Speakers to hang on to for LIFE

i have paradigm studio 100v2...i have had them for about 9 years....they are like tanks....real good bang for the buck...peace

Great thread... I have been through speaker "upgrade-itis" going from Klipsch KG4's in my college days, to ML Mosaics (could not afford electrostats), to Paradigm studio 100's and finally to Dali Euphonia MS4's. I purchased the MS4's second hand here off AGon over 2 years ago. It may be that they are the best speakers that I HAVE ever owned, (few reference points), but I honestly believe that I will own them for life. I sway, over time, between 2 channel and HT, they more than impress me in either situation. As I age, I believe that I will continue to see their value, and as I have told my wife, they actually can bring tears to my eyes with the magic they create.

I've been using a pair of Empire grenadier 8000p in my bedroom and They sound beautiful. These babies were made in 1966 and sound superb. I had a pair of vintage kef 105.4 reference before I got married, I hooked them up to my Accuphase p-800 power amp and my accuphase dp70v cd player that was a heavenly sound.

I have a pair of Altec Model 19s. While they will not win anyone's contest for sweetest treble, they are pretty special. I just spent a couple of weeks listening to them. Wonderful with tubes and analog.

Found a demo pair of Revel Studio's for 6K
Currently driving with Pass Aleph 2's Rega P5 & Benz L2
using Jolida JD9 phono stage with Underwood LVL2 mod.
Excellent in 20' x 18' room. Placed about 3/4 way into room 8 feet apart, slight toe in. Bass is good with vinyl, insane with well recorded CD. Bottom line, 200 WPC and good supportng electronics will make you fall in love too.

I want to bi-amp but do not know how to defeat the Studios crossover network. Not sure I want to.

LS3/5As were what i WISH i had kept. i couldnt afford to keep them then. also, the DQ10s modified by randall research that i sold for a friend driven by a hafler 500.

dQ10s with bass because of the amp. oh well, i guess i will limp by with my current system\:

http://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/588.html

The four best speakers I have ever owned were the Joseph Audio Pearls, the Magnepan MG20.1, The Avalon Eidolons and the Sonus Faber Guarneri Mementos. All were definitely "keepers"

See my list of speakers in the personal speaker evolution thread:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1017943672&openflup&527&4#527

I sold the Joseph Pearls and have regretted that fact since the day I shipped them out.

I also sold the Magnepans and while they were wonderful they do make a real visual barrier in your room - no real support from my wife on these.

I kept the Avalon Eidolons and Sonus Faber Guarneri Mementos and may well hang on to them for life.

allison ones, threes, or fours

Tannoy Pepper pot waveguide dual concentric and Diy peerless HDS computer monitors. with the right amplification, resolution, detail, natural timbre and 3D imaging are features of both. For a 2 way in a smaller room which is what I designed them for not much comes close to the DIY's. If that interests you contact me. For larger rooms Tannoy's rule. At the moment the only way anyone is getting my Tannoy Cantebury SE's is to pry them from my dead fingers! Music sounds ALIVE with a huge sound stage. The only ones I would go for are as mentioned above units with pepper pot waveguide tweeter. The Glenairs with the tulip waveguide didn't sound anywhere near as good. In the end it is difficult giving advice as you have not specified a budget and what floats my boat may not move you in the same way. My suggestion is listen to as much as you can for as long as you can with known sources. Whatever you decide let your ears and no one else's opinion be the judge.
Cheers

I doubt if the materials in any speaker could stand a lifetime of use. Maybe Lowther based speakers.

All speakers have a finite life. but some seem to fair better in the long run than others Altec's,Klipsh, Tannoy's and the ones I tested, the Kef B110s I sold for $400 the pair on eBay a while back. They were still within manufacturers specification after 35 years. I was impressed but still featured their infamous peak in the mid-band. My old Vaf 151 Studio Monitors bought cheap second hand because a tweeter had the polarity reversed featured Seas drivers. I had them for 6 years and were right on spec like this while I owned them. The old B&W DM4's I had did not fare so well but I suspect that was due to the caps in the crossover drifting off spec.

