Particularly appreciated this review because 3s are my speakers. Interesting validation on the things I love about the Amphions and the limitations. What I really appreciate about your reviews is that they are balanced and honest. So many reviews on UA-cam read to me uncritical promotional pieces. Keep it coming!
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hi, Tarun! Just wonder if crossover shown at 5:11 is actual crossover of Argon 3S or just some random pic. It looks nice and high quality.
This delightful revelation, even for me with over 40 Years of experiance in this field, was most engaging and educational as well. It makes my day! Bravo Tarun! Best regards
I recently invested in a pair of the 3LS . They are sublime. Very clean sound and impressive clarity. Sensitive sound stage though. So much of an improvement on my previous speakers
Thank you Tarun, I was waiting for this review. I didn't hear all of what I wanted to hear but that's why I value your reviews so highly (if you get my meaning). Now you've got me anticipating the Hegel H 190 review. Through you and other reviewers I am pretty clear on what the H 95 is all about but that is not the case with the H 190. Your reviews are simply the best and I value them, not to mention, anticipate their arrival.
It looks like your search for a superior speaker continues. The old faithful Proacs continue to hold their own, up against more modern competition. Excellent review and thanks for sharing it Tarun.
Thanks for another great review. I’ve been running these with the Nad T778 and work very well for both music and film (although I do have 2 subs). What really sold me was their clarity, they have made me really appreciate music again while film now takes the back seat. Also a bonus they look lovely in the flesh.
Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful review. Neither the Proac nor the Amphions are easily found here in the USA (I have a pair of the Amphion Argon 3Ss, bought from a dealer in Tunbridge Wells) and have them in a 20x25 foot room with a REL T9i sub and a Peachtree 300W class D amplifier. I am pleased with the performance of this pair of speakers, and would expect to have to spend significantly more for better performance.
Bought the bigger version of this speaker 7LS week ago. Paired with Hegel H190 i'm actually blown away. IT has everything i dreamed of base, soundstage, image, clarity and fast responsive to dynamic tracks. Main point why i got them is forgiving room placement. Very very few homes have perfect room or even sound bounces unless you treat your room and have special listening place only for that purpose. Probably next step would be separate DAC in future but for now i'm settled for years.
@@bulb87 It has been long time that i have heard 3S, but least to my ears 7LS has just a perfect amount body and warmth. Very easy for room placement. For me Amphion 7ls are best speakers that i have heard (and now own) 😊
What a well presented and clear review. Thanks Tarun. I have the Amphion Helium in the equivalent size to the Argon Ones, and when it comes to my next upgrade I’d love to try these out.
Designing is compromising. Apparently they did a good job with these Argons. Very interesting. Thanks. It is an interesting quest you have put yourself on - finding speakers that better your Proacs. I was looking at Proac Response D2-s a year ago, but took a good deal on something a little different. As I watch your reviews, I get to thinking I should have stuck with my decision to buy Proac.
You have something very special with your Proac Loudspeakers. Very few people can say that they've been satisfied with the same speakers for 20+ years and have actually looked for other possibilities. I've been looking for 40 years and am still looking.
Great review Tarun, and plenty of technical detail. I demoed the S3s recently, with both the H120 and H390 and they were simply gorgeous. Such a sweet, clean sound. I was very impressed. The H390 added a touch more depth and airiness to the sound but it was very close. If I had £2k to spend, these would definitely be on my shortlist.
Wow Tarun, the videos are coming thick and fast. Thanks. And comparing these speakers to your Proacs is high praise. Not surprised the Proacs won out though. New and better aren't synonymous.
Together with your reviews I love reading the comments from others. One mans meat is another’s poison, the variations in opinions just makes your reviews even more valid. Continue your sojourn to find your next speaker upgrade, or maybe not. Old gear doesn’t necessarily mean it has become redundant. As usual great review and comments from others 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Haven't yet managed to hear Amphions LS (passive radiator) models, but i think that 3L and 7L models were/are more warm sounding, least my 3L sounds quite neutral. Two things that i found to be superior features of Amphion speakers, are how nice those sound even on modest sound levels and how well they are protected from pets and little fingers. Truly highend speakers for normal household. Btw those separetly bought speaker grills fits passive radiators too. Anyway nice review. Thanks!
Excellent review. My Energy Pro 22 were my first speakers ($1000 back in 1982). They had a low crossover at 1500 Hz and a 6 inch stitched polypropylene woofer. I can confirm that this design is close to the best sound you can get from a two way. They had 1.5 inch tweeter. That said the reason I moved on to ATC is the 3 inch dome - the size just seems perfect for mid range. The other issue is that a 1.5inch tweeter can’t play very loud at 1500 HZ - blown tweeters are rather a common issue with designs like this and blown tweeters means hassle for manufacturers with many returns (Energy had this issue and I suspect manufacturers avoid these great sounding designs because of the hassle of too many returns). The best way to deal with the issue is a 250 watt amp as any clipping tends to heat up and burn up a tweeter fairly quickly. I burnt my Energy Tweeters in one week with an 80 watt amp but with 220 watts they still work well 40 years on... So I can confirm as long as you don’t play too loud or clip them - this type two way design is very natural sounding and has great imaging and dies a great disappearing act.
Just keep the ProAcs they look pure class and we all like particular aspects of speakers and after all I have some original Acoustic Energy AE2’s bought in 1989 and still going strong.
Thank you for the review of the Argon 3S. I will now arrange for a home trial to see whether there is synergy with my Atoll IN 200 Amplifier. As usual your review is detailed and dare I say it, educational. Regards Daniel
Nice review, Amphion is a great company and the owner is a very nice guy, always ready to answer questions, I have the Amphion Xenon ( unfortunately not made today ) they are not as good as my Graham Audio LS 5/9, but one thing they have in common is coherence in their sound and one big advantage and probably the best thing about the Amphions is their big sweet spot, in daily life that is very nice to have, one can even sit to the side and the Amphion will put the scene in front of the speakers, it’s like being at a concert, sitting a bit of to the side and still get a great sound, quite remarkable. I agree with their cool Scandinavian sound, but with a warm sounding amp, maybe tubes, that can be worked around if one so chooses. I wish they would upgrade the Xenon’s probably their best speakers.
👍👍💪💪Well I’ve been watching your reviews recently I am from New York City I think you are a great reviewer very trustworthy I believe every word you say👍👍
Hi tarun, another great review. I've always liked sealed box speakers and passive radiator speakers, especially in the bass department, your views on how they sound concur with my own findings, looking forward to another review soon.
Great review Tarun! But , if you like the midrange magic which ProAc ‘s are famous for it would be a hard choice to pass on .One speaker at this price point which I think would be an intriguing comparison would be the absolutely gorgeous Sonus Faber Sonetto 2’s . The midrange on this speaker is its strength ; if you like a warm romantic sound this speaker has it in spades ! It’s a much more laid back speaker compared to the Argon . I’ve listened to these numerous times (through the Hegel 190) and I think they might just replace my Pro Ac ‘s ! Not to mention again they are beautiful pieces of furniture ; I’ve never seen build quality at this price! Cheers , Nigel
Excellent, insightful reviews--- keep going, you will be at 100k subs very soon-- am a touch biased - 80% + of our main system is made in the UK--- Audion, SME, Audionote, ,etc-love your channel--TY
As someone who lived with the 1sc's for years and always regrets selling them, I'll say it would be awesome if you could review any of the current production Proac speakers. The RDB1 or 3, or even a tablette. Thank you! Excellent and spot on videos and reviews, man.
Great review, Tarun. My Monitor Audio Gold GR20s have been with me for a similar period as your Proacs have with you. Like you, I love the sound and it will take a lot to persuade me to part with them. For this reason I hatched a plan to replaced the stock crossover components with significantly better ones from Mills, Mundorf and Hoveland. I am happy to report that as they are running in I am delighted with the results. I remember you having a firtle inside your Proacs not so long ago and what you showed was significantly below the standard components that were inside my GR20s, never mind my new ones. I can’t recommend highly enough carrying out this upgrade. It’s not hard, but neither is it particularly cheap. Oh so worth it though! Cheers, Mark
Hi Tarun, congrats on the channel, great content and very insightful videos. Wanted to ask for your feedback on the following: I recently bought a Naim NAP 200 + NAC 202 preamp. Currently have a pair of KEF R3s. How do you think the Argon 3 would pair with the naim system, and if they would be a tangible improvement over the R3s? Thanks for any comment from your end. Cheers
Well done review, as always, Tarun. I’d have liked to hear a bit more comparison with the Buchardt S400’s as the Amphions look like an upside-down version of the 400’s - or maybe it’s the other way round?
