I started many years ago, 1966:
Radio Shack Optimus, 125.00 for the pair. Beginners speakers
Wharfedale W60, 190.00 for the pair. Wonderful base output!
Fisher XP7E, 250.00 for the pair. Wonderful open sound with bass.
Fisher XP9, 325.00 for the pair. Bigger better bass, better output.
McIntosh ML-1C 669.00 for the pair, 1971. Terrific bass needed power!
Infinity Quantum 3, $950 the pair, great sound and bass, 16 yrs owned
Legacy Focus, 6400 the pair, awsume sound nothing close 16 yrs
Last pair. Coincident Pure Reference. Only thing close is Wilson Alexandria , cost was 22K. Expensive? Yes, but worth it, go listen and walk away dumbfounded. I can say that after searching for 45 years.
All of the speakers were good in their day. But technology marches on improvements carry. Many speakers were the "trust me honey this the last one!!" |
Ok this has been an interesting road:
1987: Boston Acoustics A-40 Bookshelf speakers. Part of first ever component stereo system which were paired to an NAD 7220PE Receiver and Dual 505-2 turntable (grado cartridge). Paid $160 for the pair.
2001: Infinity Entra One bookshelf speakers. Had to replace the Bostons since they were destroyed at a holiday party (sad face!). But the Infinity's added depth and dimensionality to the sound--overall a pretty decent speaker given that they were purchased at a Circuit City! Went to stereo shops but didn't find anything I liked given my price point. Paid $298 for the pair.
2012: GoldenEar Aon-3 Bookshelf monitors. These bookshelf monitors sound like floor-standing towers! If you're looking for big, detailed clear sound from bookshelf size speakers then run, don't walk to your nearest GoldenEar dealer. But bring your checkbook since the Aon-3s are $998 per pair! |
Going back from the present:
Gershman Acoustics Sonogram
Wilson Witt II
Meadowlark Audio Osprey
JBL 4312
This goes back about 8 or nine years. There were probably 15 to 20 others prior to this. While at Sound World in Appleton, Wi. waiting for my freshly repaired Marantz 1250 amplifier to be brought out to me, I was seated in front of a $45K system that blew me away. That was when I owned the JBL 4312's and realized that they were now seriously lacking and nowhere near where I wanted to be. Same went for the rest of my system. Ended up changing out everything. |
1. Home made speakers, probably $50/pair.
2. Advents, probably $300/pair.
3. Boston Acoustics, probably $650/pair.
3. Canton LE900, probably $1200/pair.
4. B&W 602's, probably $600/pair.
5. B&W 685's, probably $650/pair.
6. B&W CM5's, $1500/pair.
7. Totem Element Fire's, $6000 pair. |
started by cobbling anythig that was free. But did buy a realistic solo 103 raw speaker to play with. Also a pair of Utah 8 0r 10 shortly thereafter.
Next, 3 way with a Lafayette 12 woofer, University CM8 (?) midrange & a Lafayette 3x9 (?) horn tweeter.
Next (1969) the keeper, Altec 511b/802d (later upgraded to 808-8a)& 2 416a in a somewhat large infinite baffle.
Also along the way: Onkyo 25, Altec 834a (dual woofers & horn tweeter) JBL L100 (with vertical layout, not staggered) Jensen TF 3B with ratty enclosures, Bozak Ba 199c(?) finally a (project) Altec (late model) with 2 8" carbon fiber woofers
(bad surrounds) All of the above get occasional use. |
VANDERSTEEN 2Ce w/dedicated stands(new) $1400.00
Avalon Monitors (new) $2700.00
w/dedicated Sound Anchor stands
LEGACY AUDIO VICTORIA LE 20th ANNIVERSARY MONITORS
w/Sanus UF22 stands (new) $4000.00 |
Marantz something (new) $100 (late 70s)
Leak something (new) $150 (late 70s / early 80s
ESS Heil AMT1 (used) $700 1980s
Martin Logan Quest (used) $3,000 1990s
Thiel CS 3.6 used ($1,500) Early 2000s
Martin Logan Ascent used ($1,100) 2012 |
35ish years ago - Sansui...sorry can't remember model or cost
1984 - Infinity RS 4's at $1400.00 new - still have them / downstairs wired to the plasma / perfect working order and still sound amazing - gotta love that emit tweeter!
