ADM AVI 9RS Mini Review

[techboy]

ADM AVI 9RS Mini Review

SETUP
ADM AVI 9RS on custom desktop stands
Surround and sub duty by Swan M50W 2.1
DAC / Preamp Setup 1 : Asus STX, Project Ember by Garage1217.com
DAC Setup 2 : AVI Built in DAC

OTHER SPEAKER SETUPS OWNED:
Aktimate Micro Asus STX Swan M50W Project Ember
Aktimate Mini+ Asus STX Swan M50W
Swan H5 Asus STX Swan M50W

OTHER HEADPHONE SETUPS OWNED:
Sennheiser HD 650 Project Ember Asus STX
Sennheiser HD 598 iPad 3 iPhone 4s

PLEASE NOTE
HD 650 has been properly amped by Project Ember which is an amp comparable to Schiit Lyr, Graham Slee, Lehmann BCL etc. I have also tried it with Beta22, so I know how HD 650 sounds.

I still believe that HD 650 are awesome headphones, just that AVI is a step up from them, while still a step below HD 800.

IMPRESSIONS
Initially, I was disappointed not having heard any speakers for the last few days except my Sennheiser HD 650 setup. But now that the speakers are slightly burned in, I am used to it and tried my HD 650 setup again, I can easily say that ADM AVI 9RS trumps my HD 650 setup. I dont even want to compare it to Aktimates because they seem unlistenable after hearing to AVIs for a few days.

Dont get me wrong, from a value for money perspective, Aktimates are still the best there is, but if you can afford ADM AVI then there isnt much of a contest really.

After listening for a while on my AVIs I went back to my HD 598s and they sounded muddy and distorted in comparison. And they used to seem like heaven compared to my Aktimates. They were a huge step up from my Aktimates and now they are nearly unlistenable.

HD 650 is still much better than HD 598 now, which I didnt appreciate as much earlier. HD 650 is comparable to AVIs but AVIs are better in many respects and often by a significant margin, so you can perhaps call them LCD2 territory. As AVIs arent as resolving of details as HD 800. I have listened to both HD 800 and LCDs properly amped.

I still believe that HD 650 are awesome headphones, just that AVI is a step up from them, while still a step below HD 800.

MIDS
HD 650 and AVI both are mid centric setups. AVI has clearer mids by some margin I guess. However, HD 650 has thicker vocals. I would give this one to AVI.

LOWS
HD 650 has more bass, but AVI has tighter and sharper bass. Both are very good but again AVI is more audiophile like.

HIGHS
Both are very good, but AVI seems at least as good if not better.

TRANSIENTS
AVI is clearer and sharper here, HD 650 is more natural but sounds muddy in comparison.

IMAGING
AVI is better than anything I have heard before for stereo, including HD 650.

TRANSPARENCY
AVI is a step up. As transparent as it gets. Though I dont find HD 650 veiled either with my amp, but AVI is just better.

SOUND STAGE
AVI is wider, deeper and taller.

CENTER STAGING
Not even a contest, AVI hands down.

DYNAMICS
The biggest difference between the two, HD 650 sounds ruler flat in comparison while AVI sounds much more dynamic. You have to hear the difference to believe it.

LOW VOLUME LISTENING
AVI wins.

AVI is cleaner, clearer, more transparent though not sure whether it is more resolving or not, perhaps about equal, the two of them, not sure though.

HD 650 is excellent but AVI is just better but both are very listenable

I still believe that HD 650 are awesome headphones, just that AVI is a step up from them, while still a step below HD 800.

HD 650 is better than cinema grade sound I would say, but AVI takes it a bit further with being more refined.

I have only tried with my Preamp so far.

With the inbuilt DAC (and not my preamp): It sounds slightly cleaner, but slightly less lively. Though the two are very close. However, without inbuilt DAC/without preamp, it doesnt sound as good as I described it above, then it sounds a step below the above description.

And AVIs are not analytical at all, they are musical, perhaps not as much as HD 650, not sure about it, but definitely very musical and resolving, very transparent as well.

Thank You
Aakshey

 

[arhantd]

Hey! you upgraded to the AVIs? Awesome. :clapping::clapping:

Thanks for the review.
I always wanted to know if the 9RS were any good or all hype.
If you think they are way above the aktimates, then they should be really good.

Comparing speakers to headphones is usually a bit unfair to the speakers,
but in this case it seems the speakers are worth it.

I am a little concerned about the lows. AVI says its 50 Hz (-6db), so when you get time elaborate on the lows vs. the aktimates.


Congrats on the buy. Enjoy!

 

[musicbee]

Nice write up.

Have heard the 9.1s previously so I know where you are coming from with all the gushing.

 

[techboy]

Lows are not overpowering but are there nevertheless. It is mid centric. Lows are there but not emphasized.

Lows in AVI are tighter but well controlled and textured, not as powerful though.

Please Note
They don't sound like Aktimates at all. Aktimates have a wow effect which these dont on initial listen. Aktimates sound crisp and bright which gives that wow effect. These are opposites, a smooth resolving and transparent which isn't bright at all nor crisp but very love able once you listen for a few hrs. After that there is no going back to it. It is a super clean and transparent sound which makes Aktimates sound muddy in comparison, infact unlistenable once you get used to these.

 

[arhantd]

Lows are not overpowering but are there nevertheless. It is mid centric. Lows are there but not emphasized.

Lows in aktimate micro and mini+ is a bit tighter from unreliable memory, also more upfront. But overall these speakers are much better. Adding a sub to these doesn't increase the bass volume like with Aktimates, it just adds punch and weight.

Please Note
They don't sound like Aktimates at all. Aktimates have a wow effect which these dont on initial listen. Aktimates sound crisp and bright which gives that wow effect. These are opposites, a smooth resolving and transparent which isn't bright at all nor crisp but very love able once you listen for a few hrs. After that there is no going back to it. It is a super clean and transparent sound which makes Aktimates sound muddy in comparison, infact unlistenable once you get used to these.

Thanks for the explanation. I will try and get in a listen when possible.
Do post some pictures of your setup on the forum if convenient. Cheers

 

[techboy]

I have updated the review. Lows on avi are tighter, check updated reply I gave you

Where do you live? Delhi?

 

[Santy]

Congrats! AVI 9RS are great actives. Their inbuilt DAC is also good. Had they priced a little carefully, they would have pumped up the sales figures. We had brought these speakers in the last Mumbai meet and everyone was impressed. The subwoofer gels quite well with the pair and adds to the thump but many of us preferred to listen to it without the sub.

Headphone vs speaker is comparing apples to oranges. Nothing can be really concluded by such a comparison.

 

[techboy]

It can. Because headphones usually have higher resolution and clarity. But not in this comparison.

 

[Gurpreetsingh]

Thanks Akshay for a great review.really glad you liked them.wanted to clarify few things as avi distributor.they are a bargain at the price.it can beat a blind comparison with any bookshelf speaker and electronics combo upto 7.5 lakh.also avi being a internet direct company in uk the margins are really low unlike other brands so the cost is higher than in uk but still cheaper than if you ordered it direct from uk.also we are open for a shoot out between the avi speakers and any other speaker -active or passive-at somebodies home or someone else's demo room.

 

[techboy]

Thank You for your kind words. I am grateful to you for selling to me at a price cheaper than even uk pricing

Thank You

Aakshey

 

[techboy]

I think I got the part about dynamics wrong, HD 650 is very dynamic as well, perhaps more so, not sure about that though

In short, HD 650 and AVI ADM9RS are very close to each other in overall performance with AVI may be being a bit better overall, in several aspects that too. But both are very comparable.

 

[techboy]

HD 650 is definitely lusher, sweeter and more musical though. Though there are lots of place where AVIs are very close or better than them

I prefer to listen to AVI over HD 650 unlike with Aktimates where I never listened to them and spent time only with HD 650

 

[indialogue]

Thanks Akshay for a great review.really glad you liked them.wanted to clarify few things as avi distributor.they are a bargain at the price.it can beat a blind comparison with any bookshelf speaker and electronics combo upto 7.5 lakh.also avi being a internet direct company in uk the margins are really low unlike other brands so the cost is higher than in uk but still cheaper than if you ordered it direct from uk.also we are open for a shoot out between the avi speakers and any other speaker -active or passive-at somebodies home or someone else's demo room.

So what is the price?

 

[arhantd]

Aaskhey/Gurpreet, Is it the latest version 9RS with the SB Woofer and Tweeter combo or the previous version?
Pricing better than the UK pricing is a sweet deal.

Post some pics.

Where can one audition these? I am in Jaipur so it has to be Delhi/Mumbai when i am there next.

 

[techboy]

AVI ADM9RS is for 1.5 L. 9RSS is for more than 1.6+ L but not released in India yet. None of the current models come with a sub. The AVI sub is about 1L extra.

I got a discount which I won't disclose

Anybody in Delhi can audition at my place.

 

[Gurpreetsingh]

It can also be auditioned at our office in andheri west ,Mumbai .

 

[square_wave]

Hi Gurpreet,

I was a follower of AVI when they were making traditional speakers and preamp / power amps a few years ago. I lost touch when they stopped making those. Those people know their hifi really well. Kindly message me the information about their current lineup when you find some time.

Cheers !

 

[Gurpreetsingh]

Hi square wave.
you Can find all details on their website:AVI Hi-Fi | a passion for sound. Their equipment was and is build like a tank.

 

[techboy]

After more usage, their strengths and weaknesses are more evident.

If you want HD 650 (about equal, better in some ways, worse in others) in speaker form albeit with slightly lesser bass and slightly more neutral, then AVI ADM 9RS should be the obvious choice.

HD 650 are more musical, sweeter and lusher. AVI are more neutral (which I like actually), slightly cleaner, slightly more transparent. Imaging of both is very good. Centerstaging of AVI is definitely better. AVI is also less grainy. AVI is very refined and resolving for a speaker setup

Both are excellent and kings at their respective tasks Having both together is much more than a dream come true

Thank You so much!

Aakshey

 

[techboy]

Hi

HD 650 and AVIs are dead even. Sometimes I prefer one, sometimes the other. For some things one is better and vice versa. Overall, it is like having a HD 650 in speaker form with some changes/differences of course

They are more or less in a similar performance league. Both are excellent at what they do and I prefer AVIs only because I prefer speakers to headphones all else equal. But both are about similar in overall performance and are very similar.

Thank You so much

Aakshey