Personal speaker evolution

I find it interesting to see everyone's evolution. Go back and reread the posts as they are really interesting. Most of us have gone up and up. Some are happy for the long term and keep their speakers for awhile, while some are always looking for nirvana I guess as they make many moves and some are lateral rather than upwards. Just interesting.

1, grew up with my dads jbl century l 100s. Loved them. He had them drop shipped while in the army in Germany.
2. Yamaha bookshelf speakers, about $200
3 keh satellites with a subwoofer. $300 from the price club in San francisco. They were all highs and bass but sounded really good.
4. Paradigm bookshelves, $400 from the buffalo speaker shop, demos. Sounded more hi fi and had decent mid range but 'boxy' sounding bass.
5. Tekton lore s used from tekton for $1200. Very refined and natural sounding.
6. Tannoy hpd 12 inch in Cheviot cabinets. Beautiful coloration couldn't be happier. Great balance of mid, highs and bass. Love these. $2000.

fplanner, yes i like your speakers....I do love my analog...for the cost nothing was even remotely close... I heard a ton of stuff and most was 5k plus...the Basis/Benz combo with the Heed Quasar is better than most things I heard and it's not close. John at Audio Connections in Verona, NJ knows what goes together.. He's the best I've dealt with and I've been around high end since 71 or so......I've met most of the major names in the industry (met means spent real time with and not just a hit and run during a show or bumping into someone during their store visit. So many different directions you can go, but John just understands what sounds right and puts systems together....not a commercial, but he just gets it and should get props...

Time to update after my recent move to a new home that resulted in my shelfing my Khorns
Started with a home made set of speakers from kit, (3 way set), moved to a set of Bose 201, to Bose 501, Klipsch RF3, Klipsch kg 5.5, Klipschorns, Polk lsi15 and finally my latest Audio Physics Caldera II. These are the finest speakers i have ever owned by a great margin despite being 15 years old

Interesting, i never thought about it, but speakers are the componet i change the least.
1. Technics Phase Linear were the first decent pair. Ran them from 1976 and to 1992! My nephew still uses them.
2. Definitive Technology powered monitors, 450s i think. 2004-2008. Gave them to a friend.
3. Epos ELS 3 with ELS subwoofer, 2005-2008. Still use them in my office system
4. Tetra 120u 2008-2013. Loved these speakers. Gave them to my son-in-law.
5. Definitive Technology BP8080ST 2013-present. Moved to huge room with high cielings (12 to 18 ft high), took a chance with these based on my earlier experience and am very happy. These really fill the space. Drive them with a B&K Reference 2220.

CTS- If you're talking to me, THANKS - I appreciate it. You have a very nice system - I'm jealous of the analog... :-)

now that's a list of speakers to be proud of, lol.

Updated:

Legacy Focus 20/20 (4 yrs)
Legacy Whisper (4 yrs)
VSA VR-7SE Mk2 (4 yrs)
VSA VR-9SE Mk2 (0 minutes; currently for sale new in crates)

Focal Grand Utopia EM (2+ months - ?) DONE!

All were great speakers for my system at the time I owned them. Never took the VR-9's out of their crates - disagreement w/mfr over broken promises, etc.(currently for sale at great price on Agon)

Current Utopias are way beyond anything I ever even dreamed about when I started this hobby years ago. I've been very fortunate to know many excellent manufacturers and great audio friends over the years from all over the world.

Spendor LS3/5a bw (1992, new), KEF LS3/5a Raymond Cooke edition (2006, still new), 1992 Martin Logan Aerius (2011, used).

You probably want a 5 channel amp. For what you have Marantz or Anthem or NAD are all good bets. They give real power. I'd personally go with NAD or Anthem as their amps seem to power all channels and don't get overloaded (from what I hear as I only run two channel). I have an older B&K St140 that would power two of your channel nicely. Actually it's a good amp for the price as it is pretty powerful. Then you can get a nice three channel amp for your fronts and use a pre/processor. If you went that route, you keep your upgrade options open as you can just change to better amps later on or eventually save up for a strong 5 channel amp or even just get a new processor when the latest changes.

1991 Linn index (first hifi set up. Sold perhaps completely the wrong setup for electronic music but oh well...)
1991 Linn helix (index not sounding anywhere big enough,)
1995 Cerwin Vega AT40 (a lot of fun but ideally needed a big amp)
1998 present Rega Jura.

Beginning to demo speakers to replace the Juras which are switching rooms!

