That's easy. I've owned many speakers, practically get a new set every few months(, mostly lower-fi...). But the speakers that I will always have are an old pair of Cerwin Vegas that I bought when I was fourteen(first stereo with an old marantz reciever, heaven!, remember?). They are 10" two way boxes made of solid oak (fourty pounds each- at least). I have resupplied them many times- focal, vifa, scanspeak, currently dynaudio. They are my meat and potato speakers, take what ever I give them, kind of like an old dog. They are like family. Need I say more?
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I have Klipschorns that I purchased new in 1971! The only change has been relacing the networks a few months ago. The old oil caps had slowly lost some of thier edge, it was however not noticed until scoping them along side the spec charts. Speakers are like the the front end of a system, a transfomer of median. Think about it, turning electric current into sound waves. A tall order than can and is subject to each persons taste. Find your taste, and go with it. |
Dynaudio 1.3SE's. I sold them and regret it. Someday, I'll pick up another pair. I went to Proac 2.5's and then Talon Peregrine X's which are both great speakers which I love but the sweet highs of the 1.3SE's are memorable. |
Owned them for 24 years, but not listening to them because the foam surrounds wore out with age. Going to re-build them with identical (as close as possible) drivers if replacing surrounds doesn't work.
Sweet sound, wide sweet spot, open airy sound stage, great dynamics, clean bass, blah, blah.
Love these things. Haven't heard anything close in style of sound. Not for everyone, but worth a listen if you ever get a chance, especially if driven with several hundred watts of clean power.
Frank |
You'll love this. I inherited a pair of 3-way transmission lines with only the woofer being used, as subs for a pair of Magnepans, in 1977. I converted them to a 2-way with KEF T27s & B110s, no additional woofer, own design crossover. Due to space considerations, I went to diy BBC style 2-way monitors for a few years. I revived the lines and made them 3-ways with Audax tweeters, Vifa P13MH 5" mids and Madisound 8" woofers. Current configuration is Morel MDT-40 tweeters, same Vifa mids and Vifa woofers, my own evolutionary crossovers. I listen to all types of music, and they accurately reflect the quality of the input. Highs and mids clear and stress-free, only bass when there's bass, from clean to thunderous with that transmission line ambience. |
I second Raggamuffin on Clements. At least, Phil Clements' previous line, Phase Research, which formed the foundation for the "di" series. I've had PR Model R's for about 19 years now. They cost me about $600 used (about par, I'm told) and still sound about as good as the best new deals for twice that price. I too dragged them through college, and through three apartments after college, and finally into my first house.
On a lark, I compared them to the $5k B&W Nautilus 803's I'd gotten as trials and wired to my own system. I won't say they "blew away" the Nautilus, but there was only a significant difference when the music got fairly complex. Then, the PR's distorted some, but were still quite listenable. (The Nautili were, of course, rock solid through everything.) I picked up a second pair on E-Pay last year for ($38 a pair!!) Even with shipping, they were a steal. |
I agree with Eyeballman's assessment of KEF Reference 105/2 speakers. I have been enjoying mine since 1982, and everytime I upgrade something in the system in front of them, they just sound even better. I may consider buying something newer at some point, but it will have to be a pretty amazing pair of speakers (and probably amazingly expensive too). |
Cabasse Baltic II and Thor II subwoofer.
For:
Tonal accuracy
Fast
Dynamic - both micro and macro
Spatial coherence
Extraordinary musicality
Against:
Unusual looks |
I've had these ADC Sound Shaper 3010 bookshelf speakers for going on ten years. They've certainly endured. I got them from my father who had them I think for 5 years beforehand. I'm only thinking of replacing them because the cabinet's cracked on both. I use them as a right and left channels.
Can anyone tell me more about ADC Sound Shaper? I know they used to make equalizers and other equipment. The speakers sound great, are three-way, have an impedance of 6ohms, and handle up to 150 watts. Frequency response is 24-28kHz.