I have a pair of Hyperion HPS-968 speakers (from Hyperion Sound Design, not Rockport). Jim Hannon of TAS is absolutely correct. These are magnificant speakers. Hyperion Sound Design is having a sale. All "A" stock is 35% off; "B" stock is 50% off! They are great even at $7,000 a pair list. At $4,550 or $3,500 a pair, nothing can touch these. Amazing!

Maggie 3.6R's and 20.1's...all the rest pale in comparison.

I have so many used classics that i do not want to let go and that's my humongous panel electrostat ACOUSTAT spectra 33 w/spl-1 subwoofer that only companies like SOUNDLAB make larger ones. In todays HT room/space restraints on most music lovers, large panels or large conventional designs are for those with abnormal homes or listening area. The others are the discontinued ohm walsh 4x0, 2x0, pro 200 and a defunct speaker attempt by srslabs called klayman signatures which actually are fine sounding panel speakers which was designed to have a sub in mind and amplification of minimal rms. Marketing and competition is what killed those projects like any other but I am impressed by it's capabilities for home theater. I have maggies too, but with the maggies or magnepans, You either love them or hate them because of placement, but for those of us who love our maggies, it's hard not to always move up to the higher models. I have other brands, but I would have no problem finding other designs to replace them. Of all the models I have it's a close call between OHM and MAGNEPAN to my taste. The problem especially of electrostats as great as they are is set up and maintenance where as other designs, you don't need to do the extra care.

Until a few days ago - I had had a pair of KEF 104/2 since 1984.
Un-colored, linear reproduction, incredible timbral accuracy, wide stable soundstage, some good bass.
I finally got the KUBE to eq the bass - in the end that was the 104/2's weakest aspect - the bass around 300hz - that and mid-range glare when driven (sometimes)
-citizen

My wife won't let me sell my Legacy Signature III's, she has a very good ear, I'm always trying to out do them, and seems they are unbeatable. I also can't sell my Kef 101's, which i've blown a tweeter in and still can't seem to part with em. Both pair of speakers were purchased new and will probably be life long partners..

SP Tech Minis are really outstanding! ~!

I bought a pair of Dunlavy SC 3's eleven years ago. I have a little subwoofer (VS1 10", self powered) so I am covered on the low end. I hardly use the sub and I'll keep these speakers forever!

Great thread. I am in the process of researching the speakers I want to keep into retirement (about 7 yrs from now). I started upgrading about 6 months ago buying a pair of McIntosh 501s, a one terabyte music server, Squeezebox Duet, Benchmark DAC1 Pre. Currently drive 15 year old B&W 803 Matrix. The new gear really enlivened the 803s but well you know.......must have new speakers!

I decided to stay with B&W and will choose between the 800D, 801D, and 802D. I currently have a pair of 801 series three matrix as short-term loaners. The 801s are so good they'll make you cry! Their only problem is the wife doesn't like their looks as much as the 802s or 800s. I tried telling her they make her bottom look smaller; she was unamused. I'm leaning toward the 800s at this point but will not decide until in-home audition of all three.

dude, i´ve seen your post in many foruns

I think you must go to a 801D speaker, as you own currently M801S3 model. If you go to 802D you will feel lack of bass. In the 800D probably the bass slam will be the same. BUT, IMO, if you go to 801D you will be plenty satisfied coz the 801 to my ears still the most balanced from their series. And the 15" woofer bring to ya amazing bass response.

talk with your wife, the 801D also looks wonderful and it should have high wife-acceptance ;)

I had a pair of Celestion Model 100s for 17 years. I loved and hated them in turns, and for all the same reasons, from day one to day 6,205. (I also married someone in 1992, and that relationship only lasted through 2001, so draw your own conclusions.)

tidal sunray! beautifull to look at, and an absolute delight to listen to!

Panasonic thrusters........DY-NO-MITE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a pair of thrusters too! My first stereo set up - brings back memories!

