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
kind of like telling who the most beautiful woman is just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder for an audiophile beauty is in the ear of the beholder
Best I've heard is, I think, the Focal Grande Utopia at an audio show a few years back. I've heard other megabuck speakers (Kef, Cabasse), but they didn't have quite the scale or combination of effortless flow and excitement of the Grande Utopia. But...speakers like these need a HUGE room!
Hello Lloydelee21,

Yes, a Hybrid, Ribbon mid/high with dynamic bass drivers.

Weseixas.

Sounds like a good combination...very difficult to execute well. i have heard the STages...and more recently the CLXs which were very impressive...though without a sub not one for me. i have heard a local store i know well has the CLX now with the Descent Sub...now THAT is one to hear. will likely go over and listen when i get a chance next week. i think the combination of panel and cone when done right is an exceptional one.

no chance i swap for my Wilson X1/Grand Slamms...too heavy to move...plus i like them enough not to care if there is something better out there...i am just enjoying my music these days and for me, that is the point.
Raytheprinter, the Analysis Audio model is the Omega. I have listened to it several times and agree with your opinion. I dream of having their top model (Amphitryon), bypassing its external crossover with a Holm DSPre 1 or Prism/Spatial and biamping them directly with two DAC Cherry Plus amplifiers, the ones Clement Perry really likes!
HiFisoundguy, We are all happy you love your Bose 901's. Many years ago I owned Original 901s and later some Series 3. They were hung from the ceiling, along an excellent wall, and I used many different sets of electronics available at that time, with open reel, lps and fm as sources. Admittedly, they did some things quite well. However, as I also had other loudspeakers at that time, DQ10s,Allison 1s,Gale 401s,Ar9',Cornwalls, etc., I realized that reflecting most of the sound, purposely, took away from the details. You see, room acoustics is a given, and in most rooms, the 1st reflection is off the wall that is closest to the speakers, which is the case with most of our rooms. So, I gave them up. The sound of Ohms, Mbls, and other omni speakers give some of this effect, but again, imo, loose some of the finite details. But, they also do some things very well. I am a die hard Klipsch Lascala owner, and have found that they are the speaker for me. I wish everyone could hear my system, especially those who do not have a clue as to how wonderful a musical presentation they present. Even if they liked what they heard, it might not be the sound for them. A friend of mine has B&W 800 series, and another has Martin Logans. They love coming over and listen . They ultimately go home and stay with what they have. This is the point I am trying to make. Be happy with what you have, but pushing the 901 issue on others creates feelings that will turn on you......Sorry I went on, but......