Excellent Sound

I'm moving

I have a pair of L1290 with the Biamps. Does anyone want to buy them?

heavenly highs, natural and detailed, immerse you in measureless content. Mid bass strikes and bounces, very articulate and accurate. Low end is fast, tight, and controlled, due to the acoustics suspension enclosure (the only kind I perfer).

Whatever happend to ADS home audio? Who do they not make these anymore?

A cost conscious buyer in my twenties I got these. Now I'm a middle age lawyer. My sentiments are not the comments expressed below, namely, that these speakers are almost anticlimactic: Once you have them, not much else, regardless of size or price, gets you excited. I recently wanted to try new things, new technologies. For example, I took home a pair of Bose 901s, being curious about their alleged StereoEverywhere(TM) acoustics matrix design (nine full range drivers with 8 facing backwards). Let's just say after one comparison playback on the 901s and my ADS, I wanted to throw the 901s (what a joke!) out the window. I have a M&K MX series (dual 12" push-pull sub), but after awhile I permanently turned it off because they take away from the ADS integrated near perfection sound. And like most of you ADS owners, I'm keeping mine. They brought me joy through the years, and will for many more.

Similar Products Used:

None, for less than $5,000 (not kidding).

Clean, natural, easy to listen to

I've got the earlier L1530's and a pair of L1590's, the L1290's big brother. An opportunity came up on ebay to own the 1590's with the exceptionally rare a/d/s PA1 biamps!
The PA1's were made specifically for the 1290 and 1590 series. They fit directly into the rear well of the speaker
where the inputs are and screw into place. 150w/low frequency and 100/w mid/hi frequency. Well, I drove from Mass to Long Island NY and picked up the speakers/biamps after winning the auction. I should say that for years I've enjoyed the sound of the other a/d/s speakers I still own.
The 1590's are open, clean, detailed and create a wide and deep soundstage! I've listened to now B+W, Klipsch, Infinity
and others that can't hold a candle to these. I have been in contact with a/d/s and replacement tweeters are available, and they can rebuild the midrange drivers if need be.
If you are thinking about new speakers and your budget is $3000, go listen to what your $3000 will buy, and then find used 1290/1590's to listen to. You won't buy the new $3000 speakers!

Similar Products Used:

a/d/s L620, L9e, L1530

Image very well, fast controlled bass, a delight to own!

none that I can think of right now.

I love these speakers, have brought new life to old recordings, live shows etc.. If you can find a pair used, I would definitely buy them. Will be hard to beat for the price.

Similar Products Used:

ADS L710, JMLabs, B&W

Smooth, natural sound.

Not Shielded

The product year above wouldn't let me go further back than 1995. I've owned a pair of ADS L1290s since I bought them new in 1986.

Even after 14 years these speaker sound great. I've yet to find anything else in it's price range that is as smooth, clear and balanced sounding as the L1290s. Clarity in the midrange is especially impressive. Given some space, they will produce a very large soundstage. They maintain their clarity and balance even at high volume levels and produce high peak levels without strain.

Several years ago, I added an ADS MS10 subwoofer for some extra extension in the deepest base. This makes for a powerful setup.

For home theater, the only drawback is they are not shielded, so one must be careful not to place them too close to the TV, especially direct view sets. Mine are about 2.5-3ft away from my 27" Toshiba and do fine.

ADS doesn't make the cheapest speakers, but you definately get what you pay for here. If you can find a pair of these on the used market, go for it!

Similar Products Used:

Magnapan SMGs

Great bass.

None

I bought my pair of L1290 in 1988. I was going to replace them early this year. But I replaced my Carver TFM-35 amp instead. I bought a Nakamichi RE-10 receiver and got a real surprise. The L1290 sounds better than I have ever heard it. I am so glad I didn't sell them. IMO the L1290s are still one of the best speakers ever made in its price range.