Speakers which always sound good

I'm checking them out!
I'm checking them out!
I got it figured out!
I got it figured out!
There's good points and bad points.....
Find a speaker!
Find myself a speaker that always sounds good......  

One candidate I'd like to think about too is the Audio Note Snell derived speakers.  They thrive in corner placement, but then seem to sound very consistent. 

Maggies do not always sound good. They require proper amplification (ample), otherwise they sound anemic. Placement is also critical. Hence, not universally good sounding unlike a Harbeth.  Great speaker potential though when set up and power are done correctly.

Extensive auditioning of Harbeths-always sounded good with all types of music, equipment and easy to set up and pair up to equipment.   Von Schweikert for not making a less than musical speaker but requires more effort than a Harbeth to get them set up correctly.

I wonder about Avantgarde, just because their horns radiate so differently than most. It is my belief, based on the literature, they attempt a spherical wavefront, right?

Seems like they want to be in a more controlled environment.

I have only heard them at shows in hotel rooms, I can tell you that in those cases I was not impressed, so for this use case, of putting them anywhere, they seem to have missed for me.  What do others think??

I find Avantgarde Acoustics' Trio sounding great just about everywhere, no matter what the surroundings are, soft or hard walls, size and shape of room, etc. - thanks to the horn tech. Wondering what's your experience.

Imo there are general design attributes which can contribute to a speaker sounding consistent (and hopefully consistently good) from one room to the next.

If the reflected or reverberant energy sounds like the direct sound, then whether the room returns a little or a lot of reflected energy, and whether those reflections arrive after a short reflection path (small room) or a long one (large room), the in-room sound will at least be similar. This is generally true north of the bass region; we’ll come back to the bass region in a minute.

The most obvious way to get the reflected energy to sound like the direct sound is to use an omnidirectional speaker. However this can result in too much reverberant energy in the room. Often uniform or otherwise intelligently-controlled dispersion over a less-than-omndirectional angle works a bit better in smaller rooms.

In general a wide-baffle speaker is more consistent from one room to the next than a narrow-baffle speaker. This is because wide-baffle speakers require less baffle-step compensation, and baffle-step compensation increases the relative amount of off-axis energy in the lower midrange region, which in turn typically increases the spectral discrepancy between the direct and reverberant energy.

In the bass region, the boundary reinforcement situation differs so much from one room to another that either a significant amount of adjustability or relatively room-insensitive approaches are beneficial. For instance, a powered subwoofer system can be adjusted independent of the rest of the spectrum, and is therefore relatively room-adaptable.

Here are a few specific suggestions of speakers which are particularly good in a wide variety of rooms. This list is by no means complete; consider these to be examples of approaches which work well, rather than being definitive answers.

The Gradient Revolution combines a uniform-directivity coaxial mid/tweet section in a cardioid enclosure with an inherently room-boundary-insensitive dipole woofer section. Other Gradient models also take room interaction into account much moreso than most speakers.

The Dutch & Dutch 8c uses a constant-directivity waveguide-loaded tweeter + a cardioid midwoofer, mated to a sealed woofer section, employing powerful DSP to integrate the drivers with each other and, in the woofer region, with the nearest room boundary.

The Snell Type A may have been the best wide-body, room-boundary-friendly cone-n-dome design ever. Sadly discontinued, it is worth taking a look at as an example of how to do it right.

MBLs are probably the most well-know true omni (in the horizontal plane at least) speakers, but ime they tend to sound best in large rooms where the early reflection path lengths are fairly long.

The fullrange SoundLab electrostats which use a 90 degree pattern have arguably the most uniform radiation pattern of anything that’s not a true omnidirectional, and their inherently reduced sidewall interaction makes them more smaller-room-friently. Like all dipoles and bipoles, they sound best with a fair amount of distance between them and the front wall. Imo the 45 degree pattern versions offer a worthwhile improvement with their higher direct-to-reverberant sound ratios, at the expense of some sweet spot width.

The Revel Salon 2 and many of its smaller siblings are specifically designed to produce an off-axis response which tracks its on-axis response closely.

The PiSpeakers 3Pi is an imo excellent and affordable underground giant-killer woofer/horn hybrid loudspeaker which gets its pattern control from a large diameter midwoofer + a very well-designed constant-directivity horn.

The Larsens are designed to go right smack up against the wall, as is the Sjofn (the clue), so while not necessarily adaptable to a wide variety of room situations, these offer viable options for specific/difficult situations.

As you can probably tell room interaction is an area that I think matters. In general my approach is to use a fairly uniform-pattern front-firing horn/midwoofer array combined with an adjustable rear-firing array, with either a user-tuneable bass loading or a separate subwoofer section.

The above list is by no means comprehensive.

Duke
disclaimer: I am or have been a dealer for some of these.

You know in another thread some one reminded me of the KEF Kube and then I thought of the B&W equivalents.

Having an electronic contour for speaker's bass response is such a wonderful thing I wish it was more popular.  Those makers were very much thinking of how much speaker placement would vary in homes, and the features they included are not easily or completely replaced by tone controls even as advanced as the Schiit Loki.

