The Best Speaker you've never heard of? (Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy Plus)

[@boseli2]

We've had AA+ speakers for 9 months now and have and have a vintage Yamaha CR1020 with 80watts/channel and it's plenty of power. Unbelievable sound; hearing new things every time we listen. Love these speakers!

[@vrm86gt]

Yeah, I agree, really enjoy my pair! Mine are paired with 50 watt Luxman R-1050.

[@raulgarcia1718]

These have been around in different iterations over the years. I am glad that Dennis continues to make these available when logistically possible

[@blazermdx]

Excellent review, my friend! Those looks like another great option, for us folks on a budget

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Absolutely, the other positive is the very gentle way into DIY.

[@chem_e_markmark6374]

Great review. Interesting kit option in that you don’t have to deal with the cabinet assembly, finishing.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Yeah, I think it's especially cool for people looking to get into diy but aren't sure about it yet.

[@thisoldnewguitar9882]

Nice kit, good price, well done on the +/- breakdown.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks! I hadn't showed Dennis the review so I was a little anxious. I just got an email from Dennis agreeing with my general assessment of the speakers (which was really nice).

[@vrm86gt]

I picked up a pair 2nd hand and these hang in there with tower speakers in a bookshelf package, bass response is surprising , these things dig pretty deep with very nice mids and highs!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

It's the truth!

[@AL-B-BACH]

The AA+ is coming back again but you have to get the cabinets and drivers from Parts Express. Dennis will sell you his revised crossover and include the screws, some sound treatment, and a few extra grill pegs.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

That is awesome.

[@arena_rock_man9030]

These look a lot like the overnight sensations. I'd be interested in seeing a side by side comparison between the AA+ and the Overnight Sensations. BTW, I thought the BMR was a three-way speaker?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Yep, the BMR is definitely a nice three way speaker. They are using the parts express box so they look very similar to a few different builds. Big difference is the tweeter (super nice) and the crossover is made by the same company that builds Revels crossovers.

[@NotSure723]

I'm confused. Is this the Dayton BR-1 kit? Just the cabinet kit? I don't see this kit on the philharmonic audio website...

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

It's confusing because they look almost identical. Same cabinet but different drivers and crossover. They sold out of them. Typically they are just limited runs as they become available. They have had different versions over the years.

[@theclevelandsteamer9504]

Dennis discontinued the AA+, morel increased the price of the tweeter. So glad I got them!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Wow, well, that was a fun run. Thanks for letting us know. Hopefully Morel will run another sale or Dennis will get some replacement tweeter.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

Smashed it! Top review and awesome delivery, keep them coming!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thanks so much! Been loving the quick videos you have been putting out!

[@SmallRoomAudio]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 Thanks dude - have to do a collaboration video at some point, it would be a fun one!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I would love that! You name it and I'm onboard.

[@SmallRoomAudio]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 Awesome! I’ll get my thinking cap on!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

@@SmallRoomAudio We should do a video chat or something at some point. Maybe we could come up with some ideas.

[@gnoter2]

...ummm, a couple of lumins brighter in room. A short demo sound have given perspective to yr opinion? Thanks

[@felixlaboy1453]

Great review. I’m not a handy guy is it hard to put together Can you put a link for the speaker. Is there video on how to put together.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

It should be relatively easy to put together. You should reach out to Dennis at [e-mail] for details on how it is assembled and what all comes in the kit other than the obvious (mine came pre assembled). My video description has a link to the site and email for more info. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@felixlaboy1453]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 Thsnk you very much. I’m going look into it. When I was trying to look it up at parts express. It was the Dayton kit that came up. Is the the right kit ?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I see your confusion! No, you have to order this kit through www.philharmonicaudio.com/ . It looks very similar to the BR-1 kit on Part-Express but is different. Different crossover and a more expensive tweeter (like more than twice as expensive).

[@felixlaboy1453]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 omg yes Thank you.

[@Seiserism]

Gr research encore, css criton or this.. what's your fav one?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I haven't heard the CSS so I can't comment on that but out of the two I liked the AA+. Not everyone is going to share my taste but the excitement it brings me with ultra detail and bass just does it for me.

[@OswaldoMartinezAviles]

How much toe-in did you use? I have mine pointing towards my MLP

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I played around with it but I think I have them fairly straightforward.

[@Zarkoff500]

I wonder how these compare to the Dayton BR-1 kit. Same woofer but looks like the tweeter is much higher quality.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

That is a good question. I only listened to those just briefly, not enough to really know how they sound.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Would be kind of cool to do a video comparing the two. I took a picture of the crossover and it takes up most of the bottom of the speaker. Looks pretty quality to me. I can imagine a lot of people who have the BR 1 or considering the BR1 and wondering if the AA+ is worth the extra.

[@a88888888a]

Which elacs did you compare against this Phil kit?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I used the Unifi UB5 to compare. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for watching!

