Welcome to the wonderful world of Vivid Audio

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I first heard Vivid Audio's B1 speakers at CES 2004, Philip Guttentag (founder) was the S.African Halcro distributor and I was seriously impressed with their performance. I subsequently heard them in a multi-channel set up at the Munich High End show. My German friend Meik Wippermann (who presents for different manufacturers at the Munich High End Show, was the first person I met to actually own Vivid speakers & he swore by them). The following year Philip G showed up at our home with a pair of K1 speakers and proceeded to plonk them down in our office in front of my custom QUAD ESL57 (in non-magnetic stainless steel frames) and quickly hooked them up to the amp on hand. Pandora & I were both floored; the sound was as fast as an electrostat, as uncolored but had really serious bass & threw a wide & deep sound-stage (which the ESL57 cannot achieve). Pandora quickly declared that this was the first speaker she heard that could replace our beloved ESL57.

Unfortunately for us, Philip G decided to go with Musical Surroundings for US distribution and we thought nothing more about Vivid until a year later (2006) Garth dropped Vivid as he had a divorce to contend with and Philip G turned around & offered us the line and we quickly accepted.

Quite honestly the first few years with Vivid were a real struggle to get audiophiles to look past the cabinets & give the speakers a serious listen. Most dealers & audiophiles could not deal with the non-rectangular shapes, it was a tough slog.

Things started to look up with the introduction of the Giya G1; here was a worthy successor to the B&W Nautilus & reaction was quick though the sales were slow. The Giya series is truly functional art & many non audiophiles do not recognize them as speakers. We have been asked more than once why we have two identical sculptures in our living room. It was the introduction of the Giya G3 that started sales moving in the United States and our sales & dealer base have been growing steadily since. The G3 delivers performance that belies its diminutive appearance. The first country to really take Vivid seriously was Japan and Stereo Sound magazine (published in Chinese, Korean & Japanese) gave the K1 a Grand Prix prize in 2006, which was quickly followed by another Grand Prix & Golden Sound for the Giya G1 in 2009 and then the Giya G3 in 2012. Things started to pick up in the US when Stereophile gave the K1 Loudspeaker Of the Year award in 2012. Last year (2104) we shared the Loudspeaker Of the Year award with the Wilson Audio Alexia but also won Overall Product of the Year for 2014. Meanwhile on the internet, SoundStage gave the Giya G2 their Product Of the Year award in 2012. SoundStage has been a terrific champion for Vivid Audio and we are really grateful for their support.

We are in the process of finalizing a collection of videos that explain why the Vivid Audio speakers look unique and we will post the links shortly. Laurence Dickie (designer) does not rush new products out every year. In fact when Vivid Audio launch a new speaker next month at the Munich High End Show, it will be the first new speaker in almost a year and a half. I will forward photos next month from Munich - can't wait !
 

DaveyF

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2010
6,129
181
458
La Jolla, Calif USA
Great speakers. Philip, can you give us an idea as to the ideal room size for each of the G series and/or what each would like to see minimally.
Thanks.
 
Great speakers. Philip, can you give us an idea as to the ideal room size for each of the G series and/or what each would like to see minimally.
Thanks.

Davey,

The G4 would work well in a 150 / 200 sq ft room
G3 in a 300 sq ft room; though I have used them in my living room with great results, its approx 1200 sq ft on the ground floor and 1700 on the second floor, so a lot of volume.
G2 - 400 sq ft +
G1 - 500 sq ft ++++

As regards power depending on the size of the room & listening levels, I have driven the G3 in a smallish room with the Luxman L590A (30W Class A, 8?) with great effect.
I am currently using the Luxman B-1000f monoblocks, which put out 30 W into 8?, afterwards they slide into Class AB, 300 W 8? and 2kW into 1?, peak power. I would guess 90% of my listening is in Class A. Its like riding a motorcycle, I dont spend all my time breaking the speed limit, just once & a while on a quiet road do I open up ....

Hope this is of help.

I have run the Mola Mola mono blocks full bore into the G1; it didn't phase the speakers in the least.
 
Thank you, Philip. That's very helpful. I need to take a listen to the G4's.

Davey

Be sure to share your auditioning experience with us

Ciao

Philip
 

gtl

New Member
Jan 29, 2016
7
0
0
Hi Philip,

Was wondering if you could provide some advice for choosing between the Vivid Giya G2 and G3.

I have 2 rooms, one 11.5' by 21'. Around 241.5 square feet. With 9' ceilings. Would the G2 be suitable?

I also have another smaller living room is 10.5' by 12.5'. Around 131.25 square feet with an open space to a dining area.

Not too sure which room I am placing the speakers yet of if I will be forced to shift it to living room with the dining area in future

I am comfortable with paying the extra for the G2, but I was just wondering if the G3 is a better fit? Would the bass be overpowering for the G2? I don't want to always think of what I am missing if I get the G3 instead of the G2.

I really appreciate your advice on this especially with your experience with setting up rooms.

Thank you
 
Sorry for the tardy reply.

The 240 sq ft room is a little small for the G2, you might consider the G3. As regards the other room, how large is the dining area that opens on to it? How is the room furnished ?
What kind of music do you listen to ? How loud ?

Ciao

Philip
 

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