Here is a speaker to simply die for. Of all the audio systems I've listened to over the years (and there's been plenty!), I've never felt so in-touch with the music as I have with a system powering the Eggleston "Andra" speakers. They're not cheap ($14,700.00) and assuming the rest of your system can compliment a speaker of this caliber, and, too, you're in the market for new speakers, then by all means be sure to audition the Andra loudspeakers from Eggleston Works.
My system consists of the PASS 1.2 Aleph monoblocks, WADIA 16 CD player, MAGNAN interconnect & speaker cables, CHANG Lightspeed power conditioner, plus various tweaks and accessories.

I've lived with the Andra speakers for about two months now and I absolutely love them. They're flawless up and down the entire musical spectrum. They can throw a huge, open, and articulate sound-stage like no other speaker I've listened to. With classical music, they're awesome; with piano, it's as though the Steinway's in your listening room; and with female voice, like in a small jazz ensemble (Diana Krall comes to mind), forget about it! It's over! It simply doesn't get any better than this.

I will warn you, though, the Andras love power. My PASS amps are rated at 200 watts per channel (Class A) and I have the feeling that that's like tossing a salmon to an aligator. Don't get me wrong, 200 watts is plenty of power (mfg's. minimum power rating is 100 watts) and in my listening room I never want for more, it's just that I've heard the Andras powered by the VTL monoblocks (rated at 600 watts per channel), for example, and found the sound to be extroardinarlly good. I have a hunch that an amp like the new Krell FPB-600 (600 watt per channel stereo amp) would mate very well with the Andras. No matter what amps you pair with these speakers, though, they're just as I told you earlier... to die for!

This speaker conveys music in a very natural and likelife manner with no particular emphasis on any part of the musical spectrum.To show it's best it likes lots of power !


Pro's : Natural and controlled from low bass to extreme HF
Superb imaging and spatial information
Esquisite finish

con's : Demands plenty of power (250w/channel minimum) 350-650w/channel better.
Some very slight nasality in the upper presence range
Requires 2-300 hours of burn in. Prior to this it can sound
dry over-damped and insubstantial.
Not overly efficient ( 87db/w/m ).

Used with Marantz CD-7,Krell KRC,Krell KAS and Hovland cables.

Full, rich, dynamic, and articulate

None of any merit

The Eggleston Andras are simply marvelous speakers. While they do require careful set-up (including the use in my case of the supplied spikes), the Andras can create an aural image that is clear and spacious and robust and engrossing. I first heard these speakers at a friend's house, powered by his mid-size Krell amps. My pair of Andras have been driven by Classe gear and now the Pass Labs Aleph 1.2 monoblocs, and I am in love. Additionally, the speakers are beautifully constructed and lovely to just look at.
I suspect that many of the criticisms leveled at this speaker have resulted from less-than-optimum ancillary equipment, speaker placement, and room effects (I ignore criticisms regarding cost as being too subjective). In my experience (in 2 systems, plus the dealer's showroom), the Andras can paint an exceptionally true picture. You just have to spend a little time getting 'em set up right. Very highly recommended!

Similar Products Used:

Mirage M1, Watt Puppies 5.1, Thiel 3.6

The eggleston andras is a speakers set to die for. It is truly marvelous how resolve inner detail and this tight, fast and tuneful bass that puts other speakers in a constipated way.
It is true that andras are special when you use high current amps but listen them with small single ended amps
reveals a lot how this jewels resolves across midranges. I don't know but maybe you loose bass response but the magic that you get listening small orchestra and solos is a dream.
The most biggest diferences that you find in this system comparing with others are:
Tonal Balance, timbre truth,explosive dinamics (virtually unlimited),and a special way to recreate the musical event that makes you forget that you are listening trough speakers.
If they are 10 stars this will get it.
A happy and final owner of this system.

See my review of 9/4/00

Same

This is an update to my review of 9/4/00, in which I indicated how much I was enjoying these speakers. But I also indicated that I was driving them with a pair of Pass Aleph 2 amps, which, great as they are, only put out 100 watts per channel, although pure class A. I have now bitten the bullet, and substituted for the Pass amps a pair of Classe CAM-350 monoblocks (350 watts per channel). These open up the soundstage enormously, tighten up the bass, and convey a sense of ease generously. So, yes, all those people who indicated the Andras require substantial power were absolutely correct.

Similar Products Used:

Same

Extraordinary soundstage, total honesty,size, ability to perform near walls, corners, huge dynamic range

weight, power requirement

Easiest thing appears to be to respond to other reviewers'specific comments: (1) Price--is $15,000 too much? Yes, if $22,000 is too much for the Eidolons, and $30,000 too much for the J M Labs Utopias. Otherwise, hell no, it's a bargain. (2) Convenience. Forget most other comparable speakers in a New York apartment. It's not just speaker size, it's distance from the walls. Nothing can go 4-5'from the back wall in my 23' X 13.5' X 9' living room. The Andras are not only small but happily go 1' from the back wall and 2' from a corner-like enclosure, without the Tube Traps which were behind my B & W's. (3) Power. They seem very happy with my Pass Aleph 2's (100 watts of two-stage class A power). They might be happier with three times the power, but until my wallet recovers, this will do just fine in my room, thank you very much. (4) Cables--I am a devout Cardas Golden Reference freak, and switched to Golden Reference speaker cables as well after listening to the Andras for a day or two. It made a substantial difference. I cannot imagine using brighter or more aggressive-sounding cables on the Andras. (5) Other equipment--Sony SACD-1, Levinson 37 transport, dCS Purcell/Elgar, Sota Cosmos/SME 5/retipped Koetsu Rosewood Signature, lots of Bybee filters and chargers. (6) Enjoyment--this is what it's all about, and I couldn't be happier. If anyone had a different experience, I sympathize, but I don't think any audiophile can generalize from any other's experiences; that's what makes it all such fun.

Similar Products Used:

B & W 808, auditioned 801 Nautilus, Vienna Acoustics Mahler, Revel Salon, J M Labs Mezzo Utopias, etc., Wilsons