Sound quality of Newer versus Older speakers

In my experience it’s the evolution of amplification that has driven speaker design.  In the 60 and early 70s even 35 watts of solid state was considered high power.  Horn midrange or 12 inch woofers were common because of their efficiencies.  This led to broad cabinets that brought attention to themselves as the sound source and deep bass that by today’s standards would be called muffled or wooly.   Cheaper watts and high current have freed speaker designers to experiment with cabinet designs, drivers and crossovers.

Spendor BC-1.

indeed ...  ❤❤❤

I have Vandersteen 1Bs, about 25 years old.  I took them to Miller Sound assuming they should be re furbished but was told they were fine. Mr. Miller stated that as long as speakers have not been exposed to dampness, or other harsh conditions, they'll last a very long time. I think he was right. They do sound great.  

Hi @tennisdoc56 

Cheap watts leaded us to wrong direction - low sensitive speakers.
low sensitive = compression!
You can do nothing with low of physics. Hight power heats voice coil and cause thermal distortion including compression.
You can use nuclear plant power for amplification it wouldn't fix compression of low sensitive speakers.

I started upgrading my 1990 system with replacing my kef R105/3 speakers and I found to get equal quality from new speakers I have to spend 4 to 5 times what they cost and I’m still making some compromise. Electronics seem to actually sound better, but Either I’ve destroyed my ears or all these exotic materials are 95% marketing and 5%sonic improvements. My .02