The best speaker you ever heard?

WHT PR1 from down under

The Living Voice Air Partner is without doubt the greatest of all the speakers that I have heard. The Living Voice Tone Scout is a good second and the Carfraehorn 'Big Horn' is also in the running possibly as third best. I would give a lot to own any of these!

Bose Acoustic Wave System series 2 !

Where o where is Listener 57 with his Green Mountain Callistos?!
There you go. Saved you the post...

Probably Von Schweikert VR4's. But I have Acoustat 2+2 and Ambience 1600's with REL strata 3 sub which works for me!

I am a newbie on this site and I have read some interesting threads on 'whats best', my 2cent thread is;
A good loudspeaker has simply to make the music sound like real people playing, as if they were playing in front of you. If your system has a particular 'good' listening level, then your system is flawed, a good system should sound the same (quality wise, not loudness) at whatever level the volume is set and not improve as the decibels get louder. There is no such thing as a bad recording. There are systems that can't make musical sense out of the music, beit a cd or LP.

"There is no such thing as a bad recording"

Trust me there is

Several people mentioned Alan Hill's Plasmatronic speakers. I had the privilege of hearing them in Alan's home in Albuquerque. The treble is indeed excellent, but the paper cone bass drivers were only adequate. Even the new Martin Logan Vantage has a better integrated bass, and Revel has an excellent response match across the spectrum. Of course, none of those speakers existed thirty years ago when Alan first made his Plasmatronics! Those were the best of their era, and if Alan ever turns his attention to making a full-range Plasmatronic (which he assures me he could do), it might be the best speaker ever. The only reason for saying "might" is price and electrode life in air. He would need quite a development budget to get rid of the helium tanks!

The best speakers I have heard are Impulse H1 horn loaded.
They play anything and everything and makes Cd's/LP's that one thought of as mere lesser sound quality sound truly wonderful. Of course pucker recordings sound incredible. Music to my ears.

DON MORRISON OMNI DIRECTIONAL SPEAKERS

IMHO, the Sonus Faber Guarneri Hommage in my system with the Rowland 8( choke power supply) and the CAT signature is the best sound I have heard from a speaker. While some larger models like the Maxx 2 and Vandy 5A will go lower in the bass, their intimacy on vocals, small ensemble and acoustic instruments is not even close. ( at least in the pairs I have heard) again IMHO.

There is no such thing as a bad recording.

Oy vey. The BETTER my system gets, the more recordings I'm discovering as bad.

1st place: B&W Nautilus.
2nd: Sonus Faber Stradivarius.
3rd: Alexandria

Hey Rockadanny,
I would suggest sire that you substitute the word 'better' for the word 'worse' if your cd's/lps are not sounding as they should. I still stick by what I say that 'there is no such thing as a bad recording', obviously there are mediocre/lesser engineered recordings, of which I have a wonderful cd of Albert Ammons/Pete Johnson duets circa 1940?, comparing it to The utterly brilliant 'Wall' by Pink Floyd 1980? would be foolhardy. Both are extremely listenable, and no way would I say the 'boogie boys' cd was bad. All a hi-fi system has to do is give your ears a treat, EVERYTIME you turn it on and be musical with ANY CD/LP your heart desires. There is no such thing either as a 'perfect' system coz no matter how hard you try you are never gonna compete with the Boston Symphony Orchestra or AC/DC in your living room!!!. Everything hi-fi system is a compromise, some are more of a compromise than others.
Ps-being more expensive (or outrageous) doesn't equal quality either.
Happy listening................

Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy. Doesn't matter which version. In a word "AWESOME" !!!!

Wilson Audio Watt/Puppy. Doesn't matter which version. In a word "AWESOME" !!!!

The speaker that surprised me the most was Totem Model 1 and model 1 Signatures. I was convinced they were bigger than they actually appear. Very dynamic too!!!

Gawdbless - Huh? My point is that well recorded/engineered material is so much MORE enjoyable as my system improved, that the poor recorded/engineered material became less so because thanks to my quality system I know (or can imagine) how much more enjoyable a bad recording could have been were it properly recorded. The difference in recording quality becomes more obvious to me with a better quality system. I treasure clarity and musicality. And these attributes have improved with my system improvements. So much so, that I have higher expectations now with recorded material. And when I run across an inferior recording it pleases me less than when my system was less improved.

