Which pair of speakers changed your Hifi life?


*** I am not trying to create a debate or a quarrel with anyone. My discussions are purely having a talks and to express one's experiences. Also to learn fellow audio lovers passion. Please do not disrespect with hurtful words or expressions. Please be more forgiving and understanding in this discussion thread. Thank you." ***

Hopefully one day, someone would say "Mon Acoustic speakers were the turning point in my Hifi life".  😃

My 2ch-audio journey began when my uncle bought his BOSE system at his home (don't even know the model or never really heard it) in early 90s. Bose was rear and expensive in Korea(South) back then. So I started my own system with Bose Cinematics 2.1. Then moved on to Goldenear Triton 3, then to Triton 1. But more utilizing the speakers for AV set ups, not 2 ch stereo.   

When I had my first house, I bought a pair of Revel M105 speakers and I think these are the pair that really changed my audio life. My initial paring with M105 was Yamaha receiver. Then I tried goofie set up with center speaker 3.1 to see if it improves vocal in the songs I liked. We went through many combinations of system set up. I ended up with Chord Electronics set up. 

I still own them. Always struggle time to time, whether to sell them or not due to the number of pairs I own(out of a guilt). I cannot argue how many pairs of shoes my wife owns.  I pair them with NAD M10 (version 1) for my bedroom since my wife likes the warm and well rounded sound, and 80% its white design aspect. 

So what are the speakers that have impacted your life? 

 

128x128monacousticusa

Guy owed me money for carpentry work when I was 20. He paid with with some kef 104/2. That started it for me nearly 34 yrs ago. Too bad I couldn’t afford a proper amp but I loved those speakers. 

Wilson Audio Sabrina . . . After a long hiatus, I made a list of speakers I wanted to hear. Sabrina was not on the list. I traveled to Chicago, because many of the speakers could be found there. Visiting a shop to hear Focal, I asked to hear the Sabrina. Even though they are/were Wilson’s entry level floorstanding, their house sound was mesmerizing to me. Driving away, I realized they were being driven by $100K+ in gear. I called the next day, to ask to audition them with more realistic components. They still sounded incredible. That was 2018. 

 

Focal Aria 906s —not because they are super special speakers; they are not. But they are good speakers. They let me try amps, preamps, integrated amps; I heard the differences. When I settled on my amp and preamp, I could see that maybe other speakers would be better in some ways, but I reached the point at which I can concentrate on the music, getting more than enough of its sounds from my system. Sometimes I remind myself that if I were in a concert hall or a night club, there would be hall noises and my good or bad luck with the seating.

 

When I was 18, I took all my money that I made selling weed and bought a pair of ESS Amt 1B’s. The world opened up for me.