2011 - Dynaudio DM 2/7's - upstairs - main listening room / very impressed for the $$ - bought new at about $800.00
cat9 |
1971-- Pioneer CS-77
1990-- JBL L19
2012-- JBL G300
The last are a somewhat rare 3- way which I stole for $240 delivered. I am new to the audiophile community but these sound great with my Denon DRA 395. I cannot say enough about Denon SLDC. |
@ Reprince
I came accross a pair of Thiel CS3s several years ago from a co-worker who worked for Thiel in the early 80's. Still one of the most beautiful speakers I have seen, perfect matching Brazilian rosewood, serial #s 023 & 024. Jim Thiel hand picked every veneer in rosewood to make sure the grain pattern was perfect, so I was told. I would have to agree. I hook them up and listen to them every once and a while, they love my old Conrad Johnson system. Going to restore them completely in the next year. Will have to post some pictures once I get them finished. |
allison ones,sold
b and w dm-6,sold
ess heil towers,sold
large advent,sold
mission 700s, sold
polk 10s,sold
mbquart model 3 towers, currently in den system
phase tech bookshelf v-62, currently in bedroom system
magnepan mmgs/ velodyne deq10 sub, currently in living room system
dahlquist 10s,loaned to brother
dyi open baffles, currently in garage system.
i wish i still had the allisons.....but that was 36 years ago. |
Magnavox sys (real cheap)
Teac 2.0 ($150)
Boston Acoustics 5.1 ($350)
Def Tech Mythos XTR-60 x 3/Gems x 2 (3k-best so far)
Future - Maggies or Merlins. |
Harvard speakers, a house brand of an Stereo Appliance store. Not very good, but I thought I was had arrived. Bose 901's followed, lots of fun, I had arrived. NHT 2.9's, wonderfully accurate, but narrow sweet spot. Von Schweikert MK ll's. Best so far and every bit as good as anything near the price. My speakers to keep for many years or forever I would not complain and be very happy. Purchased on a auction the Daber Monitor 3's. These speakers really sing sweetly. They nearly equal my primary speakers they are that good. No hurry for anything new, at least not until my sons are well through college. |
Kenwood KL-777 (bought while stationed in South Korea in the USAF in '72)
ADS L520 (('81)
ADS L730 ('82)
Mission 770 Freedom ('85)
Snell Type Q ('90) (still have)
Velodyne FSR 12 ('97) (still have) |
Electro Voice Leyton .......1958
KLH 6 ......................1961
Bose 901 ...................1969
ESS AMT3 Rock Monitor ......1973
ADS L710 ...................1978
Klipsch CF4 ................1994
Klipsch (?) bookshelf ......1995
Velodyne ULD15 II ..........1995*
Atlantic Tech. 3200 LR&C ...2010*
" " 2400SR(x2)...2010*
" " 1400SRz .....2010*
Velodyne Mini V ............2011*
Pioneer SP-BS41-LR .........2012*
" SW-8 (x2) ..........2012*
Tekron Design M-Lore .......2012 (on order)
*still have 'em |
Klipsch Forte
Acoustat model Spectra 33 which were used with Kinergetics BSC SW200 Subwoofer system
Theil CS6
B&W 803 Series 3
I still have every speaker system except the Forte's and my current Fav's are the 801's, they just suit my taste perfect. |
Bose 301s my dad gave me while I was in college
Linn Helix II once I was working.
Amphion Argon once I was married.
Recently, Aerial Acoustics 7b.
The Argon were the speakers that hooked me on great sound and i was very happy with them for several years. I'm extremely happy now with the Aerial, I can't see replacing them for quite a while. |
Cerwin Vega HEDs -- Can't remember price
Thiel CS 2 2s $3495 -- new
Zu Audio Presence -- $6000 -- demos (used) |
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.
Vandersteen 2CE are what I have currently. These are keepers! |
Infinity RSb
Spica Angelus (eventually with Hsu subs)
Audio Physic Virgo
Quad ESL 988
Dynaudio Confidence C-1
Pretty short list, for 30 years. I've loved all of them. The Virgo is the biggest bargain at today's used price (sub-$2000). The midrange on the Quad lives up to its legendary status, but they use a lot of space, are expensive to repair, and are not pretty to look at. For small footprint, nearfield listening, the Dynaudios are pretty great.
