Excellent bass + excellent balance = excellent speaker.

Might not be the best with some amps (?) -- I love 'em so I'm stretching a little here.

After nearly two years of use, I have yet to find anything that might woo me away from these puppies. If I had a pile of money, I might consider a pair of Audiophysic models I saw in a high-end store recently for music, but I'd still want these Pinnacles at the core of my home theater set-up which includes:

HK AVR-30 which I might upgrade to a Dolby Digital Marantz
HK 8400 CD Changer
Audio Alchemy DDE 1.1 DAC
Tara Labs Prism Bi-wires & Prism interconnects
JVC 701 DVD Player
Celestion Center: Yeah, I'll upgrade to the Classic Gold Pinnacle model
Jamo Dipole Surrounds.

I think if you aren't bi-wiring these Pinnacles, you're not hearing the whole picture. I think that certain brands match better with Pinnacle line equipment than others. I tried Audioquest Type 4 cable, but the imaging and balance between low, mid & high frequencies was poor. I believe Audioquest is some good cable, I just don't think it worked as well with these speakers as it does with others. The same might be true of amps which is why I'm a litle scared of going Dolby Digital--I don't want to spoil the great 2-channel music sound I have here.

Speaking of music, I listen to everything from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Sonny Rollins to Edgar Meyer to John Mellencamp. Yeah, I'm all over the place...anyway. Out of my 300+ CDs, I only know of one track on one CD that I've heard sound better on other systems. That would be Bessie's Blues by John Coltrane on an Impulse sampler because the sax just sounded a bit more 3D -- but was that really because of the Pinnacles or something else in my system? Who knows? And when the piano sounds like crap on those other systems, who cares?

I'm a sax player, but I've never heard piano music sound as good as on these babies. Pop in Harry Connick, Billy Joel, Diana Krall, George Winston, Ellington, Dr. John, Red Garland or Vince Guardali and you'll see what I mean!

Similar Products Used:

Pinnacle PN 8+, also very familiar with Linn and B&W models

Good build quaility. Exceptional Bass Response. Good imaging.

Initial Brightness

It is good to see that the reviews of these speakers match my own opinion.

Disadvantages: I did hear the brightness noted in previous reviews. I also agree that no tonal control could completely reduce the effect. However, after 4 months of owning the speakers I can no longer notice the brightness. Maybe the tweeters have burned in, or maybe my ears have adjusted. This is the only thing wrong with theese speakers.

Advantages: The build quality of these speakers is exceptional. I bought these off the net and did not know what to expect. I was extremly happy to find that the cabinet is built with heavy, quality wood. The binding posts are also top notch. Some reviews have complained about the finish. It is a clean matt black, which for me says "I'm a quality engineered mid-priced speaker" If you wan't something that accentuates your perfect intertior decorating go to Best Buy and get a bright and shiny pair of Infinities.

As the other reviews have said the imaging is incredible. The bass response is tight and even. Perfect for home theater,rock,rap,r&b and an incredible blues performer.

I am writing this review not just about Pinnacle speakers but about people.I recently wrote a review for the Sunfire power amplifier. Someone posted a review of my review concerning the amplifier. What I wrote about the Sunfire is my professional and personal opinion. It was not to attack anyone who likes the amp. Also, I did not resort to name calling or criticizing any mistakes people my have made. Besides the purpose of this board is to offer opinions about how a piece of equipment sounds. Since sound is very subjective in nature, do not take a negative review as a personal attack. I have heard several different models of Pinnacle over the last several years, and I must say I am impartial to them. I neither liked nor disliked them. I think their good quality speakers. They sounded good. I just wasn’t interested them. I hope the critizing is not the
start of a trent in the audio community.

Style, construction, bass is unbelivable!!!! Highs are clean and precise, soundstage is immaculate, bi-wiring, damn these things are nice.

Speaker covers seem a little cheap, but who cares about that.

I just recieved these in the mail today after winning an auction like many of you on egghead. When I opened them, on one speaker two of the four plastic knobs were broke off, but I called Pinnacle right away, and they are sending me a new cover, no questions asked, so no big deal. I paid 174$ a piece, and got 2 day shipping cause Im very impatient, so I ended up paying 450$, but still WELL worth it. I owned a pair of DCM KX-12's Series 2 before the CGT's, and the difference is amazing! The DCM's had decent amount of bass, but lacked precision, plus the highs were very harsh due to a horn loaded tweeter, but in the end were very efficient(99db). The CGT's are just all-around fantastic speakers, the bass blows the DCM's out of the water not only with bottom end but accuracy as well. I thought all of you were joking when you stated, I had to look around to see if anyone had a sub running, cause the CGT's bass is huge! I even checked my receiver when I played the first song on them to see if my sub was up, and it was not on at all! Highs are very clean, and I havent heard that harshness yet that some of you complained of. The main difference though is the imaging and soundstage, the CGT's really imbrace you in sound, and put you into the music. Alot of you state a break in period for the CGT's, well I cant wait till I pop the cherries on these ladies, cause already Im impressed. Though I wont have a chance to bi-wire the CGT's as of now due to me only owning one A/V reciever(Yamaha V-905), but I cant wait to upgrade! All in all a great buy for the price! My system consists of:
Yamaha V-905
Sony Vega
DCM KX Center(Pinnacle Widescreen Center on its way)
Pinnacle CGT's
Pioneer Progressive Scan DVD
DCM KX surrounds
DCM KX Sub(Awesome)
Not bad for a college student!

