The one that stands out best in my mind was a pair of ADS bookshelf speakers, possibly the L300. They had a wooden veneer cabinet and a metal grill. I recall a review about them that was full of praise and that said that in a dark room, the speakers seemed to disappear leaving only the music. And, it was true. They were in my second system In our finished basement. The clarity and imaging were fantastic. I don’t remember what I was driving them with, possibly an NAD integrated amp, but, in a smaller space, the midrange and treble actually was a close second to my Infinity RSIIb’s, which were bi-amped. Great little speakers.
What are/were the best sounding cheap components you have ever had?
It is easy to like the best of the best, so to say. However it is always satifying and memorable when an inexpensive product turns out to be very good to great.
Some that come to mind from personal experience"
Large Advents (original)
Early Nakamichi SR receivers
Original Monster interconnects and speaker wire
Pioneer Pl-12 turntable
Shure M-95
Early Stax and Audio Technica headphones
MoFi "special" pressings
Magnum Dynalab Etude. Yes some were better, but a real value
The Absolute Sound mag in the beginning
Early Conrad-Johnson and Audio Research tube electronics
Early Classe integrated amps.
The original Sony Trinitrons
And there are others....but part of this hobby is enjoying the journey.
Have you had cost effective items that were successful for your enjoyment?