Alsyvox planars...prepare to sell your Magico's, YG's, Wilson's, Cessaro's. Maggie's, and all others!!

[Zero000]

So it turns out the 4 amp boxes are actually two power supplies and two power amps. One power amp feeds an entire channel i.e. two panels.

You can feed each channel with its own power amp if you like i.e. 5 amps per channel.

The crossovers are passive. You can use an flat connection, or a plus or minus 1 DB connection for the mid range and treble and super tweeter.

The bass connections are for the bass and extra bass panels should you want them.

 

[gwalt]

I heard the Caravggios yesterday at Munich and thought they were incredible speakers. My panel speaker experience is pretty limited, but notwithstanding that, I haven't heard the same level of transparency, sound staging, stop-start dynamics, stress-free sound before.
If I were starting from scratch, I would seriously consider these, but also agree with the pricing comments - these seem expensive, especially for a start-up, and think he may struggle to gain traction.

I think Daniele of Alsyvox is a smart guy and will figure out his "targeted" audience and price. The Carravaggio is targeted for a big room and an obviously smaller sector of those who will be able to afford them. With that said I know the European market is much different than here in the US so it wouldn't surprise me if he sold these 4 panel speakers at the show? Most of the comments I have read so far about the Munich show say the sound in that room is breathtaking and a lot have said best of show regardless of the price. It would be nice to know what other speakers are there that compete with the sound and price point?
In addition, the same comments of the Botticelli model were made at last years RMAF show and I have a friend who has 40 years experience "working in the audio field and currently a distributor" say they compete with many speakers out there at much higher prices but only you can be the judge. I think the Botticelli version will be at the Denver show again this year FYI.
Simply said if you cannot afford them and don't agree with the price for the quality of sound (and other attributes) then no one is forcing folks to listen to them.
The audio world is very large so let your ears, eyes, emotions and your budget do the talking.

 

[DonH50]

A ribbon driver has the moving element suspended in a magnetic field. The usual arrangement is a narrow (and very thin) diaphragm with magnets on either side. The diaphragm is usually the conductive element, typically a thin metal foil.

A planar magnetic driver has conductors (wires or metal traces, the latter is what Magnepan calls "quasi-ribbon") on the moving diaphragm and magnets above and/or below the diaphragm (or in front and behind). Magnepan places the magnets on one side only except in the 20.x series that has them on both sides (sort of push-pull). Below is a crude picture. ESLs use a conductive membrane with conductive sheets on either side to suspend and move the diaphragm in an electric rather than magnetic field (though they are linked through Maxwell's Equations, natch).

HTH - Don

 

[Ron Resnick]

WOW! A lot of rave reviews on these speakers! Apogee sound or even better; heroically sturdy (for planars) frames; and high sensitivity!

A big congratulations to Daniele! Bravo!!!

Justin, gwalt or Daniele:

I am afraid I am still not clear on the design. The Boticelli is 4 drivers, and, depending on the selected cross-overs, one can drive each channel with a single amp or each individual driver with an individual amp?

The Alsyvox website lists a lowest cross-over frequency of 150Hz. To what is the signal being crossed over at 150 Hz? To the biggest driver in the Boticelli and to the separate woofer panel in the Caravaggio?

 

[Zero000]

WOW! A lot of rave reviews on these speakers! Apogee sound or even better; heroically sturdy (for planars) frames; and high sensitivity!

A big congratulations to Daniele! Bravo!!!

He'll like that, Ron. He's been reading this thread

 

[Audiophile Bill]

How is the tone of these speakers, guys? In relation to acoustic classical instruments like violins, cellos, woodwind and brass?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Is it correct that one could feed a full-range signal to the passive cross-over of the main panel of the Caravaggio and power the woofer section of the main panel with one amplifier and power together the MR/TW section and the super-tweeter section of the main panel with a second amplifier?

 

[bonzo75]

How is the tone of these speakers, guys? In relation to acoustic classical instruments like violins, cellos, woodwind and brass?

I am not sure if anyone other than me played our own records. It's an hifi show after all. But we should all provide judgement day for this speaker today

 

[gwalt]

How is the tone of these speakers, guys? In relation to acoustic classical instruments like violins, cellos, woodwind and brass?

Maybe you could define tonality to your liking but overall the Aslyvox is a cameleon to the source including wire. In other words, I find it pretty dead neutral but honest beyond reproach. I don't find them even one degree bright or warm. What I do find them is extended beyond with dynamic swings that are like a bolt of lightning.....they equal pretty much any horn in dynamic speed but faster than any dynamic speaker can replicate due to the ribbons. They can also throw a huge soundstage in width and depth depending on your room size. I say this because I heard them in a 20X25 ft. room at RMAF Denver compared to my existing room of 15X20 ft. and the Denver space sounded slightly bigger. I have yet to move them to larger room of 17X35 due to some issues I won't bore you with but it will eventually happen.
If you like a lot of life and emotion in music you will treasure how these sound and it can be shaped with your choices up front. I have experimented with cables, tubes in my preamp, three different amplifiers, etc. and they replicate the changes with precision. I should quantify this as the Botticelli and not the Carravagio. Could someone listening at the Munich show define what they are hearing in their own words.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Maybe you could define tonality to your liking but overall the Aslyvox is a cameleon to the source including wire. In other words, I find it pretty dead neutral but honest beyond reproach. I don't find them even one degree bright or warm. What I do find them is extended beyond with dynamic swings that are like a bolt of lightning.....they equal pretty much any horn in dynamic speed but faster than any dynamic speaker can replicate due to the ribbons. They can also throw a huge soundstage in width and depth depending on your room size.
If you like a lot of life and emotion in music you will treasure how these sound and it can be shaped with your choices up front. I have experimented with cables, tubes in my preamp, three different amplifiers, etc. and they replicate the changes with precision.