I find that the Acarian Systems Alon Model IV Speakers excellent at everything, and a speaker to hang on to for life. The only thing is, to get optimum performance from them, a high quality amplifier is best paired with them, preferably a Tube amp, or a good SS Amp like a Krell or the like, they are a power hungry speaker, best triwired, or Biamped, but well worth the investment. These are now called NOLA Speakers, same owner, Carl Machiotto, and they are always surrounded at the CES year after year, the design remains the same, from the lowest to the highest in price models. The Alon Model IV speakers were $3500.00 retail new, in 1992. Ray

Magnepan owners tend to stay with their speakers for a very long time and when (or if) they change speakers, it's very commonly an upgrade within the Magnepan line...

Sold my old Klipshorns for theil 3.6,s regreted it for the past 10 years.Awaiting Usher BE 20,s hope I won,t be dissapointed for the next 10 years.Are there others out there that make stupid mistakes like me?

I shoudl add and join the Sonus Faber Guarneri, I will hardly let them go.

I also have kept a pair of KEF104/2s since 1986. These later versions do not have surround foam deterioration problems, can be bi-amped or bi-wired, have 92 dbl sensitiviies, and cannot be matched for sound quality by modern speakers until one reaches the $12K+ range. I do not use the Kube. For a more modern sound my Dynaudio Confidence 1 pair are present, and will probably be kept for 20 + years if I am around that long!

Magnepan for Life...that's me.....

Tympani 1D system for 30 years then upgraded to 20.1 system....why...I have listened for 50 years to all kinds of systems.....bottom line I feel more into the music with 6 ft towers or room dividers feeding me info...Box speakers tend to let me know they are box speakers...

Maggies on the other hand dispense music in all directions just like musical instruments...while box speakers emit music in one direction.....

Thus my perception that Maggies creat a more accurate musical experiance....

That's my 2 cents

I've had a pair of IMF TLS80 speakers for about 25 years that have withstood the test of time and many re-auditions. Only now am I again questioning if they are dated due to new technology and need replacing. Getting ready to do a search.

After going through Klipsch LaScala, Magnaplanar, KEF Reference, Wilson Sophia, Thiel 2.2 and 3.6, ProAc Tablets, I now have Spendor 2/3's.

As the migration to all tube electronics has occured, so has my appreciation of accurate and smooth voices and mid-range instruments, such as guitars and cellos.

The Spendors do more for me than all the others, with a liquid sound that just flows and is never fatiguing. They are delightful. I use a REL sub to fill in the bass.

I also still have the Tablets and can't imagine ever selling those little jewels. They are hooked to the TV and never cease to amaze.

Another speaker I have high appreciation for is the Joseph Pearl, at many times the price of the Spendors. The Pearl gives goose-bumps and I'd love to have a pair.

For the past 12 years I have been happily listening to my Aerial 10T's and have no desire to replace them. Sure, speaker design has evolved and advanced, but the 10T still holds its own pretty well as a benchmark speaker, with a very cannily chosen balance between price, size, and performance capabilities. By modern high-end pricing standards, a used pair (post 1996) in good condition would be a freaking bargain.

Merlin vsm

I think I could live happily ever after with my Sonus Faber Guarneri.

Radio shack minimus 7

I think Apogee Stage is a precious speaker despite its affordable price

I just got a pair of the Ohm walsh micro talls back in September. I wish I'd discovered these thirty years ago. The imaging, soundstage, and detail, not to mention bass are astouding. These speakers fill the whole room with sound, and I'm totally addicted and seduced by these babies. anyone shopping for speakers owes it to themselves to try the 120 day home trial. If you don't like them, you can return them for a full refund. The only way Ohm is getting my speakers back is if they pry them from my cold, dead fingers. They make me want to listen to my entire mujsic collection all over again.

Good on ya Joefish, thats what its all about. I just got my BE20,s ,much better than thiels, still in the process of tuning, starting to sound great.

Audiokinesis Jazz Modules. I've been living with these for a little over a year now. I can't recall hearing a speaker that reproduces timbre the way these do, not even my beloved Spendor Classic series 1/2e could match the Jazz Modules in this area. A recent comment by Lynn Olson (part-time PFO reviewer and an audiophile who dabbles in building his own equipment) had this to say about them:

The AK are probably the best horn speakers at this time - frankly, much better than the Geddes Summa or the much-hyped Avante-Gardes or other German exotica.

throw in a cuple of frenchies....cabasse clippers and sampans...friggin' magic.