Thank you buddy. They do look similar but sound very different. The Argon 3S are more revealing with a cooler tonal character and more top end extension. The S400s have that great bass weight and dynamics going for them though 😊👍
if anyone else is considering the two. I've compared S400 MKII and the Argon 3S. System used was Yamaha A-S2100 amp and Chord Qutest DAC. Buchardt: - Rosewood veneer is superb - More bass quantity / amount - More dynamic at higher volumes - Vocals are more forward / in the room (an A-S2100 thing. With Hegel H95 this was not the case). Amphion: - Greater transparency and detail. This is most noticeable in bass region. Bass is much, much tighter compared to Buchardts. - Less bass amount, but it's much better quality. - Surprisingly, needs a bit more power (volume knob needs to be dialed up higher to match volume of Buchardts) - A bit brighter sounding. Not a bright speaker, but brighter than Buchardts. - Vocals sit in line with speakers Overall, I prefer the Amphions with my equipment. If you like bass, give Amphions a try.
Hi Tarun, first of all: thank you for the review of this speaker! There are not many of them on the internet. I bought a pair of these last year, replacing their predecessor, the Argon 2, and was surprised by the difference in clarity. Not that the Argon 2 was bad, in contrary! But the 3S is a clear step higher. Overall, your analysis resembles my experience with the 3S's.They're honest, but not always in a beautiful way (as Amphion somewhere states), especially with 'cheap' mixed vocal music. Luckily I stream my music via Roon, which has the option of parametric equalization. With that most of the somewhat weaker points of the speakers and the room they're placed in are controllable in a way my ears like the most without falling short of the quality of the music and the speakers :)
Good sensible, balanced review as ever, Tarun. What are your 1SCs like if closer to the back wall please? I'm moving to house with smaller lounge soon and will be after some new, smaller speakers, but previously found ProAc D2s really needed some space around them. Thanks.
Another great video Tarun always look forward to hearing your thoughts on different audio ,the speakers are food for thought for sure ,still your speakers still give some new speakers a run for there money ,Ps going to try bridging my power amps Tarun biamping did not work out for me ,neighbors are getting worried ,😂😂😂
Hi Tarun, another open, honest and well substantiated, comparative review. I would be interested to learn how you think the ProAc Response DB1's compare, any plans in that department? Andrew.
As you say, they are a similar design to the Buchardt S400 mk2, in terms of waveguide, passive rad, size and price. Which one would you say has the edge Tarun? I've auditioned the Argon 3S but the Buchardt would be a different story (albeit one with a returns policy).
Thank you for this review. I have heard some people say that the tweeters sound strained given the low crossover frequency causing the tweeter to have to do a lot of work. Did you find this to be the case? Did you find this speaker in anyway to be harsh sounding? I am considering purchasing without an audition as it's not possible at the moment as I like the concepts upon which these were created. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Tarun.
Thank you. There is a little bit of hardness in the upper midrange. It is unlikely to be the tweeter being strained as it is present at low listening levels. The waveguide acts like an acoustic amplifier allowing the crossover point to be lowered 😊
Thank you Tarun for this review, I really appreciate your thoughts on audio gear! This review really suits my situation, as I've been looking these speakers some time, and thought what they would bring over their tinier cousins. As much as I like the argon 1's, I would prefer a little bit more presence and punch in the midbass section and feel of scale in the sound. The gap in the price between the two speakers, as you also mentioned, has been holding me back as argon 3s seems a bit pricy, IMO.
Great one Tarun 👍We don't expect anything less 😉. Making speakers isn't just all math's. A speaker also interacts with the room which make it complicated to make it "PERFECT". Sometimes a desgn just hits that magic , often by accident otherwise there will be more speakers like that. I don't think you will find a replacement for your 1SC's in that price range. Those speakers have around 300-500 euro drivers. I guess you need to go DIY where you can go 1000+ euro drivers for that budget. Many DIY designs out there which are top notch.
Thank you Mr HT. Always a pleasure to hear from you and I very much value your support. You may be right about the 1SCs but I haven’t given up just yet 😊👍
Tarun, thanks for another proper review. The 3S seem to have a lot of SQ characteristics in common with the PMC T5.21i's you reviewed a while ago, and they were on my shortlist for new speakers too. How do they compare in your opinion?
Thanks, Tarun, for the great review. I’m wondering if you’ve looked at any of the higher end offerings from DALI - Epicon 2 would probably be out, but maybe the Rubicon 2 or the new Opticon 2 mkII. In the states we have a couple interesting internet direct bookshelf speakers that are on my audition list - Studio Electric M4 and Living Sound Audio 10 Statement. Looking forward to the H190 review and how it compares with the 95.
Actually, the Step would be the match for price. I auditioned these with a Naim Uniti Nova and the definition, sound stage and above else transparency was super impressive. The only down side was a somewhat anemic bass. In any case, I would love to hear your take on the build and performance, and how these stand up to your ProAcs? :-)
I want to ask a follow-up about this video but I should stress that it comes from a perspective of total respect for your work. It sounds like the 3s digs a bit deeper than the 1 (though not as *much* deeper as you would have liked or expected) and it's at least as good at the things you liked about the 1, as well. Would I be correct in deducing that the biggest ( ? only ? ) reason the 1 got an outstanding and the 3s got a highly recommended, is because you felt like the 1 is a much better value? So that, in theory, if a person could afford either one, the 3s would still be an improvement -- just not as much as implied by its bigger size and price tag? In other words, on an absolute scale is the 3s the better speaker?
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you so much! Last night after leaving that huge comment about the Bryston 2BLP, the gears started really chuffing and I came up with a plan that's probably too insane even to merit a Patreon call, but I promise to call you before I do it. The plan? Get a Cambridge CXA81 but use it as a DAC-preamp only to feed a pair of bridged-mono Bryston 2BLP's, and thence into a pair of Argon 1's. That's ... lunacy, I know -- not least because I'd be paying for a really good amp in the Cambridge that I didn't actually need. But I could do it in stages! :D
Hello,i like your honest opinion about the gear that you reviewed over the time, as a former owner of Proac Tablet \Amphion Argon 3\Triangle Genese Trio\Pmc Twenty 24 any many others in this price range i can relate to anything you said, and also i would like you to try Xaxian Xn 270 Evo, you will literaly will be blown away from the outstanding performance,and your search will be by far ended for a long time!Best regards from Romania
Hi Tarun, thank you for another great review. Very interested to hear your thoughts on the Hegel 190, this is a amp I would love to own! Have you tried to get any Graham Audio or Harbeth speakers in to review?
Hey Tarun, that’s a nice speaker and a great review. I just picked up a pair of B&W 705s2. I’m wondering if you could opine on how the Amphion’s would compare to the B&Ws.
Tarun ..great review, I’m wondering if had a chance to listen the the new monitor audio 100 with the amt tweeter… looks like it would fit right in this category
@@abritishaudiophile7314 its a great amplifier and should power most speakers with ease. I had H190 at home for a while to go with my ls50 meta's but felt it was a bit of a waste on my current speakers so i settled on the H120 instead.
Hi Tarun. Thank you for all your thoughtful and considered reviews. How did you find the Argon S3s at low listening volumes (60-75dB)? I am hoping to get a new system soon, replacing my 25 year old AVI models. Do you think a Sugden A21SE amplifier would be a reasonable match with the Argon S3. Thank you once again. John
The Argon 3S is not a thr best speaker to use at low listening volumes. That tends to be the case with speakers that deploy passive radiators. The Sugden is exceptionally good at low listening levels and I would pair it with a classic British monitor 😊
Hi Tarun, do you have any models in mind for consideration? (I am happy to go through Patreon for further advice if that is appropriate). I was thinking if proac D2 or Neat Petite 30. Thank you
@@johnseddon2955 I think both of those will be good options with a Sugden. I would love to see you on Patreon. If you would like me to guide you through purchasing decisions, please select the Benefactor or Consultancy tier. You can switch between tiers as your needs change. www.patreon.com/abritishaudiophile
Does Proac still sell the 1SC? Or have they replaced it? I found the DB1, but that’s € 3000, so not really the same. I might give the Neat Ministra (€ 2300) a listen, seems to fit what I’m looking for.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Okay, good to know. Imported High End audio gear usually gets a bumped a few hundred euros. The ProAc DB1 about €500 extra. However, the argon 3s are the same price here as in the UK. That makes comparisons on my end a bit tricky. I love your reviews. You clearly note what you are hearing taking some subjectivity into account. That’s really both useful and fun for me. I was only wondering about the two models as I’m the market for speakers in that € 2000 ish price range.
