Hi Lon

The impressions ARE very positive.

How long did your break-in last? I actually got Bob's personal speakers which had about 100 hours on them but I understand the tweeter needs hundreds of hours.

Thought I'd put my 2cents worth in here,

I was the 2nd person to purchase the original RL3's; absolutely thought they were as perfect for my tastes as you could get.  But Bob told me about the changes he made - for the better - and I had him convert my "old" radials into the updated model.  Well, I have to say that the "new" model trumps the original by a mile!  Deeper, taller soundstage - with imaging that makes you think there are no speakers in front of you!  According to Bob, the mid-bass is much better - and I can confirm this.

You will notice that the speakers take a long time to break in - I think it took mine around 200-300 hours to be as cohesive as intented.  And there is no comparison between the old tweeter setting and the new; the new tweeter is much more integrated - to the point you really can't pinpoint the tweeter on most music.

How are they sounding today Giorgino? Hope all is going well, I guess break in can take quite some time, any new revelations?   Dave

Hi Dave and 'Blues

Thanks for your enthusiastic encouragement for info.  :)
I think it'll take me some time to dial in the Radials properly, not because the need breaking in but because they sound totally different to the Horns. My system had been balanced to work with the Horns and, therefore, will need some experimentation to get system synergy again.

This weekend will be a good time to test equipment properly. For example, I had a DAC (Musical Fidelity TriVista 21) that didn't work well with the Horns which I'd like to try with the RL3s. Another is to experiment with my HGA silver wires. I can afford to test out equipment and wires that I put away because they sounded bright with Ed's Horns but now may work fine with the RL3's.

Placement is still an approximation and I'm looking forward to dialing the Radials in but as an update, I'd like to share the following:

I've always had a problem with classical music reproduction. Whether with Magneplanars, or Select or other amps, I've not managed to get satisfactory results with regard to power level or soundstaging depth. This is not neccessarily to do with Ed's Horns or any one particular product but my equipment in general. I've always felt slightly frustrated.
THe RL3s with the F1 just kicks out a great soundstage with sufficient punch to not feel cheated.

Very nice indeed. Feels like I'm in the performance hall. This is accentualted at night - the obvious result of cleaner mains power and background noise levels. I'll be in a position to provide clearer feedback on Sunday when I've got a little spare time so please bare with me.

Regards

George

Yeah - I had heard from several people that the Horns and Radials were like chalk and cheese with regard to sonic characteristics. I have to say that there are some things I prefer on the Horns:

I really like the the very light qualities the Horns are capable of presenting. This may be due to the relative bass lightness of them, but they sound faster. Sounds like plucked guitar strings and especially fast paced cymbals just sound so quick.

I think the F1 works really well with the RL3s, however, if I were to buy another amp, 10 watts would be a minimum power level. I just keep finding myself turning up the volume dial. The Horns never did that. I know, that's because the Horns are forward firing. I'm just surprised you've managed to get a happy sound from you monoblocs. With my F1's 10 watts it it just about gets away with it on orchestral work.

Hmmm - I'll have to experiment with nearfield listen again. Maybe the F1/RL3 is kicking out more bass than the norm - my room is only just about big enough.

One thing thought the RL3's have in spades is AUTHORITY. Piano just sounds like the full blown kit as opposed to a mini version. Tonally, it's great.

That's amazing. My room is 17 x 11 leading to another area 10 x 12 just behind the listeners head. This is obviously something to do with the F1 + RL3 combo. The bass notes from a classical orchestral CD just "growls" on my legs and the settee.

In my experience larger room = more bass. . . . So that makes sense.  Plus the 3s are different from the 2s.