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. |
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. |
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. |
I think Apogee Stage is a precious speaker despite its affordable price |
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I think I could live happily ever after with my Sonus Faber Guarneri. |
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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. |
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. |
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. |
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 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! |
I shoudl add and join the Sonus Faber Guarneri, I will hardly let them go. |
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? |
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... |
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 |
I had a pair of thrusters too! My first stereo set up - brings back memories! |
Panasonic thrusters........DY-NO-MITE!!!!!!!!!!!! |
tidal sunray! beautifull to look at, and an absolute delight to listen to! |
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.) |
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 ;) |
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. |
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! |
SP Tech Minis are really outstanding! ~! |
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.. |
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 |
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. |
Maggie 3.6R's and 20.1's...all the rest pale in comparison. |
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! |
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 doubt if the materials in any speaker could stand a lifetime of use. Maybe Lowther based speakers. |
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 |
allison ones, threes, or fours |
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.
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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 |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 have paradigm studio 100v2...i have had them for about 9 years....they are like tanks....real good bang for the buck...peace |
Last year's purchase of Guru QM-10s are a revelation for me and I'll probably hang on to them until I can afford the QM-60s or something comes along that can outpace their amazing musical flexability, price point and compact size. |
Polk SDA-SRS 2"s bought in 1988.Klipsch Khorns bought a 1987 vintage pair in 1992.I modded these with Beyma cp-25 tweeters and Alk Trachorns in 2006.I own seven pair of speakers but don't think I will ever sell either.I listen to the Khorns the most. |
Wilson Benesch Square two .... |
I've owned {two-pairs} of Polk Audio Monitor 10's. I have them suspended up on piano wire hanging at a 35 degree angled tilt to the listening area of my living room. Man! they are as good as "18' years ago... say what you want, but I haven't had the notion to look at anything else...
The Chops |
This is a really great thread indeed: I love to see that I'm not the only audiofool who likes to keep stuff that is good. It is a good way to actually get around to enjoy listening to music!
I'm owning a pair of QUAD ESL57's for well over 20 years now. I was lucky to bump into a pair that was rather special because they have silver grills, which was made especially for the Phonogram studios in the seventies. I believe that the Swedish radio also had this version. Their better appearance than the standard bronze certainly is a factor in wanting to keep them.
Two years ago I replaced all elements with refurbished units by Wayne Picquet, to make sure they'll last another twenty years or more.
I also managed to lay my hands on one of the twenty or so pairs of SW57 subwoofers that are built for the ESL57's. So both for performance and rarity I'm going to hold on to this combination until total deafness sets in, or worse. Playing music on those speakers manages to give me goosebumps time and time again! |
Having drifted away from my first high quality speaker experience, 12" Tannoy Dual Concentric, I sadly sold what I thought was my lifetime keepers, namely Dynaudio Contour 5.4's, I had decided to get back to my first love, Tannoy.
I had 1 7/8" thick 150 liter 192lb. custom enclosures in a front ported reflex design built to my specifications by Frank Wyatt (Wyatt Woodworking). They are finished in a high-gloss Pommelle Sapele, and have turned out beautifully. I had purchased a pair of 35 year old HPD 315 drivers (12" Dual Concentric) Tannoys on Ebay UK, and installed them with DH Labs Q10 Silvers, hardwired to replace the flimsy Tannoy connectors.
How do they sound? More like live music than any other speaker I have ever heard. The dynamics and scale of music are just more right than with any other dynamic driver I have heard. I am in the process of upgrading the old crossovers with Mundorf Silver in Oil Caps, but I assure you, these are my lifetime music partners, and unlike some marriages, which may become dissolute after a time, these custom, one-off beauties will go the distance. 'Til death do us part!
Thanks for taking the time to read this, enjoy,
Dan |
John,
Why do you hang your head in shame? It's obvious you loved your speakers... Were you doing something to the speaker you'd be ashamed if other people knew? :^) |
I had a 50 year old pair of altecs 420y. Sadly one just died monday. I hang my head in shame.....But it can be rebuilt I can make it better than it was before better stronger faster;) |
Been using and loving my Infinity RS 5 Kappa speakers for 18 years. The model was the two-way baby brother of the better-known 8 and 9 Kappas .I believe this model was only manufactured in 1989. The speakers have always been wonderful to look at and hear to me ! They had their surrounds re-foamed a year ago, as they finally failed, but now my concern is the crossover and some of its caps.Only the tweeter circuit has Wonder plastic ones. The rest seem to be electrolytes from Culver city.Does anyone have any idea what the sound degradation caused by 20- year-old dried up caps would be in practice? The sound to me today is OK, but if it's been turning worse gradually I guess maybe one doesn't notice...Changing the caps seems a dubious idea to me, since the circuit board and its solderings seem fragile and prone to be permanently damaged if the work (which is beyond my capabilities) isn't carried out very carefully. What do you say? Otherwise I*d be more than willing to go on with the Infinities "for ever"... |
Celestion 3's. These are bookshelves and I have had them for a long time. Maybe 15 years. They are outstanding speakers. I have never had to fix once. They are actually the fronts (on stands) in my home theatre now. I also use them as backups when I'm switching the 2 channel setup. |
