High End Munich 2024 concluded in mid-May, but there were still a number of new introductions that we feel warrant some commentary.
Avantgarde Acoustic, based in Germany, debuted their new MEZZO G3 Loudpeaker at the show. The main distinguishing feature of the MEZZO G3 is its iconic horn design that has been a mainstay of the brand for over 30 years.
For those old enough to remember the Uno, Duo, and Trio models that made the German brand rather successful in the 1990s, the MEZZO G3 feel somewhat understated from an industrial design perspective and that will likely make them an easier sell for many.
Our experience with the aforementioned models was always somewhat of a mixed bag; proper alignment of the drivers and positioning of the loudspeakers were critical to getting the maximum amount of performance out of them.
EIC Ian White recalls more than a few Avantgarde demonstrations with very expensive amplification that were shockingly poor considering the extremely high price of admission.
Get everything correct, and the older models could absolutely vanish in your listening room and deliver a rather immediate and forceful sounding presentation.
Get it wrong — an absolute mess that would have a hard time making a case for itself against most systems today under $10,000. And that includes everything.
The new MEZZO G3 look and feel rather different.
The MEZZO G3 loudspeaker system is the result of years of research. It is designed to deliver great sound while also having an artistic, decorative, that dominates, rather than blending into, a room environment. Among the line up it fits between the flagship TRIO and the DUO GT.
The MEZZO G3 is available in two versions: semi-active and fully active. The fully active version incorporates a unique iTRON power amplifier.
Tech Note: Semi-active means that the tweeter and midrange are passive (need to be connected to an external amplifier), and there is a built-in amplifier to power the subwoofer. Fully active means that the iTRON power amplifiers power the tweeter and mid-range in addition to the already included subwoofer amplifier.
Whether you choose the semi or fully-active version, the MEZZO G3 is designed to deliver a first-class sound experience.
From Holger Fromme: “We are incredibly proud to introduce the MEZZO G3 to the world,…Our team has worked hard to develop a speaker system that not only sets audiophile standards but also makes a statement in terms of design and craftsmanship. The High End in Munich offers the perfect stage to present this special loudspeaker to the world.”
MEZZO G3 Core Features
Building on the efforts of the Avantgarde engineering and design team here are some core feature highlights of the MEZZO G3:
- Enlarged horn-loaded bass reflex system for optimal bass power and performance. The bass reflex system incorporates two down-firing 120mm (4.7-inch) diameter tubes.
- New generation Evolution drivers for increased dynamics, lower distortion, and even purer sound.
- Innovative XT3 tweeter with new ‘Long Throw’ Horn, extended super tweeter frequency range, and extremely low distortion. The variable phase of the XT3 tweeter can be adjusted via a provided rotary knob.
- Coplanar arrangement of the acoustic center of all drivers/ This supports audio and spatial coherence.
- NatureCapPlus, Avantgarde’s unique, proprietary new pure copper super-capacitor, supports additional sound listening refinement.
- Equipped as standard with the E-Fuse circuitry, an electronic fuse for an even more precise dynamic reproduction.
- iTRON Current Drive (optional) provides a fully active configuration for precise control of the driver output.
- AirGate: This technology filters out high-frequency distortion.
- Coplanar Driver Alignment: This means that all the speaker drivers are on the same plane. The distance between each of the drivers and the listener is the same.
- NatureCapPlus Capacitors with PolarizationPlus circuitry: The crossover incorporates capacitors that are larger than previous iterations with a special high-grade foil and an adapted circuit layout.
Multiple lacquer or wooden veneer finishes for the bass cabinets and new color and design options are available to provide the best look for your room.
Specifications
- Frequency Range (Tweeter/Midrange): 170-28,000 Hz
- Frequency Range (Subwoofer): 18-350 Hz
- Power Handling: 100 Watts
- Sensitivity (1 Watt/1 m): > 107 dB
- Crossover Frequencies: 170/3,500 Hz
Nominal Impedance: 18 Ohms - Recommended Amplifier Power: > 10 Watt
- Recommended Room Size: > 20 sqm
- Horn Type: Spherical
- Horn Aperture Angle: 180 Degrees
- Tweeter Horn Diameter: 25 mm (1-inch)
- Midrange Horn Diameter: 170 mm ( 7-inch)
- Bass Driver: 2 x XB12
- Bass Driver Size: 300 mm / 12 inches
- Bass Driver Voice Coil Diameter: 153 mm
- Flux Density: 1.15 Tesla / 480 mm
- Pole Plate: Low-carbon steel
- Membrane Material: Paper/carbon fiber compound
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 670 mm x 720 mm x 1,714 mm (26.4 x 28.3 x 67.48 inches)
- Weight: 135.5 kg / 298 lbs
Bass Amplifier
- Output power (RMS): 1x 1000 Watt
- Digital Crossover: DSP
- Equalizer: 8 Band EQ
- Digital Room Adjustment
- Inputs: 1x SPKR + 1x XLR
iTRON Electronics (Optional – full active version)
- iTRON voltage/current converter technology: patented
- Fully balanced circuit: yes
- Single-ended circuit” yes
- Zero Feedback: yes
- Without negative feedback: yes
- Power: 2 x 100 Watt
Modular Technology
This facilitates future electronic system upgrades if needed. This also means that if you initially purchase the semi-active version of the MEZZO G3, you can upgrade to the fully active version at a later date. Special connections are provided to facilitate the upgrades.
Price & Availability
The MEZZO G3 (semi-active version) is available for around $108,600/pair USD.
The MEZZO G3 with the inclusion of iTRON (fully active version), has an approximate price of around $132,800/pair USD.
Avantgarde Acoustic loudspeakers can be auditioned and purchased through Authorized Dealers in many color combinations.
For more information: avantgarde-acoustic.de
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