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
I just found a new audio store that carries those along with Audio Note stuff that's near my house. I had never heard of them. I may check them out as I always like to hear what's out there even though I love what I have coming my way this next week. Thanks for sharing. I've heard great things about the Orfeo Supremes and look forward to hearing them.
I am 68 years old and the best speaker i have ever heard ( dollar for dollar ) is a pair of DIY Acoustat Spectra 8800s rebuilt by my friend Jocelyn from Quebec Canada at about the cost of 15k i have not heard ANYTHING come close at three or four times the price you may see some of his work in my Flickr photo galery - - - - - https://www.flickr.com/photos/mracoustat/ - - - - - i own the modified pair of 1+1s they are the baby of the 8 foot tall family (14x94x3 inches 200 pounds ) Jocelyn's Spectra 8800s are ( 41x102x12 inches 800 pounds ) almost theft proof Jocelyn as been rebuilding Acoustats for a very long time and like me LOVES his Acoustats.
I always liked stats and even purchased Stax Lambda's that I'm selling, however recently I've heard a ton of stats as I am getting a new system and for me, I've yet to hear one I like. No matter the amp, they just don't do it for me. They seems to float the images and have a bit of overhang (every company I've heard). On most occasions, I have to stop listening after only a few songs as the highs are just too much for me.

I understand why folks love these speakers though. It's just not MY type of sound. That's the neat thing about high end audio. there are a ton of choices as we all hear differently and our rooms are all different etc...

What do you like best about the stats? Do you need or use subs with them to get fuller range?