A well set up MBL 101 (E and onward) radialstrahler is the most impressive speaker I've ever heard. At certain shows, wandering into the MBL room makes every other speaker sound like drivers and boxes. Their top end was unique IMO. I've never heard cymbals truly sound just like drum cymbals in a room, vs "hey, those tweeters are pretty good" type sound. (And I don't just find them spectacular in terms of the obvious soundstaging: I found their reproduction of a kaleidoscope of believable timbral colors to be incredible).
I also heard them at some more controlled set ups. Finally got hold of the small stand mounted 121 version, which aren't of course as spectacular, but they still have to my ear almost uniquely natural upper frequencies.
I've never heard Magicos though, and would really like to. |
Hi Tvfreek
Did you try JBL studio 530?
You should.... :))
$600 VS $1500 |
Haven't heard that many speakers, but the KEF LS50 is spectacular. There may be a number of better speakers out there (its always a matter of taste) but I believe it will be very hard to find one that matches the sound, form and price of the LS50s. |
Labtec, I think most of us who have been around this for years agree with you, however on a thread like this of fun, you typically assume that folks are feeding the top speakers a top signal. I would disagree that a great speaker will sound like the worst with poor quality fed to it. It won't sound it's best, but it can still sound better than a terrible speaker being fed with a great signal. Both would sound poor obviously, but I'll take the speaker as being the most important part of the chain with the font end being second. JMHO |
I recently heard the Raidho c3.1 speakers and they are the best sounding I've ever heard. Was great is they are relatively small and a great looking speaker. |
I liked the Vandersteen 3aSigs vertically bi-amp with VTL mono blocks and 2-2wq subs. The last Vandi I owned were Mod 5 sigs like them a lot and kept them for awhile. When I heard Von Schweikerts that was a game changer for me. Started out with vr1, vr2, vr3 which I use in the ht system with LCR15 and TS-350s. In the main 2 channel room VSA VR 5 in vertical tri-amp configuration seems to float my boat and all my classical musicians player friends. So in essence I own what I like. The exception was Infinity Rs1 I think it was 4 7 foot high panels with tons of electronics sounded very good just too much gear. |
Ladycharnet....very interesting. Like Ctsooner....any pics and more info???
Thanks
Rick (RWD) |
very cool....do you have pics? How did you get the drivers? |
The infinity IRS I listened to had 16 EMITs per front and back, total of 32.
I later built what I had called the mini-IRS, using 9 EMIMs and 8 per side EMITs. These speakers were way better than the Infinity RS1/A/B, and when I mentioned it to the Infinity people it seemed one company owner thought it was a stupid idea, yet another said the IRS, helped sell the Infinity name and my speaker idea would not be worth its production costs.
This was much nicer than saying my idea was stupid.
My crossover design, simple 2-way, was much better than that complex design used in the large Q and RS models |
Magnepan 20.7 and its priced right! |
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in my own personal experience I have to say Advent 6003 speakers are best I have had. I bought a pair new in 1985 or 86. I first took home a pair of the large, 2 way Advents with the fried egg tweeter. my wife insisted on the 3 way speakers. we returned the 2 way speakers, and got the 6003s. never have regretted that. still have those. we had listened to a lot of speakers and for $650 for the pair new we thought those were a great buy. I sell Jolida audio gear. Have had quite a few Klipsch vintage speakers come through our store. The 6003s sound a good bit better than the Fortes, a bit better than the Cornwalls, and the 6003s put the RF52II and RF62II speakers to bed handily. No comparison there. Connected to the JD502CRC tube amp and using the FX DACIII jazz sounds live right there in the store. Norah Jones sounds so nice. There is not much information on these speakers. Made about 85 and 86. 3 way speakers, 10" woofer that does put out some bass. These are hard to find speakers, and rare to find in really good condition. If you ever have a chance to get a pair do so. With the right amp these are capable of being real exciting to listen to. And very real to life sounding. In my own opinion. In the old days Advent represented real value for an accurate sounding speaker. |
the 80k Rockports are pretty amazing too. Forget the name, but I've heard them really sing with some incredible amplification and vinyl. |
11-22-14: Mdemaio
The two that have stuck with me – each for a completely different reason - were the Volti Vittora and the Goldmund Prologos. + 1. The Prologos are very dynamic and musical speakers. They sound very smooth and are good sound stagers. I would love to hear the mighty Apologue Anniversary! |
I will go arc/sonus faber combination. I have ref3 if I go smaller I will get vsi60 arc integrated with sonus faber speaker. |
I have listened extensively to the new Auditorium-23 Cinema Hommage speakers. They are absolutely stunning in every way. Musical presence, soundstaging, instrument textures, timbral accuracy, transparency, dynamics, resolution, weight - everything I could ever hope for in music reproduction, rendered in a way and to a degree that I have never before experienced. It might take weeks or even months, but I am going to find a way to own a pair! |
Calvin - I was wrong on the SF model but this might actually be more relevant to your current direction.
