Kharma CRM 3.2 FE <still owning>
Wilson 3/2 (upgraded drivers and crossovers) <still owning>
Vienna Acoustics Mahler
What are the best speakers you have ever owned and why?
Bob: I drive them with a pair of Mcintosh 501's and they work great together. They really are the best all around speaker that I have had and not just on large scale classical as I listen to a wide variety of music. I also have the Obelisk 2 and the ARC 2 which I enjoy and could live with, but the Diapasons are in another league. As for the Stereophile review who knows? I don't know what went wrong there and I do know that the latest Diapason modules contain different drivers. I would be guessing as to what went wrong. All I can say is they are fantasic here! |
Never heard of Shahinian, so did a quick search. Holt and Atkinson totally butchered them in Stereophile. Holt did insist they sounded good when he heard them at shows. But couldn't stand them at home in their systems. And not for lack of trying either. Gordon says above that he knows these speakers can sound much better than they did in his home. I'm not so sure. Despite their clean sonic quality, I think their tonal balance is idiosyncratic enough that playing around with room placement and ancillary equipment just won't make a difference large enough for them to merit a recommendation. ?? |
Hamr, I am glad to hear that Shahinian is still around after the passing of the father. I have had the Obelisk and the Diapason in the past and still think about getting them again sometime. Do you know if they will be introducing new products or just continue on with the current line up? Your list of speakers in your past is very impressive. I have a number of them including the Apogee Scintillas, Quad ESL, Acoustats, Tympani etc. What do you power the Diapasons with? I remember Richard used to talk about the Bedini and then the older Plinius Sa 100. Most of their sales recently seemed to go away from North America (maybe most of the high end shares this.) All the best, Bob |
My current speakers are certainly the best, Daedalus Audio DA-RAma. Are they the best ever speakers, of course not. They look stunning, which matters if you have a significant other. The case is beautiful solid hardwood, with dove tail joints. They just sound right, designed to sound like live music, I think they do. Having retired, I could not really afford an upgrade anyway, but I am very happy to keep these, till one of us finally falls apart. |
Impossible to answer unless you put parameters such as price range, efficiency etc. When it comes to price range in the under $1500.00 range my best were vintage Polk Srs-SDA 3.1TL. Why? They rocked huge and the soundstage was and still is the best I've heard to date. Great for rock music and video concert. I truly loved them. Are there better, of course, but not for under $1500.00. |
Merlin Black Magic monitors. Just plain musical. Great detail, reasonable dynamics, terrific imaging. Sweet vocals. Simply involving. Now, ATC SCM 40 A active floor standers. Slamming dynamics, coherent drivers....there are simply no holes in response from the lowest frequencies to smooth extended highs. Best midrange vocals I've ever heard. Crazy good imaging. Fastest vocal and instrument attack I've every experienced. Involving like no other speaker I've ever heard. No subwoofer needed. My JL sub is now superfluous. I believe I am truly off of the audio carousel for years. |
Two pair for specific needs. Bought a new pair of cerwin vega D-9s’ back when I was 16-18 I forget. Never heard a better rock and roll speaker. Altec lansing 510’s- bass was weak, but they shined in everything else, midrange, highs, were crystal, and never harsh, no matter the volume. Energy rc-70’s currently in use. midrange so smooth, bass is great for a pair of 6” woofs, highs extremely smooth, best I’ve ever heard, no fatigue no matter the song or volume. Keeping til I can no longer use. when I can afford, I may try some Dynaudio’s but have heard they have a bright sound. if anyone is familiar with the energy rc70’s knows the 600 crossover roll off on the tweeters. Such a relaxing sound, i can play mercyful fate, king diamond, rush, Helstar, loud as hell, and there is no fatigue, it is just pleasing and I ca listen all day. i love it!! the D-9’s have this as well,they are not harsh in the treble, as many would think. They would be. They are not. they are loud, clear, and minimal from fatigue also the BIC V 630 and 830 I own, both pairs not at Going at all, just a nice highs sound!no fatigue. I’ve heard others where the treble makes my molars grind, and I feel uneasy, wired, just “TURN IT DOWN, NOW, PLEASE” all these sepakers i use. Have no fatigue. Which is why I’ve kept them all these. Years. klipsch corner horns make me wanna to take a hammer drill to my ears. if you find the perfect solution, keep it. |
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The Kef R105/3 were dynamic threw a wall of sound and forced their will on you. sold Vienna Acoustics Beethovens, offered big sound with excellent contrast that was intoxicating.stored Kef R107/2 Bass! currently serving ht duties Revel F52. polished, full range that showed me how old my kef's were. soundstage champs. sold,oops Usher BE-20 DMD. destination speakers. done, finito, You name it these do it with style, big enough to be buried in. As long as I have a dedicated listening room i'll have these speakers. There's very little out there about these speakers so if you get a chance to hear them do it. |
