Gallo Reference 3 speakers

[F1nut]

I decided after being called a snob and other nasties today that I'd go spend some time at the local snob hifi shop and hang out with some other snobs. Actually, some really nice down to earth guys with a ton of gear. Now, I had seen a few pictures of this new Gallo speaker and from the pics I had it in my mind that these were about 5' or 6' tall, in other words on the big side. I walk in the door and there they are only they are short, about 3' tall, so I asked is this them? They laughed and said, "Yep, everybody says the same thing." I couldn't believe it, I thought they were pulling my leg and that they were some sort of mock up ad model. You want to give them a listen, they asked. Of course I do, I respond. We hooked them up to a McCormack 225 amp, a RLD-1 pre amp and a Musical Fidelity A308 cdp. There was a unknown to me blues/jazz cd already in the player, so I just listened to it. I've got to say that these "little" speakers are not bad and sound bigger than they look. Wide soundstage, smooth top end, but the bass was a little boomy although that may have been the recording or how they were set up. I didn't feel like messing with the set up at the time because I was being lazy and knew that I would be coming back with my own music for a serious demo. I'll do a follow up after that. The cool factor of these speakers is off the charts and from what they told me there is a 3 to 4 month back order for them. At about $2600.00 I can see why, effn works of art.

[VR3]

Holy Crap....

You actually go out and demo stuff? Will the 2.3TL be replaced soon?

Those really do look cool BTW...lol

[steveinaz]

I've been looking at those recently too. I was floored that the price was that low, given their impressive appearance. I figured they were 10+ grand.

[F1nut]

Sure do, it's fun to check out new stuff and talk audio. The other week I checked out Quad, B&W, Polk and Vandersteen bookshelf speakers. The Quad's and the Polk's were easily the better speakers with a slight nod to the Quad's although the Polk's had better bass response. If the Quad's dug a little deeper they might have found a new home in the shop.

Don't worry Sid, the SDA's aren't going anywhere.

[F1nut]

Steve, I agree they look like they should cost more. What did you think about the sound?

[Emlyn]

I also took a serious look at these a few months ago. My initial reaction was they are great for jazz and vocals and priced about where they should be for build quality. They look cool, but they are small both in size and in the scale of music they reproduce compared to SDAs. The really special thing about the speakers is the tweeter. Although it looks like fly paper behind a mesh grille, its performance is great, almost as open and airy as a Magnepan or Martin Logan top end. There is also no crossover between the tweeter and midrange drivers which makes them very smooth sounding. There was supposed to be a subwoofer amplifier coming available in April this year for around $1000 extra, but I haven't kept track of whether or not the expected delivery has pushed back. The 10 inch driver has two voice coils, with a separate amp required to activate the second coil. I didn't hear the Gallos with the separate subwoofer amp. They were set up with some Musical Fidelity X series gear.

The overall performance was nowhere close in dynamics and imaging to the 2.3TLs I had. To me, the performance of the Gallos was only marginally better overall than the LSi15s I had. If I was going to try something different myself in this price range, I'd be looking to a new pair of Magnepan 3.6QRs for the same amount of money.

[tryrrthg]

Looks like a very cool speaker! I couldn't believe the price either when you wrote how much they cost.

I'd be drooling over the McCormack gear! :D

[RuSsMaN]

They still haven't released the amp yet. My Uncle Charlie has a set of those, and we listen to them almost every Saturday night. I will say, they take FOREVER to break in.

Cheers,
Russ

[steveinaz]

Originally posted by F1nut
Steve, I agree they look like they should cost more. What did you think about the sound?

I haven't heard them, just read up on them after seeing them in Stereophile and was amazed at the price. Nearest audio boutiques around here are in Phoenix...a good 3.5 hr drive.

[shack]

Originally posted by F1nut
The other week I checked out Quad, B&W, Polk and Vandersteen bookshelf speakers. The Quad's and the Polk's were easily the better speakers with a slight nod to the Quad's although the Polk's had better bass response. If the Quad's dug a little deeper they might have found a new home in the shop.

Thinking about replacing your SB3s?

[F1nut]

Maybe. First I want to see what a tube pre and new SS amp does for them. I think they could open up a bit more with a better amp and hopefully a tube pre will tame the metal dome tweet.

[George Grand]

Gallo's another displaced Brooklyn boy.

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

[Toxis]

going by that picture, I'd say yeah, they look about 3' tall. Compare them to the rack next to 'em. Not a lot bigger. But maybe that's just me. :p

They look good but not sure if I could accept a design like that. To off the wall for me. I'm all about the beautiful sound + beautiful looks.

[HBombToo]

I can't figure out the coherence part of these speakers. I mean the tweeter (I guess) is recessed from the drivers which are on a slant. Call me IGNANT but I just don't get it.

Jesse you have to help a dumb guy over here...

HBomb and I'm grabbin #2 brew;)

[RuSsMaN]

Henry, it's not a time alignment issue here, but a dispersion issue. The speakers aren't REAL tall, so that slight kick-back helps put the listen RIGHT on axis.

Cheers,
Russ

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Henry, it's not a time alignment issue here, but a dispersion issue. The speakers aren't REAL tall, so that slight kick-back helps put the listen RIGHT on axis.

Cheers,
Russ

Ahhhhh... like uptilt on a floorstander?

h

[Crazed]

I agree with Russ, the break-in isn't over at 200 hours. Mids are coming into their own. Bass is getting smoother, but more refined. For me, high-end is mixing better, less shrill, but very, very tight.

Toe-in/out makes some difference, but not as much as with other speakers. Need to get them 3 feet from the back wall (at least). Need to get the front end up -- that's why the spikes are asymetrical -- makes a larger/higher soundstage. Need to try woofs in v. woofs out. Considering the brightstar stands -- endorsed by Gallo.

Amplification quality makes a big difference, looking to go with the Moon. I've ordered the SA amp. Looking to get rid of the separate sub. Mixes well with other Gallos for HT and a blast for two channel. As I said in another post, they make me smile...

[Crazed]

For the price... what's to think about?

[Crazed]

The tweeter switch in gone in the latest version and the price has been adjusted...

[mantis]

I saw them at the show last year and I was Impressed. There really nice like there other spekaers.

Dan

[Tour2ma]

Anyone have a USA Dealer locator link? I keep getting routed to a UK site...

[Crazed]

www.roundsound.com

[Tour2ma]

Thanks for the link. Found one local outfit. They have a kinda weird line up though... including Maytag. Didn't know they made audio equipment... ;)

I had tried cropping the UK link back to anthonygallo.com.... ended up in pop up hell...