1979 Quad ESL 57
1995 Quad ESL 57 stacked
2001 Quad ESL 57 stacked refurbished by One Thing Audio.
2001 Final 0.2 Home Theatre System for watching televion and movies. |
Beginning in 1977;
JBL L-26's, sounded hollow, traded em' in on a pair of
AR-12's which I proceeded to blow up. Bought some
AR-11's which I own to this day. In 1992 bought a pair of
Infinity Reference Six's 4-ways which are underappreciated and still running in my reasonably sophisticated rig.
Cody Grayland |
Satated around 1994.
Radio Shack $100
KLH $100
Klipsch KG 3.5
Klipsch KG 5.5 not as good as 3.5's
Klipsch KLF 30 not as good as 3.5's
Klipsch Chorus
KEF RDM 1
Apogee Centaur
Spica TC-60 (still have)
Martin Logan CLS IIZ LE (still have)
B&W 705 (still have)
B&W Matrix 800 (still have) |
Pioneer CS9900e used $30
Bose 601 used $75
Klipsch KG4's used, freebie from neighbor ( his wife said they were too loud LOL
Altec 604 8G in factory 620A oak cabinets ($150) got these about 5 days ago.
Can you tell I am on a pretty tight budget? |
Marantz, JBL J-320, Martin Logan Aerius i. Next, maybe a pair of ML Grotto subs for the Aerius i's - if I like how they integrate. The Von Schweikert are a strong candidate also. |
Pioneer
JVC
Klipsch KG4
B&W DM602 S2
Martin Logan Scenario
next? Von Schweikert VR4 JR |
mid 1970's til 1990's AKG headphones
small Canadian company Enigma bookshelf speakers
(enough to get me through high school/university )
2001 - 2004
crappy iPod earphones, replaced with Shure in-ear phones
Focal JM labs 706S bookshelf speakers (secondary system in kitchen area)
2004-present Kharma Grand Ceramique Midi's with Enigma (finally have a dedicated room to upgrade speakers substantially -- now can listen without disturbing the rest of the house ! ) |
Let's see:
I think one of my first was a Utah speaker in a vented cabinet.
When I went stereo, I got a pair of RTR 2-way speakers. I later got a pair of Marantz speakers, but didn't really care for them, so I moved to Cerwin-Vega. I upgraded to a more expensive pair of Cerwin-Vegas and had those for a while.
I did a bit of an about-face and replaced the CVs with a pair of Fried Betas, then added The Subwoofer.
Finally, I upgraded to a pair of C/3-Ls and I've been using those for around 15 years. (I must be happy with them, because I've kept them around longer than any other speakers.)
I also had a sort of side-excursion where I bought a pair of Wharfdale towers and a pair of Pinnacle towers. I got these when internet auctions were new, and I paid no more than $100 for each pair. It was too good a deal to pass up.
I'm planning to sell the Pinnacles, and the Wharfdales are down in the basement so my wife can listen to music while she does the laundry. :-) |
need to amend my last post:
Bose 301's
Cerwin Vega 35's
Bose AM15
Vandersteen 2ci
Magnepan 1.6qr
Magnepan 3.6R
Gallo Reference 3's
Magnepan 3.6R's (why did I leave in the first place??) |
1. 1970-10" Marsland drivers in upturned 44qt. garbage cans
2. 1973-BIC speakers w/ tuneable bass
3. 1976-Dahlquist DQ-10s, mirrored, modded w/custom walnut stands
4. 1984-Rogers LS3/5a w/24" Celestion SL shot-filled stands
5. 1993-ProAc Response 2's on custom RixRax 22" sand-filled stands
Really sorry I sold the Dahlquists and the Rogers. Due for a change after 13 years and am going to audition 3A deCapo i, Gallo Ref-3, Von S VR4-Jr among possible others. Driving w/Concentra II. |
1) Polk Audio Monitor 10B
2) Polk Audio S10
3) Polk Audio Monitor 10B -- bought them back!