For me after 40 + years are the original Nola Boxers paired with a Rythmik L12 sub. I think elizabeth said it best about all the things that go into the fine tuning of a speaker. To my ears this combo puts the grin and tears on my face for countless hours at a time and always feel satisfied every time. |
I've owned only two speakers over the last 35 years (was surprised when I wrote that 'cuz I've swapped out everything else multiple times): Dahlquist DQ-10s, from '82 to '13. Lovely, spooky midrange in the room. I loved that the music was "in the air," not coming from the speakers. Wilson Sophia IIIs, from '13 to present. Dynamic, detailed, sweet midrange, stable imaging, good bass too. Keeping these until I have to downsize and maybe even after that. Different animals, but each very good at what it does. |
Wireless speakers are very well-known nowadays and a many of guys all over the Europe are buying them, because wireless audio speakers are improving every season. Newest technologies, which are using by firm all over the world allow to create best product. A lot of wireless audio devices are working by a wireless connection. You may be sure, that with the help of wireless device you can get a lot of benefits. Currency there are a lot of types of wireless audio speakers. Some of them provide an opportunity to obtain compositions only in.mp3. You can as well use various other files. Before choosing wireless speakers we advise search and read in web articles. A lot of models of wireless speakers have various options. You shall however understand, that most the wireless devices have their own type, portability, and compatibility. If you don’t know where to buy quality wireless speakers, we advise going to technovolume, where you can find some of variants. One of the most great models is Harman Kardon onyx studio. This pattern is made from best materials, it has a legend design, and it is a very popular model. This system could work without recharging 8 hours. Battery lifespan gives an opportunity to work and to connect more than 100 speakers. You should enjoy high-quality sound and listen to various songs. If you are engaged in devices phantom, you can be sure, that this is an innovation system. Devialet phantom equipped with 4500W. Developers told that this system is one of the best all over the Europe currently. If you wish to search a system with the best sounds, you must buy a devialet phantom. It also equipped with the plastic case. You can use it with mobile phone or iPod. It works like a portable system. You may also use it in conjunction with Windows or MacOS. Most wireless audio systems are very comfortable to use. If you want to buy a wireless audio system but you don’t know which one is better, you can read details about them on the web. In the marketplace there are many of wireless audio gadgets and you need make your own choice. Specialists who are working in an virtual shop must help you. They could give any advice or consult about different products. When you will have questions, you may ask the managers. They answer various questions very fast and suggest buyers. |
ADS L810 - still a great speaker! given to a close friend who loves them Krell Resolution 2 -- too much bass for my room but images very good. Wilson WP7 - great tight bass but highs harsh Magnepan 20.7 + 2x Vandersteen Sub3- clarity and amazing wall of sound. now amazing low end punch. Can it get any better....? |
Miamiangler I was in SLC up to 1979. I bought equipment from Broadway Stereo Shop downtown. Tannoy Cheviot's and Yamaha CR810 receiver. Also up in Sugerhouse, I forgot the shops name, I got some Klipsch Heresey's. Do you remember any of those places? Good times for a young adult. It has been a while. |
Some would question my sanity but for me the vintage Polk SDA 3.1TL were and still are in my top 5 best speaker I've had the pleasure to enjoy. It was my choice after auditioning and comparing with the likes of Thiel, Klipsch, Vander Steen etc. Certainly they have their faults, as do all, but for my listening, live representation of music at live levels, they did and still do provide the deepest and largest soundstage of any speaker I have ever heard to date. Sure it required a compromise such as a slight loss in definition but the soundstage just more than makes up for that. If you like Rock and concert realism them Polks will give it to you. My other go to would be B&W, Wilson, Vandersteens, but not if I'm doing heavy rocking, that's where the Polks take center stage. Just my opinion. |
The best I've ever owned are my current Audio Physic Avanti III. They're really quite special speakers that doesn't draw attention to anything, just sounds very organic and live. Never heard a speaker that can complete disappear like the AP's. Before then, Thiel CS2.4 (still awesome speakers), Magnepan 1.6, Hales Concept 5, Magnepan MMG, customer built speakers (small standmounts with a matrix birch, viscoelastic glue, HDF cabinet and all ScanSpeak drivers). First real speakers were Dali (forgot the model now, but I worked the entire summer to afford them). |
