Great old speakers that are as good as new ones

NHT 3.3....seems to fit the bill?

Altec Model 19's. I've had speakers costing $5,000 or more and they were good. I just like the 19's with low watt tubes better. More musical IMHO.

Another vote for the spica TC50's as well as sota's panorama's that were around in 1985-86 timeframe;don't know if they would compete with todays speakers like merlins but they were very nice with the right amps.

Classic Altec A7

I've owned ESL57's with new treble panels, Esl63's (not as good) Lowther Dx2's and now AR9's and AR3a's. The 57's and the AR9's are along with Avantgarde Trios the most amazing speakers I have ever heard. Anyone who has heard refurbished 57's and AR9's in the right rooms will also know that having 2 rooms working well with those speakers would have two perfect audio views of nirvana. By the way, one of the designers of the new LS35A's told me that the AR9's are one of the most impressive 4 speakers he's ever heard in 30 years in the business.