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Transparency: What speakers have it in spades?

When I got my Spendor SP3/1P speakers a few months ago, I discovered what transparency really meant. I've never been able to hear "through" any speakers like I can with these. True aural "Windex." I wouldn't mind having some of that crystal clarity in a speaker that goes a bit lower, offering more of a bass foundation for orchestral music. The larger Spendors are obvious choices.

But what speakers have you heard that have struck you as being particularly transparent? THANKS.
-Bob
hesson11
kacz
177 posts
 
Avalon Speakers

I can't believe more people haven't mentioned them.
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drubin
3,240 posts
 
This thread is a riot. Can you all be even *remotely* on the same page in what you mean by "transparency"? Given the recommendations, I don't think so.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
02-27-07: Drubin
Can you all be even *remotely* on the same page in what you mean by "transparency"? Given the recommendations, I don't think so.
Drubin (Threads | Answers
I was thinking of this just yesterday. I'll wager that 20 audiophiles asked to define transparency with provide at least 15 different definitions...and perhaps 10 provide the answer according to Stereophile's (or Robert Harley's) audio glossary.

It's one of the traps of online discussions. Terms are often used incorrectly, but made in statements that on the surface appear to be informative.
rlwainwright
1,901 posts
 
At the risk of being pounded by Drubin, I'd have to say the Gallo Reference 3s seem to me to be quite "transparent". The soundstage and placement of performers is quite good, the top to bottom coherency of the sound is also quite good, and they didn't cost me a great deal either - $1700 delivered to my door...

-RW-
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Doesn't transparent mean true to the source with minimal added distortion and without frequency abberations? That is, a speaker that does not "color" the sound (all recordings being affected) with its own personality? By the way, by this definition, I would say the Merlin VSM speakers are transparent. By this definition I would not think that the Spendors or other "British" voiced speakers are tranaparent - lovely, "musical", but not the height of transparency IMHO.
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