Similar Products Used:

DCM KX-12 Series 2

I upgraded to these speakers from my old Definitive Technology speakers. I found these gems for half the price !!!...They sound great,very clear and detailedthey have gold (2pairs) of binding post for bi-amping and bi-wiring. I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANY THING LIKE THIS IN IT'S PRICE RANGE !!!!.
(Ask Julian Hirsch from Stereo Review).

Great Bass

Finish looks a little cheap

I bought these speakers about a year ago and don't think I'll ever need to upgrade. I am not an audiophile but I like good sound.

I don't think these speakers are a steal unless you buy them at a discounted price which fortunately seems easy. When I shopped for high end speakers with a family member I heard some speakers that had more detailed sound but usually they missed something else, usually bass.

As an added bonus they are great with movies. They sound good enough that you often forget that the sound is coming from the speakers. You can't go wrong with these speakers.

I have heard many people say that you can't find better sound without spending over $2000. I haven't done enough comparions but I think I could find something better for that type of money even if I had to buy a sperate sub for the bass.

JMHO

Value, appearance, bass reproduction

High frequency reproduction

Like many others, I recently purchased a pair of these at Egghead.com for 199.00 each. It appears that they have an endless supply as the auction is still ongoing as of 4/29/00. I'm very impressed with the value, but they don't compare to the $2,000. per pair speakers as they claim. Big surprise, right? My speaker comparison is based upon my use of ESS Amt 1a and JBL L-7 loudspeakers for many years, both a little more expensive, even many years ago. But it was Pinnacle & Egghead that choose to advertise that they compare well to much more expensive speakers. The high frequency response of the Pinnacle is not even in the same league as the Heil Air Motion Transformer of ESS nor even as good as the JBL L-7. I find the high frequency output weak and lacking definition. When the treble control is pushed up, they become harsh. I wouldn't recommend these speakers for those looking for high end accuracy and vivid transparency. However, as a modest Home Theater speaker, they can't be beat when coupled with Pinnacle's Wide Screen Center Channel Speaker, also on auction at Egghead. You can bi-amp the Pinnacles and power the decoupled sub-woofer independently. It makes the low end reproduction fantastic! Mid range is very well defined and robust. Again, great for a Home Theater. For less than $1,000. you can have four of these and a great center channel speaker. Nothing comes close at that price. If you have a little more money, consider the MMG's directly from Paradigm for $500. per pair and you'll get the high end quality. However, you'll have to add a quality sub-woofer. My rating is soley as a Home Theater speaker, as I have selected to use them.

Similar Products Used:

Ess AMT 1a, JBL L-7

Power handling, Looks, The brass feet are nice

heavy

I just purchased a pair of these babies for 400.00 at Egghead.com and I must say that at that price these speakers are THE best buy out in the market right now. They look great and the bass is truely awesome. My wife is wondering why I want to buy a subwoofer. As for the brightness that some people have mentioned, if you would sit in a chair at a normal distance from the speakers and not have your ear up next to the tweeter then you wouldnt complain that these speakers are harsh. The icing on the cake is the 10 year warranty, this warranty allows me to turn my reciever up to -10 db or MORE at parties and not have to worry about losing money if I blow a driver. Great job Pinnacle.

Similar Products Used:

Optimus, Pioneer, Polk, Infinity, JBL

Value,Efficiency,Product support

So-so sound during break-in period makes you question your purchase.

I purchased these from Egghead like so many others then I found AudioReview.com. After reading everything from rave reviews to awful ones I was quite nervous about my purchace.
My first impression was that these were good speakers but I was mainly glad I only paid $400 for them. I tried Bi-amping them and got some improvement. Next I found a deal on a Kenwood 3080 receiver and dumped my cheapie TEAC. Again an improvement. Next I found a new Velodyne 12" Servo Sub for $600 and added that to the equation. I don't know if the upgrade of my receiver or the month of break-in time I've had on the speakers has made the most improvement but I believe they sound very, very good now. I would recommend these to anyone who wants great sound and has the patience to let these things break-in.

Similar Products Used:

Boston VR950, Paradigm Monitor 3

Sound is beautiful. Bass is deep and warm. High in value.

Looks plain and simple. Built in vinyl.

After an exausted search, eventually, like many others, I bought a pair of these at Egghead.com in January for 199.00 each. I'm very impressed with the value and the price, they can compare even to the $3,500 per pair speakers such as Klipsch KSP 400. Big surprise, right?

These speakers had brought me in tears with pleasure when I listen my musics from them. Later, I also purchased a pair of Klipsch KSP 400 speakers and compare to them but I have to bring the Klipsch back because the Klipsch sounds too bright and too hash to my ears. Sax, Guitar, and Snare Drums are the best I have ever heard. The speakers are so well balanced, that at loud volumes, they are not annoying to listen to. The highs are clean, but not over powering. The bass is tight and very deep. I do not know how to tell you how increadible these speakers are. I can put my name on the fact that you will not find a better speaker for such as low price. I can give these speakers 10 stars if I can.

My system consists of:
Sony DA-555 ES receiver.
Sony DSP-650D DVD player.
Acoustics Research speaker cables

Similar Products Used:

Klipsch KSP400.