Looks; size; lightning fast transients; clarity and detail

a bit bright on some soundtracks

Very happy with this product. Perfectly timbre matched wtih Alon full range loudspeakers. Although mids and tweeter are same as in Alon II Mk2 transducers, does not posess the airiness or realism or the full range speakers due to "boxed" design. Initially bright - thought brightness would fade with break in but didn't. Gunshots a bit too metallic, higher octave men's voices took on same quality - thin and somewhat metallic sounding. First added BDR pyramid cones to DVD player and effect cleaned up somewhat but still there. Recently added same cones under the centris, highs now beautifully silky and smooth. Voices now take on a tube-like mellowness that is very easy on the ear and realistic. Clean and robust wtihout the original harshness. Consider the centris as an excellent center channel overall but absolutely needs vibration dampening feet beneath it.

I auditioned the Alon Centris speakers on a recent trip to New York and heard them in a Salon that was not set up particularly well for listening. Nonetheless, the audition was suffecient able to reveal the nature of these speakers. In a word --- unimpressive. In an array of words and clauses --- lacking in dynamics, little palpable presence, spectrally thin, slight of scale (these speakers render a small image as though you are listening to midget muscians --- I am accustomed to my Maggies that through a huge stage --- the Centris by comparison seemed like a miniturization), without any transient attack, and possessing a scant bottom end. To their credit, the transparency is there and the tone and accuracy seems to be there as well. I heard them on three different electronic frontends ranging from 2K to 12K, solid state to tubes. The sound changes in changing the front end but the nature of the speakers is still largely constant.
Overall, I must say that the $800 Vandersteens that I heard at the same shop blew the 3K Alon's away. I'm flabergasted! How can these Alon's be so bad?!

Incredibly quick transient speed, ENORMOUS soundstage, rivals comparably priced speakers when listening in two channel mode

Not enough people know about 'em! :-)

I work in the film industry in LA and I have been interested in the Centris system for some time. I recently auditioned a set of these, and I must say that all the positive press is accurate! I COULD NOT believe what I was hearing! The soundstage was so H U G E and enveloping that it still staggers me when I watch a film. Rainfall in "The Matrix", the sleepy ambience of "Eve's Bayou"...basically anything you through at them, they reproduce with UTTER clarity and speed. I already had a Centris sub, so that part of the equation was covered.

I drive the Centris system with an NAD T770--not exactly the final word in receivers, but I must tell you my HT setup now rivals some of the theaters in town. The soundfield is that good. Even more impressive is the way the speakers respond to transients. Silence one moment and in an instant an explosion startles you with its clarity and immediacy.

On two channel music, the sound is equally intoxicating. Vocals have an ethereal presence and on some recordings I can pinpoint the singer's position in space. The imaging and clarity is unbelievable.

At $3000.00 this system is not for everyone, but if you want actual value vs. dollar spent, this system is impossible to beat at this price point.

I have to agree that Robert's review below strikes me as odd. I, too, auditioned these in a "Boutique" with a wide range of electronics--all at significantly higher pricepoints than my NAD. When I can take a product home and have it sound just as good, however, I consider that a wise investment.

Similar Products Used:

JBL SVA 1500's and JBL SVA Center

Dynamic without sacrificing detail or transient speed!!.

None detected.

I listened to these speakers recently and I came here all ready to write a glowing review, when I read Robert's gloomy review. Could this person have heard the same speakers I had heard? I mean, I know this audio stuff is highly subjective but his review specifically pointed out areas that displeased him that I found to be real strengths of these speakers. So, back I went for another very extended audition just to be sure. Nope. I have to strongly disagree with Robert. He either heard different speakers, defective speakers, an extremely poor setup or some combination thereof. These guys are among the best sets of Home Theater speakers I have ever heard. The soundstage was immense and the speakers absolutely disappeared. I couldn't pinpoint their location to save my life even with very localized sounds. Frequency were very wide and dynamic, yet the sound was very detailed with as forceful a transient attack as I have ever encountered. Bass didn't appear to go much below about 60 Hz, but the excellent Centris sub handled that chore with aplomb. If you get the chance, give them a listen and tell us about it here. I'd like to know if I'm going crazy or not. I really think the Centris system is a good one.