Audio Physic - especially the older versions. I have AP Scorpios that have been easy to set up in both a large open room and a smaller closed room. They disappear in almost any room - possibly because of the 4 side firing woofers. They are efficient and have stellar bass.

I agree with the Sonus Faber votes.

Ah.

To be clear, this is not really me shopping.  This was for discussion.

Eric, to answer your last question, room dimensions. Since you are looking, I suggest that you consider the optimal room dimensions discovered by U of Salford's School of Acoustics. They have done the simulations, which are available to the public.

They found that most rooms are bad, a quarter are OK, and a few percent are good. There are a number of 'islands' of 'good' ratios which yield first class results, at three room sizes. Adding some book shelves and record shelves gives some flexibility for adapting an existing room. Good luck!

The  one big complaint I have about nearly every box speaker, I have spent any time with, regardless of how expensive - no mater how diligent you are with set up, you may be able to get them to sound incredible when firmly seated in the sweet spot, but move a few inches either direction or up or down a few inches and the big stage, placement and most of the magic seems to disappear. After spending a bit of time with set up and dampening on the wall behind, my little Maggies keep the stage, imaging and timber fixed, with the illusion of being real, regardless of where you set or stand.
Since I seldom can stand to set in one very fixed spot or position for hours at a time - my choice would always be electrostatics, ribbons or open baffle, regardless of the room.....Jim

There’s a pair of Manger P1’s listed on Agon and have been for a long time.  I’ve owned Von Schweikert, ProAc, Sonus Faber, Fritz, Aurum Cantus, Totem, Talon, Wharfedale, Quad, KLH, Jungson and have listened to Merlin, Maggie, Silverline, Focal, Merlin, Martin Logan, Vienna Acoustics, Jamo, Polk, among others. I now own the Manger P1 floorstanders and prefer them to every brand listed above.  Difficult for me to believe the Mangers have yet to sell.  Just a fabulous loudspeaker.  

I have really enjoyed this thread! Some pretty entertaining characters and some pretty informative answers. So many options! Some of the speaker (arrangements?) I am not even familiar with such as the planars, line arrays, Horns etc...So many brands mentioned that I have never even heard of. I really do need to take a road trip to visit some high end audio stores but for me it would almost have to be a week with so far to drive. Much much research to be done for sure. A couple standouts from the post offered were the Larsen's, the Diesis, the Ohm omni-directionals, and the Magicos.

Joesph Audio, and never look back..

Of speakers that I have listened to I believe that Sonus Faber and recent Tannoys fit the description 'easy to listen to'  under most environments.  I most recently purchased the Tannoy Sterlings.

Have to agree with a couple of your responses...

The Harbeth M30.1’s or 30.2’s with the Hegel H390 integrated amp.

Or... a pair of one of these, if you have room size and location limitations - because they’re omnidirectional.

https://ohmspeaker.com/speakers/

I have loved my Yamaha NS 1000 M’s, my Harbeth 30M’s in many apartments over the years- not terribly location dependent.
My Maggie 3.6’s, Klipsch K-horns-
too hard to move, set up- more location-dependent, never owned them until I wasn’t gonna move again- might they have been just as wonderful in other layouts?- dunno, just too damn big.

" without having to think about the room acoustics or placements"

None. But I'd go with a line array as the safest because it cuts down on the focus of the vertical plane. Horns are next because they are more directional. Klipsch Cornwalls go against the wall, so no placement issues.

The folks you describe don't sit down and listen to music unless it's associated with a video and are generally satisfied with a soundbar as an upgrade. As far as music the best answer I saw in this thread is Headphones. I will add they also listen to music in the car. So Focal car speakers is plan B.

Yet another vote for Sonus faber. Easy to place. Wide choice of models and prices. Always work well with a wide variety of amps, SS or Tube. I've owned a few, and currently own Sonetto V's. Look as good as they sound.

Revel. 

Magico A5's    BIG ROOM  Magico M6 
 
Audionet Watt Integrated amp   BIG ROOM  Audionet Humboldt Integrated amp
 
Audio Note CD Players.. better than Vinyl !
 
Silversmith Audio FIDELIUM Cables.. Major-Breakthrough !

Well, I think Monitor Audio is a good British brand, but not sure about how well it plays in the avg. vs. ideal setting.

@sokogear

Have you listened to KEF's in a variety of environments??

KEFs

I think most British two way monitors are generally very musical and consistently good sounding speakers.  There’s a lot to choose from here but you can’t go wrong with ProAc, Spendor, Epos, Castle, Linn or KEF, IMHO.

I had too much experience with YG's, Harbeth's and Magico's, i think noone can judge those big brands or criticizes, if they are not playing good it was our problem, but if you like to have pure , refined sound without any of box resonance you must go for Open Baffles, end of too many years i bought Diesis Audio speakers, those open baffles are very very good in every way!