I'm no real audiophile (my hearing doesn't allow for it). I have:
Pioneer VSX-D5095 a/v receiver (5.1)
JBL TXLps10 subwoofer
aforementioned ADC sound shaper 3010 speakers
Sony entry-level center channel and rear surround set
Momitsu 880 DVD/CD player
Scientific-Atlantic 8000 DVR cable box |
I've had over 60 speaker systems, all types and sizes, over the past 30 years and I really like the Coincident line of speakers. Presently have a pair of Conquests that I plan to keep forever. May try the Partial Eclipse someday but still plan to keep the Conquests. |
The first high end speaker is the last speaker I will own, that is the Proac responce 2. I think that this speaker does many things right. When matched with their respective Target stands & coupled with a good subwoofer they will make magic. I would prefer a pair of Legend's but they were not out yet. I also feel that an upgrade should not involve much additional funds since the Proacs are an excellent speaker in itself. |
Surfgod. I would heartily concurr with your speaker choice. Given good electronics and placed on proper stands in an appropriate room..... they will humble far too many so called hi-end speakers out there today, regardless of cost. Designed and tuned by an artist with a great ear for music. Sadly.... I sold my pair many years ago to upgrade to the response 3... which turned out to be a little to large and overpowered my smallish room at the time. |
The answer to this question was very easy for me. I do own a couple of high-end speakers, both from Proac, but I always find myself wanting to upgrade them, to a model with the greater bandwith, sensitivity or looks, but there has been one speaker, which is my guest bedroom system that I have never upgraded,sold, or even thrown away. It is the Bose 10.2 Series 2. And while its performance is dwarfed by my larger, costier references, there is still a visual, musical allure about them which prevents me from getting rid of them. They are only driven by a 50wpc yamaha reciever and a 10 year old pioneer 10dsk cd changer. Its just so appealing as a low-end system that I cant get rid or it. Anyone else have these boses that they cant part with? |
I love my Klipsch La Scalas whhc i have had some 15 years. Man they are big and even though they swallow up my living room, I'm hanging on to them. Heresy: I drive them through transistor amps but only because I have never found a reasonably priced valve amp. Sometimes I hang a thick bit of cloth in front of the top half of HF driver to damp the treble. But generally they do me straight. I'm just peering up at some lesser speakers, now on a shelf above my monitor: JBL 4301B Control Monitors, they are fab too. I pretty much go for JBLs for the kind of music I listen to. |
1970 KLHS 17S/ 1996 VR3 vonshikers. |
Oh my God! Someone at Audiogon who wants to keep his equipment? Blasphemy! I have owned only two (2) pairs of speakers since 1992. That's right, 2 pairs in 14 years. The first were a pair of B&W 802 Matrix III's and now I have Revel Studio Ultimas which will probably be my final speakers. I loved the B&W's because they were accurate much like Proacs and a fantastic value at $4200.00 list in 1992. There was nothing to touch them at that price. If you look around on Audiogon, you can probably find a pair for $2500.00 asking price and get them down to $2100.00. They are still a bargain even against many other current dynamic loudspeakers. Note that I did not trade them in for B&W Nautilus 802's. I simply never thought the Nautilus 802 was worth twice the price against the Matrix line and I still do not. That is why I ended up buying The Revels which are still one of the most outstanding values in the market. They blow away many if not all speakers in the $15000.00 to $25000.00 price range and they sell for $11000.00 new. You occassionally see them for about $7000.00 on Audiogon, but very seldom. There is a reason for this. They are fantastic speakers. They do anything you want in a dynamic speaker. Imaging, bass authority, sweet highs, easy room placement. Of course, they must be driven by the right front end electronics and the correct wires as is the case with any speaker. The point being that if you change your speakers, you may be putting yourself into a system make-over which can run into some big $$$$$$$$. |
I had a pair of BBC (built by Audiomaster) LS35a's for 21 years and I kick myself every time I think about it for selling them on eBay. Damn. There, I did it again, one solid kick to the trousers.
