Gershman Acoustics Speakers, VTL And Nordost
HIGH END 2019 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin

  Here at HIGH END 2019 was one of my favorite high-end audio couples, Ofra and Eli Gershman. Together, they make a dynamic duo as they work together traveling the world with their impressive speakers. Here in Munich they were showcasing the Grand Avant Garde floorstanding loudspeakers ($13,000 per pair). Combining both style and substance with shaped cabinet and vertical grill, am always impressed with both the visuals and voicing of Gershman Acoustics designs.

Visually, these are no typical boxes. With a glorious styling that would be welcome in any home, they aurally filled the room with a very musical soundscape. Each instrument was properly placed within its own space as the hall's sound floated in 3D. It's one of the magical moments i wish more people heard to truly appreciate the magic of music.

Compared to the original Avant Gardes, this is a totally new speaker. The drivers are modified versions of the original, with tweeter being sourced from Peerless. Midrange driver is carbon-fiber from France, and woofer is a custom design from Gershman's home country of Canada. The lovely painted is available in custom colors, which is followed up by several coats of fine Italian lacquer.

Grande Avant Garde speakers are internally wired with Nordost speaker cable, and of course within their system at HIGH END 2019 in Munich they also used Nordost for interconnects as well. VTL's amp and pre-amp were joined by the new Wand turntable and arm.

My show note say these are all-day listenable. What that means is some speakers grab you and impress instantly, yet in short time they can become fatiguing due to a slightly boosted upper midrange and/or overblown bass. A seasoned reviewer knows the true story, and as my ~200th show can confidently say if you want accuracy, all-day listenability, and natural portrayal of music with tuneful deep bass, then you really must audition the Gershman Acoustics Grand Avant Garde floorstanding loudspeakers. Without a doubt they have earned my award for Best Of HIGH END 2019.

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