After 9 years with my Proac Response 3s, I recently decided to change speakers. As you can tell, I'm not an upgrade fever patient. I want something I can live with for years & I think the best advice I'm gonna get will be from those who have & are still living with their speakers for an extended period of time. Please tell me why too. Thanks.Bob.
I just replaced my merlin 1B+'s that were purchased new in 1987. the speaker cloth had oxidized so I stripped them down to the bare sonotube material which made them look worse but they still sounded mighty fine. I caught the upgrade bug in '87 and bought a B&K st140 power amp, superphon revelation preamp, ar turntable and the merlins. my previous system was klipsch and harmon kardon which at the time I thought was pretty decent. I heard a pretenders album on a similarly priced system as my merlins/power amp pre amp combo and I could hear chrissy hynde actually breathe while singing and the rest is history. I lived happily with the merlins for 19 years and thought I had the bomb budget high end system of all time. I still use the amp/pre amp purchased in '87 and in december 2005 I bought a cambridge audio cd player, all new interconnects, b&w 603's and new speaker cables. the b&w's look like fine furniture but the merlin's served me well through college and way beyond. bravo merlin international!
The only speakers worth owning are those that are accurate in reproducing the original signal fed them.
And that means only Thiel or Vandersteen. ALL others are NOT accurate and LOSE much of that information by losing harmonics that are contained in the TIMBRE of instruments.
I don't care what you spend, it does not matter in the least. There are only these two manufacturers and that is it.
Stereophile promotes speakers that are INACCURATE. Thos e that have the mid driver inverted phase wise are FOOLING themselves and EVERYONE else. You CANNOT invert the harmonic content of the timbre of instruments and expect them to ve accurate. And eveyone's EARS can hear this!
All those mentioned above except for these two makers of speakers, and those who think they are hearing good, accurate sound, are sorely mislead in this hobby.
Why any of you would want a speaker that doesn't replicate accurately the signal coming from your upstream components is completely beyond me, but then it's YOUR money and EARS.
I use both solid state for my Thiels (Krell KCT and 400cx) and am waiting for a Rogue Cronus for my Vandersteen 2Ce Sigs. Both tube and solid state are valid electronic sources.
But we're talking about speakers, and I want those speaker designs that provide accuracy in reproducing the signal I am hearing from either tubes or solid state electronics. How else do you really know what you're hearing? It is common sense to choose a design that had at the heart of its execution accuracy as central goal.
It is common sense to choose a design that had at the heart of its execution accuracy as central goal.
Interestingly, I've yet to read a design philosophy of a speaker manufacturer that DIDN'T claim this as their goal. Website after website, they all avow accuracy as their goal. And yet, they don't all sound the same, and clearly not everyone buys the same brand of speakers. Perhaps common sense is only common to those who agree with our choices. :-)
Stevecham, owners of Harbeth speakers, used around the world in professional settings, would disagree with you about only two brands producing accurate sound.
The only speakers worth owning are those that are accurate in reproducing the original signal fed them.
And that means only Thiel or Vandersteen. ALL others are NOT accurate and LOSE much of that information by losing harmonics that are contained in the TIMBRE of instruments.
I don't care what you spend, it does not matter in the least. There are only these two manufacturers and that is it.
So are you saying that you DO or DO NOT like Thiel and Vandersteen?
I have had a Satellite-Volkswoofer System since '78. Could someone please help me price these to sell. I've been all over the net and can not find very much info. They are in pretty fantastic shape.
Jaybo, I took your advice..I bought a pair of AR Classic 30 speakers in mint condition. What a shame they do not make speakers like this anymore. True acoustic suspension is so accurate sounding. I went on a speaker hunt last month and came to the conclusion I needed at least 4500 to buy some(used) Legacy 20/20. I believe I have bought an even better speaker, one of the best I have ever heard, for just 1300. Talk about rare, I have only heard of a few people who have heard them. Thanks for your advice...They are big however, 54"h-18"deep-beautiful walnut, I used to believe that technology made older speaker designs obsolete, but it turns out superior engineering always wins...It would be too expensive to make speakers like this nowadays. I heard they used first order crossovers, proprietary drivers, hell the cabinets are worth the money alone...The most natural sounding speaker I have heard to date, and I have heard many.....I just hope my aussie's do not take out the bottom 10" woofer....
Technology is always going to advance,something is always on the horizon to tempt,that said Infinity IRS V,IRS Beta/Gamma ,RS1b's are without question one of the finest series of Loudspeakers ever concieved. I wasn't affluent enough to own the IRS V's,but at one time or another did have the other 2 systems,and not a day goes by that I wish I'd held on to the Beta's or 1b's.
Recently I was fortunate enough to run across a pr of Gamma's that needed a little work and scored them for $250pr with crossover. Even though they are not as refined as the beta's,they still get me closer than anything else I've owned since the mid 1990's. If you own any of these Infinity's,and are getting upgrade fever,I suggest you take a step back and re-evaluate your good fortune,if you don't own any of these,seek them out,they are worth their weight in gold. Shred
Stevecham, old chap, you need to get out more. If Thiel and Vandersteen are the only two "accurate" speakers made, then why do they sound so different from one another?