Nigel |
Nigel,
I am afraid you commited the crime of the century! |
Totem Sttafs are my modest contribution. 15 years old, bearing honourable battle scars inflicted by growing, active kids, and now relegated to a humble second system. Yet when I fire them up they still sound wonderfully natural and enjoyable, even though subsequent upgrades have more of any given element; detail, bass extension, etc. I sometimes wonder why I didn't just upgrade electronics and stick with these old comforters. |
I stil love my B&W 802 series IIIs after all these years. |
I bought a pair of Infinity Monitor IIa's when in college in 1975. I didn't find a burning need to "upgrade" until the foam surrounds in the woofers disintegrated in 2003. I then bought a pair of Totem Sttaf's. The Totems are fantastic, but I found myself wanting that deep, deep bass the Monitor IIas produced for some types of music. Since the Infinity's are so big, I didn't know what to do with them, so I had the woofers rebuilt ($100). Their like new again. I alternate between the Sttafs and Monitor IIas. The Sttafs are better, but but the Monitor IIas are still great. I'll probably keep both of them for life, as long as I have the room, although I'm toying with the idea of moving up the Totem line. |
Living Voice speakers, I had the Auditorium then upgraded to the Avatars. A plus to these speakers I do'nt see often expressed is their sensitivity. At 94/95db they match low output class A SS amps like my Pass Lab Aleph 3(another unit to keep for life) and even lower output tube amps. Yet they can still be used with SS muscle amps if you really must. Alright I've only used them for 3 years, not since 1903, but I wo'nt be upgrading, honest. |
Since 1984 It's been JBL 4312B Studio Monitors. I love the clean sound and they are practically bullet proof! There may be better speakers out there, but I'd be hard pressed to switch. |
Kit built in 59' EV Patrician 800s sitting in the same corners for 45 years. Yes Kids they must be heard to be believed. |
Apogee Scintillas with the new H20 Ice module digital amplification by Henry Ho. Musicians are in the room! I have not heard anything better! |
You can strike that one in stone! |
I have always had a love affair with full range planar and electrostatic designs. There are two Magneplanars I regret selling out of the 8 pairs I have owned. Both the Magnepan SMGA and MGLR1 had an emotional impact on my that I could have hung onto for life if I had realized that it doesn't get much more emotionally involving. There are better speakers than these - but if a speaker moves you, regardless of its weaknesses, then you have found a good one. |
Magnepan MGIIIa. I owned them for 8 years and had to sell them because they did not fit into my listening room when I moved to a new apartment. They are truly one of the best values in a high end speaker. Wonderful for jazz and classical afficionados. I would consider buying the MG3.6R now, if only I had the room in my home. The best scenario would be to have a large dedicated listening room to really get the most out of these speakers without having to compromise on placement. |
I have owned Magnepan MGIIIa since 1991. If you have a very large room and the proper amplification (lots of power) then these may be the speakers for you. I think the current version is 3.6. The ribbon tweater is fantastic.
Thus, a great value, but you need to spend some $$ on the amplification. |
Though not highly thought of in the Audiophile community,the best all around speakers I have owned(and still do) are Canton Karat M 70's.Paired with my Aragon 8008 they are marvelous!!! |
Not the best but staying under my roof...
Magnepan / Audio Research Tympani II for 18 years; resurfaced 7 years ago. Interesting that the Audio Research name, which is enscribed on the Magnepan model number plate, were partnered together back then.
Janzen "Low Boy" Z 600 (15 inch woofer; dual electostats panels); mfg '63; very interesting conversation piece. Understand these are pretty rare since most people tore them apart for the eletrostat panels in the late 60s / early 70s |
Nice Thread.
