Hello! Does anyone have experiences with this speaker?

[FlorianW]

Hello fellow members,

it was recommended that i ask this question in the Infinity forum so i hope you dont mind. I am currently trying to simplify my system by moving from my Apogee DIVA's to a Genesis 350i. The Apogee DIVA is in my opinion incredibly good and i so far havent heard a speaker i would rather have with the exception of maybe the Genesis 350i. I am 22 now and would like to move into my own apartment this year and the big Apogee is very hard to place in a small room and requires multiple amps with them to really get them going.

Did anyone ever listen to a set? If so, can you please give me your impressions also. Considering they are 680lbs makes them a bit hard for a in-room demo.

Thanks

Florian

http://www.apogeeclub.de/gen350.jpg
http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/images/prd_350.gif

[Kencat]

Hello Florian,

Welcome to AK. I'm afraid I can't help you on this. I'm just a working family man trying to get some high fidelity on a budget (violin playing).

That Genesis sure does look like Nudell's work all right.

What were your impressions of them when you listened ? You'll probably get this response a lot, but there is no argument against it - if they sound good to you and turn your crank, then those are the speakers to get :yes:

But,, it is a lot of fun to talk about it anyway :D

[FlorianW]

Thanks :-)

I dont have a family so i can focus on this hobby quite greatly. My current system is wonderfull, but the few minutes i heard to the Genesis 350 it was really amazing. Incredibly dynamic, very fast and quite transparent. Compared to the DIVA the Genesis was far more dynamic, extremely powerfull bass responce, and lighter on its feet. The DIVA can throw a larger image, has a perfect bass integration. But the DIVA is very large, requires a lot of power and multiple amps. This Genesis looks mighty tasty and sounds like it too.

I would be interested to take my young audio journey into this direction, esp. since i plan on getting a Wadia 860CD Player and a Einstein OTL with preamp outputs to go to the bass amps in the Genesis. Its something different to try out, but if someone heard this speaker too or knows about some difficultys that might come, it is highly apreciated :yes:

[FlorianW]

To clarify my situation a bit :scratch2:

I am 22 now, i started this hobby when i was 17 and had incredible luck to own very nice speakers and electronics. I am truly honored to own the Apogee DIVA and its a fantastic speaker but this speaker was not build for me. The repair cost (should a problem arise) is very high, the amplification to get it to shine and the room required is very high also. As i beginn to study and work as a teacher it is time to get out into the world. :yes: I want a apartment and get on my own feet. Asuming i keep the DIVA and wait a bit, i might need to invest a few grand into new ribbons, transporting them etc... This is a big hassle. Also i need a EQ in a small room to get the responce pretty flat. The entire process with the bass tuning, room tuning, multiple amps etc. has grown over my head.

I just want a good stereo that is half way simple. The Genesis is completely customizeable in the bass from your listening seat. Has almost a kilowatt of amps on board and the driveable section is 92db efficency with a 4ohm impedance. So a good Einstein OTL is wonderfull!

:D

[Kencat]

Florian,

You are in the perfect situation to enjoy your audio experiences. I enjoyed my youthful years with motorcycles, had a wonderful time with many fond memories. Life takes it's twists and turns, enjoy what you can now. In fact, that next purchase could take you into the next 20 years if love happens soon.

It seems pretty slow on the forum today, give it a few days and the crew will catch up. Maybe someone can offer some insight.

1000 watts on board eh? :tresbon: :music: is all I can say to that. Wow!

Have a good day or night. Let us know when you get those puppies.

[FlorianW]

Thanks Ken,

as the current situation looks i might change my mind into a different direction :scratch2:

I am considering two matching Sphinx Project 12 Monoblocks to my Sphinx Project 18. Then i could try a Behringer Digital Active Crossover and run the DIVA active. I need to sleep about it one more time and then make up my mind.

I cant get my heart to sell my puppys, dont they look so cute? (the speakers) If i sell these, i will regret it. I am sure of it :tears:

http://www.apogeeclub.de/me.jpg

[chrisf]

Welcome Florian.I have never heard a pair but I have read alot and dreamed alot about them,all the reviews are positve.Yes those are Arnie Nudell's design.He started Genesis after he and his partner sold Infinity.There is a good post about how he and another couple of engineers and scientist started fooling around with audio designs at work when they were working on a project for the gov.Seems they noticed how similar some of the stuff they were working on was to what eventually became the first switching digital amp.I found it the other night on this site but don't rember where.They went on to found Infinity out of their garage which is a well known story.
If you want a smaller amplified speaker that is awesome check out Avantegard Solos.They are a coaxial design that are about 100 lbs each and sound incredible for their size for about $6500.00usd/pair.Acapella sells the Fedelio and several incredible sounding others but some are huge.Audio limits web site has Acapella and Genesis plus other very high end brands.Genesis 201's\$52,000.00 usd.

[Negotiableterms]

Florian-

I've heard the Genesis 1.1s and 201s, but never the 350s. The reviews indicate that the 350s are great too, and if they sound like the bigger ones, they must be!

The DIVAs are legendary great speakers, but getting old. They will start to have problems and the parts are no longer obtainable. They have never been dynamic, but are famous for being smoothly integrated from top to bottom.

Genesis is a young small company run by an older genius, and when thinking about buying some, I always worry that they'll go out of business if Arnie retires or whatever. Their product range is very narrow, and all high-priced. I made the mistake of buying a set of Nearfield Acoustics Pipedream 18s, which are great, great speakers, but the company tanked shortly after I bought. They're back in business now, but the support for the old products is very poor, and they're obviously struggling.

There are other speakers to look at that won't have the problems of the DIVAs and will actually sound as good or better. In particular, listen to a pair of Magnepan 20.1s. They're much easier to drive than the DIVAs, and they're still in production by a long-time stable company with a wide product range.

