Munich High End show 2018

[sq225917]

Acoustic plan, handmade in Germany, costs an arm and leg, couldn't be arsed to recess anything on front or rear panels....

[User211]

They are obviously not in recess.

I will say I did think the volume control felt a little dodgy... not the best knob feel by any means

[User211]

Truly dreadful I felt.

[Marco]

I will say I did think the volume control felt a little dodgy... not the best knob feel by any means

Lol... The other thing that's obvious, apart from what Simon and you have pointed out, is the use of el-cheapo, bog standard speaker terminals and phono sockets. You'd think at this ridiculously elevated price level, they'd have fitted the likes WBTs, and stuff that was made from solid-silver or copper, rather than cheap brass!

That's inexcusable. For the price being charged, these things should be brim full of the finest components known to man, and in terms of volume control 'knob feel', fitted with the highest quality stepped attenuators, so that in use, the 'feel' is very positive and silky-smooth.

It doesn't bode well for what components might lurk 'under the hood', if they can't even be arsed to impress on the outside - probably obsolete stock from Maplins!

Lots more 'slurp', then....

Marco.

[User211]

I agree Marco and I was going to point it out but you beat me to it.

Anyway, I'd best point out why I thought the Cessaro weren't up to par.

Apparently the Cessaro man had decided to keep bass levels very low, so despite the huge subs, you didn't really hear any. The total opposite of the AG Trio & basshorn effort.

But every time I went in there, the sound was a let down. Huge speakers producing very average sound. The lack of bass was a common observation by others. I've been to Munich four times now and I have never heard Cessaro speakers sound good. The best it probably the Liszt, but even then I think the large mid range horn disperses sound in a very different manner to the rest of the speaker. Obvious when you move around the room.

Someone on another forum referred to them as transistor radio sound. Almost fair

Strangely, though, it doesn't seem to matter. They sell quite a few (4-6) of these top end Cessaros per show. For many customers it seems that appearance counts for more than sound. I think they look pretty vile and awkward.

A few more (not great) Cessaro snaps. The amps might be alright for all I know. The speakers definitely aren't in my book.

[User211]

Sorry, I didn't qualify, it was the 46C with the dodgy knob.

Magico. Never been keen. Yet I have never heard this model before. Every time I went in, it sounded pretty good. Surprise.

[walpurgis]

Yes. Magico are one of those names that seem to sell from some sort of perceived prestige (high cost?). The few I've heard did not really impress. Can't recall models. I'd lump Avalon and Wilson in there too. I've not been struck with them either.

[User211]

Yes. Magico are one of those names that seem to sell from some sort of perceived prestige (high cost?). The few I've heard did not really impress. Can't recall models. I'd lump Avalon and Wilson in there too. I've not been struck with them either.

Agreed. Wilson are a recipe of sterility, generally. Avalon just never entertain and beg the question why does anyone like them??

[User211]

TW Accustic you might think. I did.

Wrong. More expensive. Went out for a meal with some What's Best Forum chappies, one of whom was a TW owner. He had been grilling the rep and apparently they are quite different in terms of platter construction, this being heavier than any TW.

Not sure a chrome Morch DP8 looks right on it, but hey.

I think it is a Danish Hartvig, but it must be a new model, since the website doesn't detail it. Hartvig leaflets were right by it.

[User211]

hORNS Poland.

Generally not a bad brand. Their hORNS FP15 is a great speaker I think, and the recent Universum although now a lot more expensive than it used to be, sounds a lot better than it used to. Early iterations weren't good.

This is the Symphony loudspeaker. Not really my cup of tea, but it did sound pleasant. I'd rather have the FP15 or Universum.