Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers first views

[TakeFive]

I was wondering if anyone O3 users have changed out the casters that the spiked feet rest in. I'm looking for another option that may prevent reverb/resonance issues on hardwood. Is there any option that any can suggest?

[bigblue]

I did try a set of Black Diamond Racing feet under the spikes when i owned the Q3. No upgrade. I have wooden floor on concrete foundation.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I was wondering if anyone O3 users have changed out the casters that the spiked feet rest in. I'm looking for another option that may prevent reverb/resonance issues on hardwood. Is there any option that any can suggest?

I use Stillpoints Ultra SS feet on wood floors often, with superb results.

[B_Smitty]

Originally Posted by TakeFive

I was wondering if anyone O3 users have changed out the casters that the spiked feet rest in. I'm looking for another option that may prevent reverb/resonance issues on hardwood. Is there any option that any can suggest?

I also have the O3's on a hardwood floor. After switching to Herbie's Cone/Spike Decoupling Glider, I gained noticeable clarity all the way up through the mid-range. Impressive difference over the stockers. Complete no-brainer for $20 a piece.

[Mouse]

I'm almost ready to buy a few Olimpica 3's, and for some reason I can't start a new thread so I'll hijack this one

Will these sound ok with an AVR or do I actually need seperates?
BB Magnolia demos them with McIntosh, and they won't change them around. They insist it can only be powered with an AMP, and some from AVS forums say AVR is not needed, and some say a 4 ohm is hard to drive.

I prefer the ease and small footprint of an AVR, but I'm looking at NAD master series and McIntosh if I go separates.

[Oltmb]

Originally Posted by Mouse

I'm almost ready to buy a few Olimpica 3's, and for some reason I can't start a new thread so I'll hijack this one Will these sound ok with an AVR or do I actually need seperates? BB Magnolia demos them with McIntosh, and they won't change them around. They insist it can only be powered with an AMP, and some from AVS forums say AVR is not needed, and some say a 4 ohm is hard to drive. I prefer the ease and small footprint of an AVR, but I'm looking at NAD master series and McIntosh if I go separates.

These loudspeakers need a good amp to drive them. You can find reviews on the web that shows that the impedance goes low at some frequencies. I myself am using HEGEL pre amp and amp. The amp has a very high Q factor and is able to control the Olympica 3 very well. I think you need to do good system matching if you opt for an AVR.

[Superfrg]

Nice speakers, looks and sound beautiful and I almost bought them a while ago.

Seperates would be the way to get the best out of these fine speakers, but most people have a budget to consider too.
Starting with the AVR, and building a system around the Olympica 3's would be a good starting point.

I assume you already have an AVR, if you are spending some decent money to aquire one and have no need for 5.1, i'd skip that and go for an integrated or seperates.
Brands such as Parasound, which I have owned, is very good value for money, and they make a nice integrated Halo amp.

The NAD and Mcintosh are nice brands too, but you are entering a whole other price level here and which one you prefer and are willing to pay for, should be auditioned by yourself.
I have owned both, its good stuff and Mcintosh has a huge following here on this forum.

Also, try to look into acoustic treatment of the listening room.
I have some basic stuff and its by far the biggest improvement of my system, and is only a few % of the total value.

Good luck!

[tdelahanty]

There is something basically wrong, them not wanting to accommodate your needs (incompetent). This line of speakers is geared toward home theater, that being said I would check your AVR's specs to make sure it can drive a 4 ohm load. I have these speakers in a dedicated two channel system driver with Levinson separates.

[Antonmb]

Hey Mouse, welcome to AA!

[Mouse]

Thanks,
I have a couple hand me down AVRs which I inherited from the last home I bought and sold. I'm definitely into the home theater for these speakers so that rules out an awesome 2 channel integrated amp. Best Buy is not very accommodating, and neither store I'm shopping actually has the MX122 for me to play with. I don't necessarily have a budget per se, but if I did I just blew it on Sonus Faber . I do prefer an AVR because it's a third of the price, they sound just as good in my auditions (using a 6 ohm venere, BB won't accommodate which is my concern) and they have a much smaller footprint.
I don't know how quick a preamp is obsolete, but I could get at least 2-3 flagship AVRs for the cost of one Mc preamp.

I also don't want to buy an AVR and it not do it's job with Olympica 3. My AVRs are HDMI 1.3 and my young son loves 3D content. There is a chance I can get the second store to put an AVR through proving grounds, but he isn't exactly enthusiastic. I was hoping for collective advice before putting unwilling salesmen to the task.