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Continuum 3: Testimonials

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Reviews, awards, comments

Review

2004 | SixMoons.com | Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen, publisher | Review >

"This is one bloody impressive loudspeaker...Shouldn't GMA really stand for Grand Master Acoustics?"

"The verdict thus writes itself: The Continuum 3 is a bona fide all-out assault at the time-coherent state-of-the-art...Though I have tried, I cannot really point the finger at anything to complain about. If the C3 is a bit fussier about ancillaries than most, that is merely a reflection on its demanding resolving power. Because (of its) low distortion in the time, transducer and cabinet domains, it strips away fat, fuzz, and fake comfort to become a very serious precision tool that will not lie to please nor dull its blade to protect the unweary.

"...In many ways, they rewrite expectations. Nothing about them is not seemingly backed by solid science of high-order Physics...And while there are many roads pointing to Rome, not every example of the speaker art traveling down any particular one makes it into the final piazza. Make no mistake, the Continuum 3 does...

"...From talking with Roy Johnson, the way this happened was much inspired by his recording work for the Colorado Springs Symphony and sound reinforcement experience. It allowed him to identify certain sonic ingredients that were not a function of his microphone or recorder choices and thus had to be blamed on additive or distorting speaker behavior. Via a process of elimination against the master tape, his design process over the years continued to subtract those sonic attributes that he knew were not part of the recording chain. The (Continuum 3) is an advanced product of this process. It should thus be of particular interest to folks who regularly attend live concerts or...are involved in the recording arts of live events to have a true yardstick against which to measure what (it) accomplishes. This is one bloody impressive loudspeaker...Shouldn't GMA really stand for Grand Master Acoustics?"

Awards

2005.

A "Best-sounding Room," soundstageav.com/onhifi, The Home Entertainment Show, Las Vegas.

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2006.

"Standout Demo," by soundstagelive.com, Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, Denver.

2007.

Green Mountain Audio speakers featured in brochure produced by Chicago's Metrotech Group LLC given to each presenter and award recipient at the Grammy Awards.

Comments

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"I’ve heard and owned a lot of speakers in the last 22 years in this hobby, and this one is the best of all."

"I can more clearly understand the intent of the artist. The different techniques used in the recording process are much more obvious. I found myself playing a lot of vinyl and being completely absorbed in the music. All the audiophile things are there, in spades: Imaging, micro- and macro-dynamics, neutral tonal balance, and wide bandwidth. I’ve heard and owned a lot of speakers in the last 22 years in this hobby, and this one is the best of all."

"No doubt about it...this is the audio buy of my life thus far."

"I can't begin to tell you how very pleased I am with my new Continuum 3s. I don't usually comment this quickly, but these creations certainly merit doing so. Also, this may serve as a place to look back as I progress in the setup to view my initial comments.

"I used to like my Krell amp for its excellent bass. After listening to the Continuums for a few hours, it's easy to realize this is the best bass I've experienced in my audio life. Talk about authorative, this simply brings out bass as it was intended to sound like. The even-ness of tonality throughout the entire range is delightful. No doubt about it in my initial impressions, this is the audio buy of my life thus far.

"Hard to imagine I'll ever improve on the value and quality these beauties have to give. I'm sure imaging, control, depth, and finesse will increase as I begin to learn how to fine-tune these creations.

"I'm overwhelmed by your passion. You have an understanding of speakers as complete as I've ever witnessed. We need more like you. It's unfortunate that people like you are the exception rather than the rule. It makes me wonder how many abandon their quest for musical quality in a world filled with so much nonsense, wannabees, and sellers of smoke and mirrors. Roy, you and your GMA are the real deal. Thanks for helping me when I was ready to give up.

"Renewed with new energy, I'm finally able to sit back and enjoy a wonderful musical experience. After all, isn't that what it's really all about?"

Associated equipment used in room (left)

Analog: Basis 2000 Turntable; Graham 2.0 Tonarm; Benz H20 Cartridge; Table plinth sits on Walker Valid Points on Maple Butcher Block on Target Wall mount stand. Digital: VSE Modded Sony DVP-9000ES SACD/CD Player. Preamp: Air Tight ATC-2; Transition Audio Design (Tom Tutay) tube phono preamp. Surround Processor: Fosgate FAP-T1+. Video Sources: Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player; Verizon HD PVR. Video Display: Panasonic PT-900AE projector; 120" Carada Criterion Screen. Front L-R Amp: McIntosh MC-402 or Viva Aurora SET monoblocks. 3-Channel amp (Center, L/R Surround): Anthem MCA-30. Subwoofer Amp: Crown XTI-2000; Whirlwind PCDI RCA to Balance convertor. Cables: Silent Source interconnect and speaker cables; Blue Jeans Cables component video and HDMI. Front L-R Speakers: GMA C3s. Center Speaker: GMA Vortex. Surround Speakers: M&K SS-150 Tripoles. Subwoofers: 2 x GMA SW15. Power Conditioning: 2 x Richard Grey RGPC-400.

