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
Well, I am an old faithful to the old kef 104/2 speakers. I own two pairs for my stereo A+B and front+surround until recently I replace my Kef C55 by a pair Kef iQ3 (2005 EISA Winner) for surround back. My center is Kef 200C and sub is Velodyne F-1200B.

I am also entertain the idea of "upgrading". I listened to many speakers. So far, I have found many good speakers but just haven't found anything "better". This may not be fair to other speakers for I couldn't give them the chance to burn-in.

I am a firm believer that speakers are like women. They are some very beautiful ones, some high maintenance ones and some cute ones. But, if you define "the best" for a woman that you can marry to and spend the rest of your life with, then "the best" for speakers should mean some speakers you can happily live with for quite some time. Hence, my choice is still Kef 104/2 despite their bad customer service.

Besides biasd by one's personal experience, one can only truthfully distinguish which speaker pair is "better" than the other by placing them side-by-side and driving them by its proper amplifier. Pick and choose the right format of source to play is also important. There is absolutely no so-called "the best" one can claim fairly and squarely.
why are Vandersteen so seldom mentioned???

Aren't their 5A the best at any price point???

almost comitted on a pair of quatro now :(
I have owned B&W 802, 803 and 805 all N's. I have also owned 801 matrix. I also had the htm 1 and the scms as well. I have owned Merlin, Dali, Wilson watt puppy 6's, 7's and sophias as well as a host of others. I currently own Eggleston Andra II's.

How anybody can even think the B&W offerings compare even remotely to the others I have listed, I'll never know.

The B&W speakers have two things going for them.

1. They look great
2. When you wise up, get smart and sell them, they sell quickly!!

There are so many fine speakers in this world today it just blows my mind. If i had to pick the top 25 I seriously doubt B&W would make the list. Dont get me wrong they sound good but there are far better choices to choose from.

My two cents worth
aware seems silly to repeat asking:

BUT

qte
why are Vandersteen so seldom mentioned???

Aren't their 5A the best at any price point???
unqte

anyone .....