Next will be Wilson Sophia? Magico Q1? KEF Blade? Who can tell? |
Panasonic Thrusters
Avid 102a*
Boston Acoustics A40
Boston Acoustics A70
Boston Acoustics A150
KEF Corelli
KEF C40
KEF Reference 101
KEF Reference 103.2*
KEF Reference 104.2
KEF Reference 105.2*
JBL 4301B
Sound Dynamics 10S
Sound Dynamics 15S
* Indicates speakers I currently own. |
Acoustat 2+2
Apogee Duetta
Vandersteen 3
Thiel 3.6
Genesis V
Tyler Decade 10
Nearfield Pipedream 924
Quite a ride over the years. Most electronics were several generations of Krell. Now Edge... |
Thanks Mapman. I am done for now and not do not want to consider changing speakers again at least for several years. |
V7,
That's an interesting progression from a speaker design perspective.
Are you done for now or still searching? Would you consider going back to any you owned prior? |
1990 - TDL RTL 2
1994 - TDL RTL 3
2004 - Merlin TSM
2005 - Zu Druid and Zu Definition Mk II
2012 - Evolution Acoustic MMtwos. |
1983 - REALISTIC Optimus T-120s, $160, new
1996 - B&W DM603s, $900, new
2005 - LEGACY AUDIO Signature IIIs, $2500, used
next purchase - Legacy Audio Focus SEs (used if I can find them)
FIND YOUR OLD RADIO SHACK SPEAKERS HERE (Radio Shack Catalogs going back to 1940)
http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com/catalog_directory.html |
1969 started with Fisher somethings. Very popular at the time along with Advent and JBL, Sansui.
Then: AR3a's bought used from a co-worker.
Bose 301's.....Don't ask
Infinity...had a woofer facing down and a tweeter
facing to the back.
M&K...Sub and satellite system (blank on model #'s)
Mag 3.5's
Mag 3.5's...M&K to the rear
Mag 12's...replace M&K in rear
Mag 3.6's
Mag 1.6's...replaced 12's
Mag 3.7's....current
|
I haven't owned that many in the past-
Rogers LS4a
Harbeth HL-P3 (wish I still had these)
I currently have a few pairs on rotation that I'm going to try hang onto-
Spendor SA 1
Wharfedale Daimond 10.1
Epos ES-12
Usher S-520
Proac Tablette Anniversary |
My post of 5 years ago is a mess. I had a Lafayette all in one stereo system as a pre-teen. Then Klipsch Heresy's at 16 and C38 JBL Signatures with the 030 driver array and Wharfdale somethings in the 80s and 90s then Von Schieckert VR 2s in 2003, then more JBLs C36 030 drivers (2002), then Klipsch Lascalas (2004), Then MY main rig speakers which are JM Lab Electra 936s in 2005, several monitors for secondary systems including NHTs, Merlins, Tannoys and now presently using Hyperion 585s while in exile 2010 to date. Still a mess but a better description of my speaker evolution. |
Criterion (from Lagayette Radio, remember them?) back in the late '70s, Vandersteen 2ci in the late '80s, Martin Logan Aerius i in the mid '90s, Paradigm Studio 100 v2 since about 2004. I haven't heard anything under $5,000 that's made me want to replace the Paradigms. They're being fed by a Squeezebox Touch though a Plinius 9200. |
Started with:
Dynaco A-25 40 years ago, then
Kef C-80, PSB4t, Nht Classic 3, PSB t65, psb Stratus Gold.
Speakers tend to be the more stable part of my systems. |
Okay. Here is a list of the speakers that I have owned starting with the current set:
- Wilson Sashas
- Wilson Watt/Puppy 8s
- Revel Salons
- Legacy Audio Focus
- Legacy Audio Studio Monitors
- Polk M5's & M3's
Over the last several years my system has completely changed several times.
With the Sashas:
- DCS Delius & Purcell combo
- ReQuest Media server with 5000 songs & 271 movies
- Lamm M1.2 Reference Mono amps
With the WP8s:
- DCS Delius & Purcell combo
- ReQuest Media server with 5000 songs & 271 movies
- PBN Denali Mono amps
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, when I do upgrade speakers, they'll be from Wilson Audio. I would ultimately like to end up with a full home theater where both music and movies are enjoyed. That'd bring me full circle. |
The only pair I ever purchased new were Polk Audio RT10's.
