What are some of the most underrated and overrated loudspeakers you’ve auditioned?

mahgister

You do realize that the MMGs are Magnepan's entry level speaker and cost $600/pair, don't you? You called them "top level speakers" and then proceeded to discredit them when compared to your Mission Cyrus 781 at $900/pair. Sure, the MMG owner may not have prepared his listening room correctly or even had them set up correctly, negatively impacting the sound, but Magnepans have traditionally been thought of as some of the best value speakers on the market, regardless of price, especially when paired with a sub. It's possible that I'm a bit biased because I bought a pair of 15 year old Magnepan 20.1s (originally $12,500) for $5,500 and absolutely love them, but I think the only speakers that can compare to them cost more than $20,000. This is the price point at which we begin talking about "top level speakers".

Overrated; Martin Logan  Electromotion ESL, on a demo they hooted and buzzed at me, and got real confused. Partner with me said exactly the same. Following this demo immediately with Focal Electra 1038 Be which were several leagues above the ML, and I bought them. Not that I dislike electrostatic sound having owned Quad ESL 63's for 10 years and Cadence Aristas for a further 10, but the sound produced at demo by the ML's was really below expectations. Could have been the rest of the gear, but in common with most hi-fi demos they surround the gear you are interested in with top end kit.

i run Musical Fidelity electronics thru my B&W 804d2s.
i couldnt be happier. they set me adrift down a meandering river.
heaven.

Over-rated:

Red Rose R3.  Very colored sound due to suck-out between mid-range and ribbon tweeter.  Did not sound natural or musical.

Polk RTi4.  Rave Stereophile review, typical mid-if high frequency emphasis.  Fatiguing to listen to without equalization to tame the high end.

Under-rated as used, too expensive new: PSB Imagine mini.  Bargain on the used market.  Liked so well bought second set.  I use them as bedroom TV speakers where their diminutive size is a plus.

Harbeth p3esr or any LS3/5A. 


They are good for listening radio drama. Are they good for much else? I did own a pair and they killed my interest in most music.