Kudos to you for admitting what many here would be afraid to say. Others are still so far in denial that they DO think you're crazy.
Listen, with all of the advances that have taken place during the past 20-30 years, the fundamentals remain the same. I find it ironic that there are a few "classics" that even TRUE audiophiles would be proud, or at least unashamed, to own (Quad 57s, McIntosh MC-60, Marantz 8B, etc.). How could it be that these pieces are so great, yet virtually everything else from that era are crap? It's snobbery, pure and simple.
I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago. I had a pair of Boston Acoustics T-1020s that I set out to replace. I loved the speakers, but "knew" that I could do better. I listened to everything that I could find under $3K. I found a LOT of speakers that I didn't like at all...several that I liked as much as my BAs...and only a couple that I liked better. My struggle was whether I liked them $2.5-3K better. I did eventually replace them, but I'm not afraid to admit that even though those speakers are now 15 years old, I know that they'd still sound great today and could easily embarass many expensive modern speakers.
I've always been of the opinion that a good two-way sounds better than a less expensive, "compromised" three-way. But thinking back to those Boston Acoustics, they were a three-way with two 8 inch woofers, a 6.5 inch midrange and a 1 inch soft dome tweeter. It was also a sealed enclosure which I'm sure contributed to the tight tuneful bass response. Maybe there's something to your theory about multiple drivers, at least as it relates to vintage speakers.
Oh well. Sorry for rambling. I would suggest that there's some truth to the theory that you've grown accustomed to the compromised sound of your speakers. That said, the fact that you're unafraid to say that your Optimus 5s sound quite good is evidence that you trust your ears and know what you're listening for.
It's always best to audition components in your own environment, but I'd like to suggest something different in this case. Since you're having a hard time even finding anything that you'd like to bring home for an audition, may I suggest that you find a dealer who would be willing to let you bring your Radio Shack speakers to his store? This way, you can do a direct comparison (eliminating all variables) and get your speakers out of their "comfort zone" (your living room). Maybe you'll hear something that you've never heard before. If you do find that you like something better, then bring them home for a final audition.
Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
Listen, with all of the advances that have taken place during the past 20-30 years, the fundamentals remain the same. I find it ironic that there are a few "classics" that even TRUE audiophiles would be proud, or at least unashamed, to own (Quad 57s, McIntosh MC-60, Marantz 8B, etc.). How could it be that these pieces are so great, yet virtually everything else from that era are crap? It's snobbery, pure and simple.
I was in a similar situation about 5 years ago. I had a pair of Boston Acoustics T-1020s that I set out to replace. I loved the speakers, but "knew" that I could do better. I listened to everything that I could find under $3K. I found a LOT of speakers that I didn't like at all...several that I liked as much as my BAs...and only a couple that I liked better. My struggle was whether I liked them $2.5-3K better. I did eventually replace them, but I'm not afraid to admit that even though those speakers are now 15 years old, I know that they'd still sound great today and could easily embarass many expensive modern speakers.
I've always been of the opinion that a good two-way sounds better than a less expensive, "compromised" three-way. But thinking back to those Boston Acoustics, they were a three-way with two 8 inch woofers, a 6.5 inch midrange and a 1 inch soft dome tweeter. It was also a sealed enclosure which I'm sure contributed to the tight tuneful bass response. Maybe there's something to your theory about multiple drivers, at least as it relates to vintage speakers.
Oh well. Sorry for rambling. I would suggest that there's some truth to the theory that you've grown accustomed to the compromised sound of your speakers. That said, the fact that you're unafraid to say that your Optimus 5s sound quite good is evidence that you trust your ears and know what you're listening for.
It's always best to audition components in your own environment, but I'd like to suggest something different in this case. Since you're having a hard time even finding anything that you'd like to bring home for an audition, may I suggest that you find a dealer who would be willing to let you bring your Radio Shack speakers to his store? This way, you can do a direct comparison (eliminating all variables) and get your speakers out of their "comfort zone" (your living room). Maybe you'll hear something that you've never heard before. If you do find that you like something better, then bring them home for a final audition.
Good luck to you and please keep us posted.