Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Diva 5.1 Speakers by EdM

Model:	5.1
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	1250 $ (In Sweden)
Description:	Floorstanding 3 way speaker
Manufacturer URL:	Diva
Model Picture:	View

Review by EdM on August 29, 2001 at 08:02:28
IP Address: 63.196.252.14

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for the 5.1

Just received my Diva 5.1 yesterday evening and I must say that at least they are packed extremely well in two very large double boxes.
After carefully unpacking them and releasing the cloth drawstring covers I was finally able to admire the rich rosewood finish. These are very beautiful, well finished speakers.
Two comments: the socalled floor spikes look nice but accomplish nothing, the double binding posts are huge gold plated affairs.
I immediately hooked them up to my Bryston 4B-ST straight (no bi-wire) and gave a quick listen as it was late.
Admittedly, these are not broken in, not properly coupled to the floor, and I made no attempt to arrange them properly; saying that I was very pleasantly surprised at their sound.
A good many people would buy these on looks alone, they look like they cost many times the $899 but the sound is also excellent.
The imaging is quite good right out of the box, the soundstage is wide and airy and I was surprised I could move off center in either direction by several feet and still get perfect imaging.
Female vocals, piano, and harp are startingly clear and defined. Some people have commented that these speakers are bright but I didn't find that at all in my room, if anything they are ever so slightly laid back compared to my Energy C-8 with metal dome tweeters.
If this speaker lacks anything so far it is a slight dip in mid bass. On listening to Loreena McKennitt's "The Book of Secrets" I detected a barely audible upper bass note where it should have been stronger. This may indeed clear up upon breakin. I will post again with a followup after 150 hours.
In summary, for less than $900 with a WAF of 100%, you can't go too far wrong with these Divas.

Product Weakness: Mid Bass (so far)
Product Strengths: Looks, clarity, transparency

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Bryston 4B-ST
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Denon 5700
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Panasonic RP-91
Speakers:	Diva 5.1
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY CAT 5
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Loreena McKennit
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 12 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY Accoustic Panels
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 hours
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	na

Product Weakness:	Mid Bass (so far)
Product Strengths:	Looks, clarity, transparency