a very interesting thread indeed. as the proud owner of a pair of dahlquist dq-10's, (the first speakers i ever bought), i can only repeat what the salesperson, and owner of the store, tasso spanos, (opus one, in pgh. pa) said when i bought them. "just because its new, doesn't mean its better" and "if it sounded good yesterday, it will sound good tomorrow". I think that great design's will always make great speakers. look at the names people have mentioned, JBL, dunleavy, tannoy, von schwiekert (sp?), allison, apogee, dynaudio, quad els, etc. rock solid designs, or designs that radically challenged the staus quo. top quality materials, built to last, tested in real world enviroments. speakers that are well balanced across the entire audio spectrum, open sounding, great sound stage and imaging, that can handle every type of music whether played at a wisper or at LIVE volume levels. the dq-10's and twenty's have been mentioned several times, and this is a design concept from the early 70's that is still applicable today. open baffle to remove any "boxiness", multiple drivers to handle a smaller portion of the spectrum, each maximized to handle that particular portion, "phased array" to keep the sound wave in correct "alignment". the people at spica "borrowed" this concept. opus one sold five-six speakers while i was there. not 5-6 speaker lines, but 5-6 speakers. on any given day a speaker manufacturer could walk in the door and the entire staff would sit down and do a/b testing using the best electronics in the store, and electronics that were in the speakers so called "price range". when i purchased my dq-10's, the current speakers were several small bookshelf speakers fron genesis, the large advent, a two way with a 15" woofer and a 1" dome tweeter made buy a local guy in his garage, the dq-10's and acoustats. when i left, a year and a half later, the line -up was the new boston acoustics line, the spica's, the dq-10's, and the acoustats. we also added the dq-9's for musicians who wanted something that would play at extremely high volume levels. each one of these speakers had a design concept that was radically different from the run of the mill "boxes" that were being put out to "match price points". each one offered a step up in the level of reproduction, but more importantly, each one played MUSIC! yes, we all have our own idea of what "sounds" best to us. yes, all of our choices are subjective, but no matter how much we spend or don't spend, it will always be about the music. my dq-10's sounded great the day i bought them and i'm sure they will sound just as good tomorrow. i would like to hear what a pair of dq-2003's would sound like. take the exact same design and use the best of today's technology, super long throw woofer using the lastest composite materials, kevlar mid-range drivers, silk dome tweeter, replace the peizo super tweeter with a ribbon, top of the line wiring and electronics in the crossover, super robust construction in the cabinetry, etc. the dq-10's sold for a thousand a pair in 1979 when i bought mine. even adding for inflation, i don't think i could best them for twice the price. i wonder what a pair of dq-2003's would cost? just dreaming! |
I have had a pair of Carver Amazing Platinum IV speakers since I originally purchased them about ... You know, I really can't remember when I purchased them. I do know that I got them just before they were discontinued from production. Picked up a pair of Carver Silver 9t monoblocks at the same time. Maybe not the best amp out there but they seem to work well with the Carver speakers.
Anyway, for the price, I can't remember hearing any speaker that can compare with the Carver Amazings. The smooth sound of the 60" ribbons coupled to the four 12" woofers per side are incredible. Truly a full range sound.
Have I heard better sounding speakers? Yes! but at incredulous prices. 25K - 100k for speakers is OK if your happen to be in that tax bracket, but for the average working Joe, that translates to a new car or down-payment on a home or condo.
I have recently started shopping for speakers again. It seems that every few years I get that itch, but have yet to find a speaker that would impress me to the point where I would just get rid of my Carvers. I am curious about listening to the VMPS RM40 though. I have heard good things about them, but their nearest dealer to me is in Virginia or somewhere in that area.
Any suggestions as to what I might want to look into for replacement speakers would be appreciated. I don't know if I could go back to dynamic drivers though. There is just something magical about ribbons or electrostatic panels. |
Sure you will get some very interesting responses. I have owned a pair of Spica SC-50s, predecessor to the TC-50 for about 15 years. Little odd shaped cylindrical enclosure. Coupled with a local designer's subwoofer, the combination has been amazing for the price. Vocals, piano, guitar excellent. Could not drive too loud or they became edgy. Visited audiophile dealers several times over the years comparing the SC-50s to their latest "hot" speakers claimed to be great for imaging and quality of reproduction. Each time left with my SC-50s. Nothing better until you spent over $800 per speaker.