I have had two pairs of Electro Voice speakers since the seventies -- Senior Centurion 4's (the ones with the same components as Georgians) and Sentry III's. I will never get rid of these speakers before I die or end up living in a space that will not accommodate them. |
After spending many time and resources looking for the speaker of my life, I finnaly ended up with Avalon speakers. Happens to be that I had for quite a few years their entry model (Avatar) and lived happy, until the &^(*&^( distributor appeared and offered me the brand new, highly regartded XXXX speaker. I traded in the Avalons and the nightmare began and lasted for 5 years until I came back to AValon (Eclipses now). Same relaxed, dynamic, musical sound I like.
Not for all tastes, but great for mine.
Fernando |
MERLIN EXL-4....had them since 1996, dont think i will ever sell them. i also have the vsm's |
My Apogee Duetta Signatures for sure! I have yet to hear anything that presents music like these do. There is just so much that's right, and so little to complain about. Plus, they are impressive to look at! |
I've had the same speakers for nearly 20 years.
They are the Klipsch Forte'. I bought them back in '86. I've always enjoyed them.
I wasn't into HiFi when I bought these. I was just into music. I had a Pioneer rack system and a new job making more money than I knew what to do with ($6.00/hr).:-) So I went to the local stereo shop to find new speakers and these were recomended.
Since getting into HiFi about two years ago I've been able to put together a great system with tube/SET amplification. They can be bright in the wrong set up but with the right amplification (tubes) they can sing. They have wonderful low level resolution. They are transparent, they will let you know every move you make with your system. They are dynamic at low volume and will shake the rafters when you crank them up. The soundstage is wide and fairly deep and they throw the music into them room filling it up (22x20x10.5). In fact they do so much so well I've had a hard time finding the right speaker to upgrade to. Even when I do these will always be somewhere in the house making music. I will not give them up.
Cheers |
Vandersteen 2CE signatures. I have gone through five preamps and three amps this year and settled down to the McCormack DNA-1's which I will be upgrading and the new Tube Audio Design -150. Each piece change was an improvement for the Vandersteens.
Eagleman |
On Prinicple, I will not hang on to any stereo component for life; Stereos just aren't that important. :)
Regarding whether I believe I will still have the same speakers ten or even five years from now, it's unlikely. With the rapid changes in technology, it seems to me very short sighted to think that audioholics would turn a blind eye to new toys/technology in favor of the "good 'ol" speakers they own.
I'm sure that in the past 20 years I've been in this, I've gone through at least a dozen different main speakers. And if, God willing, I get to play with electronics another 20 years, I hope I see the advent of an entirely new technology that blows away anything we currently conceive as good sound.
So, here's to ingenuity and consumer curiosity; long may they live.
Having said, this, I currently use Magnepan 1.6QR's and they seem to have plenty of surprises left in them. |
Fernando
good evening
Relaxed I am with the ascent 2. Great product. I was wondering if there was a special set up for the tri wired system of the avalon and the audio research 300 mk2. The manual is a little confusing to me and I needed some help regarding connection balanced or unbalanced .
I do run them now on a rowland model 8 hcti. I just open some boxes for christmas . There was the 300 from audio.r.
They seems to have so much power . I don't want to make a wrong move and blow a tweeter of even worse.
thanks for your answer.
didier |
Wow...very interesting thread. I am not qualified to even be part of this forum since I just bought my first "high end" component this May, (better late than never), but here goes....but I am definitely a convert..no, addict now!
Here's my repetoir of in house speakers that are up for listening and discerning...some will eventually have to go. Especially if my wife ever comes into my listening room!
1) Older Vandy 2C's upgraded to "Ce's" by Mike at Soundscape Santa Rosa (my first speaker).
2) Hornshop horns with sub.(Had to try horns...)
3) Gallo Ref III.
4) Oskar Heil Khitara's, just arrived last week. Amazing out of the box.
4a) Almost forgot, in the family room...Harbeth HL-P3ES-2. These are keepers, extreme positive WAF. With Musical Concepts Hafler 220 with Platinum Ultra mods, Rega Jupiter and Melos SHA Gold.
Coming this week...
5) Silverline Sonata MkII
6) Dahlquist DQ 10's
7) Older Kef with the LS3/5A drivers, the floor standers.