4) Monitor Audio Silver S6
5) Magnepan MMG
6) North Creek Music Okara II Upgraded Project
7) Polk Audio LSi15
I absolutely love my LSi15's. I found a mint pair for sale locally for $750. They're so good that I am now off the upgrade merry-go-round (I am an audio enthusiast on a beer budget and couldn't be happier). |
1972: KLH 32
1973: Dynaco A-25
1974: Advent (Smaller)
1975: Advent (Large)
1976: Dahlquist DQ10
1978: Double (stacked) Rogers LS3/5a
1981: Single pair Rogers LS3/5a
1982: Quad ESL
1987: ProAc EBS
1990: Meridian M20 and B&O 8000, alternated
1997: Rogers LS3/5a
2001: Spendor S3/5
2002: Silverline SR16
2005: 2 systems, Zu Druids on one, Zu Definitions on another
The Zu speakers are the most relaxing and alive that I have ever listened to, and the Definition specifically is what I've been looking for over 3 decades. However the Druids have their own charms and I appreciate both.
Phil |
Jprice, you deserve to win some kind of prize. What a list, what a journey! |
ELECTROVOICE EV-2 (1963)
DYNACO 25
TANDBERG LOUDSPEAKER
DOUBLE LARGE ADVENTS
KLH-9
ACOUSTIC RESEARCH AR 3A
MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI IU
ALTEC VOICE OF THE THEATER
GALE LOUDSPEAKER
OHM F
MAGNEPAN MG II
MAGNEPAN MG 3
MAGNEPLANAR TYMPANI IV
MAGNEPAN MG 3.3
MAGNEPAN MG 3.6
THIEL CS 3
THIEL CS 3.5
THIEL CS 3.6
THIEL CS 5i
WILSON WATT
WILSON WATT 3 PUPPY 2
GENESIS 200
EGGLESTONWORKS ANDRA
AVALON EIDOLON
MAGNEPAN 20.1
VERITY PARSIFAL ENCORE
AND THE SEARCH GOES ON! |
Dayton Wright XAM 5 way speakers from 1982 to 2004 were fantastic with quality electronics. Still very good but finally made the change in 2004 to Anthony Gallo Ref 3 and a revamping of the whole electronics system for the umpteenth time! |
I started with a pair of
1.Kenwood 8" 2 ways, they were about $A130 pair in 1976. I was 17 at the time and I worked weekends at a garage.....
2.Then a pair of Studiocraft 440s,1978, which were the direct-firing versions of Bose 501s. Maybe $A400 pr, can't remember.
3.Rogers Export Monitors, around $A900 pr in 1980 or so.
4.Custom-built speakers using JBL 12", B&W 802 kevlar mids and modified Peerless soft-domes in 1984. Had these a while, they worked pretty well.
5.Maggie 2.6Rs, bought as store demonstrator stock for $A2500 in 1998.
6.This year I acquired a pair of Silverline Sonata IIIs. I think I will keep these a VERY long time. Wonderful things. |
1975 - AR-3a
1985 - JSE Model 1
1998 - Coincident Conquest
2000 - B&W SCM-1
2003 - B&W Nautilus 804
2003 - Coincident Total Victory
2005 - Fab Audio Model 1 |
1) 1976 - Bose 301 (welcome to HiFi)
2) 1982 - Magnepan MG-1 (welcome to real HiFi)
3) 1983 - AE 2 (a short lived H Kloss company)
4) 1983 - Tangent II's (same as Rogers LS5's)
5) 1986 - EPI 100 II (consumer rpts #1 - hehe!)
6) 1987 - ADS L-510
7) 1989 - Homemade monitors based on KEF LS35a drivers
8) 2002 - Paradigm monitor 5 V2
9) 2004 - Infinity Primus 150 (ridiculously good for $150)
10)2004 - Magnepan 1.6qr
My favorite sound? Hands down - Audio Technica Electrostatic Headphones on LP's
|
1- Spica TC50
2- Sound Dynamics 300ti
3- Spendor SP7/1
4- Dunlavy SCII Signature (w/Rel Storm II)
5- Epos M15 (W/Rel Storm II)
6- Thiel CS3.6 |
Pioneer fh 452 hk ? $200.00 new
MTX Monitor 12 about $350.00 new
PSB Image 2b $249.00 new
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 $328.00 new
PSB Stratus Mini $600.00 used
The biggest improvement came from upgrading MTX to the PSB's |
Truly scary how many speakers I have been through since 1972:
Dynaco A25 purchased for $106
Design Acoustics D4 purchased used for $150
Infinity Monitor Jr. purchased for $450
Tangent mini monitor (Canadian) purchased for $550
Chartwell PM110purchased for $500
DCM Time Window purchased for $750
Tannoy Mercury M2 purchased for $350
Dynaudio Audience 42 (store demo)
purchased for $650
While a lot of money has been spent over the years, it is interesting to note that many people have spent more money on just one set of speakers, while I have been using several pairs for what ultimately is not a backbreaking amount. |
Pioneer- stock pair that came with full system- 1985
Klipsch Forte'- 1987- still have, still great.