@@egorkloos Thank you Egor. I have heard the DB1s briefly and a I suspect they have a cooler tonal balance than my 1SCs. Probably, still warmer than the Argon 3S though. The Argon 3S look a relative bargain where you are though 😊👍
Thanks Tarun, another fine review. BTW I own an original HMV Gramophone from 1929 and if ever you're near to Munich you're welcome to come and review it :-)
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Now therein lies a rather interesting, but too long for here, story. Short version; I sold 20,000 beermats then went to an antique fair on the same day and bought the HMV. Both transactions needed quite some haggling but in the end 760 DM received then paid out for the HMV. Total bargain for a rather rare example. I'd wanted one for many years, especially after my Mum gave me her and Dad's collection of just over 200 old 78's.Shame I can't include a photo here for you. As for Munich, I live a little outside but within easy-ish reach. Tip; Munich High End is always worth a visit. Hope we do get to meet.
Must say I have been using ProAc Response D1 for 9 years in my 2nd system now and failed to find a better speaker at this size/price. Very detailed and disappear if a little bass light. From your reviews looks like I need to just settle down and enjoy their music! Keep up the with reviews as I like your approach. Thank you.
The search continues... Glad to hear the ProAc's are still holding up. ProAc's have a level of musicality that's hard to beat. I still need to hear the 1SC's. It would be interesting to compare them with the LS8's I have. There was a pair of 1SC's going for a good price that I would have bought unfortunately the seller was too far away.
It does indeed Din. That is a shame that you didn’t get to listen to the 1SCs. I suspect you would have liked them. I haven’t heard your LS8s. They look like a forerunner to the 1SC 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I did hear the 1SC briefly many years ago compared to the Proac Tablette Ref 8 sigs. From what I can recollect. The 1SC's were smoother and refined. The Ref 8 were more punchy and a bit more exciting. Would you describe the ProAc midrange as electrostatic like?
if i'd known we had the option of a good boy being included in the setup photos, i would have demanded it for all your future photos sooner. you know what to do.
Is ATC SCM19 more natural because of the more full presentation? Or are there other factors? Thanks, I still haven't made my mind up as to which to buy.
The ProAcs hail from a time when building loudspeakers was cheaper - there were widespread price increases around 10 years ago, which saw many brands going up by 15/20%, and they’ve probably also gone up a few times since then too. It’s a bit like trying to find floorstanders to challenge KEF 104.2s for less than £1,000! I myself tend to not compare compact bookshelf speakers to larger ones - their set of strengths tend to be a little bit different to larger, more full range standmounts, which usually tend to lose out in a couple of areas compared to smaller ones unless enough money is thrown at them. They’re also usually different customers with different needs.
I think I paid about £1,300 for my 1SCs in the premium Yew finish in 1998. The current version (DB1) retails for £2,000. I suppose that is what you expect for a similar quality speaker. Thank you or watching and sharing your experiences 😊
Tarun thanks for another great review. You know, your comment about the combination with the Exposure amps, that's what we all strive for as audiophiles, isn't it? What is the minimum price of entry into that world? That's what i would like to know.
Thank you Jack. The Exposure 2510 paired with Amphion Argon 1s will get you scarcely close to the performance of my Exposure XXI Pre and Super XVIII Monoblocks paired with Argon 3S for a fraction of the price 😊👍
Great review Tarun , as always, one thing I’d love to know about but was absent in this video, do they perform well with moderate to less than ideal recordings? As an ATC owner im pretty fed up with being punished when playing poorly recorded mediums, im starting to look for less revealing and more forgiving speakers.
I agree with CC. The BBC derivatives will be warmer and more forgiving of poorer recordings. As for the Argon 3S they are quite as unforgiving as the ATC SCM19s 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Cheers CC and Tarun for the sound advise (hmm.. sound advice on sound 😜🙄), maybe I’ll look into getting myself a pair of LS3/5, I just need something more forgiving, and don’t overwhelm me with detail like the ATCs
Great review as usual! I have a pair of Proac DT8’s and have measured them in my room and the in room response is quite flat. Maybe a touch of the highs being boosted by about 1.5dbs. What is the usual freq response of Proacs? Do they go for a linear response or have a distinct freq response of their own? Not much info and measurements of recent Proac speakers. Thank you in advance
@@Nightjar726 the”R” versions have a brighter sound. Traditionally, ProAcs have a slight lean on the warm side of neutral but with a very natural midrange 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 thanks Tarun. You seem like a good bloke. Would like to book some time with you just to shoot the breeze about audio. As a former musician, because of an injury to my hand, audio is my new hobby and I’m really enjoying it. Trying new things , reading, taking measurements, and just learning and enjoying. I recently got a Benchmark AHB2 and LH4 preamp to try , and perhaps replace my rega Elex R. Initially I got the AHB2 and had to use the regas preamp to drive it. Was very impressed by the sound. Not at all boring or clinical. Then when I got the benchmark LH4 preamp I was literally blown away. I don’t say that lightly. The level of detail and how real the instruments sounded was amazing. My biggest surprise was the I guess what audiophiles call timing. I’ve never heard and amp preamp combo that captured the timing so precisely. Things aren’t compressed as with the NAIM X3 I tried. It’s just spot on perfection. Will be very difficult to return both items and I don’t think I will. Would like to have this configuration and then maybe try some tube preamps to have a slightly different sound for the future. Have you tried any Benchmark products? I highly suggest you try them , very accurate and musical. Cheers
@@Nightjar726 I would like to get some Benchmark stuff in at some point. It will be great when things get back to normal and I can meet up with viewers such as yourself at a hifi show 😊👍
Mr. Tarun….l am the proud owner of a pair of Triangle trios, augmented by a Carver subwoofer. Couldn’t be happier with the sound. Have QED silver-clad cabling. Would you suggest another type of cable to enhance the sound further?
I have had the Proac D2R’s for about 7 years paired with a Sonneteer Orton & more recently a Matrix Audio element x. Endgame for me until something fails. If you love the Proac signature, the D2R’s are an obvious step up in presence & body. Newer models have an option for ribbon tweeter, although i have not heard what they are like. Slightly more than £2k, but worth saving for.
I have the Orton, and I will probably keep it forever - it's really good. I was about to buy Proac Response D2-s last year, but ended up with some Harbeth C7s 40th Ann. edition. I like them, but I keep wondering if I should have stuck with the Proacs. But I will most likely not change anything anytime soon.
Thank you Dixie. The ProAc D2 is on my radar. I have heard that a few times and always been impressed. I have only heard the “R” ribbon version once and it sounded bright but hat could have been the system or setup. Worth investigating 😊👍
What music did you play as you reviewed? Would the outcome (ProAc vs. Amphion) be the same with bass heavy electronic music such as 'Lorn', 'Calyx & Teebee' etcetera? I believe the larger Amphions with the PR have quite a dynamic reserve in the bass region, and when heavier stuff gets played, they put it out there without a problem. That's when you hear a larger difference between the large and the small one, too.
I assume your comment regarding the bass versus the S400 is referring to S400 MK1 and not MK2? S400 MK2 may be worth reviewing as they are deemed more refined and less bass heavy.... ATC SCM19 continues to be a good option especially with a sub....right?
Reviewing speakers referring back to your ref. speakers is a good idea but, since you have reviewed so many other speakers, you might as well bring up the comparisons with other popular speakers you have reviewed. For example, you have mentioned both Argon 3s and S400 Mkii have more agile, extended bass performance than your Proac (in fact that is expected given the size of the speaker) BUT how is the bass performance compared between Argon 3s and S400 Mkii that many of us are curious. Thank you for the consideration.
Also the Amphion 3S play very well on quiet volumes and the highs are never sharp thanks to the low cross-over. They do have a cool tonality, not clinical though. So would you buy R26 for a DAC, knowing it has a cool tonality too? Would the synergy be too cold altogether? I have a Mojo at the time and looking to upgrade, although Mojo isn't no slouch either and is probably on the warmer side. Thanks for you help it means a lot to me. Edit: My other more preferable options are RME ADI FS 2 and SMSL SU10 just because they're a bit cheaper than the Gustard.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hey, I have a question and hopefully you don't find it too bothersome. have an Amphion Argon 3 and I agree that the tonality isn't extremely natural. Is there anything cheap I can do to get it sound more natural; change power cables: my current ones are Norstone that cost 40 bucks, micro usb cable for Mojo, which is cheap, RCA-cables to amp from DAC (they are very cheap cables too) etc.? Or change the Mojo, and in extreme cases just change the amp (Roksan K3) or the speakers altogether? Thanks, I dont want to be exasperating and bug you too much. 😄
@@turreu no worries. If you are using basic cables I would try Mogami Neglex for interconnects and speaker cables. They are extremely good and don’t cost a fortune 😊
Hello Tarun, thank you again for the serious review and description. Supposedly the design of passive two way dynamic speakers has its limits and you have explored and exhausted them. And may be the development of decent speakers for decent folks who listen to decent music with moderate levels has come to kind of an end. The same goes for other technical devices with a circumscript task, as the 1000£ wristwatch and the fork. Now, one can only look for different design principles like concentric drivers (KEF et.al.), active, dsp controlled competitors, two way stand mounted. Or take the difficult road of comparing them with more or less expensive speakers . But that has to be done blind or else these tests are without value for you. Let alone your followers here. There is a reason why you’re faithful to your Pro Ac.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Christian. Blind testing speakers, that will be tricky to organise and implement. I suspect the active route will pay dividends. Roll on those ATC SCM 40A. Let’s see how they fair? Different price point though 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Yes, I agree. It’s tricky, when you try not to provoke shitstorms. Those tests should have been done by the audio magazines which long ago have abandoned any other methods except reports on personal experiences. Nevertheless technical measurements in combination with listening is helpful. But it’s impossible for a one man team to test and not know what’s under test. Keep on your good work!
I wonder how they compare to the Dynaudio Contour 20i ? They seem to be Buchardt S400 clones, which I found rolled off in the highs . Thanks for a great review!
I have only heard the Contour 20i briefly but they seemed to have a more neutral tonal balance. The Buchardt S400s look similar to the Amphion Argon 3S but Amphion have been doing this for much longer. The two speakers are very different in tonal character 😊
Ok, I was with you all of the way until you said the the extra distortion makes it sound more neutral. 🤔 That sounds like it got warmer which made me feel colder. Other than that great review. I am always a sucker for a speaker with a wave guide tweeter. For all of the reasons you stated as well as time alignment as you eluded to with you transparent and midrange clarity comments. Thx again as always.
Thank you J Ked. I was just revering to the overall tonal balance. The Argon 1 are a little fuller in the lower mids which gives a warmer presentation compared to the 3S. The bigger speakers definitely have better clarity. I could only conclude that this extra warmth came from higher distortion of the smaller driver having to work harder. Not sure what else can explain it 😊👍
Particularly appreciated this review because 3s are my speakers. Interesting validation on the things I love about the Amphions and the limitations. What I really appreciate about your reviews is that they are balanced and honest. So many reviews on UA-cam read to me uncritical promotional pieces. Keep it coming!
100%
Thank you David and Jules. It is receiving feedback like that which makes this so worthwhile 😊👍👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hi, Tarun! Just wonder if crossover shown at 5:11 is actual crossover of Argon 3S or just some random pic. It looks nice and high quality.
@@branobrankic8263 it is the crossover. The manufacturer supplied the picture 😊
Did you try out the +1db treble on the back? Is the change noticable?
Your presentation is getting more polished with each video and your confidence growing - go get them!
Thank you Brian. I am learning slowly 😉👍
Thank you so much for adding imperial units. Your extra effort doesn't go unnoticed.
Thank you Joaquin 😊👍
This delightful revelation, even for me with over 40 Years of experiance in this field, was most engaging and educational as well. It makes my day!
Bravo Tarun!
Best regards
Thank you Hrvoje. Very kind and always a pleasure to hear from you 😊👍👍
☺
I recently invested in a pair of the 3LS . They are sublime. Very clean sound and impressive clarity. Sensitive sound stage though. So much of an improvement on my previous speakers
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
Thank you Tarun, I was waiting for this review. I didn't hear all of what I wanted to hear
but that's why I value your reviews so highly (if you get my meaning). Now you've got me
anticipating the Hegel H 190 review. Through you and other reviewers I am pretty clear
on what the H 95 is all about but that is not the case with the H 190. Your reviews are
simply the best and I value them, not to mention, anticipate their arrival.
Thank you Charles. Always a pleasure to hear from you and I very much value your support 😊👍👍
It looks like your search for a superior speaker continues. The old faithful Proacs continue to hold their own, up against more modern competition. Excellent review and thanks for sharing it Tarun.
Thank you for watching and great to hear from you buddy 😊👍
Excellent review. I am proud that Amphions are made in Finland. Hopefully we will get more similar reviews from lesser known speakers.
Thank you Jari. I am working on it 😊👍
Wow another great content, even someone not planning buying anything still prefer to consume info from your videos , thanks Tarun .
Thanks Atri. That is very kind and very much appreciated 😊👍
Thanks for another great review.
I’ve been running these with the Nad T778 and work very well for both music and film (although I do have 2 subs).
What really sold me was their clarity, they have made me really appreciate music again while film now takes the back seat. Also a bonus they look lovely in the flesh.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful review. Neither the Proac nor the Amphions are easily found here in the USA (I have a pair of the Amphion Argon 3Ss, bought from a dealer in Tunbridge Wells) and have them in a 20x25 foot room with a REL T9i sub and a Peachtree 300W class D amplifier. I am pleased with the performance of this pair of speakers, and would expect to have to spend significantly more for better performance.
Nice system. Thank you for sharing John 👍
It is interesting to see you comparing speakers in this pricepoint. Looking forward to the next review!
Thank you Tymon 😊👍
Not only do you have us itching for this type of setup and equipment balance, but you’re also immensely informative. Learn so much at every vid! 🙏🏼👍🏼
Thank you John. Very kind of you to say 😊👍👍
Bought the bigger version of this speaker 7LS week ago. Paired with Hegel H190 i'm actually blown away. IT has everything i dreamed of base, soundstage, image, clarity and fast responsive to dynamic tracks. Main point why i got them is forgiving room placement. Very very few homes have perfect room or even sound bounces unless you treat your room and have special listening place only for that purpose.
Probably next step would be separate DAC in future but for now i'm settled for years.
That is great. Thank you for sharing 😊
Hi, What can you say about 7Ls midrange? has it more body/warmth than reviewed here 3s?
@@bulb87 It has been long time that i have heard 3S, but least to my ears 7LS has just a perfect amount body and warmth. Very easy for room placement. For me Amphion 7ls are best speakers that i have heard (and now own) 😊
What a well presented and clear review. Thanks Tarun.
I have the Amphion Helium in the equivalent size to the Argon Ones, and when it comes to my next upgrade I’d love to try these out.
Thank you Maki 😊👍
I really enjoy your channel. I have learned a lot!
Thank you Ray 😊👍
Designing is compromising. Apparently they did a good job with these Argons. Very interesting. Thanks. It is an interesting quest you have put yourself on - finding speakers that better your Proacs. I was looking at Proac Response D2-s a year ago, but took a good deal on something a little different. As I watch your reviews, I get to thinking I should have stuck with my decision to buy Proac.
Thank you Kirlu. I have always been impressed with the D2 (non R version). I would love to review it. If i can convince them to send it to me 😊👍
You have something very special with your Proac Loudspeakers. Very few people can say that they've been satisfied with the same speakers for 20+ years and have actually looked for other possibilities. I've been looking for 40 years and am still looking.
Thanks you Jon. You are right, it is rare 😊👍
Great review Tarun, and plenty of technical detail. I demoed the S3s recently, with both the H120 and H390 and they were simply gorgeous. Such a sweet, clean sound. I was very impressed. The H390 added a touch more depth and airiness to the sound but it was very close. If I had £2k to spend, these would definitely be on my shortlist.
Thank you Adam. I appreciate you sharing your experiences 😊👍
Wow Tarun, the videos are coming thick and fast. Thanks.
And comparing these speakers to your Proacs is high praise. Not surprised the Proacs won out though. New and better aren't synonymous.
Thank you buddy. The ProAcs aren’t going anywhere 😊👍
Still got my mission 731 bought 25 years ago when I was 16 👀. They still surprise me when I give them a run 🔊👍
That is great. I still have my Mission 761s. Many happy memories over the years 😊
First speakers I brought great little speakers
Together with your reviews I love reading the comments from others. One mans meat is another’s poison, the variations in opinions just makes your reviews even more valid. Continue your sojourn to find your next speaker upgrade, or maybe not. Old gear doesn’t necessarily mean it has become redundant. As usual great review and comments from others 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you Mike. Very much appreciated and always great to hear from you 😊👍
Absolutely true.
I've tried a fair few speakers in my time, but still come back to my Spendor SP1, old school I know, but just love them.
Cool 😎
Haven't yet managed to hear Amphions LS (passive radiator) models, but i think that 3L and 7L models were/are more warm sounding, least my 3L sounds quite neutral. Two things that i found to be superior features of Amphion speakers, are how nice those sound even on modest sound levels and how well they are protected from pets and little fingers. Truly highend speakers for normal household. Btw those separetly bought speaker grills fits passive radiators too.
Anyway nice review. Thanks!
Thanks, as always a very enjoyable review. Good to see the subs increasing.
Thank you JLA 😊👍
Excellent review. My Energy Pro 22 were my first speakers ($1000 back in 1982). They had a low crossover at 1500 Hz and a 6 inch stitched polypropylene woofer. I can confirm that this design is close to the best sound you can get from a two way. They had 1.5 inch tweeter. That said the reason I moved on to ATC is the 3 inch dome - the size just seems perfect for mid range. The other issue is that a 1.5inch tweeter can’t play very loud at 1500 HZ - blown tweeters are rather a common issue with designs like this and blown tweeters means hassle for manufacturers with many returns (Energy had this issue and I suspect manufacturers avoid these great sounding designs because of the hassle of too many returns). The best way to deal with the issue is a 250 watt amp as any clipping tends to heat up and burn up a tweeter fairly quickly. I burnt my Energy Tweeters in one week with an 80 watt amp but with 220 watts they still work well 40 years on... So I can confirm as long as you don’t play too loud or clip them - this type two way design is very natural sounding and has great imaging and dies a great disappearing act.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Jeremy 😊👍
Another speaker I will have to think about. Great review.
Thank you Richard 😊👍
Fantastic insights, Tarun!
Thank you Tiken 😊👍
Great review as always Tarun. Waiting for your H190 review.
Thank you Sandeep 😊👍
Just keep the ProAcs they look pure class and we all like particular aspects of speakers and after all I have some original Acoustic Energy AE2’s bought in 1989 and still going strong.
Thank you Peter. I suspect they would just get moved to another room if I ever found anything significantly better that I could afford 😊
Thank you for the review of the Argon 3S. I will now arrange for a home trial to see whether there is synergy with my Atoll IN 200 Amplifier. As usual your review is detailed and dare I say it, educational. Regards Daniel
Thank you Daniel. I did try that combo. Very dynamic and on the cool side of neutral 😊👍
Thank you for the heads up Tarun. Much appreciated. Daniel
Nice review, Amphion is a great company and the owner is a very nice guy, always ready to answer questions, I have the Amphion Xenon ( unfortunately not made today ) they are not as good as my Graham Audio LS 5/9, but one thing they have in common is coherence in their sound and one big advantage and probably the best thing about the Amphions is their big sweet spot, in daily life that is very nice to have, one can even sit to the side and the Amphion will put the scene in front of the speakers, it’s like being at a concert, sitting a bit of to the side and still get a great sound, quite remarkable.
I agree with their cool Scandinavian sound, but with a warm sounding amp, maybe tubes, that can be worked around if one so chooses.
I wish they would upgrade the Xenon’s probably their best speakers.
My dealings with Anssi (founder/designer) have always been very positive too. Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences 😊👍
Another fantastic review Tarun. But damn, I though you were finally going to find those Proac killers. So wanting you to find those!
At this price point i dont think there really is a 'better' speaker its just down to what type of sound you prefer.
Thank you Rick. I will keep loving. The Outstanding award is still eluding speakers at around £2k 😊👍
That may well be the case HJC but I am not ready to throw in the towel just yet 😊
👍👍💪💪Well I’ve been watching your reviews recently I am from New York City I think you are a great reviewer very trustworthy I believe every word you say👍👍
Thank you Steve. Very much appreciated 😊👍👍
As always great review Tarun.
Thank you buddy 😊👍
Hi tarun, another great review. I've always liked sealed box speakers and passive radiator speakers, especially in the bass department, your views on how they sound concur with my own findings, looking forward to another review soon.
Thank you Paul 😊👍
Great review Tarun! But , if you like the midrange magic which ProAc ‘s are famous for it would be a hard choice to pass on .One speaker at this price point which I think would be an intriguing comparison would be the absolutely gorgeous Sonus Faber Sonetto 2’s . The midrange on this speaker is its strength ; if you like a warm romantic sound this speaker has it in spades ! It’s a much more laid back speaker compared to the Argon . I’ve listened to these numerous times (through the Hegel 190) and I think they might just replace my Pro Ac ‘s ! Not to mention again they are beautiful pieces of furniture ; I’ve never seen build quality at this price! Cheers , Nigel
Thank you Nigel. I appreciate the heads up 😊👍
Excellent, insightful reviews--- keep going, you will be at 100k subs very soon-- am a touch biased - 80% + of our main system is made in the UK--- Audion, SME, Audionote, ,etc-love your channel--TY
Thank you my friend. Very kind of you to say. That is some system you have 😊👍👍
As someone who lived with the 1sc's for years and always regrets selling them, I'll say it would be awesome if you could review any of the current production Proac speakers. The RDB1 or 3, or even a tablette. Thank you! Excellent and spot on videos and reviews, man.
Thank you Ehud. I did try. Unfortunately, ProAc don’t send products out to UA-cam reviewers. Will try again though 😊👍
Great review, Tarun. My Monitor Audio Gold GR20s have been with me for a similar period as your Proacs have with you. Like you, I love the sound and it will take a lot to persuade me to part with them.
For this reason I hatched a plan to replaced the stock crossover components with significantly better ones from Mills, Mundorf and Hoveland. I am happy to report that as they are running in I am delighted with the results. I remember you having a firtle inside your Proacs not so long ago and what you showed was significantly below the standard components that were inside my GR20s, never mind my new ones.
I can’t recommend highly enough carrying out this upgrade. It’s not hard, but neither is it particularly cheap. Oh so worth it though!
Cheers, Mark
Thank you Mark. It is tempting 😊👍
Thanks for another fantastic review.
Most welcome. Thank you for watching 😊👍
ProAc 1sc still hard to beat ,cash here waiting for as and when it does 👏
Indeed. Thank you CD. I may be a very long wait 😂👍
Hi Tarun, congrats on the channel, great content and very insightful videos. Wanted to ask for your feedback on the following: I recently bought a Naim NAP 200 + NAC 202 preamp. Currently have a pair of KEF R3s. How do you think the Argon 3 would pair with the naim system, and if they would be a tangible improvement over the R3s? Thanks for any comment from your end. Cheers
I haven’t had a proper listen to the R3s. I expect the Argon 3 may be better but would have to get the Kef’s in to compare 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 thanks for commenting back. Have a great day
I’ve auditioned these with the Hegel H190. Very impressive.
Nice combo 😊
Ik like your style and the way you give a review.
Ludo
Thank you Ludo 😊👍
Thanks! Finally got to the Computer so I can like and comment. Much more fun to watch in the theater across the house.
Very cool 😎👍
Well done review, as always, Tarun. I’d have liked to hear a bit more comparison with the Buchardt S400’s as the Amphions look like an upside-down version of the 400’s - or maybe it’s the other way round?
Thank you buddy. They do look similar but sound very different. The Argon 3S are more revealing with a cooler tonal character and more top end extension. The S400s have that great bass weight and dynamics going for them though 😊👍
if anyone else is considering the two. I've compared S400 MKII and the Argon 3S. System used was Yamaha A-S2100 amp and Chord Qutest DAC.
Buchardt:
- Rosewood veneer is superb
- More bass quantity / amount
- More dynamic at higher volumes
- Vocals are more forward / in the room (an A-S2100 thing. With Hegel H95 this was not the case).
Amphion:
- Greater transparency and detail. This is most noticeable in bass region. Bass is much, much tighter compared to Buchardts.
- Less bass amount, but it's much better quality.
- Surprisingly, needs a bit more power (volume knob needs to be dialed up higher to match volume of Buchardts)
- A bit brighter sounding. Not a bright speaker, but brighter than Buchardts.
- Vocals sit in line with speakers
Overall, I prefer the Amphions with my equipment. If you like bass, give Amphions a try.
Hi Tarun, first of all: thank you for the review of this speaker! There are not many of them on the internet. I bought a pair of these last year, replacing their predecessor, the Argon 2, and was surprised by the difference in clarity. Not that the Argon 2 was bad, in contrary! But the 3S is a clear step higher. Overall, your analysis resembles my experience with the 3S's.They're honest, but not always in a beautiful way (as Amphion somewhere states), especially with 'cheap' mixed vocal music. Luckily I stream my music via Roon, which has the option of parametric equalization. With that most of the somewhat weaker points of the speakers and the room they're placed in are controllable in a way my ears like the most without falling short of the quality of the music and the speakers :)
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences of the Argon 3S. Much appreciated 😊👍
Great review 🎉
Thank you 😊
Good sensible, balanced review as ever, Tarun. What are your 1SCs like if closer to the back wall please? I'm moving to house with smaller lounge soon and will be after some new, smaller speakers, but previously found ProAc D2s really needed some space around them. Thanks.
Thank you Rob. The 1SCs like a bit of space too. Argon 3S are better close to walls 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Nice one, thanks
Another great video Tarun always look forward to hearing your thoughts on different audio ,the speakers are food for thought for sure ,still your speakers still give some new speakers a run for there money ,Ps going to try bridging my power amps Tarun biamping did not work out for me ,neighbors are getting worried ,😂😂😂
Thank you Archie. Please let me know how you get on 😊👍
Hi Tarun, another open, honest and well substantiated, comparative review. I would be interested to learn how you think the ProAc Response DB1's compare, any plans in that department? Andrew.
Thank you Andrew. I did try to get ProAc to send me them last year. No joy then but will try again 😊👍
Another great review, I stay with the Pylon Diamond Monitor, even cheaper..maybe not so easy to get for review but you can always ask Pylon Audio 🙂
Thank you SM. I haven’t come across them as yet 😉👍
Thank You. I will have to dig deeper into these Looking to replace a set of Dynaudios
Thank you Jason. Definitely worth auditioning 😊👍
A very informativ and well thought out review once again, goof job! Did you get to check out some Aurelia speakers yet :)?
Thank you Tony. I appreciate the suggestion but I haven’t had a chance to look into it yet 😊👍
As you say, they are a similar design to the Buchardt S400 mk2, in terms of waveguide, passive rad, size and price. Which one would you say has the edge Tarun? I've auditioned the Argon 3S but the Buchardt would be a different story (albeit one with a returns policy).
The S400 Mk2 os very similar in presentation to the Argon 3S. I would need to AB both of them to pull out specific differences 😊
Thank you for this review. I have heard some people say that the tweeters sound strained given the low crossover frequency causing the tweeter to have to do a lot of work. Did you find this to be the case? Did you find this speaker in anyway to be harsh sounding? I am considering purchasing without an audition as it's not possible at the moment as I like the concepts upon which these were created. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Tarun.
Thank you. There is a little bit of hardness in the upper midrange. It is unlikely to be the tweeter being strained as it is present at low listening levels. The waveguide acts like an acoustic amplifier allowing the crossover point to be lowered 😊
Great channel. Would be interested to see a naim amp review and how it compares to your hegel. Currently looking for a new amp for my proac d2’s.
Thank you TV. I hope to do that in time 😊👍
Looking forward to that H190 review. My finger is on the trigger, and I need just one good reason. Your review would definitely do it. 🙂
Thank you Raaj. Not long to wait now 😊👍
Thank you Tarun for this review, I really appreciate your thoughts on audio gear! This review really suits my situation, as I've been looking these speakers some time, and thought what they would bring over their tinier cousins. As much as I like the argon 1's, I would prefer a little bit more presence and punch in the midbass section and feel of scale in the sound. The gap in the price between the two speakers, as you also mentioned, has been holding me back as argon 3s seems a bit pricy, IMO.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Antti 😊👍
Great one Tarun 👍We don't expect anything less 😉.
Making speakers isn't just all math's. A speaker also interacts with the room which make it complicated to make it "PERFECT". Sometimes a desgn just hits that magic , often by accident otherwise there will be more speakers like that.
I don't think you will find a replacement for your 1SC's in that price range. Those speakers have around 300-500 euro drivers. I guess you need to go DIY where you can go 1000+ euro drivers for that budget. Many DIY designs out there which are top notch.
Thank you Mr HT. Always a pleasure to hear from you and I very much value your support. You may be right about the 1SCs but I haven’t given up just yet 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 good, keep seaching...so we get more great reviews😁. Like I said before Graham chartwell LS6 might be the one 😉
Its testimony really to the quality of the ProAcs
I would agree. Thank you for watching JD 😊👍
Tarun, thanks for another proper review. The 3S seem to have a lot of SQ characteristics in common with the PMC T5.21i's you reviewed a while ago, and they were on my shortlist for new speakers too. How do they compare in your opinion?
Thank you. The PMC have are even cooler in presentation with a stronger bass 😊👍
Thanks, Tarun, for the great review.
I’m wondering if you’ve looked at any of the higher end offerings from DALI - Epicon 2 would probably be out, but maybe the Rubicon 2 or the new Opticon 2 mkII.
In the states we have a couple interesting internet direct bookshelf speakers that are on my audition list - Studio Electric M4 and Living Sound Audio 10 Statement.
Looking forward to the H190 review and how it compares with the 95.
Thank you Matt. I would love to review some Dali speakers. I haven’t got a contact at Dali as yet 😊👍
Hi Tarun, best technical insight and audio gear reviews! I would be really interested in your views of Audio Physic speakers, in particular the Spark.
Thank you. I appreciate the suggestion 👍😊👍
Actually, the Step would be the match for price. I auditioned these with a Naim Uniti Nova and the definition, sound stage and above else transparency was super impressive. The only down side was a somewhat anemic bass. In any case, I would love to hear your take on the build and performance, and how these stand up to your ProAcs? :-)
I want to ask a follow-up about this video but I should stress that it comes from a perspective of total respect for your work. It sounds like the 3s digs a bit deeper than the 1 (though not as *much* deeper as you would have liked or expected) and it's at least as good at the things you liked about the 1, as well. Would I be correct in deducing that the biggest ( ? only ? ) reason the 1 got an outstanding and the 3s got a highly recommended, is because you felt like the 1 is a much better value? So that, in theory, if a person could afford either one, the 3s would still be an improvement -- just not as much as implied by its bigger size and price tag? In other words, on an absolute scale is the 3s the better speaker?
The 3S is a step up in terms of clarity over the 1 but also shifts the tonal balance to the cooler side. In that respect I prefer the Argon 1 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you so much!
Last night after leaving that huge comment about the Bryston 2BLP, the gears started really chuffing and I came up with a plan that's probably too insane even to merit a Patreon call, but I promise to call you before I do it. The plan? Get a Cambridge CXA81 but use it as a DAC-preamp only to feed a pair of bridged-mono Bryston 2BLP's, and thence into a pair of Argon 1's. That's ... lunacy, I know -- not least because I'd be paying for a really good amp in the Cambridge that I didn't actually need. But I could do it in stages! :D
@@CinemaDemocratica there must be a better solution than that 🤔
@@abritishaudiophile7314 The CXA81 by itself, for a start. :D
Hello,i like your honest opinion about the gear that you reviewed over the time, as a former owner of Proac Tablet \Amphion Argon 3\Triangle Genese Trio\Pmc Twenty 24 any many others in this price range i can relate to anything you said, and also i would like you to try Xaxian Xn 270 Evo, you will literaly will be blown away from the outstanding performance,and your search will be by far ended for a long time!Best regards from Romania
Thank you Litvin. I appreciate your suggestion 😊👍
Hi Tarun, thank you for another great review.