I think Charivari referred you to me because I've been dreaming of a pair of 1.1s for a long time, after finally managing some listening sessions. So far, I just can't bring myself to spend that much money on another company that may vanish. I keep watching Audiogon though, and if a pair came up cheap enough...

[FlorianW]

Hello there :-)

Actually my DIVAS are completely restored and better ribbons are avaliable from Graz in Australia. My friend has the MG20 and i had Maggie .5, 1.6,3.6 myself and the MG20 doesnt touch the DIVA in sound. You are right about the problems with the ribbons, but i do not have this issue and with new ribbons they last quite long :-) The DIVA can be quite dynamic but takes a bit of power to driver, but are easier then the Magnepan MG 3.6 or 20 in this regard.

I will know more over the next few days and will let you know how this story progresses.

Thanks for your comments tough

[wineslob]

Florian-

I've heard the Genesis 1.1s and 201s, but never the 350s. The reviews indicate that the 350s are great too, and if they sound like the bigger ones, they must be!

The DIVAs are legendary great speakers, but getting old. They will start to have problems and the parts are no longer obtainable. They have never been dynamic, but are famous for being smoothly integrated from top to bottom.
Genesis is a young small company run by an older genius, and when thinking about buying some, I always worry that they'll go out of business if Arnie retires or whatever. Their product range is very narrow, and all high-priced. I made the mistake of buying a set of Nearfield Acoustics Pipedream 18s, which are great, great speakers, but the company tanked shortly after I bought. They're back in business now, but the support for the old products is very poor, and they're obviously struggling.

There are other speakers to look at that won't have the problems of the DIVAs and will actually sound as good or better. In particular, listen to a pair of Magnepan 20.1s. They're much easier to drive than the DIVAs, and they're still in production by a long-time stable company with a wide product range.

I think Charivari referred you to me because I've been dreaming of a pair of 1.1s for a long time, after finally managing some listening sessions. So far, I just can't bring myself to spend that much money on another company that may vanish. I keep watching Audiogon though, and if a pair came up cheap enough...


New ribbons are available from Graz as Flo has stated, and ribbons are also available from Bob Dragunas (here in the states).
I've never heard Divas that were not dynamic.

[Negotiableterms]

New ribbons are available from Graz as Flo has stated, and ribbons are also available from Bob Dragunas (here in the states).
I've never heard Divas that were not dynamic.

When this thread appeared, I KNEW it was only a matter of time till Mr. Apogee put in an appearance to fight for his audio favorite.

If you're convinced that Graz will remain in the replacement ribbon business, and you think that the DIVAs are dynamic enough, stick with them. The Apogees don't do it for me, but I tend to like music fairly loud. Don't get me wrong, the DIVAs are great speakers, but not my cup of tea.

After all, did you think I'd be helping Scott out here in the Infinity forum if I was an Apogee fan?

[FlorianW]

Interesting to hear your opinions, i am actually still looking at the Genesis. You seem to think that i am defending this speaker and am only here to advertise for it. Fascinating! Its ok, if you like your music above 118db, i do not really care. Neither does it matter to me what you like and do not like about the DIVA, my interest is purely on the Genesis. Maybe i will buy it and maybe not, i will see.

-Florian

[Negotiableterms]

Interesting to hear your opinions, i am actually still looking at the Genesis. You seem to think that i am defending this speaker and am only here to advertise for it. Fascinating! Its ok, if you like your music above 118db, i do not really care. Neither does it matter to me what you like and do not like about the DIVA, my interest is purely on the Genesis. Maybe i will buy it and maybe not, i will see.-Florian

Sorry, Florian. I thought you were trying to decide between keeping the Apogees or switching to the Genesis. Please let us know your impression of the Genesis as you decide.

[FlorianW]

Thats ok,

i have decided to buy a Kora Jupiter Tube power amp and a RM Electronics Tube Pre-Amp and while on my way to pick them up i will listen to the particular pair i am interested in.

I will keep you posted..

-Flo

[wineslob]

When this thread appeared, I KNEW it was only a matter of time till Mr. Apogee put in an appearance to fight for his audio favorite.

If you're convinced that Graz will remain in the replacement ribbon business, and you think that the DIVAs are dynamic enough, stick with them. The Apogees don't do it for me, but I tend to like music fairly loud. Don't get me wrong, the DIVAs are great speakers, but not my cup of tea.

After all, did you think I'd be helping Scott out here in the Infinity forum if I was an Apogee fan?
Sorry if I'm unabashed with my bias.
I believe Graz will stick with the ribbon production, he's very invested in it.
And just like any speaker, Apogee's are not everyones cup of tea, though I believe its the total price of admission, ie: the electronics, room needed to make them work. Same for the large Infinities

[Army]

Hi Florian

You made this statement earlier "I want a apartment and get on my own feet."

I would think from a practical stand point the Genesis 350i's would be a rather large PITA to move at over 600 lbs. My Sister is a teacher and has had to move more than once to stay employed. That and they would limit you to ground floor apartments I would think.

Either way you decide, you'll have some great sounding speakers.
Good luck on your speaker quest!
Army

[FlorianW]

Thanks Army,

i went to Holland and auditioned the Genesis 350 and came to the conclusion that the speaker while beeing dynamic is not as good as the DIVA to my ears. The Genesis is of course exellent but the speed, detail, integration and soundstage is simply not on paar with the DIVA. I did buy a Kora Jupiter 60wpc tube power amplifier, a 40kg Powerfilter from Audioplan and a Tube Hybrid Preamp. This was a very good choice for the DIVA and i am very happy with it again. It solved the problem i thought i had of controlling the ribbons.

Thanks

Florian