Below are a few of the speakers I previously owned over the last few years and purchased used:
- Totem Mites in mahogany - SOLD
- Totem Dreamcatcher in cherry (complete 5.1) - SOLD
- Dynaco A25 - SOLD
Current home theater is all previous generation NHT (ST4, SB3,...).
Currently own:
- PSB Stratus Silver in gloss black
- Energy Veritas 2.1 in cherry veneer with matching stands
- A/D/S Sat6 in gun-metal grey |
Larger Advent Loudspeakers-bought in '71 (sold)
DIY bookshelves-built in '91 (sold)
B&W 601-bought in '96 (sold)
DIY bookshelves-built in '97 (sold)
DIY floor standing-built in '03 (still own)
1985 Polk Audio RTA11-bought '02 (sold)
1976 Dynaco A25XL-bought in '09 (sold)
2003 Acoustic Research AR15 bookshelf-bought in '10 (still own)
1971 Altec Lansing Model 15 in '11 (still own) |
Radio Shack setup used $300
Small Advent speakers new $200
Spica Angelus new $1000
Quad ESL 57 used $1500
Quads Unlimited refresh for my 57'svery soon. |
I last posted in this thread in 2005 and man have I been in a whirlwind of speakers the past 6 years. Not necessarily in order but speakers have included:
B&W 703
Monitor Audio RS6, RS1 and Center
Focal Sib XXL and XL
Focal Chorus 806
Magnepan MMG
Mordaunt Short Aviano 2(very short lived)
Dynaudio Excite X12
Dynaudio Excite X32
and again Magnepan MMG
along with
REL T3 Sub
REL T7 Sub |
Small Advent Loudspeaker
Large Advent Loudspeaker
Double stack Large Advent Loudspeaker
Maggie 1.2
Maggie 1.7
Maggie 3.6 |
1-RCA portable 45 changer.
2-1'x2'x2' plywood box with 12 jukebox speaker and amp with above.
3-Magnavox suitcase stereo replaced RCA for above.
4- Fisher 3 way, 12" somethings.
5-Large wood Advents, later stacked.
6-B&W DM 14, later stacked.
7-Acoustat Spectra 11, later with NHT sandwich cone woofers.
8-Above with DM14, later with NHT SW2Si Subs
9-B&W 803 Matrix Series 2 on NHT SW2Si subs.
MISC. in past: Son's abandoned big Sansui multi-driver things, B&W DM12, 1200, 805 Matrix.
MISC: Lying around now: B&W DM220 ($45.00 find), DM17s, single DM12, DM1400s, 1259 subs in M&K Goliath I and II boxes, Several DM 14s and 1400s. Spare parts for B&Ws! |
Not surprisingly, I had built yet another speaker system. Of course, THIS will be the last one. It is a single driver Decware 'ZOB'. I must say, few systems have impressed me with a real life sound like these, so they are likely to stay.(this is in addition to the post I left here about a year ago) |
Cambridge Soundworks 2.1 $200 new
Paradigm Studio 60 v4 $1600 new
Zu Audio Omens $1200 new |
Hi all ! my trip back through memory lane (kinda foggy tho)
all in one box setup
another all in one
large advents
double advents (driven with 400wpc amp )
kef 204.2 ? not really sure of model
thiel 2.0
magnepan 1.5 qr
boston a150
cambridge soundworks ensemble
thiel 2.0 (again)
thiel 1.6
vandersteen 2ce
magnepan 1.6 qr
tekton lore (these really kick ass )
proud to say ...never had bose....brad |
Kef 104/2 (still have them - 25 years old)
Klipschhorns
Silverline LaFolia
Revel Studio
Verity Audio Parsifal Encore
Avalon Eidolon Vision
Still moving up the foodchain .....
The Klipschhorns take the bang for the buck prize, but they are ugly and too big..... |
And now time for an update:
Jensen who-knows-whats?
Klipsch Forte
Legacy Focus
Von Schweikert VR-4 III HSE
Merlin VSM-Milleniums
EgglestonWorks Andra IIs
EgglestonWorks Andra Is (and not regretting it one bit!)
