What are the best speakers you have ever owned and why?


I just recently recieved my long awaited Shahinian Diapason 2’s from Vasken And they are absolutely spectacular! This got me thinking about my long journey to get here. Bless my wife for putting up with the many many many speakers that have passed through. The lifelong saga began with Magneoan MG 1’s back in college which were replaced by Dahlquist DQ 10’s. Then we traveled down a long road of speakers and systems. Magnepan Tympanis, Misson 770, Randall Rsch DQ10’s, Quad ESL single and stacked, Acoustat II, rogers LS3/5A’s, Linn Isobarik’s (2 pairs) B&W 801 Matrix, Hales Signature, Martin Logan Monolith2, Apogee Scintilla (1 ohm) Apogee Full Range, Theil SC 5A, Egglestonworks Andra, B&W Nautilius 801,Quad 63 and some I’m sure I forgot! Each speaker had its virtues and flaws but oh what a fun and a times frustrating trek! I think I have finally found my speaker to take me to retirement they do everything that I value wonderfully . They are detailed without sounding so, very dynamic, they have great low end reach, power and detail, are open sounding like a planner, their tonality and timbre seem spot on and they sound wonderful on any kind of music. Tell me about your journey!
hamr

Showing 1 response by orenstein

I'm amazed about how many in this group have gone through a dozen or more pair of speakers.  It almost seems a bit schizophrenic.  lol  When you drop some serious coin on a world class speaker, how do you lose interest so quickly.  I've often wondered whether some people enjoy buying new speakers, or other equipment, more than actually listening to them.  I can certainly understand the thrill of acquiring a new rig, but let's not lose sight of what (hopefully) the real goal is...... enjoyment of the music itself. 

That being said, a few months ago I purchased a pair of Grandinote Mach 36's.  Presently, they are the only pair in the world.  They are supposed to be formally unveiled at the Munich High End show this spring.  If you have curiosity about them, my pair of custom made red ones may be viewed by Googling Grandinote Mach 36.  There are pics of them taken the day they were installed in my house on Long Island by Massimiliano Magri or Max, as his friends call him, the owner and chief engineer of Grandinote, who flew in from Italy to do the work himself.

I have never heard anything like them before.  The 36 drivers (hence, their name) and 25 tweeters in each speaker create an expansive soundstage with clarity and neutrality to the nth degree.  Powered by my Naim 500 Series electronics, with Danny Labrecque's Luna Cables, the music, whether it be Beatles, Beethoven, or anything else, has a vibrancy and life that makes it near impossible to turn it off, though I must admit, my wife does not always feel that way.
Anyway, these are the speakers with which I shall spend the remainder of my (hopefully, many) years!