Speaker "Upgrade" – YG Anat Reference II Incoming!

[The Knife]

Hey everyone,

After years of dreaming, today I finally closed the deal on a pair of speakers that have been on my radar for quite some time! Tomorrow, I’ll be picking up a set of YG Acoustics Anat Reference II with upgraded Scan-Speak Revelator drivers and the active Hypex-driven bass modules. In my humble and somewhat twisted meaning one of the grandest designs ever accomplished. Just love the industrial look and ”rough” but sturdy build quality.

I’ll start by setting them up in my main listening room, right next to my Martin Logan Renaissance 15A, but the long-term plan is to move them (or my Wife’s plan to be precise) to my office as a second system. That said… maybe it’s actually the Martin Logans that will have to move? I guess performance will be the judge and time will tell!

Since I’m totally new to YG Acoustics, I’d love to hear from the experienced crowd here:

• What should I expect from them sonically? How do you think they compare to other similar sized dynamic speakers with front throwing drivers? I listened to them in the shop and they sound really good with focus and good image.
• What amps pair well with them? Any recommendations to get the best out of them?
• Upgradability: As I know they are relatively easy to upgrade, what improvements would you recommend down the road? I am open to experimenting with different drivers etc. I don't know if there is anything to improve on when it comes to the cross-overs. They seem to be built of the best parts available in the market (some 15 years ago).

I’m beyond excited to finally get my first dynamic speakers in over 15 years. Can’t wait to hear what they can do! Any insights or advice would be highly appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[The Knife]

 

[The Knife]

 

[The Knife]

 

[J007B]

Beautiful, Congratulations......

 

[The Knife]

Beautiful, Congratulations......

Thanks

 

[exupgh12]

congratulations on your new speakers, enjoy them.

 

[LL21]

Hey everyone,

After years of dreaming, today I finally closed the deal on a pair of speakers that have been on my radar for quite some time! Tomorrow, I’ll be picking up a set of YG Acoustics Anat Reference II with upgraded Scan-Speak Revelator drivers and the active Hypex-driven bass modules. In my humble and somewhat twisted meaning one of the grandest designs ever accomplished. Just love the industrial look and ”rough” but sturdy build quality.

I’ll start by setting them up in my main listening room, right next to my Martin Logan Renaissance 15A, but the long-term plan is to move them (or my Wife’s plan to be precise) to my office as a second system. That said… maybe it’s actually the Martin Logans that will have to move? I guess performance will be the judge and time will tell!

Since I’m totally new to YG Acoustics, I’d love to hear from the experienced crowd here:

• What should I expect from them sonically? How do you think they compare to other similar sized dynamic speakers with front throwing drivers? I listened to them in the shop and they sound really good with focus and good image.
• What amps pair well with them? Any recommendations to get the best out of them?
• Upgradability: As I know they are relatively easy to upgrade, what improvements would you recommend down the road? I am open to experimenting with different drivers etc. I don't know if there is anything to improve on when it comes to the cross-overs. They seem to be built of the best parts available in the market (some 15 years ago).

I’m beyond excited to finally get my first dynamic speakers in over 15 years. Can’t wait to hear what they can do! Any insights or advice would be highly appreciated.

Cheers!

Congrats! I have heard the Anat Ref IIs...probably a much earlier generation than yours given your upgrades...nevertheless, I think your Gryphon Essence is going to positive thrive on driving them. That could be a seriously awesome combination. Intuitively, I think they are absolutely going to sing together. Before you go hunting for different amplification, I would strongly suggest you hear them together.

Regarding sonic expectations, from my limited experience with them, my own listening notes concur with yours. They have exceptional focus and imaging. There is a freedom they exhibited when I heard them which I really enjoyed. Because yours are active bass, then the Gryphon drive may/may not apply in the bass, but depending on where the woofers crossover, I suspect the upper passive elements will still absorb the foundational power of the Gryphon and create a grounded, foundational presentation that is quite unique in high end audio.

As for upgrades, I would suggest you speak with the YG team...in my experience, speaking directly with the designers often can give you interesting insights into how you can take your speakers higher in the performance areas which matter most to you.

Given how different the speaker experience is likely to be...only you will be placed to decide what you might possibly look for next. Who knows? Maybe you will be so besotted, you will sit back and get off the high end audiophile upgrade merry go round! Enjoy! Look forward to hearing more.

 

[The Knife]

congratulations on your new speakers, enjoy them.

Thanks very much!

 

[The Knife]

Thank you LL21 for your thoughtful and encouraging message! Its nice to hear that youve had experience with the Anat Ref IIs, and I really appreciate your insights. I completely agree ”on paper, the Gryphon Essence and the YGs seem like a good match, given the reasonable high sensitivity. I am excited to hear how they come together in my space and I will come back and tell you my findings.

Your suggestion to speak directly with the YG team is a great one; there is absolutely something to learn from the designers, and it could provide some valuable perspective on refining the system further. But I understand YG himself left the company? That said, I love the idea of simply sitting back and enjoying the music rather than chasing the next upgrade, maybe this setup will be the one that lets me do just that!