Personal speaker evolution

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

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).

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.

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??)

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. :-)

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 ! )

Pioneer
JVC
Klipsch KG4
B&W DM602 S2
Martin Logan Scenario
next? Von Schweikert VR4 JR

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 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?

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)

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

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.

1960's- Sony Speakers. Big & boxy. Credence sounded great!
1960's- Bose 901 bought a pair used, never liked the Eq.
1970's- Bose 301 The greatest sound for $179 a new pair.
1970's- AR-LST New for $600 a pair! A super bargain then!
1970's- JBL 4311 Studio Monitors. Still considered a Std.
1980's- Altec 205A Studio Monitors. A $400 bargain then!
1980's- Infinity Modulus.Collectors now but $2750 when new.
1980's- Yamaha NS-1000 The best Studio Monitors ever!
1990's- Mirage 990M for $800 pair new. Are collectors now!
2000's- Meadowlark Ospreys. Superb soundstage, not cheap.
2000's- Meadowlark Nighthawks. A Masterpiece to my ears!

Those are the speakers lines I have owned for the last 35+ years or so, but believe me, I have listened to most, even those at CES shows that sell well over the stratosphere in prices with esoteric designs and concepts. But in practicality, investment, and real sound stage performance satisfaction, those have been my humble & chosen ones!

Paradigm Mini MKIII upgrade to:
JM Lab Tantal 515 upgrade to:
Sonus Faber Concerto upgrade to:
Sonus Faber Signum then shift to HT, need a matching center and floorstander (for look only):
Quad 21L, too big for room then:
Cabasse Tobaggo, lack treble refinement then:
Totem Arro, too small for room (!):
Totem Hawk almost perfect but want to try a promising 2.5 way:
Audio Physic Yara, superb, then need to go smaller room:
Waiting for ProAc 1SC today. Next: go figure!!!!!!!!

1. old 70s yamahas handed down from pops
2. platinum pt806
3. platinum solo
4. green mountain continuum 1
5. martin logan aerius i
6. meadowlark swift & triangle titus tried in second tube system
7. verity tamino
8. verity fidelio

KLH Model 32
Advent Loudspeaker
Bose 901
Bose 901 series III
New Advent Loudspeaker
Stacked New Advent Loundspeakers
Thiel CS22
Thiel CS22 w/REL Stadium III

For my main music system I've had these:
Radio Shack Nova 7 or something like that. 1970
Bose 501's $250.00 1971
Bose 901's $500.00 1972
Dahlquist DQ-10's $800.00 1976
Dahlquist DQ-10's Mirror imaged $1000.00 1980
Dahlquist DQ-20i's = "The best" $1200.00(great deal)1986

Sub-woofers:
A/D/S PB-1500 nice unit $800.00 1986
Boston Acoustics VR-500 $350.00 1999
" " VR-2000 Movie thunder $600.00 2000
" " PV-1000 Very musical $780.00 2004

Movie or second system speakers:
Infinity RS-3's Two pair $59.00 a pair from ubid = Theft
Boston Acoustics T-100 $400.00 1992
" " CR-9's $300.00 2001
" " CR-8's $200.00 2001
" " CR-2's $150.00 2001
" " 381 in walls $300.00 2001

Sylvania something or other Gift
Acoustic Research AR 10 Pi $289 the pair new
Dalquist DQ-10s $600 the pair used
Koss Model 1a $3000 the pair new
Canon S-35 Gift
Koss Model 1a $350 used
LSA-2 $2000 the pair new

Bose 601, Energy C-8, and soon Totem Forest.

My personal speaker evolution is as follows:

Von Schweikert DB-99's and then DONE!!

Yes I am very proud that I simply went from absolutly crap speakers (RCA inherited crap speakers) to the 99's. I wanted to avoid the upgrade loose money path so I went for the all or nothing aproach. I am very sure I saved money in the long run.

Cerwin Vega used
Design Acoustic PS-10 new $300ish
Klipsch Forte new $800
KEF 101's? new $600 w/stands
Linn Keilidh used $1100
Martin-Logan Arieus new $2100
Magnepan 1.5 used $800
VANDERSTEEN 2ce Sig new $1500

b&w model 60 with an electrostatic panel and a 10inch woofer 1973
ess pro 6s' 4 hiel transformers and 4'10s in each cabinet 1975 or 76
Watson lab 10s' 1978 built by Mr Wright of dayton & wright
M&Ks'with sub woofer 1980
1982 Got married , sold everything and bought a pair of yamahas at an estate sale in 1987 .
tyler accoustics woodmeres 2005 $10200

budget evolution here :

mission 701
mission 773e
mission 783
triangle antal 202

A little JCPenny's bookshelf system to Sony SSU-1250s (I think...around 1978) to Polk RTA 12s to Thiel CS2s to Thiel CS 3.6s. Dunlavy 4s possible next or Thiel CS 6s or 7.2s.

Speaker Lab 6.0
Camber 4.5
Chapman T7
Coincident Super Eclipse I
Coincident Super Eclipse III

polk
definitive technology 2006
b&w N805
b&w signature 805
JM Lab Diva utopia
Thiel 2.4
Avalon Opus Ceramique

I guess it is time to update my post from 7/29/04:

1989 ALR Nummer 3 stand speakers (DM1600 = $1000)
1998 Mission 751 freedom monitors ($400, regular $800)
2005 Spendor S3/5 ($650, regular $1200)
2005 Omega Super 3 ($550)
2005 Cain & Cain Abby (Fostex FE166E) ($1600)

I hope that's it for a long while. No way I will be getting rid of the Abbys any time in the future.

JBL 100
Sound Lab A-1
MBL 101E

Okay: Not that I got an upgrade bug or anything in order:
JBL-L150
Yamaha NS-1000M
Magneplanar MG1.6
Linn Tukan
Linn Keilehd (sic)(active crossover)
Vienna Haydn
WattPuppy 5.0
Revel Studio
Sonus Faber Electa Amator II
WattPuppy 6.0
JM Lab Alto Be
Bosendorfor Series 2

I find WattPuppies my favorite, except for one thing, listener fatigue.. The Bosendorfors are in my office; The Alto Be's had to fit the decor and they are in a bright room with no real way to ameleorate the highs. I still remember distinctly how wonderful Flim and the BB's sounded on the Maggies..... I think for shear fun I loved the little Hadn's as an office system.... I guess this makes me the Maye West of speakers...never found one I didn't like something about.

Cerwin Vegas -> Apogee Stages -> B&W 801 IIIs.
Great thread. All 3 were/are great. Cerwin Vegas - good punch, but lacked finesse. Apogee Stages sounded amazing only if the listener were in the tiny sweet spot. B&W 801's may lack the highest degree of fine resolution, but they sound great in almost all situations and music. It will be hard for me to trade these beauties in...

Ampeg SVT cabinet (8 10-inch speakers:played bass in bands as well as hooking stereo up to it), Small Advents, Klipsch Forte's, Unity Audio Signature 1's.

Ok..herer goes first time spilling my guts.
Studiocraft 440's
OHM F's
DCM Time Windows
JBL 100's
Polk 7's/Large Advents
then
Vandersteen 1'c
Vandersteen 2ce
Proac Response 2s
Larry

My speaker history from the eighties to now:
1) self made 2 way, ScanSpeak drivers
2) kit speaker, ScanSpeak
3) Martin Logan Aerius-i, new
4) Merlin VSM-SE + BBAM, new
5) Von Schweikert VR3HSE Gen III, new
6) HGP Lyra SoNova (www.hgpaudio.com), new
7) Tidal Audio Contriva (www.tidal-audio.de), new

3-7) all impressed me for the price, or I would not have bought them :-)

The Tidal Contriva is my current speaker and I don't see any changes coming, as it combines the strenght of the speakers I owned before and outperforms them overall significantly.

I started with 2 way speakers I built myself, ScanSpeak drivers in a very ugly box I put together, no crossover, just a cap for the tweeter. They sounded - well, interesting :-)I then took out the drivers and bought a kit with a crossovers for those drivers, did not convince either, but worked for a student budget. The ML Aerius-i was the first speakers I got when I had a job, so I could afford to listen and choose. They were great for the money in my opinion. The Merlin was very special too, but too small after a move. The von Schweikert were really good for the money, but not in all aspects up to the strong points of the Merlin. The HGP I got for a really good price and hoped to get the bass of the VS and the resolution of the Merlin. It got some of it but not all. Enter the Tidal Contriva, I am still marveling at this speakers performance everytime I listen to music. For me a dream come true!

I'm lucky to remember the speakers, let alone the prices. My speaker history:

1) Epicure (don't know the model-they were double sided about 24-26" high)
2) Audio Project (Bose 901 knockoffs) Hated them
3) B&W DM 1400's
4) B&W 802 Series III
5) B&W 801 Series III
6) Magnepan 3.6's
7) Audio Physic Virgo 3's
8) JM Labs Mini Utopia
9) Theil 3.6
10) Sonus Faber Signum
11) Harbeth 7ES-2
12) Magnepan 1.6
13) Revel Studio
14) B&W N800 Sigs
15) Harbeth Super HL-5

I've had a larger and a smaller system for a while so that explains the disparity in the last few pairs.

