I found some Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grands, what do you think?

[Jack in Wilmington]

What electronics will you be feeding the VA's with? They're not the most difficult speakers to drive, but they do appreciate nice power.

[kevinc666]

I am powering them with a Rotel 990BX so about 320 watts RMS into their 4 ohm load. Plenty on clean power. I picked them up yesterday and so far I am flabbergasted, a pair of $3400-$3600 speakers for $500. these will be keepers and the sound is breathtaking. I have heard from some these were bright but I have noticed quite the opposite, just a great balanced neutral speaker that produces lifelike sound effortlessly. I will post a more detailed review latter, I also have some Sony ES SS-M7 speakers I just got that I am EXTREMELY impressed with and will give a review on those as well.

The Sony

[Jack in Wilmington]

Very nice Kevin. We'll be looking forward to your impressions of both speakers and how they compare.

[TheHills44060]

Oh my gosh I've always wanted to hear those Sony's. I still have the issue of Stereophile where they were reviewed. Very niiiiiiice kevin

[mjtab]

Vienna Acoustics speakers are very musical and involving. Don't give up on them to soon, but take your time trying different amps to find what you like. These speakers are worth the investment of time.

[kevinc666]

Oh my gosh I've always wanted to hear those Sony's. I still have the issue of Stereophile where they were reviewed. Very niiiiiiice kevin

Thanks, I would love to read that, is there any way you can scan it and send it to me? I looked for it online with no success.

mjtab, no I wont be getting rid of either speaker anytime soon, I have come to the conclusion that the Sony do sound just a tad better but the Viennas still take your breath away.

[kevinc666]

After hours of critical listening and relentless comparison between the two I am ready to give my short reviews.
The Sony are some of the most detailed and accurate speakers I have ever heard, They're quick and the dynamics are great. There are details I hear in music I simply have not heard before. On Alice in Chains Unplugged (one of my reference CD’s) I can hear some stray fret buzzing on the guitar, I have never heard it before and it comes through so clearly on these, I can even hear mumbling conversation between band members during intros to songs. And just about everything I listen to its the same thing, just minor details other speakers left out. Sound stage is huge and accurate, you can pinpoint every instrument on stage they simply disappear when you start listening. Mids and highs just simply shine, bass response is good, tight, punchy, it just does not go all the way to the bottom but hey that's what subs are for.
The only minor drawback is when listening to these at high volume the mids can get a bit fatiguing on some passages, I have read some other reviews where the same thing was observed, even on the M9’s. I might try and see if there is a fix for this in the future but really not a big deal, their attention to detail and accuracy more than make up for it and I don't really listen that loudly anymore.
The Viennas are also a great speaker that not much escapes getting reproduced with up most accuracy. These don't have the same details as the Sony but superb nonetheless. The sound stage is wide and full. These are just an easy to listen to speaker with no fatigue. These are also a very transparent speaker as well, they too also just disappear. Highs are shimmering mids are full and since I am a drummer the snare sound particularly excellent, Every ghost note and every subtle ride cymbal tap hi hat sizzle comes through accurately and completely just like they were right there. Vocals sound natural and come through clearly. bass response on these are great as well, surprising considering their size, tight, responsive, natural and a touch more substantial than the Sonys. As with the Sonys though, they sound better with a sub. The only drawback on these are that some albums are mildly laid back in the mids. I am guessing that's why they made the ES line as I hear they addressed this issue. It does not really bother me and they sound fantastic.
Both of these are excellent speakers and I enjoy listening to both immensely. Both are fussy about set up but not really too bad. In the end I have to give it to the Sonys just for details I don't hear on the Viennas, and that's about it, they are different but both have their own unique magic and I can highly recommend either to any serious music fanatics.

[harley .guy07]

I got to see those Sony's one time in passing at someones home but was not able to hear them, they do look pretty cool though and seem to be built well. I don't know who makes their drivers for that speaker but their newest ES speaker use mostly Scan-Speak drivers I believe and they receive very good reviews. It is kind of odd how companies like Yamaha and Sony which make mostly mid-fi products will every once in a while come out with a out of this world speaker. It makes me wonder why they can do that but can't seem to make preamps and amps that can run them to their best. Where did you find the Sony's at. I have not seen them in a while anywhere for sale?

[TheHills44060]

Thanks, I would love to read that, is there any way you can scan it and send it to me? I looked for it online with no success.

It's in a stack of Stereophiles in my sisters attic but i have to go over there anyway to get some winter clothes. I grab the issue and scan it for ya. If memory serves me correctly its the 1995 recommended components issue.

[kevinc666]

Cool thanks!