Two of the greatest "keepers" I've known are the original Quads and the Beveridge 2SW series. I've owned the Beveridge 2SW-2s for 27 years, and having heard the top speakers from the majority of speaker manufacturers on the planet, can say that nothing I've ever listened to is overall more musically satisfying to me than the old Beveridge 2 series, warts and all.
Jaybo..are you familiar with the the AR Limited model 3? They came out about the same time as the Classic series I think. I bought a pair of AR Classics but sold them and regretted it.
even though the limiteds(3's and 6's) appear to be radically different from the classic series, their sound (as i remember) from auditions in mpls and chicago, was very close. classic 'east coast' top to bottom.after hoisting the 30's (wrapped as mummies)to an upsairs landing ajacent to the latest listening room(they wouldn't navigate a spiral staircase), i have promised my 'better half' i would stop for awhile with 'monument' sized loudspeakers. comparisons of the classics and the limiteds to speakers made today in the tens of thousands of dollars are valid and good news for the hobbyist.... as well as disturbing for todays so-called state-of-the-art. minty pairs are getting snatched up. too bad ar was getting overlooked at the time these babies came out. i haven't enjoyed music this way in years.
Thanks Jaybo. I hav'nt listened to enough speakers to identify the "east coast" sound but if the AR Classic are it, I like it.
I remember the salesman who sold them to me saying that AR was hoping to sell the Classic series big time in Japan. The problem was the speaker was shaped like a Japanese infant coffin so it did not go over well there (oops).
the best laid plans.....when i say 'east coast' i guess what i'm refering to is a flat response from top to bottom. no exageration of any one frequency. someone has a pair of limited 3.'s on the gon right now. one thing that i've noticed over the years with acoustic suspension designs is they are not fussy about electronics. Most of the AR alumni(a laundry list of great designers) believed that a well designed pair of loudspeakers would give one the flexibility of spending less on other components and still obtain true high fidelity. imagine a group of brilliant audiophiles concerned about people spending too much. its a plot for a science fiction movie.
Very proud to share my admiration for the Piega C-10 Limiteds....I've had them here at the Love Shack for only 6 months, but they've been 6 SMILING months.. Kind of a Raquel Welch, (in her days/present)speaker seduction each evening. I believe the C-10 ltds are an Alien being :-) brent
CROWN ES224 and/or CROWN ES212, whether made by CROWN or RTR. I'm trying to "keep them going". May have to replace panels and power supply to one or two 224's. Fortunately I put these parts away some time ago.
I keep looking for more, bu, sadly,t there aren't many out there. Though recently ebay had a pair of 212's (in Australia).
I've had my Synthesis LM260s since about 1989. With each upgrade in electronics, they sound better & better. Why I like 'em: smooth, natural, lots of detail and timbre on voices & instruments, non-fussy in terms of placement, soundstage extends beyond the speakers, can listen to all day, every day, low volumes & high volumes equally enjoyable and more. Every time the upgrade bug bites, what I've heard at and above my price range (about $5k and chiefly Dynaudio, B&W and the Krell LATs) comes up short. Generally, the sound is more etched, narrower soundstage and more like listening to speakers and recordings of music than actual music. While I haven't heard many of the speakers talked about here, the only speakers I recall hearing at a sane (to me) price were Quads. All the virtues of the Synthesis, plus more detail on individual instruments and soundstage.
Back when I bought them I was originally going to get Rogers LS3/5as, but one listen was enough for me to scrape up the extra dough to get a used pair. Used with Dyna Stereo 70, then Berning EA-230, and most recently with a parallel single ended 300B tube amp it still gives some of the best sound I have ever heard. Midrange to die for, and the midrange is where the music is. Downsides: no deep bass below about 45 - 50 Hz (midbass is fine), a bit soft in the highs, beamy trebles and no louder than life rock concert levels, but it will play surprisingly loud.
I've heard demos of Infinity IRSes, Apogee ribbons, various Martin Logans, and Avantgarde Duos and I've still got them as my main speaker. My favorite comment about the Quads was when I mentioned to an audio salesman that I had them and he said, "Well, I guess I'm not going to be selling you any speakers."
I know that I'm late into this post but I have to concur with LoveMan. The Beveridge 2 SWs are an almost miraculous speaker and if you haven't heard them you really owe it to yourself to do so. Quad 57s with tubes and Rogers LS35as with tubes if you're looking for a nearfield solution (you have good taste Jim). The new Lipinskis are mighty, mighty good. To this day the most realistic impression of a live event I have ever heard (save my experience with the Beveridge) were through Frieds C/3-L with SM/3 Subwoofers and updated drivers. I'm talking about the uncanny illusion of being transported to the original event. Amazing! I did hear the Thiels once and got the impression of absolute nutrality, probably accuracy but it didn't exite me. I also have to add that I did have a pair of AR 10pi and to this day wish I had never let them go. Oh well.