Except for Vandys, all purchased on Agon.
Amps for my listening pleasure...
Pilot 240 integrated
Stromberg-Carlson amp and pre
Cayin TA 30 with NOS tubes
Mastersound Reference 845
Decware 84C "Mighty little amp"
Cary 811 on the way
Custom 300B amp being built by Alex Dondysh
NY Audio labs pre with phono and with Harvey mods
Denon 2900 with EVS supermods, CalAudio Alpha and Delta
Audiomeca Analog with Denon 103R on the way.
Please, no suggestions for any new speakers...I am, needless to say...tapped!
How long will it take me to find the "speakers for life"...stay tuned. |
Lafolia: Congrats for your Model 8. I also had that amp with my Avatars and really, you are cooking with gas !!!!.
Don't bother too much with the spkr wire setup, just ask your dealer to work for you a tri-wire config (three pairs of wire for the speaker side and 1 pair for the amp side) and you are set!!.
A simple version would be to just work for a single-wire at both ends and place the cardas wire bridges between the rest of the terminals at the speaker side. This wires should come with your Ascents.
At the amp side, you can run either balanced (XLR) or unbalanced (RCA) cables to your amp. My experience is that you wont find any sonic differences unless all your audio chain is balanced (mean: CDP or table). You wont place any damage to your system if cables are setup correctly, but on a doubt, ask your favourite audio dealer to install it for you at a cost. It will take less than an hour and a hundred bucks or so.
Hope this helps
Fernando |
Musicubed: I also own a Denon 103r, please keep us posted so we can learn from your experience with the cartridge.
Fernando |
Fernando,
Yeah...looking forward to vinyl, as you know it has hard core entusiasts.
I purchased the NYAL about 3 months ago and was assured it had a great phono section. I'll let you know.
MC |
Let's not forget stacked Bose 901s!
Will stack my two sets of stacked Bose 901s (Series IV ???), with Technics Class A amp, Advent (Apt/Holman Design) preamp, high end CD player, and middle road interconnects against almost any speaker competition. I know it defies convention, common sense, science and the state of the art, but I cannot begin to count how many times I've felt embarrassment for friends when we do a listen-to-listen session, with their Wilsons, Magnepans/Magneplanars, Dalis, Veledines, Krell ref subs, Agogees, Klipches, Vandersteens, Avante Gardes, et al. And it doesn't matter the room, acoustics or source material. I look you in the eye and say get the 901s before they are discontinued... |
this is a no Brainer I have gone to many shows ,
spoken with hundreds of designers and listened to hundreds of systems ,the loudspeaker-s that are easiest to work into a room and the most balanced are ,In my opinion ,the New JMR- Jean Marie Reynuad loudspeakers ,
The Offrande can do within 2 db at 30hz for a stand mounted loudspeaker and look beautifull doing it . a natural warm character, with great soundstaging imaging and detail
very rare to have all these qualitys cds I thought I knew are now showing instuments or voices that were lost ,
never fatiguing like some razor sharp loudspeakers .
A must hear for any true music lover , they just sound more real , compared to Sonus Faber or jm labs or even merlin , these beat them all for pure musical enjoyment all in all. |
I'll second the Offrande; however, Fab Audio's Stonehenge floorstanders are more accurate, neutral and have all of the imaging (especially image size), soundstaging and non-audiophile detail. And they are very efficient. Build quality is first class. |
I have had Polk RTA-12s since 1982, use them with a Velodyne F1000 subwoofer.
I have compared them directly with Sonus Faber Concertos, and kept the Polk. |
I am very happy with Martin Logan. I use Krell Mono's as amplifiers and am very happy with them. One thing to remember though. Room placement is critical. Once you have it rite. Look Out. Your Hooked. |
Sonus Faber Extrema speakers.
Simply the Best Sounding monitor ever built. |
I have had my paradigm active 40 front and back and active adp450s sides active 450 center and servo 15 for 5yrs and hope they last 5 more I still love them.
Brad |
