I personally don't buy anything because of its name. I didn't even like many of the brands that I know love. Many reason's for this from changed hearing to knowing different dealers to brands upgrading and changing sound signature.
You can throw out the main brands that have been around with teh same designers. Proac, Vandersteen and Wilson come to mind. I personally like the newer Wilson's better than the older ones that Dave had designed.
When Vandy went to carbon fiber it blew me away for SQ (where I put my money after so many Proac years). There are many newer brands that are producing some great sound and many for a bit less than they could charge. We are lucky to have enough top lines to listen to for all different hearing types.
Seems like both are in Absolute Sounds. Often I notice great components are in one and not the other. Very political and that's why I rarely read them anymore. JMHO.
Vandersteens and Maggies! Its a shame that Stereophile doesn't keep them on their semi-annual lists because they don't change models so often as to keep them in current review samples.
Vandersteen's have always kept their value as well or better than most since they don't change that often. They are a top value to begin with (at all price levels), so they are going to always be a good value on the open market.
Companies that come out with a new model or mark whatever every two years hurt their own resale value. Just look up on the site as to what speakers are really selling for and not just listed for and you will see.
Wilson Benesch ProAc M.Logan Sonor Audio Claro 6.2 or 8.2 .. Sonor Audio is from South Africa. Incredible value for money. They also have a hybrid integrated amp there called the Predator and a BlackWidow power. This drives ML and the rest stunningly. Exceptional detail and control.
@waterzlife "
My best friend had Sound Lab A1's. WHAT THEY COULD DO!
For fun...we played 350 w/channel into each - and played an excellent recording of a steam-powered ralroad train approaching at max speed from afar...getting closer ( you start to feel vibrations in the floor) ..closer (the house's wooden floor is rumbling now)....closer still ( the floor is shaking -...the train roars past ( the floor is threatening to rip away from the walls !!!!) . I WAS SCARED OUT OF MY SHOES!!! Neither of us had the guts to do it again." You made my morning!
I'll second the Phase Techs. I have the PC 60 speakers (with subwoofer with built-in crossover) and they sound great. I did replace the drivers several years ago (the foam surrounds had deteriorated) – the good folks at Phase Tech had them for about $100.00 each (they had to make up the subwoofer for me, but it was apparently no problem). Still going strong!
No, they are not as good as my current daily listeners (Harbeth P3esr with REL t51 sub), but they only cost $650 (back in '84, equivalent to about $1600 today, about half the cost of the Harbeths/REL). Amazing value!
Thank you to all who have responded so far The information is helpful in looking back over 45 years of being involved in audio.
I called off my new speaker quest about 3 months ago, but decided to resume it. The Golden Ear Technology 7's speakers are very good, but are not cutting it for me after 4 years of ownership
Before ascending into a new price category, I have considered the Ohm Walsh 1000's, Magneplanar .7 speakers. and a "used "pair of Von Schkwerit V4's These are three different approaches to sound.
Basically I am looking for a fuller sound than GAT 7's. without sacrificing coherency
There are many, but the first two responses hit my two immediate choices - Totem and Vandersteen. Some of those old LS3/5A's are also nice if you have a small room.
Youll barely see any Phase Technology PC Line of speakers for sale on the used market.
Ive owned the PC 3.1 Series II and recently purchased the newer versions a month or two ago the PC 3.5. These speakers have been in production since 2009-10.
vandersteen 3 a sig, Aeriel acoustics 7b or 10t, Revel F30, Magnapan ...
Not 15 years old but Usher is very, very good....Dancer series. Also if you can find for under $5000 the Wilson Audio Sophia 1, wow.!! These are all recommended from personal experience ..I have owned all of these, my favorite was Usher audio CP 8571..Dancer series.
My best friend had Sound Lab A1's. WHAT THEY COULD DO!
For fun...we played 350 w/channel into each - and played an excellent recording of a steam-powered ralroad train approaching at max speed from afar...getting closer ( you start to feel vibrations in the floor) ..closer (the house's wooden floor is rumbling now)....closer still ( the floor is shaking -...the train roars past ( the floor is threatening to rip away from the walls !!!!) . I WAS SCARED OUT OF MY SHOES!!! Neither of us had the guts to do it again.
If we’re including pre-loved speakers, amongst established brands i’d include Klipsch, Harbeth, Devore Fidelity, Joseph Audio, Magnepan and Martin Logan. In newer players, Gold Note.
Totem Acoustics and in particular, though not exclusively, the Hawk and Forest floor standers. They have introduced a higher end version of the Forest (Forest Signature) but the original-design Forest remains available from Totem.
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