What an unexpected surprise!
I took time off today to visit my dealer whom coincidentally have both GE and Accordo in the same showroom.
Even better it is set up in the same listening room I am familiar with. A golden opportunity and not to be missed!!
I spent several hours spinning tracks I am used to but it didn't take too long to hear the differences between GE and Accordo. Its powered by Passlabs XA60.5 monos with Orpheus Zero & Two as source. Its in a small room about 13 x 13 x 17 ft with minor treatments and 3 pairs of standmount speakers in the room.
Listening to GE versus Accordo side by side you can immediately hear the difference:
1) The Accordo highs are delicate and airy. It throws a spacious, open, and 3D imaging...the soundstage is so wide and open that vocals (particular female vocalist) are clear with delicate nuance that is intimate with natural decays.
2) Accordo is surprisingly neutral in tonality. It plays very well with small classical pieces, vocals, and jazz with sufficient bass notes to keep pace with rhythm and pace.
3) The clarity from Accordo is superb and its transient response is immediate and fast yet refine. It excels with acoustic pieces particularly acoustic guitars and with speed.
4) The pair of Accordo has been running in for a week...I tried some tracks that are more complex classical and drum pieces that goes pretty low. The lower mids though taut but do not go as low versus GE.
5) When scale to fortissimo Accordo struggles to stay compose and bass lines lacks control. In certain tracks I can hear chuffing noise from the drivers particularly when it plunge to very low freq. This perhaps could be due to lack of sufficient run-in. Though its loudness is limited but is adequate for small room..
Overall the Accordo is impressive - neutral, clear, refine and immaculate in finish. The GE still holds its ground when complex arrangements come into play and I am confident it will perform even in a mid size room. There is also preference in play here...I find GE tonality is rounder and vocals sounds fuller where some would refer this to chest voice while Accordo is clearer, airier, and thinner where singer resonate through head cavity. It will appeal to different camps and preference in sound, genre of music, and listening space are key factors.