Upgrading to Avantgarde Colibri C2

[Puddingbuks]

I’m thinking of getting a pair of Avantgarde Colibri C2 for my living room.

I really like their design and build quality. Many hate the design, but I love it.

The Kef LS60 will have to move for them. They sound fantastic and with my SVS sub they leave little to desire. And yes they will most certainly have better spinorama results than the colibri (can’t find any measurements).

But the Kef’s are frail and vulnerable. Woofer and coax without grill. Beautiful but prone to scratches surface. Electronics inside that gave me problems from time to time (wifi).

What I expect from the colibri speakers is a more dynamic “live like” performance. I have read many positive comments from people hearing them at shows.

Any thoughts?

 

[Paffi]

Funny, I had them on my list also, with the same intentions like you (dynamic and livelike as the kefs suck at this). But then I got the wanted sound with the JBLs (CBT 70J) which measure kind of well. But the look of the colibris is just stunning, so I'm curious what you will do.

 

[Keith_W]

I think you are only going to get subjective comments since there are very few measurements of these speakers. I have heard many Avantgardes - a couple of Trios, some Duos, and one Uno. And I have also heard some of their other models at shows. But I have not heard this particular speaker.

Yes, all the horn equipped models have that dynamic "horn" sound. Even after so many years as an objectivist, there are some things I can't explain. I do think the dynamics of horns is real, but I don't know how to prove it! But some of them also had some horn honkiness.

If I was going to buy a speaker like that (no known measurements), I would ask the dealer for a home trial. I normally offer to pay an agreed price with the option to return within an agreed window minus their costs. Most dealers would be happy to accept. Then I would take them home and measure them myself. Make sure you come up with a plan to deal with their shortcomings (if any).

 

[Doenerkunde]

Few measurements I was able to find:

Source: https://colibri-acoustic.de/tcl-uploads/2026/01/SUONO_598_diged_Colibri-review.pdf

Source: https://colibri-acoustic.de/tcl-uploads/2024/09/STEREO_10-24_Avantgarde_Colibri_TESTBERICHT.pdf

I also really like their look!

 

[Puddingbuks]

Thanks for the measurements.

The beaming of the horn / sweet spot will be its weakest point, for sure in comparison to the LS60. From what I read, many reviewers claim that there is no horn "honkiness" in this Colibri.

Strange thing in the Stereo review is this:

Verzerrungen in Prozent bei 63 / 3k / 10k Hz (Satellit) etwas hoch (0,7 / 0,11 / 0,08)

Distortion (%) at 63 / 3k / 10k Hz (satellite) somewhat high (0.7 / 0.11 / 0.08)

But isn't that quite low?

 

[Puddingbuks]

Ordered a pair, will arrive in a few weeks. Very curious and excited.

I will use them with a lyngdorf tdai 2170 which is collecting dust for months. And a subwoofer of course, probably my SVS but maybe something smaller.

 

[Paffi]

Please show us then pictures, how they look in your room where did you order?

 

[LTig]

A bit too late, but anyway:

I listened to the Classic Trio some 20+ years ago at a local dealer, demoed by the sales people from Avantgarde Acoustic. They had a lively dynamic sound (compared to my Magnepan 1,6 I had back then) with Blues, Rock and Pop, but a somewhat nasty peak when listening to male opera singers.

I listened to a Duo at Highend 2019 in Munich, and other horn speakers, and none of them had a special dynamic sound, because I own active studio monitors (K&H O300D) which sound much more dynamic than the old MG 1.6. The cause I think is that there is no passive crossover between amp and drivers. Therefore I would not expect too much of a change since your LS60 are also active.

Good sound , low volume?

I recently got a pair of Neuman KH310 monitors and was surprised that they played at low levels much better than my previous (larger) speakers even without any low volume bass EQ compensation. Not really sure why but maybe the flat FR helps. Using monitors for low level listening was mentioned...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Munich Highend 2019

Anyone going to Munich? I'll be there on May 11th (2nd visit in my life, 1st one a long long time ago in Frankfurt).