Recently acquired a pair of Spica TC-60s. As advertised, great imaging. Not sure if Time Coherent is making the difference, but the TC-60s are clearer, slightly better imaging than the SC-50s. Neither has a strong low end alone, but the TC-60s coupled with the subwoofer are knock outs. The low end is cleaner, tighter, deeper and explain this - the subwoofer amplifer is now running at 40% volume when it previously took 80% for the same sound level. Better quality, less power. |
I think speaker evolution when not paying a lot of money, kinda flattened out, and one's preferences play a part..
I am more keen on timbre accuracy and realism of sound...I dont particularly need an iron clad imagining speaker...But when well placed the L-96's image and create a decent soundstage, but with the advantage of incredible dynamics,,,You can sit at low volumes in a near field and just marvel at how well they sound even at low midnight listening levels... |
Ill be keeping my Revel Salon's permanently. I also have a pair of Martin Logan Prodigies too, but these will be swapped out in due time, as they pull "elevator music"(non critical listening) duties at night. |
I'll keep these Audio Note ANK/L speakers for as long as I can keep them floating, no? They work with the little 8watt amp (god bless her weak little soul). So we shall persevere....
Onward Christian Soldiers....
Or is it Muslimi Soldiers....
Never do get these things right |
Magnepan 1.6's or Vandersteen 2ce (or current model) |
I love my AR 9's. You know the Magic Speaker. Second would be the AR 10 pi. Truth in listening! |
I just rebought a pair of JM Lab Daline 3.1 sorry I ever sold them. Also have a pair of Maggie smgc and Vandy's. Maggie 2.6r are also a life keeper. |
Quads esl 63...Acoustic Energy ae1.. Sonus Faber Cremona..Spcia TC50...actually any speakers that the GFF(girl friend factor)lets you keep in the living room is speaker to hang on for life....Im a ESL junkie!!! but it does not match the drapes.:{ |
CLS IIz's with Vandersteen 2wq subs
I always think it's a boring drag when everybody recommends the equipment they own as if it's the be all and end all of the audio world. Having said that, I can tell you that i've been very happy with my ML CLSIIz's with vandersteen subs for many years. My upgrade dollars always seem to be directed elsewhere. |
Talon Raven-C picked up used here on A'gon from a fine gentleman. Been through more speakers than I care to admit. In my setup they absolutely smoke. They'll be with me a long time. |
Polk Monitor 10s I bought new in 1979, and could barely afford them then - I think they cost about $250 each back then. Replaced the tweeters with then-current ones about 10-12 years ago. Next week they will be replaced in my main system (by Sonus Faber Cremoras), but I won't be selling them... they'll move to the office now.
I hadn't done any serious audio shopping in a long time, and was surprised that I did not find a Polk speaker of any size or price that sounded at all good to me. |
Sentimental speakers like my Father's 1959 JBL D-36's and my own 1977 Klipsch. I now have more modern speakers but could never part with speakers that have emotional ties. I still listen to them on a separate system. The sound could be better but never the same. |
Lots of very nice speakers listed here and I wish I had some of them, but the question is, what speakers have I had for a while that I would still want to keep. Here's a point of view from a ratty young dirty ragamuffin who wandered into an oddball high end shop just outside of town at 15 years old, he'd scraped up a few hundred bucks and was looking for his first pair of "real" speakers ;)
I've had my humble $350 Clements 107di's for about seven and a half years now. They've followed me through high school and college, through four houses, two dorm rooms and an apartment. They've followed me through systems costing $600 (107s included!) up to my current ~$9K system, have been auditioned in other systems costing $13K and more and they manage to keep up, to their very limit at any rate.