The speakers he has are SF Electa Amator, NOT Guarneri (don't know where I got that name from).
ARC equipment is VT130 amp w/LS2 pre.
Regardless of name. It sounded great. Good look in your search. |
Thanks I'm going to probably go with a smaller speaker from the early sonus faber family. |
Calvin, I'm checking with him. See if I can get you some more details. Regarding bass...going by old memories here but I know for sure he used to crank some ZZ Top on that system and it certainly didn't sound anemic. Not trying to say it was like having a sub in the room, but still a pretty satisfying listening experience. |
@ghosthouse thanks. I guess that was the guanieri homage. I wanted to know about the bass performance. I'm glad you gave me your other impressions. I would be using audio research on the front end. That's what I have now. |
My cousin has had Sonus Faber Guanieri with ARC tube separates for over 10 years now. He played the Eagles' Seven Bridges Road for me once (CD recording)). The aliveness of that music (great separation & texture/tonality on individual vocal parts) made a lasting impression on me. Something I've sought to recreate in my own much more modest system. Ain't got there yet, however. I'm not saying the SFGs are the best - have not heard enough speakers for a valid opinion. But they are certainly very good. Mainly just posting my impression in response to the question about Sonus Faber. The other thing worth mentioning is that for how small they are bass was well represented in the music I heard from them. Takes quality amplification, I'm sure. |
I want the old stuff not the new sound. Cremona auditors on up. Please no Olympica stuff. The serblin era or a little after. |
Like anything it depends on he model especially since the new company took over. It also depends on room and components. They were known for a rounded or romantic sound. I used to love their old "sound" with audio research amps. |
Has anyone used any of the sonus faber bookshelf or monitor speakers could you tell me your thoughts on them. |
Siddh, I went with the Treo's. When I update and go separates, I can add the new subs he's working on and my system will slam (when I want it to of course). You can get the new 2's and add the Ayre separates and I promise you that you will get a LOT Of the 7's sound for budget costs. The newer Vandy's have the better drivers, but he just makes changes and rarely puts new numbers on things. I can't wait to hear the 9's rock out with his new amps...That will change the game I think as the people who want real 120db listening (stupid for your ears) will get it. |
JBL Pro Series theatre speakers model 4676, two-way based on 4550 Bottom Cabinet. Has anyone else heard a pair? |
Hey Ctsooner. The one time I heard the 7's I had a similar experience. It took a couple lps, but combined with the ARC electronics and room these speakers offered the least hifi presentation I have heard. The speed, tonality, staging...audio descriptives...don't well characterize the "live" beauty of this system. Something about the carbon drivers.
As much as I appreciate the Avalon's I own, coming home left me wanting; but who's got the scratch. |
I agree with Calloway, gave up looking for anything better when I acquired Tidal Audio's Piano Diacera. |
Tidal speakers in general...the most true to the music speakers i have ever heard.The reason i bought the Contrive Diacera-SE speakers after a long 3 year search... |
This is a great thread as you can tell what type of sound people gravitate to. I love that as it's a hobby and there are no absolutes...
