Best sounding speakers you have ever listen to..

[maximoiglesias]

Of all the speakers that I ever heard in my life the best memories of all is the first set I inherited from my dad in the early 70's.
My dad geve me his beloved Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater in a Valencia baffle and a good friend of the family gave me a Leak 10 w/ch tube power amp and matching preamp with a home made Fisher turntable with a Technics arm w/Shure m-55 cartridge.
I dont recall listening to any better sound than that.

[Buckeyefan 1]

Back in the mid 80's, there was a high end shop in NE Ohio that ran a pair of Polk SDS/SRS flagships through some McIntosh amps. Those were impressive. They also had a set of Klipsch Cornwall's that blew my socks off. Back then, it was all 2 channel audio with big amps. I'm sure there's much better, but nothing has impressed me as much as those did at the time. Those really got me into this expensive mess we call a hobby! ;)

[BostonMark]

I listened to a female blues singer (wish I knew the name, it wasn't billie holiday) at a high end store in Boston.

They have a pair of Dali Megaline speakers, and had them running with Krell Monoblock amps, and some other really high end stuff.

The Dalis truly truly made me feel as if I was at the club, and the singer was there in front of a piano. They were the most lifelike speakers I had ever heard.

The salesman told me the total set up price for this stereo was over 100,000, and the Dali's themselves were 40,000 a pair.

[hemiram]

I have a friend who's dad is a very rich doctor, and he has a set of the big Infinity Reference Standards. I think they were about 40K back when he bought them 20+ years ago..

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pipeorgansound.com/images/IRS_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pipeorgansound.com/wall_of_sound.htm&h=1093&w=800&sz=87&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=W8W6wntWedHggM:&tbnh=150&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2B%2522infinity%2Breference%2Bstanda rd%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN%26as_qdr%3Dall

Six 12" woofers for each side! Amazing bass and so smooth.

He had a whole rack of high $$$ equipment too, the Sequerra (spelled right?) tuner was very impressive.

[bpape]

Hard to say. 2 come to mind - just 2 very different sounds.

Avalon Orsiris driven by all Spectral electronics

Wilson WAMM driven by Audio Research SP10 and Rowland amps

[highfihoney]

So far the best sounding speaker ive heard has been vintage mcintosh xrt 22 line arrays,i liked them so much i had to buy them & so far i still haven't heard anything much better.

1 MCintosh xrt 22.
http://www.roger-russell.com/xrt22pg.htm

2 Westlake audio.
http://www.westlakeaudio.com/Speakers/Professional_Series/sm-1.html


3 Infinity IRS Beta.
http://gon4.audiogon.com/i/c/f/1156190589.jpg

[outsider]

the best sounding speakers I ever heard were B&W 802Ds powered by Krell equipment with Transparent cables.

[JoeE SP9]

Recently I heard a pair of Maggy 20.1's. They are the best real world speakers I've ever heard. I have heard the Infinity IRS's and Apogee Grand's. They are both in a class by themselves.:D

[Haoleb]

B&W Signature 800's in tigers eye maple.

Absolutely georgeous. And the sound... well. Lets just say if i had 20k Id have a pair. Driven by Mcintosh.

Hear em at Audio/Video Showroom in santa rosa CA a few years back

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

PSB Platinums..... and i own them! Muha ha ha ha ha

Now if I can just live the next 20 years not hearing anything in the $20,000+ range, I should be cured of my upgradeitis. :D

[Sheep]

PSB Platinums..... and i own them! Muha ha ha ha ha

Now if I can just live the next 20 years not hearing anything in the $20,000+ range, I should be cured of my upgradeitis. :D

Who says amazing speakers need to cost 20 grand? The best I've heard are the Energy Veritas line. Not expensive by any means, but I wouldn't have anything else, unless it sounded better within a certain price range. I would not pay double the cost for a speaker that sounds 1/5th better.

SheepStar

[PENG]

Who says amazing speakers need to cost 20 grand? The best I've heard are the Energy Veritas line. Not expensive by any means, but I wouldn't have anything else, unless it sounded better within a certain price range. I would not pay double the cost for a speaker that sounds 1/5th better.

SheepStar

After listening to the many speakers under 6K, including the Paradigm Signatures I bought the Veritas 2.3i. That was almost two years ago, I have since listened to the B&W 802D and I thought they sound better for sure.

