i purchased a set of al 120's in 1997 and use them for my mainspeakers with a set of 10's mounted in a coffee table and a set of
mini mk3's for the rear, i have found the allisons to be on of the cleanest
sounding speakers on the market for the money, dual drivers are something
i have not listened to befor, but i'm sold on them now

The Allison Ones blew me (and every high-end speaker in the shop) away in 1977. They're still fabulous. Clear, room-filling, neutral, and they don't need a lot of power. They must be positioned bang against the wall for smooth, flat bass response as designed by Roy Allison and described in reviews posted here earlier). The Ones moved into a 25ft. x 40ft. room in the top floor of a brownstone with a (high) cathedral ceiling and lived there for about 20 years. A pair of Allison Fours were 40 feet away on the rear wall. What sound.
The foam woofer surrounds have finally gone. Allison Acoustics sells replacement drivers. They retail the woofer for $60 but if you go to their website [http://www.allisonacoustics.com/] they are offered at just $33 ea.

Unfortunately, the spousal acceptance factor in my case is not high. She really just doesn't like their "'70s look." Can't argue with that. Replacing that sound, though, is going to run into serious money.

update for my ra labs speakers.I just moved to nm,thought I would replace myspeakers,no can do,I can't get rid of them,sound to good,plus my wife loves
them

Just heard the Totem Model One for the first time at Codell Audio in Montreal. VREY VERY impressive !!!!! Incredible soundstage, crystal clear highs and mids. Bass is excellent for the size of the speaker but I'm a listener who needs more bass for type of music other than classical. The Totem Forest would be an ideal.
Pretty expensive combined with a good pair of stands.

Build quality is A-1.

5 STARS !!!

Clear, neutral sounds. The bass is outstanding you don`t only hear it you feel it, its lower than 20hz.

You must have an expensive amplifier, and at least 100 class A watt.

If you find a pair bye it at once. I wish you good luck to find a better speaker.

Similar Products Used:

Beveridge, Dalquist DQ10, Infinitive referens 100, Magneplanar Tympani 3D etc.

Clean, tight base. Crisp high end.

Takes power to push them. That was solved with NAD high end components.

I purchased the Allison One's back in 1978 when I was working in stereo sales. I purchased them under 'salesmans
accomidation' for around $400 each. At that time, this was my worst decision as the speaker market was swamped with very good high end speakers and there were others that I also liked. It took me 6 months to reach my decision and I can now state that after 23 years, I am still happy with them! I have always believed speakers were very subjective
anyway.

I have replaced the woofers a few years back due to the
foam degrading, and the tweeters previously. Both times
I stayed as close to original specs as possible. The cabinets still look brand new and I had smoked glass cut
for the top of the speakers back when they were purchased. Also I replaced the grills a few years back. When talking with a speaker specialist at a local sound company, he had offered me $2000.00 each about 3 years ago. They have increased in value through the years! I coulden't sell them though since they still sound and look great! Thought about it, but why part with something that I am still happy with?
All of my other equipment has been replaced over and over,
but not my speakers.


Roger

Similar Products Used:

Multiple

Allison:ONE are the best speakers I have ever listened to. I own a pair I bought in 1980, and they have now have foam rot, and generally need a repair. Where can I get REPLACEMENT woofers, drivers and tweeters?
If you ever get a chance LISTEN to these. I do not find them power hungry in the least. I have a HAFLER DH-200 amplifier, and it never gets a serious work out.

allison