Vandersteen 5A's. Actually, the whole Vandersteen line gives you much more for your money than others, but the 5A's set up properly are real killers. Read the literature and you'll know why, but listen to them and you will understand

Hi again Rockadanny,
I totally agree with your last sentence. But us hi-fi purists' all want 'clarity and musicality' from our chosen genres, thats why we spend so much money on trying to get it to enable us to reach our hi-fi 'nirvana'. All cd/lp's when played should have 'clarity and musicality' when the system is balanced, otherwise we have wasted our hard earned dollars and have to spend more time pacifying our other halfs when we need to buy the next piece of super duper/must have/can't live without it/ piece of equipment (usually expensive and a bit tricky hiding speakers that are 6' tall) lol. I still maintain IMHO that there is no such thing as a duff recording, only a bad system that can't make clarity and musicality out of the said recording.
The simplest (and cheapest) solution to all our angst is to buy a cheap portable $100+ from Walmutt.
keep it live.

For all you guys crying "Watt/Puppy!", I have to ask if you've heard the Hyperion 938s? I have them and I doubt that they're the best speakers in the world but they are pretty damn good. Are the reviewers who've said they're better (or as good as) the Puppys at 1/5th the cost all wet?

I have spoken to several people who have considered the Puppys to be far overpriced for what they do. FWIW.

I have spoken to several people who have considered the Puppys to be far overpriced for what they do. FWIW.

You can always find people to confirm any opinion, and they'll virtually line up to disparage a successful product or company. I suspect you'll find many 938 owners comparing their speakers to the WPs, but few (if any) WP owners replacing them with 938s because of the same claim. Other than the obvious aesthetic mimicry, the 938 does not compare the WP, at least not to the WP7 or WP8. Not even in the same ballpark, IMO.

Back to the previously scheduled program...

Wilson sure spends oodles on advertising. Good for them. Personally, I find their ads to be very dull/ ho hum. I'd shop around for a different firm/different approach. I have not heard the Wilson 8s, but if they are anything like their others? Just not wild about their sound. I know of a Wilson Alexandria owner, and a Maxx owner, as well, who (way lower in price) who made the switch and was very happy. Just a little fwiw.

Sorry to digress on this thread, but I just have to ask Howard (since you won't reply to my emails) if he was the Howard Parr on the music credits from the move Mysterious Skin? I know you are a musician and I was just wondering. I realize Evita (Howard's wife) hates me, (woman hold grudges so much longer than guys) but maybe she will let you answer on the 'gon? thanks in advance, warren :)

Boa2,

There is a thread here on agon somewhere started by WP (6 or 7) owner who did in fact replace them with 938s.

I have a co-worker who has the Wilsons. Maybe Ill get to hear them someday.

Rockadanny, I suspect you've figured it out by now, but after reading the posts by Gawdbless, you know why low-fi and mid-fi exist. Geez, I wonder what drew him to this site? I suspect he could find nirvana on E-bay in the boom box section.

Nope, the trailor credits indicated Howard Parr music consultant, I believe. But thanks for the info... :)

That was fast. Howard Paar: so be it!

IMdb = 8 out of 10?? Man, are they lucy Pauline Kael is dead. She would have had a feast. Then, again, she wouldn't even review it.

Dynaudio Consequence with the Arbiter Amps , and the B&W Nautilus.

Sorry loveman that you do not appear to have the balls to respond directly back to me after you have read some/all of my threads on what are after all are only my humble thoughts on how hi-fi equipment should sound if it is worth its salt, or meat,potatoes and gravy If it was expensive gear. Perhaps, as you have gone on to a third party, you are seeking a little bit of solace from another 'gonner', or maybe a shoulder to cry on? as it were.
There will always be low fi cheap superstore systems, If there is to be a death it will be the top end fi first, just like a house market slump or the car industry the top end always loses more money than the bottom and therefore suffers more because 'Audiogoners' strange as it may seem are seriously in the minority(less than 1% of total sales I would imagine) when it comes to sales of anything that plays music. Getting back to the beginning, another outlet for blame for a system that does not make any lp's/cd's sound good is the totally useless 'shaver' sockets that adorn walls here in the US. And of course not forgetting the puny 110v electricity power supply that doesn't have enough juice to knock the kneecap of a nat.lol
keep listening.............

