The best speaker you ever heard?


In my opinion, the speaker is by far the most important part of the audio system. After all, it is the only part you hear. OK, the other stuff really matters a lot, but without a great speaker... No go.

I am a bit 'speaker-obsessed' I guess, and now I am wondering: What are the best speakers you have ever heard, and what made them the best?
njonker
Have owned big Genesis, Irs 5, X-1's, Maggie 20's, Nola Exotica, etc.

The Rockport Hyperion, my current speaker, is the best I've had. They do everything quite well, and are the most livable and least compromised. Fit and finish, and pride of ownership are first rate. Now I need to figure out how to afford the Arrakis. Yipes.
Dear Boa2, to tell you the truth, I signed up 3 days ago.I was shocked to see 2001,but what the heck?I can't explain it.I know how most people feel that a commercial chap should mention his background,but even if they don't,it does not matter,especially for a 150k speaker.If anybody is buying such a speaker,the only opinion that matters is his own, and not some commercial or non commercial member on a forum.:-).
Skull, what's the Arrakis? Would you please tell us more detail? Drivers, cabinets, etc....
All I rember is they were Martin Logans being pushed by McIntosh hardware and they were big. Playing "the seduction of Claude DeBussy" probably did'nt hurt my opinion either.
Boa2, I'll have to refrain from releasing my zen restraint series until I receive your guide to research methods:-) You missed my written ramblings under "Answers." I pop my head out every now and then.

In response to Audio999, if Skull doesn't respond to your Arrakis inquiry, I'd be glad to. For now, I'll only clarify that they are not obscenely priced at $150,000. They are a meager $145,000, which includes setup and delivery in the US...now that's a deal!