The best speaker you ever heard?

I am still searching. I love the altec re-issue 510's but wonder if I am missing out on something much better. My brothers have the 80's version altec 511's and love them. In fact one brother had both Altec studio Model 14's and 511's. He got rid of the 14's as the 511's had a much 'fuller' sound for a wide variety of music. He liked the pop of the 14's but again just that was not enough. He also compared the 19's to the 14's back when he bought them but thought the 19's were overstated and base overpowered the mid's. He kept the 511's. I cannot find reviews on the 510's or 511's and keep searching. One audiophile and speaker manufacturer told me that if you love what you have 'you're done then'. I should be but I really would like to first find some opinions and reviews on the 510's.

I appreciate what you are saying. I have tried to educate myself over the years. Back in the 70's and 80's I never had the opportunity - or the interest - to invest in a fine sound system. In the last 10 years I have had more time to listen and appreciate music. I remembered the Bias 550's and the 512's and know of the other Altec lineup but have been drawn to Klipsch of late. Problem was...and is..there is nowhere to hear a variety of speakers where I am located. So I go back to reading and research which brings it back to your comment! I have never seen such a diversity in 'the best speaker you ever heard'! One thing comes up time and again in my search...listen to them first as everyone's tastes are different. I will no doubt continue to do research but will in the meantime just enjoy the reproduction of sound coming from my 510's. Maybe my brother's 511's will come my way. (I would still like to see some kind of reviews on these some day) Thank you for your comment!

I believe at this point I will try a different approach before I 'check in but never leave'. If I find a source that could provide a recommendation for speaker 'pre-treatment' or upstream equipment such as amps, pre-amps, table and cartridge along with cd player, then I would know that I am giving these particular speakers the chance they deserve. If there is a site or source where one could plug in the specs or basically provide all of the site data on these 510's and get some suggestions on how to power them up to get the most out of them I may stop there..(for now..my user name has a reason for being). But matching up reasonably priced equipment for these lower cost speakers (based on all of the speakers mentioned here) maybe I will find a big improvement in what I already consider wonderful sound. I use an old Sherwood from the 70's and a newer Sony high watt amp, plus an old Dual table from the 70's with a ??cartridge from the Dr. in the twin cities. My brother picked up a new table and cartrige from the Dr. at about $1500 and it made a world of difference in his system. I am embarrased to say that I do not come close to what others on this site seem to spend but I will progress as necessary. Just can't close the IRA at this point..suggestions? Be harsh..I don't mind.

Thank's Macrojack. I appreciate the advice and the suggestions. As does my wife...well at least one of the suggestions she is on board with...unfortunately it is join the gym.

I am going to take a close look at my system, make a couple improvements in the turntable area, find out a bit more about my amp and pre-amp, definately have more music to buy as my tastes are very wide ranging, ecclectic I guess you could say - if I spelled it right - and go from there. As far as best speaker, yes as I read through this thread I can see the potential for disaster in many ways.

For now I am going to keep involved with reading and studying but maybe I can keep it at that..I do enjoy it.

Meantime I go back to the round table for a possible name change - very good by the way - and then.......off to the gym I guess.