No they're not the, biggest, cleanest, most revealing speakers ever and no they don't perform like mega-buck speakers but I have to say they do much, much better than any sub-$400 speaker ever should, and are able to handle a variety of sounds and gear. I was recently offered a pair of Maggie MMGs for a good price but felt absolutely no need for them. A different flavor perhaps, but I'm not looking for that right now. When I upgrade, I want it to be a really shocking improvement.
My current system really does deserve better, but I'm finding that I would need to spend over $3-4grand to get any really notable, justifiable improvement. I don't honestly have any regrets on keeping the 107s in until I have that kind of cake for a solid upgrade. I'm a college student ferchrissake! :p)
When I finally plop down for some really serious speakers, the 107s will stay for a "B" system. |
Spica TC-50. You replace the Audax tweeters with Audax's current version, listen in a small to medium room, add a good sub, upgrade your electronics and you might find it very hard to replace them. They create the illusion of
the real thing- live music- which I find is not so easy to find in other speakers. |
Ohm Acoustics 4XO have 17 years now. In a large room they have a wide soundstage and solid bass. I replaced the surrounds 3 years ago. |
My dad has a 30 year old pair of Heil ESS AMT1 speakers that are still going strong. He had the woofers refoamed about 10 years ago, and I think these speakers will be around for another 10 years at least.
I suspect my Coincident Total Victories may be the last pair of speakers I buy. |
a lot of good amps mentioned here...I have always been a classe fan...........however after hearing many many amps with my mkIII's settled on a 5 channel Audio Refinement (sounds awesome in stereo)...considering what a used one can be bought for..it is an outrageous value ...those big twin power supplies help the dyn's .....this amp was designed by the best (bernard...he is french if you have a problem with that lol)....the amp is warm!!!!..almost tubelike....silent background...just another alternative for you dyn lovers...(i am a former Bryston and Classe owner)
mongoose |
Ohm Acoustic Model I, 4-way, very powerful and articulate speakers. I haven't heard very many other speakers, and none that are considered to be "hi-end", so I cannot compare the sound. I purchased them new in 1980 for $1500, drove them for 21 years with a 100 watt integrated amp and thought I had a great system. I put another $1000 into them last year upgrading the drivers (through Ohm Acoustics), and when the integrated amp finally died, bought dual Parasound 2200II amps and a PLD-2000 preamp. The amps brought the speakers to into a new dimension of sound I didn't think possible. I really like them and intend to keep them, that is of course until I hear something I like better. Any suggestions? Rick |
I have to be true to the truth. I posted above that "I will *never* get rid of my (4) Nautilus 805s because I will *always* have a use for them." I lied.
Well, I *kinda* lied. I recently sold 2 of my Nautilus 805s - leaving me with only one pair.
I know. I know. I said "*never*". But I decided that my N805s deserve tubes, and not some 5.1 HT setup. Don't worry - they were adopted by a fellow Audiogon member who will give them all the love and care that they deserve.
I'm still keeping this pair, though. For, as I stated above, they are speakers I will hold onto for life. |
NHT 2.3a's,w/aragon 2004 amp,w/wire world equinox cables.I put my system together almost 10 years ago and have had no complaints!califonia audio labs dx-1 is my front end |
I have had a pair of alon 2s for about 10 years. Still sound great on jazz. i'm getting tired of the highs on classical tho and will be looking for something with a silk tweeter as opposed to metal. checking out the joseph rm 25. metal in mid and woofer but tweeter is silk dome. any thoughts on this? running sonic frontiers older tube amp sfs 40 |
JBL 4343. With mods. Caps dry up! :) |
Large Advent speakers with walnut cabinets and original (though slightly stained) grill cloths. Dated 1973. Reconed the woofer once and still going strong. I have an Adcom amp and preamp with a NAD tuner, a B&O turntable, a Denon cassette deck, and a Sony CD recorder. Still sounds good to me, analog or digital source.