Proac 1.5
Avalon Opus
Piega P-10
Piega C-8
Kharma 3.2
Marten Coltranes
Marten Birds
Innersound Kayas
Evolution Acoustics MM2

Definitive technology 5.5 channel
B&W 802
B&W 800D
B&W 800D with complete 7.5 channel surround system inc. sub
Back to two channel
Rockport Altair
Rockport arrakis
Magico Q5
Done!

Yes, this really is an interesting thread and I would love to see others post on it.

Bose 201 to Platinum Audio 808s (loved them-had them for 14 years) to Jamo S606-home theater to Canton GLE 490.2 and now Quad 22L2s.

Klipsch KG2's
Klipsch Heresy II's
Epicure 2.0's
Dynaudio 52se

Funny as I loved reading your speakers owned. Here goes mine:
69- 3 way store made from a high end dealer. Not bad at all
70 something Polk Monitor 10B with matching stands and cables, lol.
92 Proac Super Towers (currently selling if anyone has interest). Still using in main system with Ayre AX7e, Music Hall DAC, CAL Audio LAB Delta transport. Just bought Vandy Treo's, but these are sounding unreal. New drivers are awesome
92 Proac Studio 1's mk 2. Smaller version of the Super Towers and they are newly refurbished professionally done. They match the Super Towers and could be perfect for a home theater set up by adding the new/used Studio center channel
NEW to be delivered Vandersteen Treo's...can't wait.

From beginning to present:

78-81 Sound Research
81-84 Smaller Advent Loudspeaker
85-86 Jamo Compact 50's & 70's & Triad Subwoofer
86-88 Mirage 660's.....(excellent)
88-93 ProAc Studio 1.....(top 5 I've owned)
1993 Celestion C7.....(excellent - gave to brother for stealing his Advents & taking them to college)
1993 Chateau Research 1.5.....(top 5 I've owned)
1993 ADS CM6.....(horrible)
1993 Celestion C3
1993 Infinity Qb
1996 Vandersteen 1B
1997 Klipsch KG3.5 (black).....(worked great w/SE amp)
2002 Tannoy D90.....(top 5 I've owned)
2004 Omega Grande 8.....(top 5 I've owned)
2009 Celestion DL-8 II's (very nice)
2009 Mission 70 mkII
2009 RogerSoundLab CG-6
2009 Boston Acoustics A-200
2010 Wharfedale CRS-5
2010 Mission 700 LE
2010 Wharfedale Delta 70
2010 Klipsch KG 3.5 (oiled oak)
2010 Pinnacle AC800 (very underrated speaker)
2010 Linn Helix LS250.....(top 5 I've owned)
2013 Omega Grande 8 (re-acquired)
2014 Canton Plus S
2014 Paisley Reseach AE-500 (top 5 owned)

To the best of my recollection give or take a few months/yrs

Ok here we go:

1) Realistic bookshelf speakers--$25 at a garage sale
2) Bose 401 (the triangular ones made to go in a corner--perfect for my college apartment)
3) Infinitis of some sort from the late 1980s
4) Klipsch from early 1990s (maybe RF-25s?)
5) Definitive Technology BP 2000TL (a little boomy maybe, but they made some serious music when I was a little younger and wilder)
6) Vandersteen 1C (loved the middle and high end on those--so open and transparent)
7) Kef XQ-40 (wonderful taught, powerful bass and nice full sound, but the tweeter was not my favorite)
8) Merlin VSM-MMi - my current speakers. Loving them dearly right now.

So the question now, is 8 really enough?

Starting in 1989, all the following were purchased brand new:
1) B&W DM640
2) Apogee Centaur Majors
3) Vandersteen 2Ce
4) PSB Stratus Gold I
5) Thiel CS6
6) Revel M20
7) Harbeth SLH5
8) Harbeth M40.1

I've had the M40.1 speakers for a year now and I'm completely satisfied. I listen to music more now than I have at any point in my past 25 years of owning high end equipment. I have a large listening room that is well suited for the big Harbeths. By far the most enjoyable speaker that I have ever owned.