Wow! Only one person listed a pair of Snell's. WHY? Are Snell owners as dead as the company? The best sound I've ever heard came from a pair of Snell Type B's. It was jaw dropping. They were set up at Soundex in Jenkintown. Any of the people working there who heard them would have to say the same. It was pure magic. Even Frank (manager?) called me and offered to buy them from me for well above wholesale. Yet nothing much gets said about them otherwise. I've to been to many audio shows around the country. I've been to countless homes and audio shops. Nothing I've heard sounded as magnificent as the Snell Type B's WHEN they were set up at Soundex. My 2 cents. Joe |
Many years ago, I owned a pair of JBL 4343 speakers. The reason that I consider them 'best' is not what I would consider best today. I was young, and these were perfect for that time. They were damned near thrown in my lap, along with a system that matched them. I would likely enjoy them even today, but not as a number one choice. |
That I've owned.. Pretty sure I would give that spot to the OHM Walsh 5000's that I currently own. Remarkable speaker in many ways. Incredibly well rounded. Maybe not the single best at single things, but from top to bottom, to my ears they do the trick. Others... Salk Soundscape 8 (just wanted more bass), DynAudio Contour 60 (didn't think they had a huge soundstage that I prefer). Salks and the Dyn's build quality were CRAZY good. The OHM's are a solid build, but not the level of detail and attention that the Salks or Dyn's had. That I have heard... The top end Vandersteens, the DynAudio Consequence, the Martin Logan Neoliths That I have heard for the Money at a given price point Tekton Double Impact (I don't think you get much more with the SE's or as you move up). I have my issues with Tekton, but for 3k, it's a fun speaker. Ohm Walsh 3000/4900/5000 JBL M2 (street prices on a couple and the amp are in the 10k range if you know where to look. Salk Soundscape 12 Vandersteen 5A carbon On the uber expensive... The Consequence and Neoliths in big rooms - wow. |
Contrast audio Magic model. 1. Absolutely designed and assembled at own components. 2. Implemented CROSSOVER-less principle (there is no any other same brands now, which use one cap in scheme) Everething gone in past, unfortunately :( 3. Frecquency cut around 10 kHz Crossover modern approach and using the same drivers only in different cabinets, give only chance to wait for a miracle. |
it all started in high school with polk moniter speakers Jbl jubal should have never sold jbl 250 ti should have never sold. jbl 18 ti still have in my bedroom system jlb l7 probably other jbls cant remember the models, i put myself thru college by reconing jbl woofers in the early 90s. dunlavy sc-iv,,,, been 20+ years and still my main pair so i must like them the best.... dunlavy sc -v i dont own, but when my older friend passes on they are in his will to give me. ,, will still keep the sc ivs and probably need a bigger house 20.1s triad platium series - still have for home theater hard to get rid of these dahlquist dq 10s. then 20s. several smaller magnepans mmgs and 1.6s martin logan clx art and summits not audiophile but have had tons of klipsch, belles, k horns, la scalla,kg 4, chorus..... at one time full klipsh home theater.... several models of allison accoustics, (9s with woofer near floor , cubes) Emerald Physics 2.3 legacy studio monitors subs, svs, velodyne, jbl, rel, and dunlavy (still have) |
From early 1970’sUtah. Anybody remember these Bose 301 Altec 1 Advent Magnepan I I loved these speakers from 1977 to 1996 nobody I knew had them, incredible image, close your eyes and you had no idea where they were. Wish I had room for them now B&W CDM 1 B&W. P6 Downsized after divorce KEF LS50Looking for next pair |
Just want to say plenty of speaker can be wonderful. You just have to work to get the little stuff adding to the system right for them. AC power stuff, IC, tweaks. It is really hard to have a pair of speakers 'do it all' perfectly out of the box with what you already own. My new Magnepan 20.7 were nice enough. Nothing to cry about when I got them. But now ten months as a lot of other little adjustments to the system they are World Class. So for folks who read this and wonder why can't MY speakers be this great.... They CAN. just work at it. |
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OK here we go though I am sure I’m leaving some out. My journey from SET + Horn to high power and back Klipsch La Scala NHT Super Zero + Sub NHT 3.3s Hales Reference-5 B&W 805s + 2 B&W 800ASW subs JBL 4350 Infinity RS-1 avantgarde duo B&W 805s + 2 Revel B15 subs Reference 3a De Cappo + 2 Revel B15 subs B&W 802 Wilson Watt-Puppy 5.1 Thiel 3.7 Klipsch La Scala LS5+ 2 Revel B15 subs driven by Coiencident Frankenstein-II’s (7 watts) Simply lovely and dynamic with the new LS5’s with a sweet non-honk midrange and non-harsh sparkling top end. The dynamics keeps me coming back to horns! Note I have tried many different subs over the years, Wilson, JL, REL, AVS, etc but always come back to the Revel B15’s due to the musicality, low end grunt and extreme flexability of the 3 band xover + multiple low/high pass and notch options. Front end is PS Audio BHK. |
Special thanks to my mom for gifting me a pair of Bozak 302a while I was still a student in college. She personally hand wired the crossovers at Bozak in Norwalk. Others AR3x, Polk SDA 1c, Bowers N802, Thiel CS2.7, Vandersteen TREO, and monitor silver 300 (hands down the most incredible value, and currently in my reading room for listening with the Sunday Papers!). Nice to see what a long strange trip it’s been for all of us. |