I got the Altec Lansing ATP3s, they have been with me for almost five years now. They are pretty good.

Thiel CS3.7

I still have my Rogers LS2a bought in 1988, but they were in a box packed away from 1995 until about two months ago. I dug them out to pass on to a British friend who has a Naim Nait and can really appreciate the "little beasties," but so far I still have them.

Four or five years ago I bought Yamaha NS-1000x, which I absolutely adore in every respect except looks. I plan to replace (or add to) those with another pair in totally untouched, mint condition if I ever find such a pair. Every other speaker I've tested, including many, many, high-end expensive sets, is lacking something sonically significant in comparison.

I've also had a pair of B&W 805s for a few weeks, but I'm not sure whether I'll be keeping them long.

When I think about it I DON’T want to think about how many pairs of speakers I have had. Particularly when I started chasing my tail over the next latest and greatest thing. I was often changing speakers when I heard a difference in the sound rather than a sustained improvement. I was also listening for the speaker rather than the music that played through it. Of all the speakers that I once owned on the audio merry-go-round the pair that was most memorable was the Equation 25s from Belgium. Very rare and hard to find used, the owner of Equation retired, but of all that I’ve owned, they were both the best and the ones most missed. Runner up goes to Klipsch Cornwalls, with Bob Crites crossovers and wiring. They are a great, great speaker that stands the test of time and give you infinite possibilities with amplification. I associate them with experiments with all different types of tube gear over a 3-year period.

Speakers that I both currently own and plan to hold onto for the long-haul in descending order of preference:

JBL 4312As Studio Monitors: A wonderful full-range monitor that was the basis for many recording during the 80’s. To my ears, they are speakers I keep coming back to for their balance and “honesty” or reproduction.

Dynaudio 1.3 SEs: I’ve had both the SEs and the MKIIs and enjoyed them both. Are they better in absolute terms than the JBLs? I’m not sure. I think that I like the JBL’s better as they go lower and communicate more detail. Certainly the Special 25s are better but they are exponentially more money too with large diminishing return for incremental gains.

Phillips Spectron SP-40s: Built around the same time as the JBL’s they were, I believe, Phillips’ all out attempt to build a competitor to the JBL 4312s. Like the JBL’s they are a 3-way design with a dome midrange. A sleeper of a speaker but some vintage audio collectors are seeking them out, I heard about them from a friend I trust, found a pair a year later and have been amazed by their performance- they come very close to the aforementioned JBLs giving only the slightest away in transparency to the studio monitor.

Dynaco A25s: I have a modified pair with Mundorf caps and upgraded wire and binding posts and they sound incredible. I know that it is a cliché but they get out of the way of the music just like both the JBLs and the Spectrons.

From this list, you can tell that I like vintage monitors but a priority for me for the long-term is a speaker that is as neutral is possible that does not draw attention to itself vs. the music playing though it. Well chosen vintage speakers with modified caps, wiring, and binding posts compete very closely with the most current speakers today in all but imaging, and better many in tonal reproduction.

My first hi end speakers, EgglestonWorks Fontaines, have been the cornerstone of my system since 2005. Since their arrival I have yet to hear a speaker I'd prefer as their replacement. Many I've enjoyed, but none as replacement. So for me, by default, I guess I'll have to say, happily, the Fontaines. They require a sub (better two) but I have yet to hear a speaker do voice and piano better.

I had the PSB Status Golds for several years. I miss them, and for the price they can't be beat. I went on to Energy Veritas v2.8's (better, but twice the price), and am now into Totems (a whole different ball game). The Golds, are rolled off at the top end, and the bass is a little floppy, but the music flows, and they are a joy to listen to. You will be chasing your tail if you try to upgrade - just keep them and enjoy.

I listened to KLH model 5's and 23's for 32 years and liked what I heard. I bought ribbons (soundline SL-2's) 8 years ago and will never go back to a boxed speaker. I have been auditioning Maggies and will be setting up my system around them.

Hey, Grant! I'm glad to hear that you've found a speaker that pleases you. May you now go forward with musical enjoyment and bliss. And all the people said... (o: