Speaker that are 'KEEPERS" for the long haul!!!

I was looking for a floor-stander that didn’t dominate the room with as full range as possible.  With those constraints I landed on Joesph Audio Perspectives.  I love them.  I’ve changed everything else and they just get better and better.  I’ve now concluded I can’t afford equipment that out performs the speakers.  Real keepers!!!

I have had my GE Triton Reference speakers for 6+ years and love them more and more every single day. These were/are my end game speakers. 

Hopefully my current pair of Focal Maestro EVO’s are it for large floor standing. I have had over 45 pairs of speakers in the past 45 years and wish I would have stopped sooner, but you only live once and I have enjoyed the ride!

How much money would you have saved if you just purchased the big, newest Focal every 15 years?

I've had Monitor Audio PL500 II speakers for seven years, but?

Steve59.  It's true.  The Revel Salon 2 speakers are notoriously inefficient and hard to drive to their fullest potential.  But, once you hook them up to the right amp, you're in absolute sonic heaven.  My Revel Salon 2s are in a not so large room, so my extremely powerful H590 integrated amp (301/590 wpc), with it's extremely high damping factor, works beautifully at putting a vise-grip on the Salons drivers.  All that's well and good for my modestly sized room.  However, if my room was much larger, I would definitely opt for driving the Salon 2s with something even more powerful then my beloved integrated (mono-blocks at least 400/800 wpc).  Perhaps your previous amp, and your friends Mac (although powerful) would not be the best choice to drive the Salon 2s.  The key (it's critical) to driving the Salons to their fullest potential (I'm sure you're aware), as well as any large, floor standing, multi driver, inefficient, full range speaker, is not just the amps power rating, but, even more importantly, it's Damping Factor, which gives the amp the ability to actually control the speaker's drivers sufficiently (superbly).         

Tannoy legacy eatons, will keep them around for a very long time...plus I'm Broke 

I owned a pair of teak 15 ohm Rogers LS3/5A's purchased new in 1986. I sold them about a decade later for  about what I had paid new ($500US).  I wish I had kept them.  

I still own a pair of Linn Kan I's ,  FMI 80's,  KEF Reference Series Model 101's, and Qysonic Tad II's.  IMHO,  they are all keepers.  

I have the modest Revel F208s. They have been more gratifying than the vast majority of speakers I’ve owned, and that’s a long list. They really do compete with speakers models twice their price, and even above in some cases. With equally competent and synergistic electronics they are hard to fault.

The other speaker that has been with me for the long haul is the Stirling Broadcast SB-88. Its strength is that it has only sins of omission. For many it could qualify as an end-game speaker and doesn’t require expensive front ends to sound great. Another wonderful Derek Hughes design that flies way under the radar. 
 

I have to agree with @mikekollar . I have the Legacy Audio Focus SE and see no reason to ever part with them. There are speakers that come to mind that I would like to try such as Von Schweikert and the Vandersteen Quattro CT but I doubt they would ever replace my Legacy’s.

I too think the Legacy Focus may be mine forever.  Using a Wavelet's active crossover and by-passing the crossover to direct connect the woofers, driving them with a PowerBloc2 and a KT88 push-pull for the upper's, sounds great!

Maybe I'd switch for a pair of Whispers and two triple stack GR Research H framed subs?

I tend not to sell gear I have enjoyed (and thus have 3 separate systems made up of previous favourites). My keep forever speakers are Wilson Maxx 2, but one of my systems in another room uses Martin Logan CLS and I'd not give those up either as they offer a transparency and presentation that I have never heard matched in a dynamic driver speaker.

Edcyn, skchun,

Good to see other cyclists here. I ride an `06 Roubaix Expert with the `17 CG-R seatpost/Selle Anatomica X saddle, 28mm Con't. 5000's and a Shockstop stem.  Might be my forever comfort road bike.  Last week a local Craigslist seller listed a 2022 Roubaix Expert so I test rode it to see what I may be missing out on.  My Shockstop stem is just as good as a FutureShock2, my cable pull Ultegra 3x9 driveline is just as precise and effortless as the 2x12 Ultegra Di2, just takes a moment longer to complete a shift and my CG-R Anatomica combination is leagues ahead of the Pave seatpost and stock saddle.  That $8k bike even at half price was poor value IMO.  Especially being locked into the Pave seatpost due to it's shape. The only improvement I'd really like to have from it is the hydraulic disc brakes but my rim brakes have never made me feel unsafe so I'll keeps peddling my`06 and maybe spend the $4500 on more music.