Merlin VSM-MM- 2005- I hope to hold onto these as long as the Klipsch. If I do I guess I'll be set until at least 2023.:-) |
Fisher something or other $78.00
Bose 301 series 2 $50.00 used
Bose 901 seies 2 w/EQ $250.00 used (No more Bose!!! never again!!!)
Klipsch Heresy $375.00 used
Currently own Dahlquist DQ12 Upgraded to DQ 20 specs $200.00 used. (LOVE 'EM!!!) |
Bose 301's
Cerwin Vega 35's
Bose AM15
Vandersteen 2ci
Magnepan 1.6qr
Magnepan 3.6R
Gallo Reference 3's |
1. Airline - Montgomery Wards (cheapo stereo package)
2. Utralinear (Big box - 12" woofer)
3. Pioneer (bigger box 15" woofer)
4. B&O S60 (used 28 years - still own)
5. Yamaha Sub woofer
6. Polk RT-1000P Towers (home theatre)
7. Yamo - wall mount (home theatre)
8. Boston Acoustics - center (home theatre)
9. Dynaudio 52SE (replaced B&O's)
10. Rel Q-108 Sub woofer |
Boy this is interesting and embarassing (my memory) but here goes.
1971 - Pioneer speakers bought in Korea while in the Air Force
1976 - Karns (local Michigan manufacture)
1979 - ADS 400
1981ish - Celestion
1982 - MacIntosh
1983 - E..something electrostatics
1987 - Polk bookshelf
1989 - Polk floorstanders
1995 - Paradigm Monitor 7
1998 - Paradigm Studio 60s
2005 - (SOON) B&W 704
There have been several subs (Polk, Paradigm, M&K and now REL) and surrounds (Polk, Paradigm, M&K and soon B&W)and centers (Paradigm (2) and soon B&W) starting in 1987 or whenever I first got a Dolby Surround or Pro Logic receiver |
...when the money for my work travel expenses started coming in:
Boston Acoustics A120, new (for several years)
Dahlquist DQ-20, used (for more than several years, still have)
Magnepan MGMC1 + Onix Rocket UFW-10 sub (2 months, current) |
updating mine,,,
I went from Wharfedale 8.2'a i think they were,,,
Platinum Audio 808's,,,great speakers.
Mission 773e
Mission 774
Pinnacle Classic Gold Aerogel (best of them all)
JBL L-96
Electrovoice 12 TRXB's most natural sound
waiting for some Tannoy System 12 DMT's to arrive |
Mid 70's started out with a pair of bookshelf Infinities that I traded shortly therafter for a pair of floorstanding JBLs. Those served me well for a few years till I traded them in for my first Polk Audio Model 10s.The 10s were very quickly replaced by the POLK RTA 11t's. After a few years I traded up to Carver Amazing Loudspeakers (Platinum). These were only with me briefly and were readily replaced by a pair of Magnepan MG3as. The Maggies were with me for quite a few years until after much reservation I traded the in for a pair of Martin Logan Quests. The MLs are fine speakers but I truly miss my Maggies and I'm sure the Magnepans are in my not to distant future. |
I started in 1979 with Celestion Ditton 15XRs - died in the late 1980s
1981 Mordaunt Arundel (old british speaker 1960s Decca Kelly horns with 10 inch paper cone) - still got them
1984 Meridian M3 active speakers with 101B preamp - sold in 1993
2001 LS3/5a Stirling Broadcast with Rogers AB1s - still got them
2003 Avantgarde Duos - can't see myself getting rid of these |
1979 highschool years Audio Reflex 3-way's new
1982 M&K 1A & Volkswoofer demos
1983 M&K 1A & 2 Audio Pro B2-50 subs used
1885 B&W 802 F80 used & Audio Pro B2-50 subs
1986-00 M&K 1A & Volkswoofer given back to me
2001 Paradigm Studio 40v2 & Servo-15 new
2002 Tannoy GRF Windsor used & Servo-15
2003 2nd pair of Tannoy GRF Windsor stacked & Servo-15
2004-date stacked Tannoy GRF's & JM Focal SW-900 sub new
Also had JBL 100 and Goodmans 212C Triaxiom |
Sony Floor Standers $200 new - crap but I didn't know better then
B&W DM303 $150 used - can't beat it for the money but other monitors kill it
Totem Mite $600 new with Atacama Stands $150 - great speaker but inefficient needs lots of power to really open up. Metal dome tweeter wash a bit harsh for my liking.