Late 1970s college to present
ADS 810
Magnapan MGI
Acoustat Monitor III
Acoustat 1+1
Acoustic Energy AE1 Signature
Martin Logan Aries
Martin Logan CLS IIZ
Martin Logan Request
Martin Logan Summit
Sjofn HiFi Clue (short time)
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1
Reference 3A Decapo (short time)
Zu Union
Various monitors in mixing room – Yamaha, Tannoy, Genelec, KRK

(60s-70s) Utahs w/horn-loaded tweeters, ~$150
(80s) Acoustat 2+2s, $2250
(90s) Sonus Faber Minuettos, $1500
(90s-10s) Sonus Faber Electa Amators, $4800
(now) Wilson Benesch Curves, $7000 (Minuettos in 2nd system)

ignoring high school JBL type stuff and starting with first "hifi" speakers in College

1979 Kef 104A/B - new $900
1988 Apogee Full Range - used $7500
1996 Wilson Watt Puppy 5.1 - used $9000
2002 AvantGarde Duos G1 - Dealer Demo's - $11000

1980 RCA tuner/record player combo
1983 sound design mini system
1986 radio shack machI 3ways with 15" woofer (2) pairs,149.00 a piece( used to Dj)
1994 boston ref VR40's 870.00 scratched one one in the back
1999 boston ref VR 20 pair 500.00 to go with the VR40'S
2002 boston ref VR center speaker 299.oo iirc
2002 boston ref bookshelf speakers (7" woofer)
2002 boston passive 12" sub 450.00
2003 Yamaha bookshelfs for z2 in spare bedroom that at the time was my workshop. 99.00 for the pair
2003 boston bookshelfs 6"woofer 239.00
2008 boston surround sound cubes(4) 79.00 each
2013 sennheiser rf170 headphones and 660's
All of the above, other than the 1st 2 are still in use today, the RAT SHACKS are in basement used for jamming on guitar, the vr40's and 20's will be used in the basement fun room/man cave, the cubes and bookshelf bostons are in den as surround sound with the center and sub, yamahas are in garage.
Next set will be a tad more highend for use with my yardsale score 2)carver silver sevens amps (50.00 bucks each), and a audio technica turntable. nac, dragon tape deck 45.oo, and a reel to reel tapedeck .

1975-Bose 901 Series III, may have been Series II. 1976- BES Geostatic SM120 together with Infinity Monitor Jr. 1977- Infinity QLS-1. 1982 through 2004 various homebuilt designs including a 24"x30" rectangle "woofer in the window" using voice coil and magnet assembly from the QLS woofer. Got to hear a pair of MG-1's in 1982 and spent the next decade trying to duplicate with dynamic drivers. Actually made some pretty good sounding speakers and some really pretty ones but never achieved the sense of reality that I heard from the Magnepans. In 2004 I gave up and bought 1.6's. Currently 3.6's in 5.2 setup with MMG's around the room and a pair of homemade dipole woofers. Will replace these with DWM's as budget permits.

My speaker list left off with Nearfield Pipedream 924's. I have now replaced them with a pair of Consensus Passions. These are by far the best speakers I have ever owned. Wonderful when mated to the Edge NL 10.2

1971 - Sansui SP3500 or something. I clearly remember they were 4-way, 7 driver, with woofer size of 15". This was when I used to judge speakers by the driver count. They had nice cabinets with the lattice wood grills.

1973 - AR 3AX. Blew the tweeters overdriving or clipping with the Marantz 2270.

1975 - Speakerlab 7 home built kits. Ugly, and not that good sounding on looking back.

1988 - Bose RM3000 satellite/passive sub system. This began a dark chapter, and resulting low point as I went into early AV surround sound.

2008 - Epos M12.2 standmounts, with a couple M&K subwoofers left over from the AV period.

2012 - Revel F208. These are the first speakers I've purchased without the thought that they were an interim step. I'm thinking these will be my last pair, more because of age and health than anything else. Course if I had extra cash, I could see getting a pair of Vandersteen Quatros.

Originally had Magnepan 1C's, but got out of the hobby for many years. When I started back did DCM' time windows, then Vandersteens 2ci, then Snell type C, then Snell type C IV. Now playing with the Snell E II. Love the vintage Snell speakers. Snells blow the Magnepans out of the water from what I remember of them.

RADIO SHACK 2 WAYS,PARENTHIAN{ KEITH JOHNSON] 2 WAYS, INFINITY Q A1, MAGNEPAN MG1, MAGNEPAN MG2, TYMPANI 1B,MG3A,VERTEK THEATER SPEAKERS-UNIQUE, TYMPANI 4,MG3.3,[OVER FORTY YEARS]

Since my last post, things have changed. Here was my last post:

11-20-03: Thesaint519
Okay. Here is a list of the speakers that I have owned starting with the current set:

- Revel Salons
- Legacy Audio Focus
- Legacy Audio Studio Monitors
- Polk M5's & M3's

Over the last two years my system has completely changed four times.