I run a set of custom built Linkwitz Orion loudspeakers.  Like everyone else, I get Audiophile Lust, but then I play my Orions and it goes away.  The Orions sound amazing on voices, piano and most anything acoustic that is well recorded.  They are my "forever" loudspeaker.

Very happy with my Thiel 3.7s.  Upgraded my electronics a few times but I haven't found anything under $40K that I like better than my Thiels.  I did add a pair of REL S/5 SHO subs.  That was a nice addition but for sound stage and imaging, the Thiels are hard to beat without spending mega bucks.  

Very happy with my Thiel 3.7s.  Upgraded my electronics a few times but I haven't found anything under $40K that I like better than my Thiels.  I did add a pair of REL S/5 SHO subs.  That was a nice addition but for sound stage and imaging, the Thiels are hard to beat without spending mega bucks.  

I bought ADS L710 in 1979. Still have them. 44 years. Just bought MoFi Sourcepoint 8s. Fantastically special and punchy. I won’t live another 44 years but I’ll keep these until I can’t hear.

Love my Legacy Signature SEs and consider them to be my endgame speaker.

Especially after upgrading the crossover replacing all electrolytic caps and putting Mundorf Supreme silver oil caps in the AMT circuit..I've had Tekton Electron SE, Infinity RS 2.5(these had amazing bass tho), KEF "egg" speakers, Monitor Audio silver somethings but the Legacy's just sound more like music than speakers vs anything else I've ever had.  I actually considered the Revel Salon 2 but I found the Legacy's used.  Using them with wiim pro, Hegal H90 as a preamp/DAC, B&K reference 3220 per amp.

After 20 years of buying and selling speakers to find my sweet spot I've settled on the Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary Bookshelf Speakers. My goal was a compact 3 way with great low end and a live soundstage and the Lintons more than surpassed that. My Vincent Audio SV-237 are driving those Lintons. My second system speakers are the upgraded original Klipsch Forte.  

Being of modest means, I am very pleased with my Epos Elan 10s. They give me the tonal balance, 'ooomph' and immediacy I like. Heaven knows I've blown too much $$ along the way. I've spent three times as much for other well-regarded speakers, each with their strong points, including Fritz, Amphion  and others but I really enjoy these Epos.

I’ve owned Altec Lansing 604Cs and Ds since the late 1970s.

Still chugging’ along.

I've done a few massive searches over the years for The One, The Keeper speakers.   I think the closest I came, sonically, were my Thiel 3.7s (magical match with my CJ tube amps).   Unfortunately, aesthetically/ergonomically, they were just a bit too big for my room.   Which meant...another Big Search. 

As detailed in my "Devore" thread I settled on the Joseph Audio Perspectives, upgraded recently to the "2" version.    They are better than the big Thiels in some ways, a bit less so in others.  So it goes.

But for "keepers" a speaker that I can't let go are my other floor standers, the Thiel 2.7s.   I bought them to replace the slightly larger 3.7s, and they preserved almost all of what I loved about the 3.7s, while being a bit smaller and looking even better in the room.  They are a speaker that do magic for me.  They aren't the best in all respects, but as a combination of attributes- in my room, clean, clear, incredible image focus with huge soundstaging, and with my CJ amps also lush and rich...they remain my touchstone.  I keep them as a "safety speaker" that I won't get rid of, even if I play with other speakers.  (Helps that I got a wicked deal on them).

B&W 802 Matrix series 3 -- I've owned mine 15 years, 1 repair.  Not too big, not too small, just right for me.

Joseph Audio Pulsars (non-graphene).

I have been listening my Altecs 604E since 2005.

I can't imagine ever upgrading or replacing my Magnepan 1.7is

I use Audionet Max amps with my Salon 2's.  In my cathedral ceiling family room the soundstage is very deep and high.  

Years ago I auditioned the Salon 2’s at a dealer and met a fellow audiophile, Journalist Carl Bernstein, the one who investigated the story about the now quaint seeming break in, called Watergate.

Funny I consider my TAD CR1’s as keepers. Even if I found another speaker I could afford I liked better, (maybe one of the PS Audio with ribbon midrange) I don’t think I could sell the CR1’s.

Several people on WB forum have bought, then sold, then bought again their bigger bothers, the Reference 1. They thought another speaker sounded better, but realized the TAD was their keeper.

The TAD’s (at least in my system) seem like a forward sounding speaker, but to me they reproduce the leading edge and inner detail of live music better than most speakers. The off axis response is so good I often listen to music on my mezzanine level, 13 feet overhead, looking down on the speakers, where I get a very deep soundstage, and it truly sounds like being in a jazz or small rock club on the balcony overlooking the band.

