Angstrom Omega Series 5 Special Edition Floorstanding Speakers

Angstrom Omega Series 5 Special Edition Floorstanding Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

2 way stereo speaker

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-6 of 6  
[Feb 17, 2003]
Vish
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

-The Mid-Frequency driver is a 5" Beryllium-copper woofer and is of a very high quality. The latest iteration of the Omega 5 is using a 5" Titanium injected woofer, keeping the quality of sonic presentation at the highest priority. -The high-frequency driver is a ring-radiating driver found on higher-end loudspeakers and I view them as a notch below the VIFA XT-25 ring-radiator tweeter, in terms of sonic realism and quality. -Cabinet construction is tight and allows very little in the way of resonance, even at high listening levels. -Crossover is at a very smart 3.4Khz, to help optimize the presentation of instruments and vocals. -Absolutely no port noise during high listening levels and musical bursts.

Weakness:

-The black box only loudspeaker should be a thing of the past. Loudspeakers these days are acoustically and aesthetically beautiful. As such Angstrom should have paid attention to this detail and make available the Omega Loudspeaker line in the same Markham Maple available in their Modular Series or in additional veneers.

I first read of these loudspeakers in the Inner Ear Report, where the reviewer was simply astonished by the quality and sonic realism of these loudspeakers. Reading the review I went out and auditioned the Omega 5's at different retailers to hear the possible setups for these speakers and everytime I heard them I was truly amazed. I have had these units for over two years now I honestly have never been more impressed with loudspeakers than these. I have the Omega 26 and Trinity Project Series II F3.3 speakers and the Omega 5's simply excel ahead of the other two speakers by leaps and bounds, by way of imaging and detail. The imaging, mid-bass, and ability to recreate guitars, saxophones, and wind instruments is truly remarkable. Male and Female voices are very clean and smooth. In my honest opinion, these speakers are the true defintion of a sleeper speaker. Why these loudspeakers are not marketed more widely is beyond me, but for those of us who are privilged to own them, we smile every day. I presently have the Omega 5's (Front L-R), Omega 5C (Center Channel), Trinity Project Series II F3.3's (Surround L-R) and a Paradigm PS-1000 for my home theater setup. The presentation is absolutely stunning and addictive. Check out their website, and audition the Omega 5's. You're expectations will be met. www.angstromloudspeakers.com

Similar Products Used:

-PSB Alpha & MINI -Paradigm Focus & ATOM -Aperion Audio 522D -Trinity Project Series II F3.3

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 02, 2000]
John
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Excellent price/performance ratio, good drivers

Weakness:

Weak midrange, highs tend to shout

These speakers were almost returned the day I bought them. There was hardly any midrange, and the highs were tinny and shouty. Vocalist sounded like they were hissing into a microphone with too much gain. It was hard to believe that the same speakers I auditioned at the shop were the same as these.

Assuming that they needed a bit of a break-in, I proceeded to play a variety of music at different sound levels for the next week or so. I've also experimented with placement. I am not able to try different amplifiers, or even different sources than CD or DVD; the reader should bear this in mind.

My conclusion is that, once they settle down, these speakers are excellent value for the price ($369 Canadian MSRP). Bass response is highly dependent on position and stand. These like to be about 18" from a good reflection surface, like a wall. They like to be at least 20" off the floor on really beefy stands. These "bookcase" speakers could benefit from being placed on a solid bookcase, though a stand is better.

The tinny, hissy highs I hated at first mellowed quickly with use, and the mids increased a little. Bass response is excellent for such a small volume. Angstrom has obviously tuned the port to take advantage of the main driver. It sounds like real bass, too, not the low HZ distortion sold by other compact unit manufacturers. This speaker likes to be driven LOUD. A higher-current amplifier is advised to drive it at lower sound levels.

Stereo seperation and direction is good, but you do not have to be in the sweet spot to hear it. There is decent balance in the instrumentation. Good for bopping around the house while doing chores.

The Omega 5's can be easily bi-wired. The simple (and not premium) cross-over may benefit from this, but I've yet to test. It may not make sense to spend $300 on good biwire cable on $300 speakers.

These speakers will never be able to complete against others with fuller-sized cabinets, better designed cross-overs or better-balanced ports. Angstrom has designed these to be loud little units that accentuate the highs, and can push enough air to sound bigger than they are. There is punch missing in the low-mids and bass that can be annoying on good recordings; of course, this good be a problem with my receiver (Marantz SR-4000) or cables not providing the bass.

I'd recommend these speakers to the value-conscious listener who wants to upgrade the junk speakers for a mini-system, or someone growing a surround system. For a simple Left-Centre-Right surround setup, these cannot be beat. Audiophiles will be underwhelmed, but the casual listener at house party volumes or lower will be pleased.

My advice is to audition these speakers with several different amps, with the speakers near a wall, and a reflection wall behind you.

Similar Products Used:

Unknown Canadian-made 70's style monster towers

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 16, 2002]
Omer
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

imaging/focus, big soundstage, very good bass for the size, ery high qulaity for the money.

Weakness:

black cabinets look very normal in a sea of black boxes

After having heard countless budget speakers over the years, these have to be the best bang for the buck so far. Makes the Pardigm Atom of similar size seem like a doorstop. Consists of a 5 inch titanium injected woofer with rubber surround, mated to a two-stage ring type tweeter. The smoothness of a fabric dome, and the speed of a metal dome. Excellent bass response for a speaker this size, mated with a good sub would be an awesome combo, and unbeatable for home theater. I wish it was available in a different finish other than black, but at the price, it can't be beat.Getting back to the bass, it has excellent extention and speed. The image that these speakers create is amazing, it's like being there. Everytime I listen to these I keep shaking my head. How can Angstrom do this at $370 per pair? Money well spent as far as I'm concerned!
Overall value rating is OFF THE SCALE.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Atom/Titan, PSB Alpha, Totem Mite, Mirage FRX series, etc.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 08, 1999]
hoju
an Audio Enthusiast

I have recently just bought thte angstrom omega 5 loud speakers they are just amazing for the price (299. They are clear and the bass just pounds.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Dec 08, 1999]
Edward Lau
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound

Weakness:

Grille fabric became unglued

The sound is great! There was clear separation of instruments and voices that I could not hear from my old stereo.

They don't seem to be marketed that widely, but I suggest you find a pair!

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm Phantoms

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 08, 1999]
Derek
an Audio Enthusiast

Just bought these little beauties from my local retailer and they are outsanding.
Made in Ontario, Canada they are the smallest in the line. 4 1/2 woofer and 1 inch ring radiating tweeter. Box is bass reflex, ported out the back, about 11 inxhes high, 8 inches wide and 10 inches deep. Lovely oak case. Look great and sound great.

Impressive soundstage, excellent midrange detail, not a lot of bass but very high quality considering the size of the woofer. "Plain" version in black case can be had for $369. Cdn. Rediculous price considering what this thing sounds like but spend the extra dough and get the Special Edition. Better construction, a little better sound and looks great. Check them out against the $1300. Cdn NHT product and you will hear there is very little difference. A little sensitive to cables so spend the money you saved on good ones.

Product reviews availble in inner ear magazine of you don't believe me. No, I don't work for these guys, I'm just very impressed with the product. If you are in Canada, go look these up. Unbelievable!!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 1-6 of 6  

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