Paradigm Studio 20 $500 used - awesome at this price you cannot beat them. If you can get em used go for it there great.
Proac Response 2S $2500 used - Wow my dream speaker as good as the Studio 20 is the Proacs surpass them in every way imaginable.
All prices CDN funds |
My first pair of speakers were UTAH 3 way 1972 vintage, I paid $120 new for the pair, they were great for the time.
my second pair were PARADIGM EXPORT STUDIO MONITORS 1987,I paid $600 new for them, they out performed everything I heard under $2000.
my cureent pair are MAGNEPAN 3.6's, I bought new in 1999 FOR $3500, they are the BEST I have ever owned and sound as good or better than anything I have listed to in the $15,000 range.
MAGNEPLANERS are real,alive,you are there..... |
I only have two:
Triangle Celsius
Voigt Pipe (with TWL Mod.) with Lowther PM6A. |
In chronological order:
Genesis Model One
Yamaha NS5
a/d/s L710II
Allsion 3
B&W DM7II
a/d/s/ L1230
Euphonic Audio Nymphs
B&W DM7II
Wharfedale Diamonds
Mission 700le
Spectrum 208
Vandersteen 1b
B&W DM7II
Dahlquist DQ8
B&W 801 80 Series
Platinum Audio Duo
Joseph Audio RM25
Snell CV
Martin Logan Aerius
Magnepan MG1.6QT
NHT 2.9
Currently speakerless and searching for Snell CV.
Dean. |
Mission 707 about £90. A bit dog eared but still going. |
I'm a rec studio guy.
Home-made something or other (Norelco?)
JVC 3-way (dept store)
JBL 4312s x 2
JBL 4425s x2
JBL 4430's x 2
JBL 4435s, x 2w/JBL 4546 subs x 2
GENELEC 1031s x 2
Genelec 1032s x 3
I now use a combination of the above for a six channel sacd/dvd-a system. (4435L,R, 4430SL,SR, 4425C, 4546subs, and Genelec 1032sL,R,C).
Sounds strange but in my opinion, when set up correctly, blows away all the esoteric consumer stuff. |
JBL no-names
kenwood HTIB
polk audio 25/35i
polk audio 800rti
heybrook model?
titus 202ex
swans diva 6.1
kirksaeter silverline 60
kirksaeter silverline 220
totem tabu
i'm sure i forgot a few in there??? |
Some updates to my 2003 entry...
Sears boombox w/ CD (c.1989) used for $20
RCA boombox (bigger) (c.1992) used for $20
Eosone RFS-600 $500 store demo, May 1999
Wharfedale Emerald 97 $200+100shipped on uBid.com, Feb 2001
Acoustat Model 3 $700 used. (early 1980's model ESL), Sept 2002
Magnepan MG-0.5/QR $400 used. Dec 2003
Magnepan MG-2.5/R $600 used. Nov 2004 |
It would be impossible to go all the way back....I'll start from this year alone.