Years ago I did hear the Raidho ribbon tweeter speakers that I though had more air than my TAD’s so I added an electrostatic tweeter on top. This gave me the desired air, but they system sound was now titled up, so I added a pair of Velodyne DD10+ to fill out the lowest octave, rebalancing the sound and creating a live sounding experience.

@edcyn 

Well I don't know what "that age" is but I turned 70 last year and I'm still riding my beautiful Colnago C50 although I do admit I lately tend to slightly underinflate the tires to soften up the ride. I must be getting old!

Currently looking for that forever speaker. PASS amp x.250.8, Tekton DI's,  SVS SB 4000 sub.  Love the the current  Just R&R High 80's spl low 90's Out of all the suggestions out there, is there any that may apply. As the Tekton's are quite efficient, the Pass favors me listening in Class A. Is there more out there???? Thanks

Still stay with Harbeth, love at the first listening them and now have model M30.1 for about 8 years

I have been had so many nice speakers through the last 20 years (Magnepan, Snell Acoustics, Nola, KEF, Klipsch Heritage series, and many, many others) but for some reason I still have my pair of ProAc Tablette 10's. Good little speakers that are so versatile. They are great for small rooms but can still work well in a medium sized room as well. I may have other "main" speakers rotate through, but I will not get rid of these.  

Choice of a long-term speaker depends on what limitations you are willing to accept. For me the choice was easy.

Quad ESL (the originals). Bought them as a "kit" (frame, transformers and new panels which had to be soldered together) from Q Audio in Cambridge, MA 40 years ago, Still one of, if not the, best mid-ranges available, As Hi-Fi News  & Record Reviews wrote in the early 2000s, Greatest Speaker of All Time.

Limitations: many, including output level, deep bass, high treble, narrow dispersion both horizontal and vertical. But for me, those don't matter much, although I have added a DIY 24" Hartley dipole subwoofer and recently trying out Townshend super tweeters, for a sort of hafl-assed HQD system. The Quads were refurbished a few years ago by Electrostatic Solutions, which does improve their dynamic range somewhat..

Over time, everything in front of them has changed, but those remain constant. I am not alone: Robin Wyatt of Robyatt Audio uses Quads (57s and 63s) at audio shows with equipment costing multiple times the price of the speakers (Butler Monad mono blocks, Technics SP10R and Garrard 501  turntables, etc.), and consistently gets voted top ten best sounding system awards.

For me the JBL 4367 with subs has stopped me from looking at speakers. I don’t even look at the items for sale. Well that is not true I am on the look out for 3 more 4367 or 4349 for a 5.1.4 system. I feel the 4367 does everything as well as any speaker I have heard and somethings like dynamics and bass texture (above 60hz where I bring in the subs) better. 
 

The Revel Salon 2 is a near perfect speaker. It has been a few years since I last heard it. It really has no flaw but could us a few things. #1 wider dispersion of the highs above 10khz, better dynamics, and in absolute maybe exotic cabinet materials. 
 

I think their sister line, JBL brings the dynamics the Revel is missing but you trade the ultra wide soundstage of the Salon for it. The JBL 4367 (and I assume models above too) are just as good as the Salons but different. Though I have never had the JBL and Salon in the same room so who knows. I have A/B-ed the 4367 with my former Revel 228be and the JBL was simply better at everything. 
 

I see there are four other Legacy speaker owners.  I have Signature IIIs in my living room and Focuses in my main listening room hooked up to a high end system in a high end custom listening room.  The Focus speaker, for the price used (even in 2000 when I paid $3600) was/is a bargain.  It has fabulous qualities overall for all types of music.  I have hooked them up to custom 125 w. push pull Class A/B voltage regulated amps-plenty of control for 6-12" woofers.  Great body/tone/dynamics.  These never were meant to be my end all speaker.  

What they lack is significant for me.  They do not disappear (although out of the box sound is achievable with well mastered recordings), dispersion is limited with best seat in the center (I have a big problem sharing music with others due to this limitation) and ambiance retrieval is limited.  My favorite speaker for my system is a Von Schweikert Ultra 7; unfortunately, out of my pay scale at $180,000 despite my listening room costing $150,000 4 years ago.  

So, I have compiled a list of potentially adequate speakers and my requirements listed below.  Comments are appreciated as I have not heard these speakers yet.

