The best speaker you ever heard?

PMC MB2

I second Albert's vote for Soundlab U1. (quite a few years ago- this thread is so old)

I heard them a number of times at a friends house, and he really didn't even have a large enough room to them breath.

I had Crosby Quad ESL-63's at the time, with SS amp from Spectral and older Atmashere MA1's, which was obviously fantastic.

If I ever had a house or a huge apartment (I won't have either since I live in Manhattan) and the budget, I would not hesitage in buying the u1- or even a smaller Soundlab. Too bad they are never at any shows, and there are few dealers around.

My second choice is the MBL 101 (or whatever is their top of the line speaker) I've heard it at many shows, it it seems to have gotten even better in the last couple of years.

I am about to embark on getting some Cerious Technologies speakers, after I evaluate thier ceramic cables. Seems they are really cutting edge, and have gotten excellent reviews (mentions actually) here.

Hard to pick a favorite but the one that made me almost drop dead the minute I heard it was the Quad esl 57. I consider myself fortunate to still have a pair.

I loved Mejames' Genesis speakers, with the big VTL AMPS running directly into a top-of-the-line Wadia, when I delivered some speakers to his house. But I didn't get to play classical, just jazz. I have heard most of the speakers on this list, under HIGHLY varying conditions. The speaker with the best ALL-AROUND capability WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART SOFTWARE (an important qualification that has to be made) I have ever heard is the Dynaudio Evidence, so when I saw a pair used and on the cheap, I bought 'em for my place in Nevada, which has a huge room (a necessity for ANY of the big, expensive, state-of-the-art designs listed here) and have never been disappointed, WITH ABOUT 60% OF MY SOFTWARE. I also loved the Dunlavy 4-A's, 5's, and 6's, the Vandersteen 5's, and Triangle Magellans. But, believe it or not, with ALL my software, the $5,000 Triangle Volante 260, in my NORMAL-sized apartment living room in Los Angeles, sounds better MORE OFTEN with a WIDER VARIETY OF MUSIC GENRES AND SOFTWARE QUALITY than anything I have ever heard.

Magnepan 2.7QR are my choice. Nearly full range, incredibly detailed, very musical and by far the best soundstage I have ever heard. Always a treat. Lose the box and let the music play. -Might have to get a divorce however due to low W.A.F.