Which brand makes the best quality loudspeakers?

[William Lemmerhirt]

Thank you so much. I’ve been told by a few folks that I should have gotten at least a 140-150 watt receiver. My Onkyo is 100 watts. Would a 140-150 watt receiver create a dramatic improvement in sound and output? I’m unsure if my question is phrased properly.

The main situation that you’d notice a difference in power is at higher playback levels. You may notice distortion, or some type of compression, where turning it up just doesn’t produce any more volume, and the sound might be constrained etc.
As far as “sound quality”, the differences would be mainly due to whichever room correction you use. Audyssey, Dirac, ypao etc, all do their thing a little differently, and ymmv.
Basically imo, you’ll know when it’s time. Using a discerning ear and thinking logically should guide you through any upgrade path.

 

[Isosevodes]

Thank you!

 

[Isosevodes]

I hate to beat a dead horse but………..I will put my Polk R700’s up against ANY pair of speakers that cost under $4K per pair. Mind you I bought my Polk’s on sale for $1550 per pair. They are FEROCIOUS ! I’ve thrown down the gauntlet!

 

[isolar8001]

I hate to beat a dead horse but………..I will put my Polk R700’s up against ANY pair of speakers that cost under $4K per pair. Mind you I bought my Polk’s on sale for $1550 per pair. They are FEROCIOUS ! I’ve thrown down the gauntlet!

Its true that Polk has pulled themselves out of the mass market gutter.

I had a pair of Monitor 70's from 15 years ago that were the worst speakers I have ever owned.
Back in the late 80's I sold the Polk SDA series at one of my sales jobs. Nice stuff.
Good to see they came back with a vengeance.

 

[Bodywonderful]

I hate to beat a dead horse but………..I will put my Polk R700’s up against ANY pair of speakers that cost under $4K per pair. Mind you I bought my Polk’s on sale for $1550 per pair. They are FEROCIOUS ! I’ve thrown down the gauntlet!

I'll take that action. Audiovector QR3, of which I paid $1300 CAD for the pair (taxes in), brand new.

In all seriousness, I understand your meaning, love what you have! But those 10k speakers always look so nice....

 

[Isosevodes]

I'll take that action. Audiovector QR3, of which I paid $1300 CAD for the pair (taxes in), brand new.

In all seriousness, I understand your meaning, love what you have! But those 10k speakers always look so nice....

Those Audiovector QR3 speakers are great if you are a tweeter and midrange aficionado.

 

[Bodywonderful]

For sure, i have them paired with a great sub so this isn't an issue for me. The price really drew me to them.
Honestly though, this hobby is so subjective it's just funny to think one thing might be better, to a different person, in a different home. I'm a little unique in that i can enjoy most everything to a degree.

 

[isolar8001]

I'll take that action. Audiovector QR3, of which I paid $1300 CAD for the pair (taxes in), brand new.

In all seriousness, I understand your meaning, love what you have! But those 10k speakers always look so nice....

Never seen these before....Looks like a newer version of MB Quarts, my favorite all time speakers.

What do they ask for the bookshelf version, I wonder ?

Interesting speaker company from Denmark

Audiovector QR 3 SE (3K Pair) Company web Like this! Wish someone could test/review some of there stuff? Alu Ribbon Sensitivity is given as 90 dB/W/m. Nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Frequency response of 28 Hz – 45 kHz

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Bodywonderful]

Never seen these before....Looks like a newer version of MB Quarts, my favorite all time speakers.

What do they ask for the bookshelf version, I wonder ?

Interesting speaker company from Denmark

Audiovector QR 3 SE (3K Pair) Company web Like this! Wish someone could test/review some of there stuff? Alu Ribbon Sensitivity is given as 90 dB/W/m. Nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Frequency response of 28 Hz – 45 kHz

www.audiosciencereview.com

They are great looking speakers, and perform very musically to my ear. The components are good quality and construction is top notch. As long as you know these need a subwoofer to get the most out of them if these are your mains, like most bookshelf speakers. You can find the odd QR1 used for a good price, non SE, which I wouldn't hesitate to get over the new SE. Audition if possible, always.

 

[Teetertotter?]

My Klipsch bookshelf RP-500M II's. I watch a lot of movies and listen to some music.

 

[Isosevodes]

My brother has a pair of Klipsch RP8000F-II’s and IMO they rank right up there with the Polk R700’s. Both are excellent options when purchased at the right price! He picked up the Klipsch offerings for $1000/pair. I snagged the R700’s for $1540/pair. You could flip a coin and be very satisfied with either. Party on Brothers!

 

[Bodywonderful]

Those Audiovector QR3 speakers are great if you are a tweeter and midrange aficionado.

My curiosity forced me to research your speakers. They would seem to be great, like you said. I'll have to give them a listen.

 

[Happy Joe]

Basically; I'm torn... I purchased some polk r700s and while they are; good enough (that i don't feel ripped off); I am not overly impressed (they were the best sounding of those that I auditioned but are not great, IMO).... now that I have increased the power level by adding a 200-300 watt (RMS)/ch front amp they sound better (100 watts RMS is not enough for these)...

My ears have been used to NHT 2.5I speakers for the last 20 years or so; until the mid-ranges blew out, and the Polks sounded about as close as I was likely to find, in a moderately afordable speaker, locally... and they did beat Klipsch (my rear speakers are Klipsch R-26FAs because they were not good enough to use as for fronts... personally I do not care for horn tweeters; its a personal thing; your ears may respond differently...Klipsch are definitely worth auditioning...

Enjoy!

 

[Teetertotter?]

My Klipsch bookshelf RP-500M II's. I watch a lot of movies and listen to some music.

More Info
My signature is below and should add: Denon Audyssey is somewhat accurate, but not just right for my 8 X 12 square HT room. The front speakers seemed out balance in my 5.1 system. I questioned, perhaps the Audyssey Crossovers might not be the best. So, I emailed Klipsch Support and received a reply the next day.

The Klipsch tech replied with different crossover settings. Wa.....LA He did mention the R-51M's, should be matched with Klipsch's same RP series, which will be done in 2025. I also learned, last week, one of my Denon audio settings, might need changing, which I did. Again more sound improvement. For years, I relied on Audyssey crossover settings.

I am now, really enjoying my 5.1. CROSSOVERS for me. No SPL metering, in my case.

 

[Isosevodes]

I’ve flipped, I’ve flopped, I’ve been on the fence and I’ve waffled. At the end of the day though, if I could only have one pair of floor standing speakers in the sub $5000 range, the CLEAR CHOICE would be…………………..POLK R700’s ! Regularly price $2100 per pair, sale price $1600 per pair. These speakers are FEROCIOUS and will outperform any speaker pair in the sub $5000 range. Period. End of discussion. Case closed.

 

[Squishman]

Kef.

 

[Squishman]

... or Carter.

 

[Syphirioth]

Dali. I personally love the sound of this brand.

 

[DrMorbius]

Such a loaded question, but when I first heard the Klipschorn I was walking by a store in Biloxi Mississippi in 1974 ( I was stationed there ) minding my own business when I heard The Planets by Holst and thought there was an actual orchestra in the store. i was mesmerized by the sound and stood there for an entire hour in front of the open doors being transported to another place. My 6 year old granddaughter seems to love them also, but doesn’t like Mars, the Bringer of War as it’s too scary.

 

[Mark of Cenla]

My favorite speaker company is Boston Acoustics. My second favorite is Polk, the one I voted for. Third is JBL. We have one pair of each in this house, well two pairs of Bostons. Peace and goodwill.

I also like my pair of Dayton Acoustic speakers. Peace and goodwill.