Ok, so finally got the 590s fired up. My very subjective opinion … First, I am stunned by the sound coming out of these speakers. I simply did not expect this level of sonic performance from $760 speakers. I have heard many systems in my audiophile days, including the megabuck stuff, and these 590s hold their own. I am driving them with nothing more than an old Onkyo receiver (albeit a nice one, with high current discrete amp channels, 80W into 8 ohms) and I can easily drive the 590s to ear splitting levels, with no discernible distortion. Clean, crisp, and smooth. So clean that I had to be careful about the volume level, far too easy to approach hearing damage levels when the sound is this free of distortion. The LF output is substantial, I see no need for a sub in my room, as I had hoped. Soundstage is wide and deep.
Note these speakers are very transparent. If it’s a bad recording, you will know very quickly. If a good recording, it’s glorious. Note I am using an older (very nice) Sony CD player as a source.
If I have any complaint, it’s the imaging. Always seemed smeared to one side, regardless of the recording. But, I suspect this is not the speakers, but the setup, placement, and room. Again, some tweaking will likely fix this.
Now I just need to figure out the baffle issue. Pic below. If it affected the sound I certainly didn’t hear it, but it is bugging me for sure. Will contact Harman to tomorrow.
That’s it for now folks, more to come later as I get things dialed in. But wow, just wow. These are an absolute steal at the refurb price. I would even say worth full retail of $2k. To all the folks that recommended the 590s, thank you!