Which speakers did you find bright, fatiguing or just disappointing in some way?

This question reminds me of the "journey" my Klipsch LaScalas have made with me. I bought the pair first, before I could afford hardly anything even remotely equal to their quality. They had to endure crappy SS Cambridge Audio AV receiver, Crap CD players, #16 guage speaker cable, $2.00 interconnects, Ortofon Red (Crap), $100 preamp....At each upgrade, those Klipsch revealed their potential. All the common criticisms toward "horny" speakers were there on steroids. Weak bass, flat soundstage....Getting the Raven Nighthawk made my eyes pop out as did the Tellurium Q Black II speaker wires, Better CD player....What I'm getting at is, these speakers became different speakers, way better speakers as my kit improved. DRAMATICALLY so much so they frankly DO NOT SOUND like the same speakers. If I read how someone doesn't like a speaker think synergy. Each piece of kit has to play nice with the rest of your set up or else AND then there's always that room. Sometimes I wonder if a "cheap" speaker couldn't made to excel in the perfect context. If you hate your speakers, try changing stuff around them. Maybe they do truly stink BUT probably more can be done to create better playmates.  

Dunlavy SCII. Fortunately I worked part time at the shop that sold Dunlavy’s so I was lucky the owner let me return them as he wanted the pair I ordered to set on the floor for demos. Had an Audio Research tube amp and preamp with ARC CD2 and even with all ARC they were thin/harsh sounding with no life. No life and no bass whatsoever... I think the little EPI 100’s I had as a kid were more enjoyable. Might be exaggerating there, but boy was I glad to trade them back in for a pair of ProAcs. The ProAcs were a huge improvement. Heard all the Dunlavy’s in the store, and although the refrigerators were much better you had to have the room for them and good luck with the WAF.

Gday from Australia, hope you're all well. 
I was dissapointed with a set of Tannoy XTF8's.
I found they lacked Bass response. Apart from that, they were ok. I was running them firstly with a Cambridge Audio CXA60, and then a Parasound P6. Same result. 
I sold the Tannoy's for a set of Australian made Transmission Line Speakers, made in Sth. Australia. 
I've kept the Parasound, but have purchased a Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamp. 
Wow, what a difference. 
I should say, I know it's two different types of speakers, also, I upgraded the woofer to a 10inch,versus a 8inch with the Tannoys. 
But in saying that, I was and am absolutely blown by the difference in bass response. 
All the best of health to all of you.. 
Cheers Ricey... 
Greg 7, at first glance, I thought that was a Devo hat...  ..GREAT BAND

Alright, I get the picture. Absolutely any speakers disappoint at least some people, and that's assuming that match with the electronics is correct.
To continue. There are no real good speakers, not invented yet. Speakers are always the weakest link, in this sense. Recording and room too.
It is incredibly difficult to find speakers that don't at least annoy much, in one way or another. 
Listening at moderate levels might help a little.

@adg101,

Over the years I’ve not seen ProAcs getting much flak from users.



@inna,

"Listening at moderate levels might help a little."


It does.

Every single speaker I’ve ever owned began to throw out unacceptable levels of bass and treble distortion on the rare occasions I wanted to turn the volume dial a bit further than usual.

But then I have never owned speakers like the really big Tannoys, JBLs or Klipch’s.
Apparently some fancy clubs in London used to employ Tannoy Westminster’s to get the party swinging.

Or at least they did back when we were all still free.