With the Salons:

- Levinson 390S
- Levinson 33H's

With the Legacy Audio Focus:

- Meridian 561 pre/pro
- Meridian 596 dvd/cd player

With the Legacy Audio Studio Monitors:

- Meridian 502
- Meridian 506.24

With the Polk Audio Speakers:

- Yahama DSPA-3090 pre/pro & 7 channel amp

And I am still evolving. However, the speakers are forever remaining. I would ultimately like to end up with a dual purpose system where both music and movies are enjoyed. That'd bring me full circle.

**Since then, the Salons were replaced with Wilson Watt/Puppy 8's, which were subsequently replaced with Wilson Sashas. The Front end is a DCS Purcell/Delius stack, which doubles as my preamp. The front end runs direct to my Lamm M1.2 Reference mono amps. Richard Gray Power Company 1200S feeds the system, while a ReQuest Media server supplies all the music and movies. Transparent Audio Reference cabling strings everything together. The sound is pure bliss. Future upgrades:

- Replace the Grand Prix Audio Monaco Rack with an HRS/SXR rack
- Lamm L2 Refernce preamp
- Upgrade all cabling to XLMM2.

Sylvania bookshelf speakers- four for $100 (1972)
ESS AMT-1- $660 / pair (1976)
Magnepan Tympani- $900/ pair used (1979)
Magnepan 3.3 $1,800 used (1998)
Magnepan 3.7 $5,500 new (2012)

Review- SVSound Ultra centers, being used as fronts:

Original system…. Adcom GTP-600, Audiosource Amp-100, Klipsch Heresy II’s. By all accounts, a respectable 2-channel system.

Replaced Heresy’s with MBS-02’s. HUGE improvement.

Replaced my MBS-02’s with these Ultra centers. At first I thought they were only a little better. With advice from SVS, I replaced my Audiosource amp with a better one. I chose an Emotiva XPA-200. WOW, what a difference.

First sound through the system was from an old VH1 CD from the 90’s (lots of acoustics and vocals), then a couple of episodes of “Live from Darryl’s House”, Cee Lo Green and Rob Thomas. I did not think SVS could improve on the MBS-02’s THAT much. I was wrong.

Next, a movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Phenomenal. Again, just 2 channels, but what a pair of channels these are. Even at higher volumes, my Beautiful, significant other does not complain. She NEVER liked watching movies through my Klipsch. She would actually put in ear plugs because some of the sound would, according to her “spike”. She enjoyed the MBS’s more, but these…. I can play these louder and she doesn’t notice it is louder. No high-high’s or drop offs in midrange. The db level across the freq range is the flattest I have EVER heard.

Beautiful sound. Transparent. Musical, but still great for theater. I was always going to have two systems. One theater; one music. I don’t think that is necessary any more. In the long run I am going to save significantly. So I have convinced her that I can just add on to this one instead of having two systems. I also threatened to buy another pair of Klipsch.

Next step: One more Ultra center (It will be used in it’s intended position) and two of the Ultra surrounds. Emotiva’s 7.2 channel preamp(when it becomes available) and the appropriate power amps.

Final step will be two SVS subs. Gotta make that (.2) useful. I am not sure which two subs. I will burn that bridge when I get there.

Hope this helps you make that leap. Once you have true HI-FI in your home, your life is changed.

James O.
Pittsburgh, PA

My first speaker (singular!) back in the days of monophonic sound was a JBL D130 in a home made corner cabinet, driven by a Bozak 20 watt tube amp. Many more after that and finally a better quality sound when I got a pair of AR 2AX's. After that, a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100's v.3 which I hated, then a pair of Dynaudio Contour T2.5's which I found to be rather thin sounding. Then, finally, a pair of Von Schweikert VR 2's and wonderful sound was again to be had at my house. I recently upgraded to a pair of VS VR-33's driven by Anthem Statement Amp and Pre-amp. I'm now in heaven.

'96 - Advent Laureates - $125 New
'97 - Vandersteen 2ci - $400 Used
'00 - BC Acoustique Seine - $1500 New
'02 - Audio Physic Virgo 3 - $5500 New
'04 - Joseph Audio Pearls - $16000 New
'07 - Gamut L3 - $4500 New

The Advents I got on a buy one get one free sale - they really weren't too bad - I was auditioning the Heritage also and with the bigger woofers
they were far too bass heavy and dark. The Laureates had far better balance top to bottom.

The Vandersteens came with Sound Anchor stands included for the $400, so were an absolute steal. Big improvement over the Laureates for next to nothing.