I was in Audio Connection in Verona, NJ yesterday. He had Richard Vandersteen in to show off his new amps with his 7's....Jonny as always had a great set up for the carbon Treo's, the 5A carbon and the 7's...Lot's of analog as well as digital. Heard Pono for the first time and WOW did it sound great with an Ayre separates and the Treo's....the 5's with AR ref (ref 75 for the amps) was the best I've ever heard them sound. AQ cabling throughout the store. the 5's BLEW us all away...Yes, THEY were THAT great from top to bottom. I'm in awe as they sounded better in that room with the AR gear than most any other 100k plus speaker I've ever heard. Rockports and others included. The 7's were the fastest speaker I've ever heard. Soundlabs, Quads, Maggies, ribbons anything....they are THAT FAST....most folks didn't 'get' the sound. It's the closest to LIVE that I personally have heard. I think it was almost too fast and perfect for most...It's the first time I've ever heard audio NOT sound HI FI...EVER! Again, most won't get it right away, but when you listen you just hear what you are listening for and it all melds together. You can and will sit of hours on end and listen to anything well recorded. It was an AR ref pre, Romulus, AMG table/arm and Richards amps and speakers the cable was WEL from AQ...if you are near Verona, NJ, just got LISTEN...Bring your own records or digital and LISTEN...You will be lost and the hours will melt away. Not saying they will be your favorite, but they rock and play loudly, but it's all about the total emersion into the sound. |
NO I'm just the Prince mr cool. |
Radio Shack jump on a pair now!!!!! |
ZYAC39
Fascinating comments on the WAMM7. Would love to hear the WAMM7 someday. How does it compare more specifically with the Alexandria? Why does the Alexandria pale in comparison? I am told the XLF is voiced a bit more similarly. Any thoughts on this? THANKS! |
Snecma, Nice JBL speakers and set-up, I bet it sounds great! |
The two that have stuck with me – each for a completely different reason - were the Volti Vittora and the Goldmund Prologos. |
10-11-14: Ctsooner
Funny as stats and panels just have never done if for me. Way too hot when I've heard them and I've heard most of the TOL speakers. They seem to float the soundstage and almost always sound bigger than the actual performance was (yes, I've been in recording studios or recorded live on metal tape and heard the differences). Some folks love that sound, but in real life when you heard music live the panels won't usually sound 'right' for ME...That's just ME and not anyone else, so please don't take it that way. Some speakers are so detailed that they don't sound like live music either as most live music blends and that's what makes it sounds so awesome. We are also tricked by crowd noise as in audio we are the ones sitting on stage, but when you are live you usually are in the audience and hear the crowd noise differently. Just saying... Cts, I found Infinity's Emit & Semit tweeters could sound a bit hot and generally benefited from some tubes in the mix. Indeed Arnie Nudell & John Ulrich voiced their speakers mostly with Audio Research tube gear. I've owned 3 pairs of classic Infinitys including the Ren 90's & found a happy medium running a Classe power amp & JVC XL-Z1050 as transport and Vimak DS-1800Mk2 dac. Though solid state, the qualities of that gear worked well with the Rens. So it might be partly a question of system matching/synergy. Another challenge you eluded to with panel speakers (as with all dipoles) is setup. True ribbon panels like the TSW Apogee Divas for example are notoriously hard to setup, require a large room & need to be placed well out in the room. Apparently the TSW Duetta Sigs are easier to setup. I haven't heard the resto'd TSW Divas, but my understanding is that Graz's new ribbons solved an issue with the original Diva's midrange power handling which results in smoother, more coherent sound. Whilst the stronger magnets, stiffer frames & better crossovers used today lift the speaker up to a new level. That said, the best dipoles i've ever heard were a pair of Infinity IRS-V's setup with massive Electrocompaniet mono blocks & an analogue front end. |
Indeed Mr.Adsal,the Wamm 7 were most probably the Reference of references in Wilsons whole lineup of loudspeakers!
I would vouch to say that even the Alexadria's pale in comparision.This was a limited edition that Wilson made at the time.
And at 250k a pair back 20 yrs was a heck of lot of $$,if were to compare it to todays market.
I can only think of two other companies offhand that are most definately in a leage of their own.
1st is MBL top of line.Unquestionably considered by the toughest of critics to be one the best systems ever.
2nd would have to be without any reservation whatsoever who have to be Goldmund.This along with MBL are handcrafted
and could definately leave the most descriminating audiophile speachless! |
Ebm,
You are the king of non sequiturs. |
Jump on Radio Shack before they go out of business. |
I did enjoy the largest Apogees back in the day. My dealer then LOVED them and made sure they had their own room and the highest end ARC ref gear with MIT cables 'tuned' for the system by Bruce Brisson himself. They were pretty darn good from what I remember.
I too loved those Extrema's. I haven't heard the new ones but I don't love the new Sonus speakers. I just loved the sound of their older speakers back in the day and they look was WOW..... |
JBL 4319, custom tuned by Keyeso Nigurava.
Real wood, Asymmetrical ports diameter, 27Hz - 40Khz, 92.5db.