About 1990 I heard a pair of Inifinity towers(maybe 5 feet tall) that cost about $8,000 each. This was $8,000 in 1990 .....

Each speaker was being driven off it's own tube amp (monoblock) which I think was a Carver (not enirely sure about the brand).

WHile my recolection back that far isn't so hot .... I can not say I'v eheard anything that stunned me so much.

Triangle Magellan Concerto

My PMC IB2 monitors are the best speakers I've heard, within the range I can afford. That means until the Watt Puppys price.
They are stunning in an understated way. Transparent and powerful.

I just recently heard a pair of Apogee knock-offs from a Greek company called Analysis. The particular Analysis speaker I heard was called the Amphitryon, the largest in the line, and the most expensive at $20,000 pr. Jeff Wells, of Audible Arts, in San Jose, Ca. would be happy to share details on associated equipment. I currently own an amazing pair of Montana XP speakers that I felt I would probably keep for a long, long, time to come. The Analysis speakers absolutely "BLEW ME AWAY." They're sound was......."BREATHTAKING." Can't afford the Analysis, although I'm finding myself suddenly searching for a good pair of Apogee Divas.

Kkennymacc

" Can't afford the Analysis, although I'm finding myself suddenly searching for a good pair of Apogee Divas "

HeHe....I saw your wanted ad. You may want to drop a note on the Apogee speaker forum. We have members all over the world to help in your search...they also sometimes sell, as they move from one model to another.

There is (or will be soon?) a pair of Studio Grands, Scintilla, and Diva for sale in the United States if I recall correctly...all in top condition from what I recall reading.

Here is a link to our forum:

http://audioworld.com/cgi-bin/sw/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Apogee+Acoustics+Users+Group&number=1&DaysPrune=

Dave

Legacy Audio "Whisper"

Before you go head over heals over the Analysis Amphitryon (actually me thinks they're closer to $24k), listen to the new Apogee Synergy 1.5 (looks like the Scintilla, but very different in execution) when they come to these shores. Very expensive at $24k but priced similar to Amphitryon. The build quality seems to be on another level to the Analysis. The Synergys are actually smaller than the Amphitryon which are similar in size to the Diva, but weighs close to twice as much (close to 300 lbs each) due to extensive use of metal and much more powerful neodynium magnets. Alot more sensitive too at 95 dB than 86 dB for the Ananlysis. Some actually prefered the Scintilla over the larger Diva from what I recall. From what I read, the Synergy will play loud at 110+ dB and you only need 30 watts due to its high sensitivity. Original Apogee owners would kill for this.

This Apogee "Synergy" eulogy vs Analysis "Amphitryon" just caught my attention. It's intersting to compare published specs referred to above by Dracule

The Synergies spec 95dB "in 3000 c.ft room". Hence ~90 (?) single spkr anechoic. The Amphi etc specs 86 single anechoic so, say ~90-91dB accordingly. That's ~1/2 the sensitivity this far.

OTOH, Synergy rates impedance at 2.5ohm, rather tricky (but much better than the Scintilla); "you only need 30 watts/channel" yeah, and how many volts, and a hyper stabilised circuit:).

Amphi specs 4ohm which is even more benign for the average amp -- so, on the face of it much easier to drive.

Dracule tells us the Synergy hits 110dB spl (in room, both spkrs driven, I assume?). Similarly, the Amphi would require ~100W from a normal amp to reach 110dB spl (in room both spkrs... etc).

Synergy FR specs 20-25kHz (stereo?, in room, remember). Likewise the Amphi, but single anechoic. Both specs are elusive at best... i.e. how many dB down or up (unlikely) at 20? But at face value, the Amphi seems to spec better in room, both spkrs driven.

Basically, I've heard neither of the two (or if I have I don;t remember it). Just putting some thoughts on screen.