Starting and ending with:
B&W N804, used
Rocket RS250, new
Rocket UFW-10, used
Paradigm Studio 40v3, new
Paradigm Studio 20v3, new
DYNAUDIO AUDIENCE 122, new
DYNAUDIO AUDIENCE 122C, new |
Currently using Peavey SP-3 TI's, a 2way commercial system
15 inch woofer with front loaded horn (50 hz) and reflex rear wave coupled cabinet. bi-radial horn mid/tw. 95db @ 1watt 1 meter. Rated conservatively @ 450w. RMS. |
started with a company called canon, 3 way bookshelf
sold the whole system to by Koss cross fire floor units, anyone remember them?
Dalquist DQM-9
Infinity Reference IIa
B&W N803
B&W N802 |
Dynaco A25
LENTEK L7
PENTAGRAM LOUDSPEAKERS
Pyramid Metronomes (originals, modified w/ribbon tweeter)
Yamaha YST
CLEMENTS RT-7
CARVER ALS SILVER SIGS
Infinity Modulus Satellites
ENIGMA OREMUS
OCELLIA TILIAS (current) |
Mine's a pretty short list,
Assortment of Ghetto Blasters,
TEAC home theater combo set $1500 (including reciever etc.)
Neuance Spatial Grand 3's ($800)
Tannoy Definition D700 ($4600)
Piega P-10's (I imagine for quite some time, do speakers get any better?) ($12,500)
I was really surpised to find the other Piega owners out here, you never hear about these things. So Calloway, let me know how the new C8-ltd's compare! |
Just realized I should update my original post -- WAY up there on this thread -- since I bought a pair of Gallo Reference 3s about 6 weeks ago. Truly wonderful speakers which I will love until ... the next time. |
-Videotone (From Hungary)
-Boston Acoustics A150's
-Boston Acoustics A200's
-Boston Acoustics A400's
-Sonus Faber- Guarneri Homage
-Boston Acoustics A400's(Again)
After all the speakers I listened to and even having owned the glorious Guarneri, I honestly find the Boston A400's the most pleasurable over all. I know I should prefer the Guarneri according to all the reviews, but I don't. The Boston A400's in my humble opinion are world class still.
Cheers! |
I startes with a Wolensac reel to reel connected to a guitar amp. The first system I owned was a marantz 20 wpc connected to Bose - great starter.
My then wife had a Fisher system, which had a couple of the worst speakers I had ever heard. A realistic 12 inch bass here, super dome tweeter here, two new mid ranges there, along with completely overhauling the crossovers/ cabinets, and insulation, and I put together a great set of speakers. I stilll have them and they compare quite well to most $1K speakers (however, they are bright on the high range and I didn't know about nulling techniques back then either). Best speakers I've ever heard - Martin logan Staements (unbeleivable at all ranges - if only they came with a house for the same price:)) |
Acoustic Energy AE109 $450 New (1 year)
B&W CDM 1SE $1,000 New (6 years, now in secondary system)
Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Piano $1,500 Used (1 year)
The CDM mini-monitors were purchased in Britain when I was at university and stayed the longest in my system. Great speakers that just oozes quality without costing a fortune and I'm hard-pressed not to keep them for some leisure listening in the lounge area. Nevertheless, the SF Grand Pianos were in a different league altogether. Time (and financial) will tell which speakers will replace the GP's. |
Well, I don't remember all the prices but the speakers... ah, changing speakers is my life ! :-)
Infinity 8K, Sonus Faber Electa Amator (the original version), then Magneplanar MGIIIA, Chario Academy 3 (aaarggh, a POS), Thiel CS 3.6, Vandersteen 2CI, Dynaudio Studio 1 , Martin Logan Quest Z, Monitor Audio Studio 2, Thiel CS 6, CS 7.2 and Avalon Radian HC, now maybe.... the Eidolons ? I also have a pair of custom made Dynaudio towers... Ah, I tried, even if not bought, also SF Extrema and Apogee Stage. Last, I'm only 32, how many speakers I will have more ??? Time will tell. |
Magnapan Tympani-3 panel design-early '80s-paid $600 used from dealer
Vandersteen 1c-early '90s-about $700 new
Legacy Classics-5 1/2 years old-$2600 new-as addicting as the Maggies were (and I'm still moved by their sound) the Legacys are more neutral, dynamic and detailed. I hold these qualities higher than the rest. |