Internal wiring, Cardas Gold. Listened accompanied with the Pathos InPol amplifier. |
Doesn’t the “best we’ve heard” depend heavily on when we heard it? When it is outside our control and comparison. When there is some sea change in our assumptions and perceptions where words fail us. For me, it was a pair of KLH Model 5’s driven by a stack of McIntosh tubes. I was just walking down the mall, passed by the storefront, and was captured by a tractor beam, unable to resist the pull. A similar experience came with Apogee Stages driven by the original VAC PA-90’s. I’m sure there were better, just as there are prettier girls, but love is a unique and wonderful response. |
Only one pair has ever stood out through the years for me and left a lasting impression. Sonus Faber extremas. Massive soundstage from pint sized cabs which really did bass well, genuinely well. This from when Sonus were really Sonus and engineered speakers uniquely.
They weren't the fashion victim marketing led curvaceous eye-candy of today, which I suspect is responsible for more of their sales than how they actually sound.
The Exremas impressed with their transient speed, their lovely voicing (no pipe and slippers there), holographic like imaging and large soundstage. They really were capable of disappearing and leaving a musical stage of large proportions in front of you. Worked really well near field too.
I now design loudspeakers for a living but would still love to have a pair of Sonus Fabers Extremas on my audio bucket list. |
Guys, I believe all of you. Years ago I heard some Maggies at my dealer (funny as four of the dealers I've spent a lot of money at have sold them, and they sounded good. They were driven by Krell KSA 250 I think it was. All Krell and top the line MIT cables. I still liked the Proac Response 4's better. I have only recently heard ribbons that I like too. It's just my ear I guess. The new Proacs with ribbons have sounded awesome with top tube gear and top analog and I liked some of the Legacy speakers with ribbons, but hated the model before them. I liked the large Clearwave Speakers I heard too and those are the top of the line RAAL tweeters.
I totally agree with you guys on matching things. It's the same way with my Vandersteen Treo's or my for sale Proac speakers....or anything else out there. I've always realized who important electronics are. Most don't get it. They just think it's the speakers, but everything is so important. The thing is that if I hear something set up at a dealer it should be sounding close to it's best. How can they sell if it isn't? Should it sound better in your home? Hopefully, unless they have special rooms set up etc... Some do and some don't. I was at Audio Connections a few months ago and John had the newer Maggies set up with Ayre gear (the smaller panels) and I was amazed. They really did sound great for their price and size. They had a sub with them and I usually hate subs, but it integrated well. John knows how to set things up and sell them too. That said, as soon as we set up the Vandersteen 2's with the same gear it sounded better to me overall. Just more musical and cleaner. I think sometimes the back wave of the panels somehow smear things for me at times. I'm just very sensitive to something that others aren't. I have found many many speakers that are loved and raved about fatiguing. I'm also sensitive to phase and have found that many folks systems are out of phase and it's an easy fix. Again, there is a reason there are so many choices....I fully respect that others hear things differently than I do and visa versa. That's why I love hearing folks thoughts on components. Thanks. |
I heard one of the Gamut (Can't remember which model) floor standers at a London Hi Fi Show a few years ago. What a great sound - coherent, tight and everything so well controlled.
I have also heard great things about Vivid Audio. Unusual speakers made in South Africa. Roll on the Munich Hi Fi Show, May 17th '14! |
Tidal Audio Piano Cera's run with ASR Emitter 2 amplification. Simply a match made in heaven. |
I have become quite a fan of Sanders new 10D stats. Tough to find a flaw. First night I had them, I called the cops to report a robbery - they just dissappeared! |
Interesting comments regarding Quads.
I have a pair of ESL57 refurbished by Wayne Piquet, and they are truly stunning. More than enough bass to satisfy my love of Jazz, Classical, etc. Even Prince sounds majestic through these. The realism of vocals, and acoustic instruments are beyond reproach.
And yes, they do create a very realistic soundstage, disappearing on many good recordings. Also have a pair of Dynaudio C1 sig, and Proac 2.5. My Quads stand up to both quite well. More forgiving of poor recordings, and can listen for hours without fatigue. |
I'm pretty sure it was just because they were probably using the wrong electronics with the panels as they should never sound hot. Now, electronics are something that can sound hot. |
Funny as stats and panels just have never done if for me. Way too hot when I've heard them and I've heard most of the TOL speakers. They seem to float the soundstage and almost always sound bigger than the actual performance was (yes, I've been in recording studios or recorded live on metal tape and heard the differences). Some folks love that sound, but in real life when you heard music live the panels won't usually sound 'right' for ME...That's just ME and not anyone else, so please don't take it that way. Some speakers are so detailed that they don't sound like live music either as most live music blends and that's what makes it sounds so awesome. We are also tricked by crowd noise as in audio we are the ones sitting on stage, but when you are live you usually are in the audience and hear the crowd noise differently. Just saying... |