--Texas, USA

"With the Continuum 3's, I'm no longer searching."

"The speaker is capable of resolving the nuances of musical detail and revealing the differences in front end components better than any speaker I've heard -- yet the speaker's "character" is never analytical or sterile. The sound is always involving with a sense of breath and dynamics that can only be described as realistic and musical. From the smallest detail to the most dynamic crescendo, the Continuum 3 delivers a sound that's musically satisfying and natural.

"The most important innovation in this product is the speakers' uncanny ability to accurately recreate vocal size and timbre with pinpoint focus within the sound stage. As a music lover and performer, as opposed to being a tweak, it takes a component that's able to convincingly recreate a wide range of musical styles and performances to stay in my audio system. With the Continuum 3's, I'm no longer searching."

--R.J., Colorado, USA

"I’ve had speakers rated down to 16 or 18Hz and the Continuum 3s clearly out-perform them in the bass department. What makes them special? They're the most coherent three-way I’ve ever heard. The spatial presentation is above reproach, they sound great at any volume setting, and they allow one to enjoy their entire library."

"Heard the Continuum 3s at the (2006) Rocky Mountain Audio Fest...blown away by the speakers! Without a doubt, one of the best rooms -- if not the best -- at the show."

"I heard the Continuum 3s and the new Thiel 3.7s on the same day and thought the Continuum 3s were in another league."

"They're fabulous, and I mean at the very top of the best speakers out there. They have what it takes: Pinpoint imaging, dynamics, total coherence, and beautiful tone, all around. They're in total control of dynamic changes and suitable for all types of music."

"...the bird fooled me too, because the C3's performance sounded like a perfect match."

"Two things I really like about the Continuum 3s are realistic timbres of instruments and clear enunciation of voices. An unexpected example of these qualities occurred about three weeks into the break-in of our new pair. I had a Sunday morning to myself, which seemed like a good time to listen to some choral music. Hear My Prayer by Mendelssohn was playing from Choral Moods by The Trinity Choir, Cambridge.

"A boy treble was starting a call-and-answer section with the choir after a long solo, when a bird seemed to call from within the church. I’d never heard a bird on this recording before, and it sounded too close to the choir and too obvious to have been left in the final release. My analytical self restarted the cut. At the same place, the bird sounded again. My intuitive self was smiling, as this was an exciting discovery. Missing parts and instruments had appeared from the C3s in previous muddles on other recordings, but nothing like this. "Too obvious!" said my analytical self, as I restarted the cut. The bird called a third time at the same place.

"My intuitive self was chuckling out loud now, while my analytical self still didn’t believe the evidence. After the disc finished, my analytical self decided that a third repeat was necessary in order to make any credible comments. The bird was not there. The cut was repeated yet again -- and no bird. Cuts 3, 4, and 6 were replayed in case of faulty memory, and the results were all the same -- no bird.

"The most plausible explanation I have is that the treble voice fooled a bird outside, as the treble sounded through a partially open window. Conversely, the bird fooled me too, because the C3's performance sounded like a perfect match. I like these speakers."

--L.B., Illinois, USA

"These speakers are simply MUSICAL -- and I think that says it all."

"I've played euphonium, tuba, double bass, and electric bass in musical ensembles ranging all the way from symphony orchestras to arena rock and roll bands since 1963. Heck, I even played tuba in a polka band with twin accordianists! So I know how a wide variety of musical instruments are supposed to sound. In the context of working in professional recording studios since 1968, I discovered that there are some recording engineers who are remarkably adept at transmitting these sounds accurately through speaker systems.

"Through the years, I have owned a lot of different speakers, some of which have been quite expensive. I was not even looking for new speakers when I wandered through the 2004 Denver Rocky Mountain Audio Fest for three days last Fall. But my feelings changed quite suddenly when I stumbled upon the GMA Continuum 3's on the second day. I found myself returning to that room with my little bag of CD's over and over again. I just couldn't get over how musical they were. And for me, musical is the operative word. Technical specifications are a very nice thing, but it's the real sound of real musical instruments that interests me most.

Stereo_gear_CO

"Anyway, on the day after the Fest ended, I got a call from a friend of mine who had attended the event in his role as a reviewer for an audiophile magazine. Before I could get in a word, he launched in. "I sure hope you got a chance to hear those speakers in the Green Mountain room," he said. "They were my favorite thing at the show!" Actually, his favorite thing is uncovering some amazing audio gear before I do. "I guess great minds think alike," I responded.