....and the downsizing begins
Ohm Walsh 2.2000
Klipsch LaScala
Zu Essence |
Somewhere in the mix, I've had Magnepans; SMGa, MGII,& Tympani 1D. A couple of Vandersteens; 2ci& 3s too... I'm surprised they slipped my mind, I've always liked Maggies & Vandersteens, guess age is catching up! It's fun to try and look back, unfortunately a lot of these are still sitting around here so it should be easy to recall, I tend to buy more than sell/trade. I'm a terrible pack rat!
Cliff |
Boy, this could be a challenge... I'm sure to leave a few out, but here goes in aprox. order starting around 1976.
Advent two ways, MCS 3ways (JCPenny's brand),Ohm C2,Ohm Walsh 123&4,Ar9,DCM TW700,BES 200?,B&W DM1400,B&W 802,Revox Agora B,Acoustat Spectra 11&22,Bozak Concert Grand,Snell A,Spica TC-50,Klipsch Lascala, & Belle,Dahlqist DQ10,M-L Sequel II,SoundLab Dynastats,M-L CLS, Quad esl57,KLH9,ESS AMT 1b,2pr.Quad esl63,Moth Cicada,KEF 107/2. Most were bought used, a few were trades, and the Revox,Kef,2nd Quad 63,Moths & the Sequels were bought new
Plus countless subs, satellites, and short staying book shelf speakers that have passed through over the years. I'm sure I've missed a few, but that's the jest of it. |
I guess we all go through more than one zen moment as strive for nirvona of the ears! Prior to going off to war many years ago I had a floor standing pair of Wharfdale 100 75lb speakers I bought from good old Lafeyette store, $100.00 each. Back from Nam I purchased a pair of Fisher XP7-C speakers, $150.00 each. Then in 1970 MacIntosh came out with their ML series, I was drawn in! $316.00 each. 8 years later I heard the big Infinity Quantums and I just had to have them, so, in 1978, I swallowed hard and spent $1635.00 for the Quantum 2's. They lasted 18 years until I was totally smitten by the Legacy Focus. I drove 8 hours just to listen and returned home and ordered a pair. Price was now $5895.00 with rosewood finish and internal wiring upgrade. 15 years passed, now I'm ready to retire and I thought I needed a new pair ton last until the end. So, after four months reading and running I settled on pair of Coincident Pure Reference cost? $22,000.00. end of the line. Took the wife on the trip seeking approval, yes! It was successful!
I realize my trip isn't as wild as others, but I had to balance my hobby with kids, guess which comes first? But, I'm happy! Rich |
All my first speakers were car audio, so Ill skip all that.
Boston Acoustics VR-975 $160 pair (Got them discontinued, normally about $800 a pair)
Boston Acoustics VR-C $300 Center channel (4" Blew and I dont remember what I did with this. I think I returned it for the next one.)
Infinity Kappa Ceneter Channel (Too bright so I sold it.)
Then I sold my VR-975's and came home one day to.
ONE OF THE LAST BRAND NEW PAIRS OF DUNLAVY SC-II's. ($2500)
DUNLAVY SC-I as center channel. ($1500)
Custom Dunlavy Tri-polar speakers. (Dont even know the name, one of two pairs ever made in the world. (Priceless))
Westinghouse Boombox speakers (Free) Using these as surrounds since I dont have anything else.
I plan on building the Custom Dunlavy's properly one day and using them as either main's or surrounds.
But it does make me happy to read all these post's and see people who have gotten a pair of dunlavy's and just stopped. Because, so far I have heard Kef, Def-Tech, B&W, Martin Logan, Magnepan, Etc, Etc, Etc and I have heard nothing better than the dunlavy's. |
i have thinned my herd significantly down to only 3 pairs now.
ADS L710
AR91
AR MGC-1, "Magic Speakers" |
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)
To the best of my recollection give or take a few months/yrs |
For main system;
Fisher XP-56x
Cerwin Vega 24
Polk Moniter 10B
B&W Matrix 802s3. Fisher and CV spkrs long gone.
Plus many more in the house;
Polk RTi8 for the bedroom
PSB image 2b, 2 pair one pair for theater L/R surround, 1 pr. in the living room
B&W matrix center channel
B&W 602 for the rear surround
Infinity interlude IL40, IL10 just hangin around
small jbl studio series for the basement system
Infinity outriggers for patio
still have the polk monitor 10.
If I had the money would upgrade to the B&W Diamond 802 |