Had never heard of the BC Acoustique, but they had an interesting little horn tweeter (I normally HATE horns) but these had a nice smooth sound to them.

I had heard the original Virgo 2's some time before and had never forgotten them, so when the money came around I picked up a pair, but in reality I didn't
care for them as much as my memory of the originals.

Then came the Pearls - the first time I heard them was the first time I was ever stopped dead in my tracks by any piece of audio equipment. They were
absolutely spectacular! I walked into the shop and they were playing in the back room - I couldn't see them and had no idea which speakers were playing,
but I could hear them and had to ask the owner what was playing back there - they made that much of an impression on me. And the dealer gave me 20% off
and my full purchase price of the Virgo's in trade for them without my even asking!

Unfortunately, and to my great sorrow, then came the divorce - I needed the money and knew I was going to end up in a small apartment, so the Pearls had
to go. It broke my heart, but divorce is VERY expensive. My heart wasn't really in it, so i ended up buying a pair of 2-way standmounts. I had them for
about three years during which I rarely played any music - in fact I resented just looking at the damn things - they reminded me of what I used to have.
But after a while, I started playing music again,,,,and started to critically listen to them....and what do you know, these things weren't too bad. Actually,
not bad at all......wait a minute.....these things are pretty good! Damn good! Dare I say spectacular in their own rights? If I am being honest, with the
exception of the very lowest octave, I am not missing anything from the Pearls - they are truly that good - and this from a person that wanted to hate them!
I had planned for them to be the last pair of speakers I ever owned, but then Magico came out with the Q1's - although I probably won't ever be able to afford
those - but even if I don't ever get the Q1's, I am happy with the Gamuts.

soundesign clock radio WITH external speakers! (big step up!) ;)

Kenwood rack system, no idea of the part numbers, who cares

Infinity KAPPA 8's, later traded down to the 7's because I didn't have the amp or the space for the 8's anymore.

I still have those, 25 years later, and am hoping my amp upgrade will keep the upgrade virus from flaring up again for a while...at least til I can afford the damn thing!

82 or so… round panasonic speakers, c. 1975 with one driver that my father gave me
83 Tandberg 113/106
87 some massive Bose speakers and soon after some kind of homebrew speakers
89 Koss M60
91 a cerwin vega sub which lasted until the cone wore out
00 B & W 601
08 B & W 603 S 3
10 added a B & W ASW 608 sub
12 added a second 608 Sub
13 Vandersteen Quatro

going to salon 2 or Everest dd66000. Want feedback to help choose. Will not hear either before buying.

Wow this thread has been going on for a dozen years. Time to update my decade-old response:

'73: Lafayette 8" coax drivers in boxes, $40
'75: KLH Model 32, used, $55
'79: 'New' Large (Walnut) Advents, new, $265
'86: Boston Acoustics A200, used, $175
'02: Thiel CS2.3, used, $2000
'06: Thiel CS2.4, used, $2800 (upgraded XOs '11 $130)

Talon khorus II with upgrade crossover and modified tweeter...they just diseaper and live place to Music with"Audax"tweeter .

Here is my progression starting with my first pair...

1. KLH Model 38
2. Avid 102
3. ADS L520 - Still have them in a secondary system and they are in pristine condition. Love 'em!
4. Wharfedale Diamond 9.6
5. Vienna Acoustics Bach Grands - currently the mains in my primary system and I love these too.

2009 - paradigm esprit bipolar
2009-2010 - B&W Nautilus 804
2010-2011 - B&W Nautilus 802
2011-present - Avantgarde Uno 2.1 with Tact W410 subs

1972-Fisher 2 or 3 ways
1984-AR 3 ways
1989-Boston bookshelf
1997-Dahlquist DQ20 *
2003-RBH AC5T home theater
2010-Legacy Focus *
2010-Polk RTi10
2011-Magnepan MG3a *
2012-Eminent Technology LFT8
2012-Magnepan 1.6
2012-Eminent Tech. LFT8b *
2012-Eminent Tech. LFT3 *
2012-Zu Omen

* Noteworthy
I never had big $$ to buy speakers so over just the past 5 years I have been finding great deals on CL. This has led me to experiment with different technologies, multi driver (Legacy), planar, and ET push pull. Tried the Zu's due to a move to smaller space. They were nice and easy to drive but I didn't like them as much as the planars or the Legacy or Dahlquist.
The DQ20 has bee my main decent speaker that I have held onto. It does everything so well.

