Speakers to mate with McIntosh gear

A speaker I've always liked myself, but aren't all that easy to find, in superb condition usually surpass their new cost, and would perhaps be a shipping nightmare- costly to ship, would be a JBL Pro Studio Monitor from the 4300 Series, such as the 4331, 4333, 4335.

These may not be the "imaging Champs" of all time, compared to more costly speakers, but as far as slam, clarity, power handling, bullet proof build, and the retaining of value-cost outlay, you probably wouldn't find a better speak ever built for the money.

The speakers that I mention above IMO will literally eat Klipsch Cornwalls for breakfast (And a lot of other multi-thousand dollar boutique speakers also).

Sure, many times, the 4300 line came either painted Blue, or even white, but they also did produce many with a nice walnut veneer. Guess many of these found their way into homes as much as Studios.

The Home of the Theater version many times were grey. Not much to look at I admit.
But akin to the old saying "Whattya want, good looks, or good sound"? lol

While the Cornwalls have a big-deep sound, and very high efficiency, so do the 4300 Series of Vintage JBL's, but the Klipsch Cornwall IMO lack the degree of articulation, detail, the ability to produce phenominal Mids, and tight clean Bass, dynamics, speed, and overall quality sound of the the large 4300's.
Ever see a Cornwall in a recording Studio?

Of course this is my opinion only, I've always been a big fan of the vintage JBL Lines, and others, or yourself may have different wants, and needs, so mileage may vary. Mark

XieKitchen, Not to be disrespectful of the Cornwall Speaker, nor of anyone who owns, or likes them, as I do feel this speaker is a timless classic.

They're quite large too, not exactly a "bedroom" speaker, that's for sure.

In my life, I've heard a few pairs of these, and one pair quite extensively over the years (my best friend's), but I will say this in their defense, the equipment that he was driving these with weren't exactly state of the art, very dated, and I'm very sure an Amp like a Mac 402, would certainly sound multitudes better extracting the best that the Cornwall has to offer.

Still, I feel the 4300 Series by JBL was in a completely different league altogether, being a professional product, and one I feel that JBL has never really quite duplicated since.

As they say, hindsight always has 20/20 vision, and my regrets are that I didn't buy a couple-few pairs of these 4300 Series Speakers years ago when they first hit the market.

One company that I took a bit of interest in a couple of years ago, was a Speaker Company called Gold Sound in Colorado. This business makes monitors that are somewhat "clones" to the old 4300's, with custom Oak Cabinets, and usually a choice of either JBL Pro, or TAD Drivers.

I believe there are indeed still in business, do sell kits with assembled cabinets, and sell all the needed Drivers, x-overs, etc, and did sound like a reasonable value for what they were. I believe their largest enclosure was too large to ship though (With an 18"JBL Bass Driver) and for this model they only offered the Cabinet Plans.

I have no idea if Gold Sound sold the Enclosures seperately, but it might be a possibility, and would save some cost if one had the required JBL Pro Drivers lying around? Mark

Most home speakers don't look too offensive nowadays, but yes, there are some beautiful speakers that come to mind that would really set off a room, and no doubt become instant conversation starters when one walks into a room, take Advantgarde, a pair of $40,000 B+W Nautilus, the MBL Radialstrauler as a few.

I can understand, somthing like a pair of old JBL Voice of the Theaters with a 23" sectional Horn bolted on top of a nasty painted Bass Cab won't have much of a WAF! (wife acceptance factor) no matter how killer hey sound. (great speakers though, if you have a listening room the size of a Gymnasium)

One speaker that I've always admired for their striking beauty, beautiful wood veneers, and reputed build, and sound quality are the Legacy brand. Downside, is I don't believe they have much of a dealer network to see, and here these in person, unless you live close to where they're made. mark

As far As McIntosh goes, I'm certain I would be correct, that you won't find the most expensive state of the art cutting edge componentry inside of them, but McIntosh seems to be a brand that was at least highly recognized for long lasting equipment. Probably one reason that they always held their value well. (At least the old stuff did, take the MC-240-MC75-MC-275 for example)

Some used to say, just buy a Mac Amp, and you're good to go for 20 years, then after 20 years, just buy another.

I myself have owned two MC-2105's that I bought new 32 years ago, and they have never had a need for servicing. Mucho equipment came, and went, the Macs hung in there, and there must be countless 10's of 1000's of hours of operation on them.

Whether the newer Mac gear will follow suit, I reckon only time will tell. Mark

Now your talkin Www! I remember, and have heard the Altec 604's. They were a Coax with the sectional horn mounted in the center of the driver, correct? (God, I'm really starting to show my age now!) lol

Now if we could only convice Altec, and JBL to go back to the good old days! Paragons, Hartfield, Voice of the Theaters, 4300 Series! mark