I think that names or manufactures can go two ways. One is people who like what they own will always promote them and beg for approval from the ranks. Then there is the other side where people will continue to bash certain manufacture. Some time from a bad experience they had way back of as is more common they have never owned them or heard them but wanting what they own to be better they discredit them. You also have to keep in mind all good speaker manufacturers make different levels of speaker lines. Not fair to talk negative about B&W when you bought their entry level bookshelf from Best Buy. Trust your ears if you like the sound does the name matter? Enjoy the music first and last!
Commonly mentioned speaker brands?
Are the brands most frequently mentioned simply the favorites of the kind of people who have the kind of taste that frequent a site like this, or are they generally recognized as superior brands?