[The Dukester]

Buck, I'm with you on those Polk SDAs. I heard those and ALMOST traded/sold my Macs for a pair of them. After an extensive audition in my home, I decided to stay with the Macs, a decision I have never regretted. Those Polks sure did seem to spread out the sound field, however. In the end, though, I just thought they were playing too many games with the signal.

HifiHoney, I had already bought a pair of the Mac XRT20s and have never heard anything else I like better to this day. Where I live, there's not a lot of high end dealers that carry the mega buck equipment (unless you count McIntosh mega buck; I guess it's all relative:) ) so I have not heard the Wilsons, etc. Of the ones I have heard, I still like my 20s the best. If I find some I like better and can afford them, I'll buy 'em!

Sheep has a point, though, in the point of diminishing returns vs your pocketbook. Several g's is a lot to fork out for 5, 10 or even 15% increase in sound quality...unless your name is Sleestack! :D You go, brother! I would like to have your A/V budget! I'm glad for you that you do!

[Sheep]

Yeah, but I don't get out alot to hear "hi end" speakers. I would, but they're all downtown, and traffic around here is a nightmare.

But, when I judge a speaker, I don't care about bass, that's what subwoofers are for. I car about the mids and treble. I HATE metallic sounding speakers, and I hate that peak in the 1-4Khz range. Having logitech computer speakers, I am all to familiar with it. The Veritas 2.4i's were the first speaker I've heard to get this right (IMO: There, now no one can ***** :D ). I'm sure theres other speakers out there that have this traight too, but I haven't heard them yet. This is what I look for.

Plus, I like how they look :)

SheepStar

[rtcp]

the best sounding speakers I ever heard were B&W 802Ds powered by Krell equipment with Transparent cables.
Same speakers, except they were powered by Classe monoblocks.

[Mort Corey]

In the days before subs became the norm, I really liked the Ohm F series.....no sub necessary either.

Mort

[cornelius]

I would really like to hear a pair of Ohm F's someday. I have newer Ohms, two-ways, but I'm curious about the original.

Sheep, go out and listen to as many different types of speakers as you can - both expensive and not. Although the Energys are pretty good (I also hate it when designers bump up the 1-4K range to create more excitement...), you'll get a good idea of what makes a great speaker. You'll probably hear where the Energys actually exceed some of the pricey guys and where they may fail. The trade-offs might not mean a thing to you but at least you'll know what they are!

[furrycute]

B&W 802, driven by Musical Fidelity amp and preamp.

[gmichael]

I heard a pair on Magnepan 3.6's that a store had set up on their sidewalk so you would have to walk between them to get into their store. Inside I heard a pair of Totem Winds. Very different sound. But both were incredibly clear and real sounding.

[jongaro]

top of the line Vandersteens being run by some tube amps and some high end acylic record player. for a 2ch system i think $50k was the retail. wow, it sounded amazing!

the guy who had them, and was an installer, said for the price vandersteen was probably the best sounding speaker for the money... comparing them to speakers that cost way more.

[Sheep]

I would really like to hear a pair of Ohm F's someday. I have newer Ohms, two-ways, but I'm curious about the original.

Sheep, go out and listen to as many different types of speakers as you can - both expensive and not. Although the Energys are pretty good (I also hate it when designers bump up the 1-4K range to create more excitement...), you'll get a good idea of what makes a great speaker. You'll probably hear where the Energys actually exceed some of the pricey guys and where they may fail. The trade-offs might not mean a thing to you but at least you'll know what they are!

Don't get me wrong, I've heard high end Totem (Forest, Wind), Paradigm (S-8, Studio 100), and some mid-priced Mission stuff (didn't like them at all).

The S-8s were VERY nice, but they didn't sound twice as good as the Veritas 2.4i's. The Totems became quite expensive, and didn't sound nearly as good, and the Missions had the worst midrange I'd ever heard.

The store I used to go to hear these models closed (not the Paradigm's) so I stopped checking stuff out.

SheepStar

[Gatorchong]

The best speakers I've heard are the Opera Tebaldi's powered by some Unison Research amps. It was hard to leave.

[Buckeyefan 1]

I once heard the Bose Lifestyle setup. Once.

[caupina]

Buckeye: you really mean that about Bose????.

I can't say much on this thread except that I'm so used to Bose, I guess they produce the best sound I've heard from a speaker, which is not to imply Bose is the best speaker (I'm listening to Chris Botti's "Night Sessions" SACD now)

[Sheep]

Buckeye: you really mean that about Bose????.