Would have no idea how to go about evaluating and purchasing new speakers, but would welcome advice. My wife may let me upgrade for my birthday this year. |
Definitley the DQ-10's. They have stood the test of time and then some. The user "Hemjr2" made a statement in his previous thread: "my dq-10's sounded great the day i bought them and i'm sure they will sound just as good tomorrow. i would like to hear what a pair of dq-2003's would sound like. take the exact same design and use the best of today's technology, super long throw woofer using the lastest composite materials, kevlar mid-range drivers, silk dome tweeter, replace the peizo super tweeter with a ribbon, top of the line wiring and electronics in the crossover, super robust construction in the cabinetry, etc"
No need to guess if you are willing to spend the money to have them upgraded. I own a pair with nearly all of the aforementioned "mods", rebuilt XO, Ribbon tweeter, etc...
and they sound like angels. I use them with a pair of Velodyne 12" powered subs, rolled off perfectly with the DQ-10's, I obviuosly have NO bass problems. The DQ-10 is the most discerning speaker "for the money" (crucial point) that you will find IMHO. I have no problem driving them to stratospheric levels with my Krell amp, and they suck it up and just ask for more...I have heard Martin logans, Theils, etc... but they just don't impress me for what they are being sold for, the "bang-buck" just isn't there, which only serves to make them a disappointment. They are expensive, and really don't bring much more to the table (sonically) than speakers costing thousands less...The DQ-10 stands alone in my book...30 years and still going strong.. |
Do not sell those speakers ! You'll be sorry |
If you've never heard them, you are missing a midrange treat. |
KEF 104ab. Bexetrene drivers, decades old, I will never sell them. They are now in my "b" system, but after many amps and turntables and cd players, they are a constant. Clean, clear, no false bass or treble; my first pair of upper fi speakers. |
Green Mountain Audio Diamantes,beautiful,great music makers. |
5 years with the Von Schweikert VR-7's. They keep getting better with time and allow all the upstream changes to come thru. I had the VR-6's for several years before these and the VR-7s are worthy of lifetime ownership
mike |
Mikem, the 11's are out now. They're a bit pricey, but if you amortize that over 20 years ... ;-) |
Ozfly, how do the Von Schweikert VR-11's compare with the Montana WAS? |
Wellfed, I would love to find out sometime, though I've never been a fan of added rear firing tweeters (who knows, at this quality level, maybe they're great and they certainly do get some good reviews). I have not yet heard the VR-11's. Of course, I'm not sure I can afford the VR-11's either ;-) Cost aside, I would be hard pressed to part with my WAS's. I've owned Montana's now for about 4 years and truly enjoy them. The speakers and cross-overs are very well matched so the music just flows evenly across the spectrum and, I believe, presents a very fine mix/match of detail and musicality. |
Ozfly, the rear firing tweeter is on a seperate circuit. The volume is adjustable and even on full has very little output. It just adds a bit of "space" to the presentation.
I have my speakers about 6.5 feet from the back wall and don't use or need the rear firing tweeter. I tried it both ways and prefer it off.
As for the VR-11s, I did hear them at CES. They sounded great during my brief encounter. I have no desire to upgrade.. I have yet to explore the full potential of the VR-7's. Besides... I finally stoped listening to my system and now just enjoy the music...
It took many years to get here and I don't want to muck it up.
mike |
None!...it's all for sale eventually.
ONce the life style changes, and the kids come, and the new house gets bought, the writing is on the wall for any audio lifestyle and gear collection!..I've seen it all before.
Never the less, I personally never met a perfect speaker, and hope they keep evolving up! |
Mikem....I have heard so much about the VR-7's but I have never heard them in person. Considering I live in the NYC area there really is no dealer in the 20 mile area. I also do not hear much chatter in the rooms about this speaker. I wonder why? |
I stopped listening to/auditioning speakers after I purchased Green Mountain Audio's "Diamantes II." I never tire of listening to them and I think that, aesthetically, they are pieces of art. I have added a pair of GMA's subs (15s) which, of course, add some needed bottom octave heft.