Most of these have been very good to exceptional sounding speakers. It's taken me a while to learn that the room makes all the difference in getting the most from your speakers and system.

1986 BSR SPEEAKER FROM THE DAK CATELOG (This should bring back memories to some). I thought DAK was BIG TIME AUDIO back then.

1987 Boston Acoustic T1000 towers, (still one of my favorites) which i still own and sound great.

1987 sold the BSR & got KLIPSCH FORTES (GOOD SPEAKER, BEAUTIFUL CABINET a little harsh sounding though)

1989 traded the KLIPSCH FORTE for VMPS Super Tower/R (good speaker huge cabinet) I still like the Boston T1000 better.

Fast FWD to 2005 and I upgrade everything. After taking a Siesta from audio for about 10 to 15 years someone gave me a pair of Polk Audio RT-55I bookshelf speakers. Now i got the fever again :( To compliment the Polk I got a KLIPSCH RC-35 Center but unfortunaltely I could not be satisfied

Now I make up for lost time (those 15 yrs). The Polk RT55I and KLIPSCH are put aside for some real quality. Thanks to the internet it seems possible to put together a dream system and get the following speakers for multi channel and HT surround. The Onix Ref 2, Onix Ref 100, Onix Ref 1, two Onix Rocket UFW-10s subwoofers, One SVS PC Ultra Subwoofer, and 1 HSU VTF-3 Subwoofer. These speakers were all purchased from net only companies. Wow best sounding sys i have ever had and i never walked into a store (not really possible where i live as no true audio specialty store for 100s of miles). This was truely an evolution as far as i'm concerned. It started with meger BSRs and took me down an interesting road until the sys i have now. A lot of $$ spent and time consumed on this passion.

I like this
1,Micro accoustic something or other.
2,Ohm C2
3,BIC 6's
4,JBL L100 Likedem.
5,mag 1.4
6,mag mg2c's
7,and present Klipsch rf 82

Started out with nice little KLH. Moved on to classic Advents. Tried some locally made Chicago Speakerworks. Finally got dream speakers (at the time) ADS L810s used. Got tempted by NHT, but added Klipsch subwoofer to ADS. My son blew the ADS up listening to Magical Mystery Tour (I'm so proud!). Now have Focal JM Labs Electra 906 with Klipsch sub. Love the sound.

Still want the big Magnepans; remember lusting after Acoustats [sic] in Chicago. Are they still around?

the rustler

Hologram, 1,500, demo
Voce Divina Soprano 2,500 used
Eggleston Rosa, 9,900 new
Kharma Ex. 1D 87,000 new
........and maybe Altec lansing Vintage horns with double bass 15", Ebay,$275

I look at that list and imagine your income rising at a correspondingly steep rate. Or did the hobby just get the better of you?

I"m keeping this thread alive. My evolution:

..JBL Jubals, 1973. ..stolen..
..Maggie MG-IIa's, 1978. ..stolen..
..Boston Acoustic A100, 1982. ..Still have, wish someone
would steal these..

..Eminent Tech LFT III, 1992. ..Wow sound! I had alarm
system installed and working.

..Added sub Genesis. ..Nice improvement
Servo 12, 1994.

..Added 2nd sub Genesis ..another fine enhancement
Servo 12, 2003. Alarm system
upgraded.

..Added supertweeters, Decca Ribbon Pair, 2004.
..Alarm system is working as I write.

1st: Some sort of General Electric system as a hand-me-down from my sister.

2nd: Panasonic "Thrusters" with a passive radiator (1600 was in the model number).

3rd: Paradigm 9SE

4th: Paradigm Studio 100 V 3 + Rel Storm 3

5th: Intuitive Design Summits + Rel Storm 3

I've upgraded again, so here's my updated evolution:

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 new in 2003)
Added Rel Storm III (used) to Sttafs in 2004

GMA Europas (used in 2004) installed in second system with a Rel Storm I subwoofer (used).

Von Scheikert VR3's (used) installed dedicated home theater (2005).

Totem Mani-2's in January 2006 (used). They replaced GMA Europas/Storm with Installed the Rel Storm III with the Mani's. Sold the Europas.

Von Scheikert VR4 gen III's (used) in January 2006. They replaced the Totem Sttafs which I have not sold - I can't bring my self to do that because they're better than what I can sell them for so I'm using them in a 3rd system.

Moved the Storm I to the home theater - selling off the AESpirit sub it replace.

Wow,
I'm way behind on the upgrade treadmill for speakers. For some reason, other components come and go, but speakers move through my life slowly.
Interestingly, they're the only component that I've always bought new.