Thanks Gwalt. Do you have an analogue front end? What music do you listen to mostly?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Justin, are you not playing your own tracks?

 

[bonzo75]

Justin, are you not playing your own tracks?

Many are not

 

[gwalt]

Thanks Gwalt. Do you have an analogue front end? What music do you listen to mostly?

Bill,
I recently sold my analog rig due to my lack of interest in my 350 LP record collection and my other issues with analog. Again the speaker is brutally honest to the source. I am now using a T+A MP3100HV, CAT Black Path preamp (being upgraded to the BPX in September), Concert Fidelity ZL120SEV2 monoblocks and or YBA Passion 600 monoblocks. The contrast in the two amplifiers is quite different depending on taste. I also heard them with a CAT JL5 and preferred the speed of the SS but many amplifier options available due to the high efficiency. Would recommend some current to control the speed of the ribbons however.
I listen to SACD, CD and stream via HIRES Qobuz. I listen to everything with the least favorite and minimally played heavy rock. I have yet to discover something they cannot play with precision.
Daniele is using Omega Audio Concepts electronics and cables at the Munich show.......great stuff BTW.

 

[gwalt]

WOW! A lot of rave reviews on these speakers! Apogee sound or even better; heroically sturdy (for planars) frames; and high sensitivity!

A big congratulations to Daniele! Bravo!!!

Justin, gwalt or Daniele:

I am afraid I am still not clear on the design. The Boticelli is 4 drivers, and, depending on the selected cross-overs, one can drive each channel with a single amp or each individual driver with an individual amp?

The Alsyvox website lists a lowest cross-over frequency of 150Hz. To what is the signal being crossed over at 150 Hz? To the biggest driver in the Boticelli and to the separate woofer panel in the Caravaggio?

We will get Daniele to address the question entirely but the Botticelli is 3 drivers.....bass, midrange tweeter, and super tweeter. It is a 3-way speaker. The Carravagio at Munich is more complex.
You can order the Botticelli with an external crossover that allows you to bi-amp and modify the crossover points is my understanding. This new model is called the Botticelli X. I have the Botticelli but can upgrade to the X if I desire. You can order the speaker either way. Will get Daniele to respond more in depth.

 

[Zero000]

Justin, are you not playing your own tracks?

No Ron.

I think the crossover explanation was correct but I am eating breakfast at the mo and if no one answers I'll have a stab when I get back home. It's not hard, Ron, you should be able to figure it out with some thought.

I left the house without any disks. This means the speaker never got the electronic mega bass workout.

I went through every single disk they had and virtually nothing was in my territory. The only option was Leanard Cohen.

They play rock well. They should be OK with electronic stuff with the magnet gap. There's plus or minus 1 cm available for diaphragm excursion.

I don't think Daniele will post on the thread directly.

 

[amadeus]

Today i am back from Munich High-end show i was Friday and Saturday full day in many rooms and i was privileged to visit the room of Alsyvox and Omega Audio Concepts i have very limited experience whit ribbons and planars my only point of few is the Music.

From the first moment i came in this room i new that this was something special i guess there was a kind of Gospel song playing whit choir in the back ground i was able to count the total amount of choir singers and they where standing next to each other i was able to see the mouth of them move almost.

Soon i introduced my self to Mr Daniele Coen a very friendly person whit eyes looking deep and he was friendly enough to play some request numbers every number i have heard was mind boggling as dynamic as best Horns tonality was just perfect warm open fast shiny whit out being bright any moment full bodied whit air around any instrument great bass and a soundstage that makes all others shy.

I have listened around 1 hour of course that's to short to have my final judgment and definitely 1 hour is to short to recognize shortcomings if they are available but the sound of this speaker i will keep in my mind and was this year definitely the "Best of the Show" for me whit Cesarro Gamma as second best.

 

[microstrip]

(...) Daniele is using Omega Audio Concepts electronics and cables at the Munich show.......great stuff BTW.

Does any one have details of the total cost of the system (including electronics and cables) that was playing in this room?

 

[amadeus]

Does any one have details of the total cost of the system (including electronics and cables) that was playing in this room?

The Alsyvox Caravaggio 4 tower system is 275000 euro retail (including 21% Eu vat).

 

[gwalt]

Does any one have details of the total cost of the system (including electronics and cables) that was playing in this room?

I had the cost of the 100wpc used at RMAF last year because I considered buying it. Not sure if the price has changed on it?
Alsyvox was using the new Omega Audio Stream integrated monoblocks at the show and Daniele is on his way back from Munich. If you would like I can ping you some price of the new Omega stream gear when he gets back?

 

[iansr]

I also heard the Alsyvox at Munich and I concur with just about everything that has been said about them; they are absolutely fabulous and if I acquired a pair then it would be game over as far as speakers are concerned. The only point I’d differ on is best of show - the Living Voice horns remain in a class of their own, but that is in no way a criticism of the Alysvox, it simply tells you how extraordinary the LV horns are . . . .
PS. I’d put the bigger Bayz omnidirectionals in the same league as the Alsyvox and I’d be equally happy with them.