vintage versus modern speakers

The OP asked a generalized question. I will repeat here question here...

are great vintage speakers (Infiniti, JBL,Sansui, Sony, etc..) from the seventies better sounding than what is available now?

I am in the camp that says no. As a whole, modern speakers using technology derived from over the decades are much better today than what was generally available then. There are specific model exceptions, then and now, but OP asked a general question.

No different than asking if Vintage Audio sounds better than Modern Audio.

I think we sometimes let nostalgia get in the way. We can blame American Pickers for that.

If someone likes a particular sound, someone likes a particular sound. What is the "objective' criteria for superior or inferior? I don't see the point in claiming that someone else's taste is wrong or that mass delusion has gripped those nostalic for old gear/sound.

I have owned a pretty wide range of types of speakers--dynamic, planar magnetic, electrostatic and have heard most of the others out there (plasma tweeter, bending wave). I have not heard any one particular type or brand that was clearly superior to all comers in all respects. I have found that ANY choice is a matter of compromise. For me, the field of choice of modern speakers is narrowed significantly by efficiency/impedance curve considerations because I MUCH prefer low-powered amps. That still does leave a number of modern alternatives. Earlier this year, I did audition and consider one such alternative made by Surreal Sound (unique bass driver configuration, active crossover, high-powered Class D bass amp, modern fieldcoil midrange/tweeter, solid state power supply for the fieldcoil drivers), but, I think, on balance, my current speakers are a keeper. I know what sound I am personally looking for and I don't care whether it is old school, or some new school, and I certainly would not fault anyone for having different taste/priorities.

As to the original poster's question, I think that there are quite a number of decent modestly priced modern alternatives on the market. Buying new is the easiest and safest alternative. Unfortunately, the ravages of inflation and the increasing value of the dollar does constrain the choice of new speakers. In the $1500 range, I would be looking at something used, not necessarily vintage, and I would certainly enlist the help of someone experienced to avoid getting a dud. I don't know about specific pricing, but, I know I could find decent sound from used speakers made by the likes of Magnepan, Vandersteen, Spendor, Totem, Harbeth, Audionote and ProAc. It may be a bit more tricky to assess the condition of some of the more exotic models, but, I bet there are some nice sounding Martin Logans, Infiniti and Apogees out there for reasonable amounts of money.

Well it really boils down to each individuals idea of what "better" means. Audiophiles are obviously not on the same page. What is better to one person is not better to another person. Also, many folks confuse "different" for "better".

Overall, I think more modern gear, speakers included, tend to be more articulate and revealing. Some find this to be better, some do not find this to be better. I know folks who are using tube amps from the 50's and say they are more musical than anything out there today. Are they wrong because they enjoy vintage gear? Absolutely not.
Hence, there is no general consensus as to what is "better". Different is different, that's all.
Enjoy whatever it is that brings you closer to the music.

IF one thinks a particular speaker from teh 70's is the best for them then that is what they should buy.

I still have my OHM Ls from 1978. I had to refurb them with some new parts but they can be had newly refurbed from the maker still for about $500 (they cost $400 back then)and would float the boat of many a buyer these days still.

The thing that many box speakers from back then did not do as well as today is soundstage and imaging. If you don't care about that too much, put some old speakers on a good modern amp and most people will be good to go.

While we still haven't found the measurements that will define which loudspeakers we might find ultimately satisfying, we still need them to produce anything resembling accurate transducers. And to put a bit of this comparison of old vs. new speakers in context, especially in regard to technological advancements and/or bias of familiarity some objective measurements might be enlightening.
I would offer that such objective measurements of speakers from the late '80s - '00s from Dunlavy and Thiel for example would compare rather well on a current $ for $ comparison with the latest new offerings.