Acora Acoustics SC-2      $37K

Zellaton Plural Evo          $70K

Songer Audio S-2            $39.2K or $49K

Aequo Adamantis           $33,450

Rockport Cygnus             $62.5K

Tannoy Canterbury         $17.5K

Tannoy Westminster      $27.5K

What I am missing from – 1. Wide dispersion/seating 2. Speakers disappear 3. Ambience

1. beautiful midrange for voice/body
2. dynamic
3. relatively easy to drive
4. good resolution (not microscopic, not missing musical info)
5. PRAT
6. Full range for piano (27-39 Hz lowest 7 notes
7. Not too far into room (3’ from walls)
8. Good imaging (not oversized, not undersized)

                                  I dislike Wilsons (too intense after 10-15 minutes), Magico (uninvolving), YG, B&W, etc. speakers which are more akin to sonic microscopes than musical reproduction.  I do not want difficult to drive speakers which require massive power (thanks for informing me about Revels).  I do not want single person speakers (akin to headphone listening).  Thanks!  See my audio equipment /room for details

Keepers I still currently use:

Joseph Audio Pearl 3

Altec Flamenco (with upgraded crossovers)

JBL L220 (with upgraded crossovers)

The Joseph give you everything audiophile on a plate, while sounding tonally beautiful. They also give the most beautiful "picture" of a performance I have heard. Not genre specific at all.

The Flamenco just have a dynamic presence that is hard for me, to be without. This box/horn speaker disappears so very well, and is very coherent. Kind of crazy what they can do, and there is no question about what kind of each instrument is playing. It is there, obvious, in the room.

The JBL pop a center image that is hauntingly real, standing there, touchable. Excellent vocal speaker. They remind me of a time I heard some TAD speakers in a studio. You can just touch everything in front of you. See everything that is going on.

Each of these provide emotion first for me, HiFi second, and seemingly easy. That emotion part is the hard thing for a lot of speakers I have heard get right.

My Cornwall 4's are like a cool old uncle who talks a good game but will go to the Great Beyond sooner or later.

Analysis Audio Orions. Made me do what I thought I'd never do, sell my IRS Betas. As big as the Betas sounded, the Analysis dwarf them in size and sound; all but the low end impact which Rels address. They are brutes with finesse. Huge and deep sound stage obviously, but also image precisely. Close your eyes and you are there.

I switch back and forth between a set of the original Spendor S3/5 speakers and a set of Harbeth P3 ES2.  Both are lovely sounding speakers, if you do not feel the need for subterranean bass.

I’ve had over 200 pairs over the last 50+ years and have about a dozen pairs set up around the house now, favorites that I just don’t want to part with.  I listen to all of them at least weekly.  JBL L-110, L-220, L-300, 4350, Project Array 1400, Tannoy Stuarts, JBL DD67000, Revel Salon2, Altec Valencia, BMR Towers, Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2 EX.  There’s not a dud in the bunch.  Any one of them would be sufficient for serious critical listening, but I really love to spoil ourselves with wonderful sound all over the house, several hours every day.

Dynaudio C 1 it dies it all

JBL 4343, 4344, 4345.

I've had my Thiel 3.7s since 2012 and have zero interest in changing until they break and can't be repaired.  I've also got a pair of ATC 110s I bought in 2014 from a classified ad.  They had been part of a portable stage setup for an orchestra.  They're also magnificent and I have zero interest in switching them for something else.  The Thiels excel at moderate volume acoustic music.  The ATCs excel at loud, large scale music and movies.  

Dunlavy(s)...just get it done no matter what the change of electronics, tweaks or anything else that have come down the line.

I feel fortunate to have made the connection many years ago and have not looked back. 

ADS 1290 series 2 ,, I’ve owned since 1990s

disappear in my 13.5x23 room, transparent

lovely image, probably never sell.. took

out my legacy focus cause were just too

big for the room wouldn’t disappear even

with the matched legacy/coda 270 watt

integrated amp. Ads are great match and

sound incredible with myste’re tube amp also..

definitely keepers.. note: ADS’s are 4.5’

out in the room 6.5’ apart.. holographic n invisible

on most proper quality recordings.. Legacy focus

went to basement 24x50 room n perform perfectly,

jaw dropping even, my son has laughed out loud

on several occasion at their incredible sound so

also keeping those..

Joseph Audio Pearl 3 (Graphene)

ANY Borresen Speaker....the new X-3 @ 11K is a steal.

Tidal Contriva 20th anniversary. Done and done.

As someone who can be easily drawn into obsession, I'm glad I lack the financial resources to cycle through a bunch of speakers looking for "the one".  It would surely drive me nuts! 

I've had my Silverlines for about 15 years. Nothing else that was in my system back then remains. I have no complaints about these speakers. Since upgrading my integrated a year ago, I appreciate the Silverlines more than ever.