Had the chance to snap up a pair of Equation 7 speakers a few years back. The original owner proclaimed they were "Harbeth Killers". Tall order but I was actually using 7es 2 so thought they must be something worth grabbing. Was told they should run with tube gear, of which I have plenty so took them home, plugged them and gave then a shot. Beutiful speakers in Spanish Birdseye Maple finish but I really wasn't expecting them to outplay the Harbeths. Wow, I was wrong. Simple two way with HQ drivers and a hand spun crossover. Actually the entire package was hand made in Belgium. I play them with better tube gear front to back and still haven't found a speaker I enjoy as much. These were $3K in 2003 and are now up on 20yo but they are special speakers. If you spot a set in the used market (maybe $14-$1500) I suggest you buy them especially if you like Spendor, Harbeth, Falcon and the like. The Equations do everything right in a med size space. Image like champs, unpack all the music throw a nice balanced sound stage; very nice. Just my opinion.
Speakers 10 years old or older that can compete with todays best,
I attend High End Audio Shows whenever I get a chance. I also regularly visit several of my local High End Audio parlors, so I get to hear quite a few different speaker brands all the time. And these speakers are also at various price points. Of course, the new speakers with their current technology sound totally incredible. However, I strongly feel that my beloved Revel Salon 2 speakers, which have been around for over ten years, still sound just as good or even better than the vast majority of the newer speakers that I get a chance to hear or audition in todays market. And that goes for speakers at, or well above the Salon 2s price point. I feel that my Revel Salon 2 speakers (especially for the money) are so incredibly outstanding compared to the current speaker offerings of today, that I will probably never part with them. Are there others who feel that your beloved older speakers compare favorably with todays, newfangled, shinny-penny, obscenely expensive models?