I can't say much on this thread except that I'm so used to Bose, I guess they produce the best sound I've heard from a speaker, which is not to imply Bose is the best speaker (I'm listening to Chris Botti's "Night Sessions" SACD now)

Ok, YOU need to get out to hear more speakers! :D Just messin.

SheepStar

[Buckle-meister]

The best speakers I've ever heard are my own (Mission Elegante), though I've no doubt there's far better out there.

All these speakers being drooled over, they were listened to in treated rooms right? 'Cause if they weren't, you were only hearing a fraction of their true sound quality. :rolleyes:

[Sheep]

The best speakers I've ever heard are my own (Mission Elegante), though I've no doubt there's far better out there.

All these speakers being drooled over, they were listened to in treated rooms right? 'Cause if they weren't, you were only hearing a fraction of their true sound quality. :rolleyes:

Hes starting to sound like Buckeye Nut.

SheepStar

[Buckle-meister]

Hes starting to sound like Buckeye Nut.

Nuts always come in pairs. :D

[The Dukester]

[QUOTE=Sheep :D Just messin.

SheepStar[/QUOTE]


You were not.:p

[mulester7]

Nuts always come in pairs. :D.....well, there are certain war wounds that tend to negate this theory.....

[Sheep]

You were not.:p

Apparently not. Everything I say is intended to wreck homes, kerplode people, and above all else, punchasize face-holes. :rolleyes:

SheepStar

[lrahardja]

I listened to a female blues singer (wish I knew the name, it wasn't billie holiday) at a high end store in Boston.

They have a pair of Dali Megaline speakers, and had them running with Krell Monoblock amps, and some other really high end stuff.

The Dalis truly truly made me feel as if I was at the club, and the singer was there in front of a piano. They were the most lifelike speakers I had ever heard.

The salesman told me the total set up price for this stereo was over 100,000, and the Dali's themselves were 40,000 a pair.

These Dalis Megaline are trully lifelike, better than McIntosh XRTs, which are better than the B&W 802s with Classe. But you really need high ceiling and large room for the Megaline. You can buy used for under $20K, cheaper than a Honda Accord.

[jaxvon]

The best pair of speakers I've ever heard were a DIY model made by a forum member here. The room was treated, of course. But they seriously make every other speaker I've heard sound lame in comparison. Second best was another DIY from a forum member (RipVanWoofer's Linkwitz Orions). Third best is my Dad's Vandersteen 2CE speakers.

[goodman]

The best sound I've heard was from a pair of Monitor Bronze towers at an audio show in NYC. I thought a pair of Magnepan 3.6's was the best I had heard, until I went back to hear them again. They had been moved and they were lifeless. I have heard excellent sound from various Totems.

The best sound I have heard in my own home was from a pair of Gallo Reference 3's, so naturally I bought a pair.

[Sheep]

The best pair of speakers I've ever heard were a DIY model made by a forum member here. The room was treated, of course. But they seriously make every other speaker I've heard sound lame in comparison. Second best was another DIY from a forum member (RipVanWoofer's Linkwitz Orions). Third best is my Dad's Vandersteen 2CE speakers.

I *REALLY* want to here those speakers.

Fudge, I think tomorrow I'll go on a speaker auditioning trip...

SheepStar

[3db]

I grew up in a poor province of Canada so I didn't get to hear alot of esoteric high end stuff. But I do remeber this one store who sold Mirage Speakers. One partticular model, the SM3 blew my mind in terms of laying out a soundstage. It was just jaw dropping phenonmenal. The SM3 were driven by a Yamaha receiver and an Oracle turntable with a Delphi tone arm. That was over 20 years ago.

The other speaker that made a good impression on me was the mission 770 , also 20 + years ago. I can't rememebr what was driving them.

[Murrel]

I really love my Kappa 9's I have never found anything that sounds like them!

[mark4mich]

Just recently heard a pair of Salk HT3's at a home theater meet in Michigan. They were in a 2 channel room which was an amazing listening environment. I don't know how else to describe it other than I was totally immersed in the music.

[zumbo]

B&W 802D's on McIntosh MC 602.

UNFREAKINBELIEVABLE!

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/label/Model%20802D

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/mcprod/shopdisplayproducts.asp?hid=1&id=14&cat=Power+Amplifiers&prodid=1028&product=MC602

[Joe Schmoe]

While I agree with the high-end B&Ws sounding awesome, I don't think it is neccessary to go that far up the line to get there, especially in a smallish room. I have only rarely heard speakers that sound better to me than my B&W 705s.

