The best speaker you ever heard?


In my opinion, the speaker is by far the most important part of the audio system. After all, it is the only part you hear. OK, the other stuff really matters a lot, but without a great speaker... No go.

I am a bit 'speaker-obsessed' I guess, and now I am wondering: What are the best speakers you have ever heard, and what made them the best?
njonker
I appreciate what you are saying. I have tried to educate myself over the years. Back in the 70's and 80's I never had the opportunity - or the interest - to invest in a fine sound system. In the last 10 years I have had more time to listen and appreciate music. I remembered the Bias 550's and the 512's and know of the other Altec lineup but have been drawn to Klipsch of late. Problem was...and is..there is nowhere to hear a variety of speakers where I am located. So I go back to reading and research which brings it back to your comment! I have never seen such a diversity in 'the best speaker you ever heard'! One thing comes up time and again in my search...listen to them first as everyone's tastes are different. I will no doubt continue to do research but will in the meantime just enjoy the reproduction of sound coming from my 510's. Maybe my brother's 511's will come my way. (I would still like to see some kind of reviews on these some day) Thank you for your comment!
Hi Obsessalot, you’re welcome. I see that you’re a new member and that this is your second post; or as I like to think of it, your second hit of the crack pipe. I guess what I’m trying to say is: it’s not too late for you to reconsider your path and save yourself, and maybe your IRA. Take a long look at some of these threads - anything involving tubes vs. solid state will probably do, and then ask yourself if you really want to wind up like this. If you still do, fine, and welcome brother.
I believe at this point I will try a different approach before I 'check in but never leave'. If I find a source that could provide a recommendation for speaker 'pre-treatment' or upstream equipment such as amps, pre-amps, table and cartridge along with cd player, then I would know that I am giving these particular speakers the chance they deserve. If there is a site or source where one could plug in the specs or basically provide all of the site data on these 510's and get some suggestions on how to power them up to get the most out of them I may stop there..(for now..my user name has a reason for being). But matching up reasonably priced equipment for these lower cost speakers (based on all of the speakers mentioned here) maybe I will find a big improvement in what I already consider wonderful sound. I use an old Sherwood from the 70's and a newer Sony high watt amp, plus an old Dual table from the 70's with a ??cartridge from the Dr. in the twin cities. My brother picked up a new table and cartrige from the Dr. at about $1500 and it made a world of difference in his system. I am embarrased to say that I do not come close to what others on this site seem to spend but I will progress as necessary. Just can't close the IRA at this point..suggestions? Be harsh..I don't mind.
Obsessalot - Your name sounds very familiar. Weren't you one of Arthur's Knights of the Sound Table?

The trap in this hobby lies in obsessing about what you might be missing. This can lead you to do stupid things that you regret (there are threads here devoted to that topic). Focus on what you do have and just enjoy it. Many people have better systems than you do or I do or doo doo. It's all relative.

Can you identify any shortcomings in your present system? If not then forget about equipment and play with the room a bit. And buy more music. Or learn to play an instrument. Or seduce your wife. Join the gym.
Find another way to stay busy. Otherwise, you will get sucked in and before you know it you will be as broke and weird as we are.
The soundlab for a poor guy like me.

Why?

No phase distortion.
Even sound everywhere!
Good base response!

Works best with a nakamichi av10 for me. I know most people hear would say that I committed the most horrible crime of all. But trust me, for an Indian music and most others the nak is the best. At a clean bass boost of about 20 dB using loudness and bass knobs makes these soundlabs sing like they should. And yes the sound is untiring as I could listen for a long time. Harmonic time alignment is very noticable and works!!