Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Vienna Acoustics Bach Speakers by Itch

Model:	Bach
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1,500
Description:	Tower Speakers
Manufacturer URL:	Vienna Acoustics
Manufacturer URL:	Vienna Acoustics

Review by Itch ( A ) on February 17, 2002 at 08:15:27
IP Address: 205.188.195.27

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Okay Iâ€™ve had my Bachâ€™s for three months now and have put at over 100 listening hours on them and I think Iâ€™m ready to give you my spin on them. Actually, I wanted to post a review after only 3 or 5 hours after hooking them up (I was that excited) but they were not even broke in. All I can say at this point is they are TOTALLY AWSOME!! My current set up includes the following:
Krell 150A Amp
Krell 250P Pre Amp
Adcom 515 Line Enhancer
Denon DCD 5 Disk CD Player (soon to be replaced with Rega, Rotel, Arcam or maybe an Accuphase)
Monster Cable Ref. Interconnects (soon to be replaced with XLR connects . . . Kimber??)
Monster Cable MX Series Speaker Wire
Vienna Acoustic Bachâ€™s
First, I bought these gems from Tweeter here in Chicago. I actually auditioned several pairs of speakers, but when I made my purchase I was seriously looking at the B&W 805â€™s. I listened to the B&Wâ€™s and I was impressed with the overall sound stage that they offered, but I was not blown away like I thought I should be. I thought about listening to some of the other speakers at this store (Audio Consultants) which by the way is where you go in Chicago to buy the best of the best (Less Vienna Acoustics); however I couldnâ€™t afford them or they were just too big for my listening environment. So I left the store with the idea of coming back in a week for another audition and then possibly a purchase of them. On the way home, I saw the Tweeter Store and decided to stop in. Boy am I glad I did that! I was drawn to the Bachâ€™s almost immediately. I was excited about the small speaker size and the absolutely beautiful cabinets! I was originally looking for bookshelfâ€™s on stands but these Bachâ€™s were floor standing and were no bigger than the 805 and were towers!! I gave the Tweeter Sales Rep two CDâ€™s that I had for speaker auditions; Basia Time & Tide and Fleetwood Mac Tango in the Dark. I requested that that he hook up the Krell 300 Integrated Amp and Krell CD player. After the first 15 seconds of Basia I knew that I was going to walk out the door with a pair of these speakers. I cannot even begin to tell you just how wonderful these speakers sounded. The sound stage was the best I have ever heard for this type of speaker and size. The mid range was in a word intoxicating. The bass response was exactly where it should be; not muddled or weak but punched when it needs too and doesnâ€™t get in the way. These speakers did a great job on Telarcs Overture of 1812 with the cannons. I literally thought there was a hole in the wall behind my stereo rack after the piece. As far as the high end, Iâ€™m a convert to soft dome tweeters. The Bachâ€™s use a silk tweeters and it sounds as smooth as silk (no pun intended)! The tweeter just doesnâ€™t beat you up and is easy to listen to for hours and hours. The Bachâ€™s only have two drivers per cabinet; one tweeter and one 7 inch midrange. The bass is ported in the back. Some of the other folks have mentioned that a sub was required with these speakers; I canâ€™t see how or why this is necessary? Perhaps itâ€™s because Iâ€™m using Krells to drive them and they are very rich on the low end?
As far as the construction of the speakers, all I can say is they are works of art. If youâ€™re married, I guarantee they have the highest HWAF (High Wife Acceptance Factor) around! The craftsmanship of these speakers is ABSOLUTELY second to none. They are as much a joy to look at as listen too!!
If there is a weakness to these speakers it is this:
1. You MUST have a quality amp to drive them; otherwise you may not be impressed.
2. They are particular on how you position them. I took me hours to find the right position to place them (down to the 1/8 of an inch).
3. Fill the bottoms of each speaker (as recommended with sand); it makes a difference.
4. Use the spikes provided, it makes a difference
Dollar for dollar Iâ€™m of the opinion that there is nothing out there that can compete with these speakers. Are there better speakers out there? Of course, but be prepared to pay a lot more than $1,400.00!!!!
Regards,
Itch

Product Weakness: Absolutely Nothing
Product Strengths: Everything

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Krell 150A
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Krell 250P
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon
Speakers:	Vienna Acoustic Bachs
Cables/Interconnects:	Monster
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock
Room Size (LxWxH):	14 x 14 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	Wish it was bigger
Time Period/Length of Audition:	+3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Adcom
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Absolutely Nothing
Product Strengths:	Everything