My first Woofers were a pair of 18" Eminence replacement type drivers. The first thing I did was mount them free-air in the trunk of my 1986 0lds Cutlass Supreme 2Dr. I sealed it all up and used a Hi-Fonics Hercules amp to drive them. My god the chaos I inflicted on the poor residents of Suffolk County, L.I. Still I was only 18 and that was the coolest thing I have ever owned up to that point. Aw, I can hear Pink Floyd thumping away like it was yesterday.

Andrew
Synesthesia Studios

4-year-old VSA VR-7s have been upgraded in the past 6 months to "Mk 2" status, meaning new bypass caps on the crossovers, totally new Delphi internal wiring and new high-performance mid-ranges. The urge for new speakers (to match my new VAC Statement 450 monos)has come and gone, as what I have got a whole lot better. Also, now up to Velo DD-15+.

Recently added an office system driven by SET Melody 845. Using Angel City Audio's Trinity speakers with upgraded crossovers. Imaging is just ridiculous - approaching and exceeding "jaw-dropping" at times. Amazing below-the-radar speaker due to minimal advertising. Betters speakers 5x its price, which is very reasonable.

mono DIY 8" 2 way built by my father
Webcor with Philips full range-$10 garage sale
homemade 6" 2way. - DIY with my father
ESS 10" 2 way with Heil tweeter - used
Mission 700.2 - New, $200
Nuance 8" 2 way - New (big mistake)
Magnepan MG-3.3 - used
Vandersteen 2ce - used
Klipsch Heresy - used
Klipsch Forte II - used
DIY horn/hybrid 4 way system
-- with: Edgarhorn, Klangfilm, RCA, Altec, Faital, and JBL bits

Cerwin Vega LS15
Energy RC10
Energy Veritas 2.2
Magnepan 1.6

Rectilinear 11 A;s - traded for a Fender Bassman/Showman Combo
SAE - cant recall model number 350.00
Dynaco 25 XL's used as a back channel to SAE's 125.00
B&W DM2 200.00
DIY KEF Transmission Lines using T27 B110 and B139 - 400.00???
Burhoe Blue Speakers 125.00
Large Advents used 100.00
Kef 105's 1000.00
Dalquist 10's with dedicated subwoofers and electronic crossovers - 1400.00
Acoustat Model One's (large) 1000.00
NHT 1.3 - 300.00
EPOS 14 800 including stands
Shahinian Obelisks 1300.00
Currently dealing on a pair of PSB Synchrony Ones.....

I've had more homebuilt speakers than not, but I have two pairs of Klipsch Hereseys worth mentioning as they are quite different from each other considering. One pair are Heresy I's, in maybe butternut or some light-colored walnuty wood. Got them at an estate sale for maybe $40. I rebuilt the crossovers and they sound pretty decent, I think limited by what's being fed into them right now.

The other pair are from the pro audio side of Klipsch, sold as PA speakers, so they are black tolex or whatever with handles built into the top and metal grills. I usually use them with a solid state PA amp for musical instruments - keyboards, bass, whatever - but once I fed my little Mackie mixer into one of my ST70's and into these speakers and they sounded fantastic, very bold and alive, not to mention loud. Am going to have to revisit that when I get the right preamp going. These can be found very cheap by the way, worth looking at.

Other than that, some jbl studio monitors, some KEF vertical boxes with side-mounted woofers, some KROK studio monitors.

They all sound almost good enough but not quite, and I have come to think it's my ears that are not up to snuff anymore. Nothing sounds as fantastic as it did when I was younger. Sad but at least I can remember it:)

I now have been living with JM Lab Alto Utopia Be for several years and while not quite the air mover the Irs-1b and maggie 3.6/dual sub systems, definitely one of the if not the best I have heard in a reasonable sized room. Adding a Paradigm servo-15b sub for below 20hz added the realistic sub-bass weight to orchestral as well as live recordings. I have no desire to change now or anytime soon.

1. Cerwin Vega's 12" woofer
2. Bose Sat & woofer box system (the worst)
3. Vandersteen 2ce (first audiophile speaker, still have them)
4. Floorstanding speakers of some kind
5. Quad 22L2
6. Chario Academy 2 (best monitor speaker and still use them)
7. Focal Chorus 800
8. Acoustic Zen Adagio Jr. (still have these)
9. Von Scheiwert VR-2 with matching sub
10. Jaton Real A&V 803 (best full range I have ever owned)
I would love to get a pair of Revel Ultima Salons next.