Stereophile: Anthony Gallo Takes The Mega-Buck Boys To School

Anthony Gallo's new Reference 3.1 loudspeaker ($2995/pair) proved that it's better to set up a room properly than it is to try to beat it into submission with expensive components. Not to take anything away from Gallo's Ref 3.1, which sounded fantastic, but his demo proved that God truly is in the details, sounding bigger, realer, richer, and more dynamic than most of the googolbuck systems we heard today. In fact, one importer, who shall remain nameless, confessed that he had a pair in his living room rather than the costly lines he brings into the country.

The Ref 3.1 has the same 10" woofer that the Ref 3 utilized, but the midrange drivers are new4" carbon fiber designs with neodymium magnets. The CDT tweeter is unchanged, although Gallo has removed a switch from its signal path that he felt compromised its performance. Also new are metalized polypropylene capacitors in the crossover.

Gallo cued Reference Recording's performance of Rutter's O Magnum Mysterium as we entered the room and its depth and majesty were overwhelming. The sopranos sounded natural and ravishing. We did not want to leave, so we invited the Ref 3.1s over to Wes' house for a longer assignation.

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Reader Comments

Posted 1/8/2006 at 12:33 — By Ole Dokka

3.1 eh? I have a pair of Ref 3`s, and can only praise the performance these little guys put on! They will be in my system for a long time, matching more and more expensive electronics :-) Do anyone know if it will be possible to upgrade original Ref 3�s? Looking forward to read more about the 3.1 in Stereophile! Ole Dokka Norway

Posted 1/8/2006 at 21:000 — By Mike Tosh

First, congrats to Stereophile for the great show coverage and updates. I don't see this anywhere else and it's top notch! I second the Gallo's..I've had them for half a year or so and they blow me away still. Now, I have to wonder about the 3.1 midrange..drat! I'd be up for a trade in or upgrade. Is Stereophile going a review of the 3.1? Hope so...plese include some great pics!

Posted Mon Jan16, 2006, 3:21 AM — By Donald N.

I'm surprised how small they are!

Posted Sat Jan28, 2006, 8:58 AM — By MKG

I too would be interested in upgrading my recently acquired Ref3's to Ref3.1's. great scoop!

Posted Tue Jan31, 2006, 2:19 AM — By manuel mercado

As soon as I saw them advertised in Home Theater last April I ordered a pair with the sub amp. I love these speakers . They look and sound Awesome. I immediately heard significant differences between my Cd and Dvd players. I am impatiently waiting for the Center channel speaker to be available.

Posted Thu Mar30, 2006, 10:22 PM — By Terry C. Moore

Have recently replaced my elderly classic DQ-10s & DQ-1W (with all mods) with a pair of Ref 3s, and am extremely pleased. Want to try the sub amp once I've gotten the speakers well broken-in and my ears attuned to their characteristics. What's with the 3.1s? What's the difference? Is there an upgrade available for the Ref 3.0s??

Posted Mon Jun23, 2008, 2:14 AM — By breaks

Thanks so much for this! This is exactly what I was looking for mirc mirc

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Posted Wed Oct22, 2008, 7:50 PM — By MFB

What ever happened? Did Wes get ever get the Gallo's home? Going against what I've read, I've found the 3.1's are placement sensitive. But once set up corretly for the room, Wow...

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