1. Circa 1972: Home made cabinets for Radio Shack 12" two way speakers with some kind of a tweeter thrown in and a passive crossover and a tuned port made from a mailing tube.

2. Circa 1975: Marantz 3 ways with a 12" woofer and the foam grill covers. Pretty shitty speakers, but they were cheap!

3. Circa 1980 (?'82?) Vandersteen 2C's. Around $1100. Wonderful speakers. Still classics.

4. Circa 2004: Gallo Reference 3's with stands and the sub amp. They still amaze me with their performance, regardless of cost.

Dave

Stumbled across this thread on a search for info about Gallo A'Divas (for background music in our upcoming remodel) - didn't seem too cerebral, but stimulated some fond memories...

All purchased new, can't recall the exact prices...

1. mid-70s: 2 Kraco 6x9 auto speakers in a plywood box - 'nuff said...
2. ~'77: Advent (unnamed?) - listened to 1 "mono" for a year and a half 'til I could afford the other...
3. ~'81: KEF 303(?) - loved the space-age stands, but couldn't handle volume (important as I was in college at the time)...
4. ~'85: Klipsch La Scala - Took care of my volume concerns. Still elicits stories from buddies who recall when I set them up on the porch of their strand house in Hermosa Beach one 4th of July - loud and clear while swimming in 4' surf separated by 200+yds of beach sand!
5. ~'96: Magnepan MMG - talk about doing a 180! First time I experienced anything approaching "imaging" or "transparency"...
6. '04: Thiel 2.4 - which, along with a (costly) swapout of virtually my entire system, really exposed the acoustic limitations of my living room...

Fortunately, our impending remodel has allowed me to spec/build a "media room" that, once paid for (another 10 years!?), ought to send me off in yet another direction...

I am still intrigued by the Maggie soundstaging and may return to a larger model as a complementary alternative to the Thiels some day...

Jim

Might as well update this list as well...

Jensen who-knows-whats?
Klipsch Forte
Legacy Focus
Von Schweikert VR-4 III HSE
Merlin VSM-Milleniums
EgglestonWorks Andra IIs (have lived with these over the last year or so. Excellent in all respects!)

God there have been soooo many...the ones from the last 6 years or so are below, some shared duty while in and out of my two systems:

B&W CDM7NT's
Monitor Audio GR60's
GR Research Criterions
Totem Hawks
Von Schweikert VR4-JR
Vienna Acoustics Mahlers
Gallo Ref 3's
Dali Helicon 800's

Mahlers were impressive and I miss them more than others, but I owned them on two separate occasions and finally gave up on having a big enough room for them to really sing. Dali's are a great speaker and should keep me satisfied for a while...but as always who knows!

Here is my short list.

1990 Velodyne ULD-18 series two,18 inch subwoofer bought new.
1994 Mission 753 3-way floorstanders bought new.
1998 JBL L8 3-way floorstanders again,bought new.
2002 Bose acoustimass home theater speakers new and only for movies.
2005 Aerial Acoustics 10T bought used.
I still have them all.
George

1975...generic 12 inch 3-way

1985....purchased more 12 inch 3-ways from a white van

2000.....Infinity Kappa 7

2001.....Infinity Kappa 8

2002.....Infinity Kappa 9

2003.....Infinity Rennaisance 90

2004.....Infinity Kappa 9 again (now I own 4 pairs of them)

2006.....Infinity IRS Beta

I still own all of the speakers above except the Kappa 8

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??)
Definitive Technology BP 7004's

I recently downgraded, sold all my equipment and as a stop gap bought some Def Tech 7004's so I wouldn't need a sub, and we watch a lot of movies. Don't go crazy at this, but they sound great. Surprisingly so. No, they don't sound as good as my last set up, but I added a small 2 channel amp to my Denon 4306 receiver to drive the front speakers, and they really came alive. For the price, with the exception of the Maggie 3.6's, they are best speakers I have owned, and some of the best that I have heard.

no-name clock radio with cassette, mono with the tone dial set to "high"
fisher boom box- it had an eq! (total audiophile stuff, huh?)
sanyo boom box- bass reflex Boom!
Sansui speakers, blown and reconed free from friend, mated to a yamaha receiver $40 dollars total, not bad.
new av reciever blows old speakers, replace with used Infinty SM 152,($300, overpaid but fun) hearing loss ensues.
Boston Acoustics a70's hooked to old yamy, sound great, within limits.
boston cr 57 surrounds and hd5 center mated to infinities. No sub, and no need for one.
currently looking at building a set of speakers, because I have utterly no sense. At all!