Gregm

This snip from a thread is from the very first "Synergy" owner...they don't sound like to tuff an amp load.

"The Synergy efficiency is at least 95 db/W, I actally think it could be more like 96 to 97. Impedance is around 2.5 ohms and very linear.
I was using single 70WPC Rowen monos at home, and even with constant 100db peaks for 20 mins they only got warm"

Anyone own, or heard the "Amphitryon" that can comment on their efficiency?

Dave

Hi Gregm,

Caveats apply to the specs since they're general without specifics. The Scintilla was measured close to flat down to 20 Hz (ie, real 20 Hz) if you read the originanl reviews back in the 80's, so I don't think the Synergy is any worse, maybe better. Also the bass "ribbon" in the Synergy has 1/3 less mass than the original Apogee ribbon. There's an option of getting a bass ribbon even lighter than that used in the company's most expensive Definitive (~$90k). The MRTW ribbon is "foil", without the plastic backing in the orginal Scintilla (me thinks), so much lighter also.

I don't know the technology behind the Analysis ribbons. But the guy who designed the Synergy has been THE Apogee repair guy since the company folded, and he has been steadily upgrading the ribbons with new materials and tighter tolerance with CNC cutting of the ribbons (original Apogee ribbons were hand cut).

Yes, 2.5 ohms is low, but because it's very flat much easier on amps. My understanding is that Synergy has been driven with relatively low wattage tube amps without problems, impossible feet for the Scintilla. The Ananlysis has nominal impedence of 4 ohms, but no specifics on the minimum.

I have seen the Amphityron up close at shows. Although the build quality looks good, probably better than the equivalent Apogge, I don't think it comes close to the Synergy. Personally I don't like the looks of the big Analysis. The Synergy looks more elegant and cleaner to me.

Getting 110+ dB from a pure planar speaker would be an awesome experience.

Next year I will embark on a journey auditioning these speakers among others to build an ultimate system. Proof is in the listening.

Gregm,

"The Synergies spec 95dB "in 3000 c.ft room". Hence ~90 (?) single spkr anechoic. The Amphi etc specs 86 single anechoic so, say ~90-91dB accordingly. That's ~1/2 the sensitivity this far."

I'm not sure how you made these calculations but seems like a lot of hand waving, not that my comparison wasn't either :-)

Like my grandaddy used to say......."It's a good thing we all don't like the same thing,........ cause everybody'd be after your grandma... hum.......best speaker I ever heard ... has to be Dale Carnagie seriously I've listened to the expensive ones, but I still like my ACI Sapphire II's with the Focal kevlar drivers mated with their Titan Sub

Well, I have heard a good speaker finally. One that does not have a boxy sound, that has a sharp leading edge, that has the pace of music, that images realistically, that has all frequencies arriving at the same time, and one where the speakers themselves vanish. The only problem is that the LSA Model 10 driven by the LSA/Exemplar components cost $80k.

Dracule -- a rule of the thumb: when driving TWO spkrs together inside a venue and feeding IDENTICAL signals, you get +6dB over the rated sensitivity of each spkr measured individually. But in the Synergies case, the spec is for music spl -- i.e. not identical signals, so the extra gain is less, say 4-5dB over the single spkr. So, the single spkr would spec 95-4 or 5= 90-91.
3dB: to go up (or go down) by three dB, you double the power (halve the power).
Cheers.

Acapella High Campanile.

Salk HT3 by Jim Salk. Hand made 3-way with ribbon tweeter. crossover by Dennis Murphy.

gthomas

JMLab/Focal Utopia with the Be tweeters's (any of them depending on your room size). Most transparent speakers around, high sensitivity yet full range and great with most any high quality amp (particularly tubes in my experience). Several cosmetic options. Not cheap but worth it.

Ah..Pgulrich, before you claim the JMLabs with Be tweeters are the "most transparent speakers around", have you heard the various current electrostats (SoundLabs, Audiostatic, Innersound etc), ribbon speakers (Apogee Synergy, Analysis Audio), and horns (Acapella with the plasma tweeter, Avant garde)? I've heard most of these speakers, and transparency is not one of the standout features of JMLabs (Grand Utopia Be) in comparison.