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Puddingbuks]

@LTig I will soon experience their sound. The LS60 sound nice and objectively good, they just do not grab me like my dutch & dutch speakers. These give a “realer” midrange, more “in your face” sound with “bite” and play much louder if needed. The dutch & dutch are in my listening room and therefore used less, but every time I switch them on, I’m like “hell yeah, this is IT!”.

I have heard the full scale Avantgarde Trio with horn subwoofers once and was blown away with the sheer impact and dynamics. Visited many shows and dealers, but never heard something like that. Not that the Colibri will deliver that, but I’m loving the concept of high sensitivity speaker and the use of subwoofers. Also love the company, german engineering, their style.

 

[Sal1950]

But the Kef’s are frail and vulnerable.

I have to agree with you there. I could never run speakers with the drivers exposed all the time. I just know one day I'd put the vacuum handle thru them or some such thing.

And a subwoofer of course, probably my SVS but maybe something smaller.

Time will guide you but IME using smaller subs with dynamic, high efficiency speakers would be a mistake. Best integration usually takes a sub with real muscle.

 

[Puddingbuks]

This was the Avantgarde setup I have heard at the Dutch audio event 2024.

Demoed by Armin Kraus.

 

[Puddingbuks]

The colibris are in production now and will arrive within two weeks.

Today I decided to trade in my Lyngdorf 2170 for a 1120. Do not need the extra power and the 1120 is more modern with build in streamer.

Colibri + 1120 + svs sub = killer 10k setup.

AI impression:

 

[Paffi]

Did you also consider the TDAI 2210? Had the 1120 once, loved room perfect and currently thinking about buying the 1120 again or the 2210. Value for money is probably much better with the 1120. Can't wait for your impressions of the colibris.

 

[Puddingbuks]

The 2210 is nicer but 3999 euro, whereas the 1120 is 1699, has enough power for the colibris as they have a high sensitivity and I use a subwoofer. I also don’t care for a display with cover art as I always use an ipad where I can see all I want to see up close.

 

[Paffi]

The 2210 is nicer but 3999 euro, whereas the 1120 is 1699, has enough power for the colibris as they have a high sensitivity and I use a subwoofer. I also don’t care for a display with cover art as I always use an ipad where I can see all I want to see up close.

Yes, besides the display, the 2210 has some advantages when it comes to in- and outputs, but the premium to be paid is large. The trinnov nova is also still in my head, but will see maybe you can tell me, where you placed your order (if you don't want to disclose in this thread, maybe via pn)

 

[Dan]

I have avantgarde zero actives. They’re sitting dormant unfortunately as something is wrong with the slave speaker. Very difficult time getting them repaired as they are no longer made. I’m trying to get something set up with the north American distributor but haven’t had much luck. Loved them when working so I think you’re in for a treat.

I am now very hesitant to go back to active speakers for this very situation.

 

[pablolie]

... dynamic and livelike as the kefs suck at this ...

I don't think that's been established in any review (even subjective) or measurement anywhere.

I am not sure I like the design principle of highly directive horns pointed upwards, as in the pic...

 

[dfuller]

I am now very hesitant to go back to active speakers for this very situation.

Pro stuff is generally better taken care of than consumer, even high end consumer, so that would be a consideration there...

 

[Martin]

Few measurements I was able to find:

View attachment 535229

Source: https://colibri-acoustic.de/tcl-uploads/2026/01/SUONO_598_diged_Colibri-review.pdf

View attachment 535230

Source: https://colibri-acoustic.de/tcl-uploads/2024/09/STEREO_10-24_Avantgarde_Colibri_TESTBERICHT.pdf

I also really like their look!

 

[pablolie]

Pro stuff is generally better taken care of than consumer, even high end consumer, so that would be a consideration there...

There clearly is no clear demarcation line, and a lot of garbage carries the "Pro" label... and some even gets pro studio endorsement. never trust a marketing label, and every time "pro" is a attached to a product name you know it's meaningless. and there is no engineering difference when it comes to designing a "pro" from a consumer speaker or headphone - good and bad measurements happen in both product camps.