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What are the best speakers you have ever owned and why?

I just recently recieved my long awaited Shahinian Diapason 2’s from Vasken And they are absolutely spectacular! This got me thinking about my long journey to get here. Bless my wife for putting up with the many many many speakers that have passed through. The lifelong saga began with Magneoan MG 1’s back in college which were replaced by Dahlquist DQ 10’s. Then we traveled down a long road of speakers and systems. Magnepan Tympanis, Misson 770, Randall Rsch DQ10’s, Quad ESL single and stacked, Acoustat II, rogers LS3/5A’s, Linn Isobarik’s (2 pairs) B&W 801 Matrix, Hales Signature, Martin Logan Monolith2, Apogee Scintilla (1 ohm) Apogee Full Range, Theil SC 5A, Egglestonworks Andra, B&W Nautilius 801,Quad 63 and some I’m sure I forgot! Each speaker had its virtues and flaws but oh what a fun and a times frustrating trek! I think I have finally found my speaker to take me to retirement they do everything that I value wonderfully . They are detailed without sounding so, very dynamic, they have great low end reach, power and detail, are open sounding like a planner, their tonality and timbre seem spot on and they sound wonderful on any kind of music. Tell me about your journey!
hamr
tubeguy80
97 posts
 

My current Tannoy Turnberry GR speakers are the best I've ever owned. They would not have worked well in many of the places I've lived over the years though. Getting the right match for your particular room really is a huge part of the process.

I have stupidly owned big speakers from Egglestonworks and Focal when the room just didn't support them. They were amazign speakers but I really should have moved down to their smaller models. Would have saved money and sounded better. 

Likewise I've also tried to fill a moderately large room with small monitor speakers. That didn't go so well either. Even really nice speakers (in my case some Wilson Benesch) that should have sounded stunning in a normal room, did not do the job in that space. So again it matters how many square feet you are trying to fill with sound. 

haleycrescent
3 posts
 

I have listened to many, many speaker systems over the years- in show rooms, at audio shows, and in the homes of other audio enthusiasts. I can honestly say that my old McIntosh XRT 20’s hold up very well. I know that Mac speakers receive a good deal of ridicule, but I do believe they got this one right, oh so many years ago. Driven by either a MC2205, MC 240 or MC275 MK VI, they do everything well- at least for me and most folks who visit my living room. For what it’s worth, I have a pair of Sonus faber Cremona M’s with a Cremona sub driven by a Simaudio Moon 740i in another room, and while the sound is very good, it doesn’t match the magic of those old Macs.

mresseguie's avatar
mresseguie
46 posts
 

The best speakers I've ever owned (and still do) are Daedalus Audio Apollo speakers (not to be confused with the Apollo II model).  I've owned them for ~7 years now, and I cannot imagine parting with them. They are tube friendly, but sound wonderful with SS amps as well. Their soundstage is three dimensional. 

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