If Roy Johnson says he has a "mod" for them, I will unhesitatingly get the upgrade--I trust his sense of musicality and speaker design implicitly. After buying the Diamantes, I was fortunate to meet and really get to know Roy(We both live in C. Springs, CO). He knows music, he knows physics/acoustics, and he knows how to put it all together for a great product. I haven't seen Roy for years but, now that I'm retired, I plan to renew our friendship. I'm a little reluctant to do so because I'm sure I will be overwhelmed by some of his later designs. |
Rwd.. the VR-7's are not mass produced... in fact you order them and then wait for 6+ months. Not to mention the $25k price. These factors have kept the ownership to a minimum.
You are welcome to come hear them if you are ever in the Charlotte NC area...
I am very satisfied with the VR-7's and have no desire to look for speakers anytime soon...
Have had good feedback from those who heard them. In fact just recently had a friend over to hear them. Liked them so much he ordered a pair.. he was looking for a long time... He says he finally has music...
mike |
I change speakers all the time. I get a new pair almost every year. However, the Green Mountain Audio Europa's are here to stay. I've never heard a speaker sound more like actual instruments and voices like these do. I don't care if I get a new system, I will not get rid of the speakers. I'll keep them in a system somewhere in my house... as long as they'll play, I'll be happy to listen.
I know Roy's coming out with some new ones soon to fill the in-between gap from Europa to the big ones. Even if I get them, I'll hold onto the Europas.
Of all the speakers I've owned, these are the only ones I've ever felt this way about. Awesome speaker at any price. |
Marantz HD880s. Over 25 yrs old, redid the surrounds & that's it. Larger Advents 30+ yrs old, also "surrounded", still kickin' in the loft. I'd hope my Paradigm Studios would last so well, but I'm not holding my breath. |
AR9LS's..........22 years and counting! |
Nice forum
Boston acoustics A200s from 1981. They still offer great sound. In fact I would say you have to step up to a 3k speaker to better the sound by a wide margin. They do all things well and are very musical. Also, even though they are large placement is easy because they are only six inches deep. |
I've had the ADS L810's in my system since 1980. I've considered upgrading many times since then, but always changed my mind. If I ever do, I'll keep the 810's anyway. A classic. |
Sonus Faber Extrema speakers. After owning literally dozens of hi-end & exotica speakers, the Extrema's remain in my reference system. |
I owm Piega C-3 Ltd. speakers currenty and really like them. There has been many speakers before them, Maggies, Martin Logan, Duntech Black Knights, Watts, Sotas, Spicas. Vandersteen, Sonus Faber and many more, all gone. However, although the Piegas are in the system a couple of months the speakers that preceeded them, I will never sell. They are the Aliante Pinafarina one with Vela stands and for my money none of the aforementioned speakers including the Piegas have voicing like the Pinafarinas. Opera Arias and female voices, like Norah Jones, Nina Simone, Anita Baker and Billy Holiday are in the room with these speakers If you have not heard them, find a place to do so. |
After all of the thought since this post, I would have to say my ONE and ONLY 'wish I kept' speaker is the Energy Veritas 2.8's.
I think I am the only lover of this speaker on this forum!
Dan |
Dan, I had the pleasure of hearing this speaker years ago. It played music with ease. Seemed to love plenty of power but I really like it. It was in quite a large room. It has great dynamic swing.....cheers, Lloyd |
Lloyd -
That is the speaker, indeed! Thanks for the back up!
Ihave loved the 2.8's for years. I have found a pair in my room 3 times, and every time I sell them to find something better, I always feel the need to go back to the 2.8s.
They do, as you say, play music with ease, and definitely do require substantial power and fairly good sized room.
Unfortunately, I have never had the power to make shine, but I do now. Anxiously awaiting a pair from Canada!
Often being accused of 'too active in the bottom end' I have noticed is the case when there has been a lack of power/current, which the Krell 750MC's should take care of now!!
Thanks for notice Lloyd,
Dan |
I've had my KEF Reference 102 since 1987. I bought them just before going to college. They have an incredible midrange that really shines with vocals, acoustic instruments - truly magical. Definitely not a rockin' speaker, though. I've updated the surrounding electronics over the years and they sound even better. Just ordered a pair of Wilson Benesch Curves for my main system, but I'm definitely keeping the KEF's for a second 2 channel system. |
