Feedback from Osborn Owners.
(1)
Grand Monument Reference
I bought an Audio
Aero Capitale power amp push pull 50 watts pure class A. Plus
the Audio Aero Prestige Signature CD player, the Grand Monument
Reference, Osborn data link cables and a Consonance power filter.
Speaker's I've listened to are the JM Labs Grand utopia, Wilson
Watt/Puppy and many more in this Hi End range. I will describe
the Grand Monuments... they are very big and very heavy. The sound
is absolutely amazing. Transparent like you wouldn't believe;
it's as if the sounds come to the back of your head, plus 3 metres
to the outer side of the speakers, filling up a large room. Instruments
sound like you're at a live concert, bass goes down to sub sonic
regions, but all balanced with the mid and high's.
It's hard to say that $18,500 is a bargain but it's true... if
you don't believe me have a listen for yourself and make up your
own mind. I've been into hi end hi fi for more than 20 years and
I've never owned, or seen a system like this one before. There
is only one more thing to say... Greg Osborn from Osborn loud
speakers makes one of the finest speakers in the world. I take
my hat off to him.
Strength
Transparent beyond this world, bass mid and top end balanced,
suites medium to large rooms, Bubinga timber glossed, looks fantastic
on the Grand Monuments.
Weakness
It's big and heavy (make sure you have a strong back), need good
gear like Audio Aero, price not in the reach to all enthusiast
hi end puffs but Grand Utopia costing about $140,000 Australian
dollars it's bargain for the Grand Monuments Ref.
Customer Service
Greg Osborn is a very nice guy as he lets you try the equipment
before you buy it, no pressure and he is an honest person, not
like others in the industry that are money hungry and no customer
service once they've got your money.
Greg Osborn keep up the good work!
Walter Moro victorianpestcontrol@hotmail.com
(2)
Grand
Monument Reference
Please see item (1) in entire systems
(3)
Grand
Monument Reference
From: "David Payes"
<dpayes@ctstravel.com.au>
To: seahss@singnet.com.sg
Subject: Re: Grand Monument Ref - comments please I am happy to
share my experiences with both the Grand Monument and Grand Monument
Reference speakers.
By way of background ,
the speakers I previously owned were;
Sonus Faber Guaneries
Aerial 10ts
Avalon Ascent Mk 11
Rockport Synergy
I have also extensively auditioned the Watt /Puppy 5 system. The
Grand Monuments in terms of scale and resolution out perform all
of the above. There is a complete lack of compression which imparts
a true sense of musical reality.
Sound staging is at least as good as the Ascents and imaging was
only bettered by the Guaneries. The Reference series , mine has
the new Focal Telar 57 tweeter (the older version of which is
used in the Grand Utopia, US$65000) as well a full lead lining,
is a level of magnitude above the Grand Monument. The Reference
has a level of refinement above most other speakers in its class.
The treble is detailed but with a complete absence of Hi Fi etchiness
or brightness.
Imaging on the References approaches the levels of the Guaneries.
Macrodyamics and bass slam on the Reference are the best
I've heard on any system (including the Wilson Grand Slam). Its
interesting to note that the Drivers on the Reference are better
than those on the Grand Slam (US$75,000), with the exception of
the bass drivers, which are the same Focal 13'' units. The
rest of my system consists of the following;
CD - Sonic Frontiers FSCD1
Pre Amplifier - Sonic Frontiers Line 3
Amplifier - BAT VK 500
Cables - MIT 750 and 330 's
Power Cords NBS Signatures
I have driven the References
with much smaller integrated amps such as the Gryphon Tabu . The
Metaxas Soliloquies also sounded great with the speakers , BTW
the Metaxas was the designers reference Amp . I'm pleased your
customer found my comments useful .
The performance of the speaker excels in all areas. Whether it
is the effect of the new tweeter or the lead-lining of the cabinet
walls, micro dynamics, the so called inner musical detail that
most audiophiles love so much, is superb on the Reference Monuments.
Vocal inflections on good recordings (e.g. Betty Carter/Ray Charles)
are rendered almost life like. Harmonic structures particularly
of Cello and double bass are better than any speaker I've heard
to date. Despite its awesome sense of scale, the speaker can reproduce
the most delicate musical nuance, it is almost the perfect speaker
(except its somewhat daunting size)
(4)
Grand Epitome Reference Speakers
Dear Greg,
As you're aware I've been using the Osborn Epitome Mk V. Grand Reference now for about 6 months on a regular basis, thus I thought I'd give you an update as to their ongoing performance.
During the last 6 months
many guests have had the privilege of auditioning the speakers
in our living room, and to date no one has left disappointed,
all who have listened, have gone away thinking their own systems
pail into insignificance when compared to the sounds emanating
from the Osborns. The entire audio spectrum is fabulous with a
definite sense of authority, which was completely absent from
my last set of speakers. The bass is incredibly deep and powerful,
not in a overpowering way, but entirely dependant on the quality
of the recording. If the CD was recorded with heavy bass then
that bass translates to the listening experience. The top end
(Tweeter) is so clear that listening to any other speaker now
just makes me want to leave the room. Greg, That Focal Audium
tweeter is one of a kind, it should be mandatory on your entire
speaker line-up, cost aside.
The colour of the Speaker has settled in nicely, Tasmanian Blackwood
is superb and complements the room beautifully, in fact a few
guests have made a comment to that effect.
On a final note, I've come to recognise the only weak point in
my system, now stems from my old Musical Fidelity CD player. Once,
enough spare entertainment funds are available, the Audio Aero
Capitole 24/192 CD player will complete the musical experience.
The Epitome's are truly magnificent, I've heard many speakers systems over the last few years, but the last six months only vindicate my selection choice.
Yours Sincerely,
Viren Khatri, Sydney, Australia.
VirenK@datacom.com.au
(5)
Hi Greg,
It has been eleven (11)
days since I took delivery of your magnificent speakers. They
really are a revelation in just how much I have been missing in
fine musical detail from my previous speakers. The clear separation
of individual instruments and notes is truly amazing. I certainly
now understand the term “want to listen longer”, it
certainly applies to your speakers.
My
wife and I are both extremely pleased with the Grand Epitome Reference
speakers. The ‘look’, fit and finish of these speakers
is truly world class and they are certainly comparable with any
hi-class piece of furniture. How do we think they sound? Beautifully
natural and ‘life-like’ is the impression that best
describes how we feel about them. The sound stage and imaging
these speakers impart is a wonderfully soothing experience, it
is though you are ‘there’ listening to a live performance.
We find ourselves listening with a smile! ( to think they will
only get better – awesome!)
I can honestly say “we are proud to own them”. It has been a pleasure dealing with you Greg.
Cheers
Murray Ellison. NSW, Australia
mdhre@ceinternet.com.au