I bought a pair of Von Schweikert VR7 SE's, and received them right before last New Years Eve. I'm finish. The speakers won't move until I sell the house (they are 370 pounds each). That won't be for another ten years or so. I love them. On a separate note I also purchased a new darTZeel NHB-108 and NHB-18NS. I plan to keep this amp and preamp combo until death do us part.
Not sure about for life, but I tend to hang onto gear rather than selling it. So I still have my KLH-5's from 1968. That's a lifetime for many! My Vandersteen 3's date from 1992. My Magneplanar 1.6's I've had since 2000. There have been others in and out, but these are long-term relationships, and I appreciate them all. Doesn't mean I think any of them are great, but they each have a point of view on the music that I appreciate.
My main focus these days has been on the Magneplanars. I've actively bi-amped them with tube amps, added Mye stands, directly connected the drivers to my tube amp outputs with super-short wires... modded to the hilt and every step has brought new insights. Fun stuff, this hobby.
I've got an Eico HF81 that's in search of the right speakers. Oh, I've had it since 1971 (as a gift from my uncle, who bought it factory wired in 1959-60). Guess I'll post it as a question to the forum.
this thread has made me want to listen to more speakers! I admire the passion particularly of the Apogess owners (gotta check out the new North Creek ribbon: George Short used to be a designer at Apogee). I really need to hear some Green Mountain Audio stuff. And the JMR Offrande which i know I can't afford. Good stuff!
I cant imagine parting with my AR-9's. That said, in the end i would keep the ADS L-810. In a side-by-side A/B comparison the 9's easily best the 810's by a wide margin, but the 810's have a euphonic quality about them that is pleasing.
Ohm Acoustics has been in business for over forty years. Notice how many of their speakers you find offered for sale here or anywhere else. Check out such reviews as can be found. Check out the prices and services. No abuse of the term 'unique' here.
EZ! JBL 250Ti's 1st edition w the statement crossovers. Circa 1985. Serious potential in those big boxes! Move xover outside, upgrade wiring, reinforce & brace box(triple the back panel to start) so it is truly 'inert' (mine now weigh 490 lbs each), felt the front, add a couple of bypass caps & a stable base. Fabulously detailed, dynamic & musical 'full range' speakers for classical & jazz lovers.
For the past 11 years, I have been listening to a pair of speakers I designed to be released as my statement loudspeaker product. They are a 5 driver, full range design using all VIFA products and standing 5 feet tall. I played with the prototype for 3 years before being 100% satisfied with the design.
I never did release the speaker but have had my prototype pair running in my home system since day one. I am an audio dealer with a ton of options to bring into my home but never found a reason to replace my speakers. They provide me and my family with outstanding music on a daily basis and are now also part of my families HT setup.
On a similar note, I have been driving these speakers with the same integrated amplifier for about 6 years now and once again, find no need to change.
MERLIN VSM..... boy do I wish I still had mine. If I ever have the money for a really nice system again I will buy these in a heartbeat. Then I'll get a Berning ZH-270 and be set for life.... at least for my taste.
I'm driving mine with Spectral and top line MIT . 'Extreme' ac power isolation/filtration(including EQ balanced power)was needed to really show what the sound could be like and provided OTL sweetness & nuance. The 250Ti's just got better & better.
Tidal Contriva (and if I won big in the lottery, the only speaker I could think of for replacement would be Tidal Contriva Diacera)
With the actual ambition to find myself speakers for life, I had spent over three years listening to a range of speakers, some of which were, well, almost there. Trying to convince myself each time that this was the best it could possibly get within the confines of my apartment, there always was a nagging sentiment that said "no" for reasons I mostly found hard to explain. When I heard the Tidals, everything just fell in place: music versus "a particular way of music rendition" such as I had heard it before.
ADS L810s get my vote. When I first heard them in about 1974, they blew my mind with their incredible clarity and definition. I finally bought a pair in 1979, and I absolutely loved them until my son blew them up listening to Magical Mystery Tour at ear-shattering volume (yes, I'm a proud dad!). Those speakers were simple, beautiful, and, when I eventually coupled them with a subwoofer, the system outperformed many "full range" speakers costing many thousands of dollars.
My family have the B&W Matrix 802 series 3 for 15 years now. I have listen to these speakers since I am a little teenager. I think I will hang on to them for a few more years. In the future I plan to update with B&W Prestige Series or the Calix Phoenix Grand Signature. I think both of them is in the same price range. But I don't see many reviews about either one. I think the only drawback of the Nautilus Prestige Speakers require 4 stereo amps or 8 monoblocs. I think is too much of space to allocate for that or biamps would be okay.
I've still got my JBL L100t's from 1986, but they are in the bedroom system now. I upgraded the bass transducer to a pro-series and although they lost a little on the lower end the mid-bass can kick your heartbeat out of step.
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