Your ''best kept secret'' speaker choice ?

Count me in for Magnepan. Every time I tried a box speaker, I always sold it after a few months and went back to a Maggie.

I have a Lenehan standmount, it comprises a Vifa ring radiator tweeter and a peerless driver. I auditioned it against many other standmounts including the N805 and some dyns, and IMHO they sounded great and offered excellent value for money. I haven't missed one day without listening to them since.

http://www.system-audio.com/showpage.asp?siteid=2&id=347
The SA2K out-performed the best from Sonus faber, Dynaudio, ProAc, Totem, Vienna Acoustic, Audio Physic & Thiel in my system. At $3500 list, they compete with speakers in the $5K~$10K range.

We should brave the front of making our own speakers eventually - this way, world class sound can be had for under a grand.

I've owned a LOT of different speakers and through auditioning at stores, friends, and CES I've heard most speakers on the market (I doubt anyone has heard 'em all, there an incredible selection of speakers out there). I always end up gravitating towards planar speakers, to my ears they just sound more natural than any box speaker. Eminent Technology LFT VIII's are the best kept secret I know of; a hybrid design with a 8" woofer and ribbon mid/tweeter, these speakers continue to impress me. Unlike other hybrid designs it's damned near impossible to figure out when the midrange & woofer crossover; the sound is liquid without sounding bright and the bottom end is quite surprising. They are outstanding transducers and at the price pretty much impossible to beat. $1800 list, another $200 for the Sound Anchor stands. One caveat, you need a big ass amp to drive these, 200wpc solid state is about right.