[zumbo]

While I agree with the high-end B&Ws sounding awesome, I don't think it is neccessary to go that far up the line to get there, especially in a smallish room. I have only rarely heard speakers that sound better to me than my B&W 705s.

This is the question:
Best sounding speakers you have ever listened to?

[captain_tinker]

I see a lot of you have mentioned B&W speakers. I would have to agree that some of the higher end stuff does indeed sound incredible. However I have to admit that the best sound I have ever heard from speakers of any kind that I have listened to so far have been some of the larger Martin Logan's, that have been set up properly, and have some high end electronics behind them.

However I went to a B&W shop in Sacramento a few weeks ago, and listened to some B&W 800 or 802's, I don't remember which, using meridian and classe' electronics, and really liked them, but found that I preferred the way my ML Mosaics at home on my Marantz SR5600 sounded. Though, the ML Summits with the Anthem Statement electronics on them at the other shop I've been to, when positioned properly, just blow away anything that I have ever heard. It's more than sound at that point, it's a feeling and it's like experiencing a phenomenon you have not experienced before. It's very different from regular boxed speakers, and a lot of fun.

Unfortunately for me, I have not really heard else other than Paradigm, Monitor Audio, and DefTech, which also really sound very good in their own rights. I've heard Bose too, and wondered how anyone could be swindled into thinking that they really sounded any good. I guess that they may sound better than some boomboxes from times past, and maybe some clock radio's, but in my opinion, not that much better.

I wish I had had a chance to hear some Magnepans, since I have heard some nice things about them, but I just haven't found any nearby yet that I can listen to.

-capT

[Joe Schmoe]

This is the question:
Best sounding speakers you have ever listened to?
That would be either the B&W 802s (which don't actually sound that much better than the 705s, which was my point) or the Shahinian Obelisks. These are hard to compare directly, as they are quite different. (The Obelisks are omnipolar.)

[zumbo]

That would be either the B&W 802s (which don't actually sound that much better than the 705s, which was my point) or the Shahinian Obelisks. These are hard to compare directly, as they are quite different. (The Obelisks are omnipolar.)

They don't sound much better than 705's?:eek: :confused:

I am talking about 802's, not 805's.

$5999.95 ea

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/label/Model%20802D

[captain_tinker]

That would be either the B&W 802s (which don't actually sound that much better than the 705s, which was my point) or the Shahinian Obelisks. These are hard to compare directly, as they are quite different. (The Obelisks are omnipolar.)

I just noticed you said that the Obelisks are omnipolar. I thought, Huh? An Omnipolar speaker? That sounds neat, so I looked it up and found the website for the obelisks. Boy do they look neat! I'd sure like to hear one, it sounds like it could be very interesting.

-capT

[Joe Schmoe]

They don't sound much better than 705's?:eek: :confused:

I am talking about 802's, not 805's.

$5999.95 ea

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/label/Model%20802D
Obviously, the 802s have much more powerful and extended bass, will play much louder without strain, and will fill a much larger room. When the comparison is done between the 802s and 705s, each placed in a room of appropriate size for that speaker, and both played at moderate volume (I hate loud), I don't hear a huge difference in the quality of the sound. Better? Yes. Anywhere even remotely close to eight times better? No.:)

[zumbo]

Obviously, the 802s have much more powerful and extended bass, will play much louder without strain, and will fill a much larger room. When the comparison is done between the 802s and 705s, each placed in a room of appropriate size for that speaker, and both played at moderate volume (I hate loud), I don't hear a huge difference in the quality of the sound. Better? Yes. Anywhere even remotely close to eight times better? No.:)

I do agree about the price. However, they are the best I have ever heard.

[jaxvon]

I just noticed you said that the Obelisks are omnipolar. I thought, Huh? An Omnipolar speaker? That sounds neat, so I looked it up and found the website for the obelisks. Boy do they look neat! I'd sure like to hear one, it sounds like it could be very interesting.

-capT

Once you've heard an omni speaker in a properly treated room, "normal" speakers just don't do it anymore.

[Hoystidd]

I just sat down with a pair of Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario speakers... I could not believe what I was hearing...

Unbelievable sound with and unbelievable price though


Stidd

[Joe Schmoe]

I just noticed you said that the Obelisks are omnipolar. I thought, Huh? An Omnipolar speaker? That sounds neat, so I looked it up and found the website for the obelisks. Boy do they look neat! I'd sure like to hear one, it sounds like it could be very interesting.

