What is a good all around high quality speaker to purchase?


I'm looking for a high performance all around musical speaker. My previous speakers are:

Bose 501 - I was young and they served a purpose

Infinity SM150 - terrible from the start

Boston Acoustics T1000 - actually a nice all around speaker

Polk SDA-SRS1tl - loved the full sound, not accurate at all

Thiel 2.3 - Very dry sounding

B&W N802 - perhaps my favorite, but needed to be played loud

Thiel 3.7 - I think Jim's cancer affected his hearing

B&W 802D - 1st gen, still have.....please stop my ears from bleeding

 

What do you suggest?

 

 

onehorsepony

Depends on what type of music you like.  If you like acoustic and classical, I don’t know if there is anything better than electrostatic speakers.  Sound Lab is my favorite in the category, that I’m aware of.  However, you will want subwoofers with the electrostats, as bass is lacking in them.  If you like modern techno music, perhaps looks for a different category.

You should be kidding when comparing Thiel speakers with Bose and Polk Audio speakers or having a wrong amplifier. Thiel 3.7s have outstanding mid and high frequencies, low frequencies are a bit weak.  If you want deeper base, look for CS 6s or CS7s.   

onehorsepony

I too think you're being too hard on the Thiels, especially the 3.7. It's picky, needs proper equipment pairing, and the listening area is not generous......but when you get it right, they're glorious......but I understand, they can be hard to live with. I've owned 5 sets of Thiels, and the only ones I have left are the 2.3s; which I do not find dry at all.

Thiels can be very finicky to get set up correctly. I have a friend that has owned a pair for about 20 years. They have never sounded good. Now, this is definitely partly a criticism of my friend. He has a powerful Krell amp and a good front end... but is in a difficult room(s). Also, he was unable to correctly do anything on the acoustics. But, you could get a cheap set of Polks and have them sound better. So, while the fault lies with my  friend and the home he chose for them... some fault lies in how sensitive they are to their environment. Got a great audio room and you are dedicated to making them sound great... and they can. If in doubt, I would look elsewhere.

I’m another Legacy Audio fan. I run a 5.1 system with all McIntosh electronics (except for my new Atoll streamer) I have the Whispers for mains, the Marquis center, Studio HD for surrounds, and the Foundation Sub. I’ve had the Legacy stuff since late 2009 and love it all as much as the day I bought them. They don’t make the Whispers anymore, but plenty of great choices in the current product range. I have occasion to be driving right by their factory in Springfield, IL at least twice a year and usually make time to stop in and say hello and hear what’s new. I’m a fan for life.