Very interested to hear your thoughts on the Hegel 190, this is a amp I would love to own!
Have you tried to get any Graham Audio or Harbeth speakers in to review?
Thank you Steven. I haven’t heard Graham Audio of Harbeth speakers as home as yet. Hope to though 😊👍
Hey Tarun, that’s a nice speaker and a great review. I just picked up a pair of B&W 705s2. I’m wondering if you could opine on how the Amphion’s would compare to the B&Ws.
Thank you. I hope to get some B&Ws in to find out 😉👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 can’t wait! Please get them before my return window expires! Lol
Tarun ..great review, I’m wondering if had a chance to listen the the new monitor audio 100 with the amt tweeter… looks like it would fit right in this category
I will look forward to hearing your review on the Hegel H190!
Should be soon 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 its a great amplifier and should power most speakers with ease.
I had H190 at home for a while to go with my ls50 meta's but felt it was a bit of a waste on my current speakers so i settled on the H120 instead.
Hi Tarun. Thank you for all your thoughtful and considered reviews. How did you find the Argon S3s at low listening volumes (60-75dB)? I am hoping to get a new system soon, replacing my 25 year old AVI models. Do you think a Sugden A21SE amplifier would be a reasonable match with the Argon S3. Thank you once again. John
The Argon 3S is not a thr best speaker to use at low listening volumes. That tends to be the case with speakers that deploy passive radiators. The Sugden is exceptionally good at low listening levels and I would pair it with a classic British monitor 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thank you for replying Tarun and sharing your knowledge and wisdom. John x
Hi Tarun, do you have any models in mind for consideration? (I am happy to go through Patreon for further advice if that is appropriate). I was thinking if proac D2 or Neat Petite 30. Thank you
@@johnseddon2955 I think both of those will be good options with a Sugden. I would love to see you on Patreon. If you would like me to guide you through purchasing decisions, please select the Benefactor or Consultancy tier. You can switch between tiers as your needs change.
www.patreon.com/abritishaudiophile
Thank you Tarun. I’ll hit you up on Patreon. John
Does Proac still sell the 1SC? Or have they replaced it? I found the DB1, but that’s € 3000, so not really the same. I might give the Neat Ministra (€ 2300) a listen, seems to fit what I’m looking for.
The DB1 is the direct replacement of the 1SCs. They are around £2k in the U.K. unless there has been a recent price increase 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Okay, good to know. Imported High End audio gear usually gets a bumped a few hundred euros. The ProAc DB1 about €500 extra. However, the argon 3s are the same price here as in the UK. That makes comparisons on my end a bit tricky. I love your reviews. You clearly note what you are hearing taking some subjectivity into account. That’s really both useful and fun for me.
I was only wondering about the two models as I’m the market for speakers in that € 2000 ish price range.
@@egorkloos Thank you Egor. I have heard the DB1s briefly and a I suspect they have a cooler tonal balance than my 1SCs. Probably, still warmer than the Argon 3S though. The Argon 3S look a relative bargain where you are though 😊👍
Thanks Tarun, another fine review. BTW I own an original HMV Gramophone from 1929 and if ever you're near to Munich you're welcome to come and review it :-)
Wow! That is amazing! Thank you Keith. I would love to take you up on that if I am ever in the vicinity 😊👍👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Now therein lies a rather interesting, but too long for here, story. Short version; I sold 20,000 beermats then went to an antique fair on the same day and bought the HMV. Both transactions needed quite some haggling but in the end 760 DM received then paid out for the HMV. Total bargain for a rather rare example. I'd wanted one for many years, especially after my Mum gave me her and Dad's collection of just over 200 old 78's.Shame I can't include a photo here for you. As for Munich, I live a little outside but within easy-ish reach. Tip; Munich High End is always worth a visit. Hope we do get to meet.
@@keithwood4031 if we meet up one day, I would like the long version of that story 😊👍
Must say I have been using ProAc Response D1 for 9 years in my 2nd system now and failed to find a better speaker at this size/price. Very detailed and disappear if a little bass light. From your reviews looks like I need to just settle down and enjoy their music! Keep up the with reviews as I like your approach. Thank you.
Thank you Derek. I suspect you are right, they are going to be hard to beat but I haven’t given up 😊👍
Love your room !! Do you have any room acoustic treatments ?
Not formal ones 😉
The search continues... Glad to hear the ProAc's are still holding up. ProAc's have a level of musicality that's hard to beat. I still need to hear the 1SC's. It would be interesting to compare them with the LS8's I have. There was a pair of 1SC's going for a good price that I would have bought unfortunately the seller was too far away.
It does indeed Din. That is a shame that you didn’t get to listen to the 1SCs. I suspect you would have liked them. I haven’t heard your LS8s. They look like a forerunner to the 1SC 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I did hear the 1SC briefly many years ago compared to the Proac Tablette Ref 8 sigs. From what I can recollect. The 1SC's were smoother and refined. The Ref 8 were more punchy and a bit more exciting.
Would you describe the ProAc midrange as electrostatic like?
@@kingmonkey88 very revealing which is certainly a characteristic of a good electrostatic speaker 😊
if i'd known we had the option of a good boy being included in the setup photos, i would have demanded it for all your future photos sooner.
you know what to do.
Would love to hear your thoughts about the dynaudio evoke 20. Roughly at the 2k £ mark.
They have had some supply issues. I need to get back to remind them 😊👍
Is ATC SCM19 more natural because of the more full presentation? Or are there other factors? Thanks, I still haven't made my mind up as to which to buy.
Essentially, yes it has a more natural tonality 😊
The ProAcs hail from a time when building loudspeakers was cheaper - there were widespread price increases around 10 years ago, which saw many brands going up by 15/20%, and they’ve probably also gone up a few times since then too. It’s a bit like trying to find floorstanders to challenge KEF 104.2s for less than £1,000!
I myself tend to not compare compact bookshelf speakers to larger ones - their set of strengths tend to be a little bit different to larger, more full range standmounts, which usually tend to lose out in a couple of areas compared to smaller ones unless enough money is thrown at them. They’re also usually different customers with different needs.
I think I paid about £1,300 for my 1SCs in the premium Yew finish in 1998. The current version (DB1) retails for £2,000. I suppose that is what you expect for a similar quality speaker. Thank you or watching and sharing your experiences 😊
Tarun thanks for another great review. You know, your comment about the combination with the Exposure amps, that's what we all strive for as audiophiles, isn't it? What is the minimum price of entry into that world? That's what i would like to know.
Thank you Jack. The Exposure 2510 paired with Amphion Argon 1s will get you scarcely close to the performance of my Exposure XXI Pre and Super XVIII Monoblocks paired with Argon 3S for a fraction of the price 😊👍
Terrific review
Thank you David 😊👍
Great review Tarun , as always, one thing I’d love to know about but was absent in this video, do they perform well with moderate to less than ideal recordings? As an ATC owner im pretty fed up with being punished when playing poorly recorded mediums, im starting to look for less revealing and more forgiving speakers.
A pair of Graham Audio LS5/9 could do the trick. Not as fast as ATC of course but everything will sound good on those.
I agree with CC. The BBC derivatives will be warmer and more forgiving of poorer recordings. As for the Argon 3S they are quite as unforgiving as the ATC SCM19s 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Cheers CC and Tarun for the sound advise (hmm.. sound advice on sound 😜🙄), maybe I’ll look into getting myself a pair of LS3/5, I just need something more forgiving, and don’t overwhelm me with detail like the ATCs
omg the cute dog in the picture, I love it!!!!!! :D
Thank you buddy 👍
Great review as usual!
I have a pair of Proac DT8’s and have measured them in my room and the in room response is quite flat. Maybe a touch of the highs being boosted by about 1.5dbs.
What is the usual freq response of Proacs? Do they go for a linear response or have a distinct freq response of their own? Not much info and measurements of recent Proac speakers.
Thank you in advance
Thank you buddy. I would need to get one home to get an idea of what is going on 😉👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 you mean a Proac DT8?
I was thinking Proac has a certain sound sig across the board. What would you say that is?
@@Nightjar726 the”R” versions have a brighter sound. Traditionally, ProAcs have a slight lean on the warm side of neutral but with a very natural midrange 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 thanks Tarun. You seem like a good bloke. Would like to book some time with you just to shoot the breeze about audio.
As a former musician, because of an injury to my hand, audio is my new hobby and I’m really enjoying it. Trying new things , reading, taking measurements, and just learning and enjoying.
I recently got a Benchmark AHB2 and LH4 preamp to try , and perhaps replace my rega Elex R. Initially I got the AHB2 and had to use the regas preamp to drive it. Was very impressed by the sound. Not at all boring or clinical. Then when I got the benchmark LH4 preamp I was literally blown away. I don’t say that lightly. The level of detail and how real the instruments sounded was amazing. My biggest surprise was the I guess what audiophiles call timing. I’ve never heard and amp preamp combo that captured the timing so precisely. Things aren’t compressed as with the NAIM X3 I tried. It’s just spot on perfection.
Will be very difficult to return both items and I don’t think I will.
Would like to have this configuration and then maybe try some tube preamps to have a slightly different sound for the future.
Have you tried any Benchmark products? I highly suggest you try them , very accurate and musical.
Cheers
@@Nightjar726 I would like to get some Benchmark stuff in at some point. It will be great when things get back to normal and I can meet up with viewers such as yourself at a hifi show 😊👍
Mr. Tarun….l am the proud owner of a pair of Triangle trios, augmented by a Carver subwoofer. Couldn’t be happier with the sound. Have QED silver-clad cabling. Would you suggest another type of cable to enhance the sound further?
Thank you for sharing. If you are happy with what you have, I wouldn’t change unless you fancy experimenting 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 that l DO😊
I have had the Proac D2R’s for about 7 years paired with a Sonneteer Orton & more recently a Matrix Audio element x. Endgame for me until something fails. If you love the Proac signature, the D2R’s are an obvious step up in presence & body. Newer models have an option for ribbon tweeter, although i have not heard what they are like. Slightly more than £2k, but worth saving for.
I have the Orton, and I will probably keep it forever - it's really good. I was about to buy Proac Response D2-s last year, but ended up with some Harbeth C7s 40th Ann. edition. I like them, but I keep wondering if I should have stuck with the Proacs. But I will most likely not change anything anytime soon.
Thank you Dixie. The ProAc D2 is on my radar. I have heard that a few times and always been impressed. I have only heard the “R” ribbon version once and it sounded bright but hat could have been the system or setup. Worth investigating 😊👍
@@kirlu50Love my Orton :) I don’t think there is much between the Proac’s & the Harbeth’s, both are great BBC speakers and very similar presentation.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 what is your thought about DT8 floorstand ? is it bright signature?
Nice review, thanks. Maybe something I will be looking for if the Epos Elan 10s ever begin to tire...
Thank you Nixy 😊👍
What music did you play as you reviewed? Would the outcome (ProAc vs. Amphion) be the same with bass heavy electronic music such as 'Lorn', 'Calyx & Teebee' etcetera? I believe the larger Amphions with the PR have quite a dynamic reserve in the bass region, and when heavier stuff gets played, they put it out there without a problem. That's when you hear a larger difference between the large and the small one, too.
I have about 1000 tracks in different playlist. All differentiated by mood and genre 😊
I assume your comment regarding the bass versus the S400 is referring to S400 MK1 and not MK2? S400 MK2 may be worth reviewing as they are deemed more refined and less bass heavy.... ATC SCM19 continues to be a good option especially with a sub....right?
I am reviewing them now 😊
Reviewing speakers referring back to your ref. speakers is a good idea but, since you have reviewed so many other speakers, you might as well bring up the comparisons with other popular speakers you have reviewed. For example, you have mentioned both Argon 3s and S400 Mkii have more agile, extended bass performance than your Proac (in fact that is expected given the size of the speaker) BUT how is the bass performance compared between Argon 3s and S400 Mkii that many of us are curious. Thank you for the consideration.
Thank you. The S400 Mk2 and the Argon 3S have very similar bass performance 😊
Great work as always,keep the good work up. Can you at sometime do a review on spendoraudio speakers,thanks
Thank you Mark. I hope to 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 thank you
Also the Amphion 3S play very well on quiet volumes and the highs are never sharp thanks to the low cross-over. They do have a cool tonality, not clinical though. So would you buy R26 for a DAC, knowing it has a cool tonality too? Would the synergy be too cold altogether? I have a Mojo at the time and looking to upgrade, although Mojo isn't no slouch either and is probably on the warmer side. Thanks for you help it means a lot to me.
Edit: My other more preferable options are RME ADI FS 2 and SMSL SU10 just because they're a bit cheaper than the Gustard.
The R26 is cooler than the Mojo. It is hard to say if you think it will be too cool in your system 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Thanks! I guess it's just trial and error. Sending it back wouldn't cost me much.
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Hey, I have a question and hopefully you don't find it too bothersome. have an Amphion Argon 3 and I agree that the tonality isn't extremely natural. Is there anything cheap I can do to get it sound more natural; change power cables: my current ones are Norstone that cost 40 bucks, micro usb cable for Mojo, which is cheap, RCA-cables to amp from DAC (they are very cheap cables too) etc.? Or change the Mojo, and in extreme cases just change the amp (Roksan K3) or the speakers altogether? Thanks, I dont want to be exasperating and bug you too much. 😄
@@turreu no worries. If you are using basic cables I would try Mogami Neglex for interconnects and speaker cables. They are extremely good and don’t cost a fortune 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 I went with Audioquest Rocket 11, 20 euros for a metre. Do you have any experience with Audioquest?
Killer review
Thank you Doug 😊👍
The mighty Response 1SC marches on...
Plenty of life in the old dog 🐶👍
Hello Tarun, thank you again for the serious review and description. Supposedly the design of passive two way dynamic speakers has its limits and you have explored and exhausted them. And may be the development of decent speakers for decent folks who listen to decent music with moderate levels has come to kind of an end. The same goes for other technical devices with a circumscript task, as the 1000£ wristwatch and the fork.
Now, one can only look for different design principles like concentric drivers (KEF et.al.), active, dsp controlled competitors, two way stand mounted. Or take the difficult road of comparing them with more or less expensive speakers . But that has to be done blind or else these tests are without value for you. Let alone your followers here.
There is a reason why you’re faithful to your Pro Ac.
Thank you for watching and sharing your experiences Christian. Blind testing speakers, that will be tricky to organise and implement. I suspect the active route will pay dividends. Roll on those ATC SCM 40A. Let’s see how they fair? Different price point though 😊
@@abritishaudiophile7314 Yes, I agree. It’s tricky, when you try not to provoke shitstorms. Those tests should have been done by the audio magazines which long ago have abandoned any other methods except reports on personal experiences. Nevertheless technical measurements in combination with listening is helpful. But it’s impossible for a one man team to test and not know what’s under test.
Keep on your good work!
@@ChristianGoergen thank you Christian 😊👍
Those speakers look eerily smooth... still as long as they work great :P
Thank you for watching 😊
I wonder how they compare to the Dynaudio Contour 20i ?
They seem to be Buchardt S400 clones, which I found rolled off in the highs .
Thanks for a great review!
I have only heard the Contour 20i briefly but they seemed to have a more neutral tonal balance. The Buchardt S400s look similar to the Amphion Argon 3S but Amphion have been doing this for much longer. The two speakers are very different in tonal character 😊
Ok, I was with you all of the way until you said the the extra distortion makes it sound more neutral. 🤔
That sounds like it got warmer which made me feel colder.
Other than that great review. I am always a sucker for a speaker with a wave guide tweeter. For all of the reasons you stated as well as time alignment as you eluded to with you transparent and midrange clarity comments. Thx again as always.
Thank you J Ked. I was just revering to the overall tonal balance. The Argon 1 are a little fuller in the lower mids which gives a warmer presentation compared to the 3S. The bigger speakers definitely have better clarity. I could only conclude that this extra warmth came from higher distortion of the smaller driver having to work harder. Not sure what else can explain it 😊👍
@@abritishaudiophile7314 gotcha.👍
Just a question about price: When you quote prices, do you mean that is the price per speaker, or rather per pair?
Per pair 😊