I think its not just speakers, its the amplifier and source too. New equipment has the techology along with electronics/caps to play the new music so the synergy with the sound more fast pace imo. Like my pair of Elacs with ribbon tweeters. My vintage B&W803 and Silverline Sonatta II that are over 20yrs old sound fantastic. These speakers were built for equipment during the 90s and early 2000 so I like using equipment to match with these.
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?