"His unsolicited remarks provided the last little nudge I needed to call Roy at GMA. I'm not one to make a major purchase lightly, but I had to have these speakers -- now. So I bought the demo pair right off the showroom floor. After all, I wouldn't have to waste a minute breaking them in. Have I been happy? Well, I've really worked these speakers over with a wide variety of music played at every conceivable volume level. These speakers love it all. I haven't found any type of music which they do not handle with ease and grace. These speakers are simply MUSICAL -- and I think that says it all.

"P.S. You might wonder why I choose to use a subwoofer with these full range speakers. Actually, I don't use it at all with well-equalized recordings. However, I have some CDs and a lot of older vinyl recordings which clearly benefit from some bass boost. So think of it as an 18" tone control. It sits in the middle of the room because that's where I like to hear the bass drum sit when I play rock and blues records. Those of you who are a bit technophilic are probably grimacing at this moment. Those of you who are bass players are just grinning that knowing grin."

--S.M., Colorado, USA

"...you have the last word each time I power up your C3's."

"Let me blow out the doors and make it perfectly clear to you. I wish I were younger but I am forty three years old...still playing and recording in a rock and roll band, WHATEVER. Look Roy, I have no right whatsoever to even be speaking to you. AM TOTALLY ASTOUNDED BY YOUR PERSONAL AND DETAILED RESPONSES. Do not waste your precious time to reply to this email as you have the last word each time I power up your C3's.

"I am no idiot when it comes to music, though not a genius yet... your thanking me for thanking you is totally appreciated, WOW, like Brando telling a wannabe actor, "YOU DID GOOD."

"But truly, during my life time so far, from the Krell amps and Martin Logans etc., that I auditioned back in 1979 to all the systems in between...to all the recording sessions and gear I have ever used...and personalities I have had the honor of recording with or playing or designing systems with...It is not my opinion it is fact: Yo! I know DJ's and rockers who have played country wide...whenever I play "Give Me Shelter" by the Stones for them and whatever other music they have or I have...THEY ARE SPEECHLESS. The opening of "Give me Shelter"? My PROFESSIONAL musician friends CANNOT, TO A MAN, place the speakers. FOR THE FIRST TIME, they love the depth, purity...and I can tell my friends ARE ASTOUNDED BY THE BASS, etc. THEY CAN NOT BELIEVE IT. THEY ARE TOTALLY SOLD...TOTALLY, TOTALLY, TOTALLY.

"Thank you for staying involved in the biz. I have the Loudspeaker Design Handbook memorized. You......BY ORDERS OF TOTAL MAGNITUDE...are in another universe. Like an interview I read about Kurt Cobain being over the trip wire and out of camp wreaking havoc, you simply went out and won the war, for as far as I can tell. Side by side you are like Rupert Neve, you make the rest of the crowd look like AMATEURS.

"P.S. Your turntable advice and this exchange has made me so happy I am floating. BUT I know to my core, THERE IS NO SPEAKER I HAVE HEARD, anyone has heard to date, that even approaches the REALITY that the C3 does EFFORTLESSLY. You are ALL ACES ROY. I am embarrassed that the King of Loudspeaker Design actually talked to me directly. Yo, fellow music lover, THE F***ING C3's ROCK THE HOUSE, yo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are REAL 100% of the time, at any volume, with any music. THEY ARE MIND EXPANDING....you just can't believe what garbage passes for high-end speakers (thanks to propaganda) once you live with the C3. If you can top these, that would be frightening. What is there to improve?

Stereo_gear_NY

"My picture is attached...I got as much gear as I could in the photo just to show you what I have. I guess it shows I am serious. Thirty years of a hobby (buying, building, reading, testing, learning, wishing) GONE...VANISHED in one purchase by the C3s AND I do not have them setup properly!

"There is nothing else to do. THESE Speakers are right on every track. Even with the best attributes of any system I have had, I can tell you on what tracks they excelled on and where they pissed me off. IF THE C3s SUCKED I WOULD BE TELLING YOU. I don't even play them above 90 dB almost never and I can't take it - if I put them louder I would be dancing around the room...THEY ARE ENERGIZING!

"I am sure one day soon STEREOPHILE will recognize the C3 in the yearly product review and the C3 will be the only speaker in the A+ group. Wilson, Focal, KEF, etc. and all "the best" otherwise? They will be A-grade grouping, (which is really misleading as the gap between A and A+ is an order of magnitude greater than their current gap between A and D).

"No reputable recording studio in the WORLD would be TOP SHELF unless they have a pair of these. I would go as far as to single out the top 10 recording studios in the world and send them a pair for free. THERE IS NO HONEST EXPERT IN THE WORLD who can a-b compare any speaker to the C3 and say they are ANYWHERE NEAR AS realistic..."

--U.B., New York, USA

"My search is over. I think I will take up fly-fishing."

--P.F., Wisconsin, USA

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