-capT
I ran across a store that carried them once while travelling, and was extremely impressed with the sound. Dealers are few and far-between, though. Also quite expensive. (If I remember correctly, I was on my way to see the Wright Brothers launch site, so the store must have been in North Carolina.)

[Jess@av123.com]

Wison WAMM, Infinity IRS IV.

Best real world? NHT 3.3, Infinity Beta, B&W 802.

[1tribeca]

Well, if I can narrow it a bit...

If you're talking about value in a small package, then I'd have to go with Boston Acoustics A40's. I know, I know, they aren't huge, or $100k, or composed of 25 drivers...but they do sound sweet for a small box under $200! Have yet to hear a wee bookshelf with bass that comes close!

As for the big boys, haven't been fortunate enuff to have heard any of the aforementioned beauties!!

[Joe Schmoe]

If you're talking about value in a small package, then I'd have to go with Boston Acoustics A40's.
Good choice. The old A series were great speakers for the $. They used an acoustic suspension (sealed) design for detailed bass and soft-dome tweeters for smooth highs. Why Boston switched to ports and metal domes in their newer models, I will never understand.

[auujay]

I have not heard many really high end systems and I know there are many systems (even in this thread) that cost way more but the best set up I ever heard was the Mackie HR824. The HR824 simply blew me away, they were paired with the matching sub (Mackie HRS120).

If I could afford them (or if I was not married) I would have bought a pair years ago.

[Yamahaluver]

Just my few cents, Yamaha NS-1000 which I own, both X and M, NS-2000, NSX-10000, NS-300 and the new Soavo-1, also JBL Studio Monitors, Paradigm Studio Monitors, Camber LS series, Canton Ergo 120, own them as well, Magnepan MMG 3xx, Maggies are my sentimental favorites, MB Quart, Sonus Faber Cremona and for bookshelf, the cheap and mighty Pinnacle PN8+, best value for money.

[dave1490]

Back in the mid 80's, there was a high end shop in NE Ohio that ran a pair of Polk SDS/SRS flagships through some McIntosh amps. Those were impressive. They also had a set of Klipsch Cornwall's that blew my socks off. Back then, it was all 2 channel audio with big amps. I'm sure there's much better, but nothing has impressed me as much as those did at the time. Those really got me into this expensive mess we call a hobby! ;)

back in the 70,s i had a friend {the guy that got me started on all this}that had a pair of jbl L300,s,powered by a marantz 125watt per channel amp.great top end.also i went to a hifi shop and listened to a pair of Klipsch cornerhorns also very good sound but $4500 at the time was unreasonable.

[dd24skater]

Martin Logan Statements
B&W 801 Matrix---Classe A
B&W 802 Nautilus---Krell
B&W 803 Nuatilus---Krell
Carver Amazings....Nice!
Mine
B&W 604 s2---Rotel 1090

[peterw]

Infinity Reference Standards from...could it be 30 years ago already?

And Maggie 20.1.

Very different speakers. Both wonderful.

[highfigh]

I would really like to hear a pair of Ohm F's someday. I have newer Ohms, two-ways, but I'm curious about the original.

Sheep, go out and listen to as many different types of speakers as you can - both expensive and not. Although the Energys are pretty good (I also hate it when designers bump up the 1-4K range to create more excitement...), you'll get a good idea of what makes a great speaker. You'll probably hear where the Energys actually exceed some of the pricey guys and where they may fail. The trade-offs might not mean a thing to you but at least you'll know what they are!

Do they still make the C+ or something like them? That was a nice speaker, too.

[highfigh]

the Missions had the worst midrange I'd ever heard.SheepStar

If you ever get the chance to listen to the Micro Acoustics FRM-1A, you wouldn't say that about the Mission speakers. The Micros were really bad. A 10" woofer and 5 cone tweeters in a stamped sheet metal mount. I still have nightmares about them and I tried really hard to keep from selling them but some people just liked them, I guess.

[tom67]

not in the running now certainly, but the best at the time compared with the poor stuff most called stereos....had tight bass, clean high end and all in a small box....a miracle at the time.....

[jsholland70]

I just heard a system with the new Mark levinson 502 Media Center, 532 stereo amp and Revel Salon 2s and I think you would be hard pressed to beat that for the money and possibly quite a bit more.