Let me get right to the point. The Aerial 10T is "THE" most outstanding loudspeaker on the market for under $6,000 period! My "hardware" includes a pair of Bryston 7B-STs, Audio Research LS-15 preamplifier, and Meridian 508.24 CD player. Let me tell you something my friends, this system is "KILLER." I had the opportunity to meet Michael Kelly prior to my purchase and he is very knowledgeable about loudspeaker design and manufactures an exceptional product. All I can say is buy a pair! They get a 5 star rating from me.

I had contemplated purchasing a pair of used 10 T. They had a small cosmetic crack as a previous letter mentioned. I had contacted Aerial and it seems this does happen. Unlike the other writer, I was told that they cannot be repaired and I would be charged approx $500.00 for a new head. I decided not to buy but I do think they sound fine.

The AR 'The Edge' are small efficient high quality A/V hi-fi speakers. They are also shielded and waterprooof.
The sound is very good from my Sony Profeel stereo monitor(mounted on each side of the monitor) and VHS Hi-Fi Video. They will sound even better when I purchase a good 30-100W Pro-Logic amp as the Sony monitor only has a 10W RMS per channel amp.

I bought these speakers used and have had them for 2 years.They do need an amp with high current capability.

They have very good frequency response and are very neutral and revealing. I have found that sources can be easily discerned with these speakers ( have mentioned this my review of the Adcom 5800 and comments regarding the CD player )

I would recommend these speakers.

Anyone buying the SR3 surrounds, don't waste your money on the remote option. It's the most rediculous thing I have ever seen refered to as a "remote". A total waste of money. It consists of a junction box, a 12 volt transformer, gobs of wire and a mechanical switch. Each speaker, the remote, and the transformer must be connected to the junction box using the supplied wire (just what you need in home theater-more wires). The actual remote is a plastic rocker switch fed by a wire from the junction box. Give me a break. In this day and age of wireless RF and IR remotes, who wants a wire running across the floor to your listening position. What really upsets me is that initially I didn't order the remote. I was talked into it by the sales person after he talked to Aerial. Anyway, learn from my mistake.
Regarding Nicholas D's comment regarding the XLO CD burn-in disk, Aerial told me not to use it. He recommended breaking in the speaker using music at moderate levels for about one week. Had I not posed the question, I may have been in the same boat as Nicholas, since I do own and use that disc.

As far as build quality and sound....superb.

I have had the opportunity to listen to the 10T's twice now and both time I have NOT been impressed. I am simply amazed why so many people like these speakers... Is it the incredible build quality?? These are some of THE most compressed sounding speakers that image terrible and lack detail. I heard the 8's and 10T's on dirrectent sets of electronics at a shop near Stanford during travels. The salesman said they were the best value on the market. My freind and I both thought these were not only not good but poor! It wasn't the equipment or the room because the watt Puppies dound CLEARLY superior (which are DynAudio's in disguise. All I can say is Aerial Lovers have not experience enohg speakers. PLEASE do an A/B comparison before you get a BEAUTIFULLY crafted average sounding speaker!!!! Listen to DynAudio, ProAc, Thiel, Hales, Girshman, Monitor Audio, and even B&W (they ALL sound much better) before you buy these dry sounding "speakers" w/o dynamics. Trust me, you will agree!! 5 stars for looks and build quality, 1 star for sound.

I have to disagree, the 10ts might not be your cup of tea, but as compared to the B&W N801s, N802s, Dynaudios as among others, the 10ts offer less coloration and more clarity. The 10ts are not only the best value out there but they would be worth it at a higher price point as well. The 10ts are excellent for HT as well as 2 channel audio. These speakers are anything but compressed, they are extremely revealing and best of all, they will not fatigue a listener no matter what the spl. They do need a lot of power though, so if you are thinking about these speakers, understand that youll need an amp that can pump out a lot of power. For these reasons, and to set the record straight, the 10ts diserve 10 stars, but I only have the option for 5.

Anyone who says that the Aerial 10Ts do not image, sound compressed,and lack detail has no business posting a review on the speaker. The 10T speaker has been one of the most highly regarded speakers in it's price class for several years now and was Stereophile speaker product of the year in 96. I realise that everyone has personal preferences, but to make these statments and rate the speaker as 1 star for sound is rediculous.
5 stars for build quality
5 stars for sound.

Neutral sound, full range

none

I have the 10T's for three months now: they are very high performing speakers and without competition within their price class. They are full range, from the deepest bass on, they are very neutral, but musically very involving, have a very nice sound stage, also show all the inner detail of the music.
System: Gryphon Antileon power amp, Gryphon Soanata pre, DIY DAC, Sony CDP-XA50ES cd transport, Nordost Red Dawn LS cable, Kimber Select interconnects.

These speakers are absolutely exceptional -- a window on the source. The dynamics are unbelivable, the low-end extension is excellent, the midrange clarity is beautiful and very natural, the top end is very realistic, and the overall sound is so natural and uncolored -- very highly recommended for audition. These are better than "a gnat's hair from class A" as Stereophile put it. They are the best speakers I have ever auditioned -- and I've heard quite a few high-end speakers like Wilson, Thiel, Hales, etc..But that's just my opinion.

These speakers use the Linkwitz-Riley 4th order crossover, novalith heads (concrete substance that's very, very dense to eliminate coloring), a huge 1-2" MDF bass cabinet, a vifa bass woofer, a kevlar midrange (focal?), and a titanium tweeter. The speakers are filled with a sound absorbing substance for obvious reasons.

If you're looking to get the best Aerial speaker on the planet, note that Michael Kelly is working on 20T's, which are a 4-way design with more novalith and prices from $15K-$20K. Stay tuned.

The speakers have a 86db sensitivity, so you need real amplification. They are also big and heavy (~200 lbs each).

Excellent value, if it's a value to spend this much for speakers. They compete with just about any speaker on the planet.

If you are looking at these speakers, I'd also recommend the Waveform Mach 17s, the Vandersteen model 5, the Revel system, Meridian DSPs, B&W 801s, etc...

The beauty of buying these speakers is that Aerial makes some of the best associated HT equipment. The Aerial CC3 center speaker is currently one of the best and the upcoming CC5 will be just spectacular. The SR3 dipolar surrounds are unbelivable and the new SW-12 subwoofer is raising the bar for subwoofer performance and EQ. Remember, multi-channel sound is the way of the future -- get over it.

Note that Aerial speakers have excellent fit and finish and can be purchased with custom made stands from Sound Anchor.

When I first heard an Aerial theater (10ts up front, cc3 center, sr3 surrounds, REL subwoofers (before the SW-12), associated high-end equipment, I was blown away. You can not imagine how accurate and detailed and dynamic HT sound can be.

There's a reason this speaker was the Stereophile speaker of the year in '96.

Happy listening, Mark

Similar Products Used:

Classe amps are a perfect match -- Michael Kelly himself uses them for his personal system -- and also demos with Classe Omega at times. Lexicon DC-1 v4.00 preamp at the moment. Audio Research sounds quite good in my opinion as well. Bryston, Krell, ATI, Sunfire, etc...are all harsh in the high end IMO and NOT recommended for these speakers.