Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.5 Loudspeaker

Neil Gader has posted a review of the Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.5 loudspeaker ($5995/pair) at AVGuide. His conclusion:

A couple of carps and cavils. On a cut like “The Finer Things” from Steve Winwood’s 12” single [Island] or Linda Ronstadt’s “Blue Bayou” [Asylum], there’s a short rise in the upper harmonic region of the vocals that accents articulation and adds traces of sibilance. Similarly, the cymbal crashes during the Winwood—a repetitive accent used throughout this track—sometimes loses the full residual bloom, as if reflecting too much leading edge gleam and not enough of the fundamental timbre.

My other kvetch is the lowered acoustic ceiling when reproducing large acoustic venues like the Troy Savings Bank from Laurel Massé’s Feather and Bone. True, the Ref 3.5 is not particularly tall but during symphonic performances it felt as if the shades had been drawn down slightly over the full musical landscape. Although much improved over the original Ref, I could still hear that height sensitivity remains a factor. Since I listen to speakers in a smaller room, it would be likely that this anomaly would be less of a factor if the Ref 3.5 were positioned at a greater distance. But this is also a characteristic of D’Appolito-inspired groupings of mid-tweet-mid drivers—a configuration that tends to focus music along the listener’s horizon, reducing ceiling and floor reflections by restricting vertical dispersion. On the one hand, it does focus vocals and movie dialogue, but, on the other, it weighs against achieving grand acoustic scale and ambience.

Like a mature vintage wine the Ref 3.5 walks in the footsteps of its predecessors and surpasses all of their achievements. Gallo-watchers will note, however, that the price has also increased significantly in the nearly five years since the 3.1 was introduced, placing the Reference 3.5 squarely in the sights of competitive efforts from Sonus faber, Revel, and Magnepan. But that doesn’t diminish the level of achievement. The Reference 3.5 is a sure-footed, disciplined, and musically involving speaker that executed virtually all that I asked of it. Minor quibbles aside, the Ref 3.5 deserves an unhesitatingly high recommendation. And if deep, carefully, crafted soundscapes really stir your imagination, then experiencing the Gallo is an absolute must.

You can read the full review here.