I know that not everyone likes the omni-directional sound, but if you do, they are hard to beat for ease of placement in a room.  I've had a few different models of Mirage omni's and the original Omni-Sat's were the best.  Pair with a subwoofer in whatever location works best for the room, and you can place the omni-sats on the wall, ceiling, stands, shelf.  They just sound good.  They have more presence then the micro or nano versions, and are much easier to place then the tower version.  Don't get me wrong, they are not as good as Maggies, Focal's, or any other "audiophile" grade speaker, but they do sound very good and are very consistent with whatever room you put them in.

I just have to say, it is true, I have yet to see a house that has a good room for a stereo. It is frustrating. But then again audiophiles are probably in the 1% category.

I can say that I'm firmly in the below 50% category.

I've always enjoyed PSBs. The sound good, are built well. and don't break the bank

I am very happy with my Revel F228Be fed with a Vitus R-100 and Lumin T2.

I just have to say, it is true, I have yet to see a house that has a good room for a stereo. It is frustrating. But then again audiophiles are probably in the 1% category. 

I like my A speakers to be my Advent 6003’s. I’ll pair these with either my New Advents, or else the Heresy Klipsch as my B speakers, depending.
For low to mid volume, I can listen to just the 6003’s all. day. long. 
-John

*S*  I'm happy to read this topic has brought the omni-culture out...👍

@cal91...In reality, no....reading the book, that is...
I prefer to make up my own life without the influence of epic tomes or modern versions.  Besides, we all make up our own 'daze' on the fly to some extent anyway....;)
A friend (I do have some...I do make them myself, to some degree...*L*) in Houston, quizing me as to 'why don't you 'do' Art; suddenly blurted:

"I get it!  Your Life IS Your Art!"

*PG pause*
"...well, that's as good an excuse as any I might make....Thanks! *L*"

If you've noted some simularities 'twixt me and the Joyce; refer to the statement that follows most movies....

"Any simularities to people and events in real life..."
...is Your Problem. *L* 

"Officer, I don't know Any of these people.  Life is just a huge shared hallucination anyway..."

Other than cursing parrots (which I'd like as a ringtone), best comment of the day...

'Never mistake my silence for weakness.
No one plans a murder out loud.'

That shirt I would buy.....wear to parties...or the next AXPONA.
You will know me by the clothes and the sound protection earphones I wear....;)

Not perfectly flat in measurements, I nonetheless have loved Totems both for their musicality and their ease of placement within many types of space. 
I also agree with the one or two folks who recommended Ohm Speakers if a standard dynamic isnt a requirement. Not sure why this brand, which was a hifi darling in the 80’s, is no longer reviewed regularly. Could it be because of their direct sales marketing and lack of advertising in the main publications? That is, no quid pro quo with the audio mags?

If you're looking for universal speaker that works in all room configurations, then you're going to have to settle for a compromise.

An omni-directional speaker would probably be the answer.

You can do it on the cheap with a Bose 901 or high end with the MBL 101 X-treme (~$263,000)

If you want a stable stereo image wherever you are listening, mbl or Ohm would be the ticket.  Don't think the former would be something for the general public, though, at their prices.  I had considered mentioning line arrays, like Sceana or the Pipedreams, as they can be listened to and sound amazing in the nearfield, but I didn't mention them because I don't think most of the public wants speakers of that size in their living rooms.

Aerial Speakers.

For a speaker that maintains a stable stereo image, there’s The GoldenEar Triton 1’s.

You know I was actually thinking of Revel and Magico for the same reason.  One thing they share is really great off-axis listening.  They maintain a stable stereo image almost anywhere in front of them.


Best,

Erik

For the money, I would look seriously at the Revel Performa3 line (not the BEs, I don't quite understand those) as a great speaker for general public.  I had a pair for years and it was only when I tried to go beyond them that I discovered how limited a lot of more premium speakers are but this is not a thread about that.  

They work in most rooms.  Have great dispersion and off axis performance.  Lots of detail but not fatiguing.  Compared to their peers they deliver a big and immersive soundstage.  They can be driven relatively easily (at lest the bookshelf speaker) and sound good driven a Denon or Marantz receiver.  

Subwoofer integration is easy with the bookshelf speakers and the floor standers have good bass response.  They are smallish and have a relatively high WAF.  True broad appeal...feels like a good option.  

@erik_squires Whatever you decide on, make sure you set the room up with 4 subwoofers, 1 in each corner. I think this might be just the sound you’ve been looking for.

Sarcastically, 
Evan

No one if your talking full-range or close to. But if I really had to I would probably go for my JBL 4425’s :-)

Oops - changed a few minor things, like speaker position by an inch or two - lost half an octave. Ah well - there's Sunday.

I just moved and my Ohm 1000s went from a smallish 13X14X10' room to a larger open-plan room that is 18' long with vaulted ceilings and open to a dining room at one side. They still sound great. That said, as with the original room, I had to experiment with their placement -- small positioning changes made dramatic differences, but once that was done I have been very pleased with the results.

My opinion go to speakers. B&W 804 d and Vandersteen 2ce.
Used as reference points for setting up rooms and auditioning electronics.

asvjerry...This is off-topic, but have you ever read James Joyce's "Ulysses"?