Totally forgot the AR model 9 s . I owned two pairs and had to replace the whoofers twice because of rot. Great speaker though. |
1967 Infinity Servo-Statik I $1800 (eventually broke down - discarded) Got Married 1982 Magnepan SMG $400 demo (still in my attic - any interest?) Current System 1995 Magnepan 0.6QR $550 used 1998 Augmented by DefTech PF15 $400 used 2004 Augmented by Magnepan MMG W and MMG C for surround sound $600 2004 Added Adcom 5802 to power the 0.6QR and offload the Denon 3803. That is what the Maggies have been waiting for - begging for- for so many years. Now I have a room filled with the most glorious sounds. You fellow panel heads out there will know what I mean. You cone heads will have to use your imaginations. :-D Any fellow Maggie afficionados, if they aren't already singing to your complete satisfaction, get the highest-output mosfet amp you can afford. Maggies love it. I recommend 5802 <$900 used. |
Pioneer somethings - free JBL somethings - $120 new SIGNET SL280EXB - $900 new SUNFIRE TRUE 10 SUB - $1300 new SONUS FABER SOLO HOME - $600 new VANDERSTEEN 2CE - $1080 new Definative Bp2 - $250 used |
1993 ALR Nummer 3 stand speakers (DM1600 = $1000)
I bough my first speakers from money I have earned during summer job (working in a moving company for 6 weeks). The speaker were ALR Nummer 3 stand speakers in D'Appolito configurationfrom a small German company. They were not even that great for the Rock music that I listened to at the time.
1998 Mission 751 freedom monitors
I started loving these speakers back in 1993 when I first heard them at a dealer in Germany. Somehow could not convince myself to go "back" from a stand speaker to a smaller bookshelf. After a move in 1998 I finally had the excuse to get them. I have been going through several changes in the surrounding equipment, I have never regreted these though. Probably the best bookshelfs Mission has ever made. These are the reason for me becoming an audiophile in first place.
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Goodmans Mission (737's I think) Audio Research (Can't think of model#) Quad ESL 57 Sonus Faber Electa's QLN Signature Splitfield II's Apogee Caliper Sig II's Magnepan 3.6R watch this space.... |
Klipsch KG2s $250 New - I bought these back in 1984
I got interested in audio again a about 1 1/2 years ago and went from:
Paradigm Studio 20s, $800 New - Good but wanted something more refined.
Spendor S1s $500 Used - I liked these alot, IMO it had nice mid range but wasn't as accurate as my current speaker. SF Concertos $1100 Used - I absolutely love these, I need to improve my amp though to get the most out of them |
JBL 4311 Monitors - loved them, until they were stolen :(
Polks - don't remember model, but didn't have enough power to get the best from them
Paradigm Control Monitors - good...until I blew one of them
Paradigm Eclipse - good too, but I always wanted Magnepans
Magnepan 1.6QR's - I love these, especially with lots of power and after treaking the crossovers |
I have evolved a couple times since I last posted. From the Thiel 2.3 I went to the Vonschweikert VR2 (1 yr.) and then the Vonschweikert VR4JR. I think I am done evovling for a while. I can't afford to anymore. I love these jr's though! |
My first decent rig was a magnavox rack 3 way 12 towers whole stereo $500 Bose bookself 8's used $20 Interaudio by Bose 10 towers used $40 Bose 10's used $35 Pioneer cs-G301WA2 used $40 I still use these thet are my favs Jenson 15's used $30 Fisher 15's used $30 pioneer cs 10's used $30 Cerwin Vega sub150 new clearence $250 Cerwin Vega D5's used $30 anyone help me out with some specs on the D5's? 3 way 12's |
First; medium sized Mission bookshelves, 727 or 737, or some such. About $400 Cdn 20 years ago. (about 1.32 Cdn = 1Usd now - not sure about the going rate back then) Next, a couple different pairs of Bostons in succession; a floorstander, then a standmounter.
About 15 years ago, TOTEM STTAFs, new, around $1500 Cdn. Still have these and still enjoy the sound very much in my secondary system.
Had Monitor GR10s and Silver 9i 's in succession.
Not much over a year ago, JMLAB ELECTRA 906s - I liked these a lot - so much so that they made me wonder how much better the JMLAB 927 BEs would sound. Now I have the 927s home and I'm finding out. Wonderful so far, getting better. |
Wharfedale W45's were my first (guess about $100 in 1972) - still have them but gutted the cabinets and rebuilt with with new Audax drivers/crossover Infinity Monitor IIa's ($500 or so in 1975) - I still have them - they are all original and immaculate (surrounds replaced) Totem Sttaf's ($1500 in 2003)
That's the evolution of my main system. I've recently added a home theater, and a couple of other room systems. The most notable speakers in these systems are: Paradigm 7seII Paradigm 7seIII Parasound CRS220 Infinity Entra One Another set of home built - using Vifa drivers. Radio Shack Minimus 7's |
OK, here we go, this is what I can remember, some pricing will be estimated for the earlier models. Starting from oldest to newest; (JS Audio is a local NJ speaker manufacturer, not the dealer!) JS Audio tall bookshelf $300. new JS Audio Panel $800.00 new JS Audio tower $1100.00 new Magnepan 1.6QR $1500.00 new MAGNEPAN 3.6R $3500.00 NEW B&W NAUTILUS 802, $8,000.00 NEW B&W NAUTILUS 800, $16,000.00 NEW |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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:)) |
-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! |
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. |
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! |
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) |
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 |
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. |
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 |
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 |
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??? |
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. |
Mission 707 about £90. A bit dog eared but still going. |
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. |
I only have two: Triangle Celsius Voigt Pipe (with TWL Mod.) with Lowther PM6A. |
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..... |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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. |
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 |
...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) |
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 |
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 |
Bose 301's Cerwin Vega 35's Bose AM15 Vandersteen 2ci Magnepan 1.6qr Magnepan 3.6R Gallo Reference 3's |
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!!!) |
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.:-) |
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 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 |
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 |
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
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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 |
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. |
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! |
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! |
Jprice, you deserve to win some kind of prize. What a list, what a journey! |