[@arcforceworld]

"These speakers *need* power." Me: *Laughs in Crown*

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Hahaha, that is a good solution! I actually forgot that I had a crown power amp and used that after the review to good affect.

[@arcforceworld]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 good stuff bro. Keep em coming!

[@ec3473]

Using mine with a Crown xls 2502

[@theclevelandsteamer9504]

50w per channel handle these? Using the AJ pioneers bookshelf and would like the experience of the kit.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Probably but it would depend on the amp and size of room. I could imagine a nice power amp in a mid size room power these nicely. What amp and size room do you have?

[@theclevelandsteamer9504]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 thanks for the reply, I have the Emotiva Ta-100 in a 12X12 dedicated hi-fi room in basement.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

@@theclevelandsteamer9504 I think that would work great. I just wouldn't go ear bleeding levels. I just measured my mid size room and it was 13x13. I used a speakercraft 70 wpc amp (class AB) and it worked great.

[@theclevelandsteamer9504]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 how are these holding up since the review? Still using them?

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Yeah, I think they're great. I would just put in the caveats that they can make bad recordings sound really bad. Upgrading from the AJ Pioneers this would be a huge upgrade. Bass, soundstaging, imaging. But, they wouldn't be as forgiving. For me, I loved really hearing all the details especially with good recordings.

[@steeplejock]

220 Watts required? I can't see them selling many of these speakers.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

I could probably have been a little clearer on this part. You don't need that much power, I just meant the combo sounded great. If you have a capable amp I am sure it can do just fine. I would just caution against trying to power this with an entry level home theater receiver. You could probably even use that but you wont get the most out of it. I certainly wouldn't use a low watt tube amp. It also really depends on the room and how loud you want to get. Want bass heavy music in a large room and get loud? Going to need a big amp.

[@JeradBenge]

Why not? The next biggest trend in the DIY community is class D amplifiers, so 200W of clean power is par for the course, with 500W being the tier that monoblock users target.

[@ec3473]

Love mine. Using a crown 2502 for power. Super overkill for this application. If you're running these full range, they won't handle 220 watts let alone 100. While they do dig incredibly low, power handling is poop for the woofer. Not much excursion. With an 80hz crossover, these have taken every watt the Crown has dished out with no sweat. Using 2 Martin Logan Dynamo 700's for the low end and it's an incredible setup for the $.

[@joeygonzo]

thank you

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@peterjames2580]

Well I guess my amp won't work for these. Nice review.

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

As much as I want you to buy these speakers, because I like them, your Marantz stereo at 20 wpc is a little on the low side. I could bring them over and have you try them though!

[@iowaudioreviews]

You sir got another subscriber. Found this video interesting as I've been a customer of Parts Express for 20 years and am very familiar with all their kits but have not heard of this brand and what they've done with it. If ya get a chance check my channel out and sub if you can tolerate my long videos. 👍

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Thank you! Yeah, check them out. They don't have a huge digital footprint but check out the review by Erin's Audio Corner on PA' BMR. Link is in my description. I am totally going to check it out! Look forward to watching!

[@Baerchenization]

What an unfortunate choice of name for an audio channel...

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

Not really sure what you mean. I can't even pronounce your handle.

[@Baerchenization]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 Well, but I can pronounce yours very well, because it is the name of the manufacturer GOLDENEAR... that is like naming your channel Marantz or PS Audio and then doing reviews on other brands... isn't it? How could you not have known, unless being completely ignorant? They even do serious gear, not just random shit... double u-tf?!!

[@goldenearaudioreview4904]

The term Golden Ear is a term that existed before the company was founded. The channel is a tongue in cheek reference to the idea of the ability to hear beyond normal mortals. Absolute sound magazine has been handing out Golden Ear awards long before the company was founded. I love Sandy Gross and his impact on the audio community and have a set of his Def Tech Mythos ST's.

[@Baerchenization]

@@goldenearaudioreview4904 Yayayaaa... all I said is how unfortunate it is. Look: here is another one for you: how about I called my channel BluePoint? Or Blaupunkt? You know... it's a point... a point.. blue, at that... so here's the thing: it is just a terrible name, for a brand and also a KZbin channel, because it is in any case super non-descript, but already being a brand name all the more a no-go area... you can have your own opinion, go crazy, my dude. PS It sucks :)

[@davidmlevitt]

@@Baerchenization Baerchenization your replies, in my opinion, are inappropriate and uncalled for, but you already know that. This speaker review is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to learn about great audio gear and GoldenEar Audio Review has done an incredible job of sharing his hard work and analysis of what could be for many a great purchase. I'm pretty sure that GoldenEar Audio Review did not put out his review for the purpose having people conduct a branding exercise on his KZbin Channel name. In addition, people like GoldenEar Audio Review are helping to support entrepreneurs who are working their tales off to provide great audio products at very reasonable prices.