If $ was no object what speaker would you buy?


Products of the year award in TAS of March of 2006 gave the top award to MBL. When TAS staffers were asked which speakers they'd most like to own, virtually everyone from music editor Bob Gendron to Ceo Tom Martin(who actually does own a pair) would answer : the MBL 101Es.IMHO the MBL's sounded closest to me what a live event sounds like, it was amazing. They were so pleasant to listen to that I even appreciated music that I typically didn't like prior to hearing it on MBL's. For me that is significant, it provides me with an opportunity to start appreciating other genres.
In the same issue there is a pressing article suggesting that makers of high-end audio could be in financial trouble. In the same article the panel discusses how to get the word out about high-end audio, and how to increase the number of people interested in buying high-end audio equipment.
I believe in the awe effect, if the audio showrooms could display a playback system that simply awed the newcomer, they just may be swayed to make a purchase before walking out.
Perhaps we can get the attention of audio engineers and designers and suggest that we audiophiles have discovered a music playback system that awes us, and are willing to purchase a system of that caliber providing it is within our means.
For some of us MBL has got what we want. For others it may be another brand. Maybe in the near future we can find affordable speakers that will near that magical sound that our favorite super expensive speaker have.
What speaker would you love to own that is out of your price range. The speaker you would like to see used as a reference point for engineers and designers to make an affordable model yet completely awesome.
Then maybe they can be used to catch the attention of non-audiophiles at demonstrations of high-end in shopping malls or luxury car dealerships.
pedrillo
Actually Gregm, one existed long before the Audio Exclusive. It was called the acoustat X. Three e-stat panels driven full range with an OTL servo tube amp employing the 6HB5 tubes. Many of them still operating to this day.
My road trip would begin in Germany to experience the Acapella Spharon Excaliburs (closeout priced @ $325,000.). Then, it's off to California to be immersed in the new Magico Ultimates. And since money is no object, I'm going to specify them with a true uneq'd basshorn. That 88db sensitive Aura bass driver needs some help cosidering that it's paired with 108db sensitive horn loaded drivers everywhere else on this rig.
Yes there are some fine examples of the Acoustat X out there.
I have just purchased said speaker.

I've owned and enjoyed Quad 63, Stacked quad 57,ML CLS,old Tannoys, Mirage M3 si,and my first pair of stats were Acoustat Model 3, but with no tube servo amps.

The Acoustat X I am enjoying now have had the amps re-built and tweaked and the panels re-furbished.

When given good power cords, power conditioning and a decent front end these speakers can stand tall with the best of them.