amps, 2A3/300B 2.5V, a pair of Jadis 300B 20 Watt SET's (trade ins) and a 27 Watt Kondo Ongaku.
The 2A3/300B 2.5 amps are arriving tomorrow after a nine month build wait. I need 2 weeks running them 24/7 before I can make an evaluation, then I would know what amps I would use for "the reviewer(s)" visit.
It would also be fun if you are in the NY area to come for a visit. I would love to hear your system as well I'm sure it sounds great.
Interested?
Hi Bob,
With all due respect, I do not want to turn this into a competition! This is a hobby for me & is to be fun & enjoyable. We make our choices on how we hear & purchase accordingly. I have no interest in reviewers coming to my house to add to the competition. They can bring them into their own settings & do their reviews as they see fit, From there they can decide which THEY prefer based on their preferences. As we know reviewers have their own agendas as well.
Now you can bring the Alsyvox to my home & I will do a shootout, that could be fun, just kidding & I don't expect that! LOL! There have been a few reviews on both speakers & they have been very positive for BOTH.
I made my statements due to a few remarks from people that have an agenda and thought I would add my feelings from someone that does not have a agenda or interest in selling or have a ax to grind.
As far as hearing the Alsyvox. Two listening were at shows & 2 were at your own Satellites. I care not to be specific on who or where. to protect their interest. If I ever come to New York I would Love to visit your setups. I'm sure they would be great & properly setup.
I have no Ax to grind with Alsyvox, I think they are a great speaker. Yes, room interaction & setup is extremely important & maybe this is why they fell a bit short IMHO. You are most welcome to stop by for a listen as well. The Clarisys are beautiful as well & sound fantastic. Great choices nowadays.
Much Thanks,
Gary
I think that reviewers coming to two different listening rooms with two different sets of associated electronics and two different sources for the ostensible purpose of attempting to compare two different loudspeakers doesn't result in definitive or even interesting information. If we all are being honest and not partisan we know right now that both of these brands of speakers can sound amazing and convincing.
As a lifelong devotee of planar loudspeakers the only comparison which would be probative and informative and fascinating to me would be to hear the Auditorium Plus and the Botticelli in the same room with the same electronics and the same source.
As a lifelong devotee of planar loudspeakers the only comparison which would be probative and informative and fascinating to me would be to hear the Auditorium Plus and the Botticelli in the same room with the same electronics and the same source.
Hearing them in the same room will most likely never happen. My suggestion was to illustrate that one speakers low level bass performance can not be said to be "better" based on listening at shows and maybe one other room.
Gary said he visited two Rhapsody locations. I know Gary visited Jerry in Chicago, and there is no harm in mentioning the other location as none of the other Rhapsody locations remember Gary having visited them. Therefore if Gary's experience is in one room, the Chicago Rhapsody location, and then at shows, which for a few reasons the Chicago location does not perform sonically to the level of sonics of either Brooklyn, Dallas, Portland or CA locations, I wanted impartial listeners to hear the bass performance of Alsyvox in rooms where I am confident of the Alsyvox's bass performance.
I never say something is "better". At this level things are different and the entire system, the room etc. determine how certain speakers will perform.
I only react when someone says something is "better" etc without Ron, what you suggested, listening in the exact same room.
Even then at times if you listen to the same electronics that set up might have better chemistry with one set of speakers vs another. My suggestion is to optimize both speakers with optimized electronic/cables/accessories set ups that optimize their sound, but still in the same room. Again this will not be happening anytime soon.
Cheers, Happy Monday!
Well lets do some engineering as we are suddenly faced today with Panels that all of a sudden have really high sensitivity numbers from such a lossy drive system ..
Could you be more specific on your sensitivity numbers , is this at 1M or 2M , 2.83v or 1watt anechoic or free space ..!
Regards
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