During my years in this hobby, I’ve owned Boston Acoustics, Bose 901s, Dalquist DQ-10s, then Randall Research DQ10s with the crossover updated, and the Pizo tweeter, woofers redone, with a high power amp these were special. Open baffle from the midrange up with sealed woofers. Proac Response, Legacy Focus, Paragon Regent (just wonderful) with Dynaudio drivers and lead-lined cabinets, the Dynaudio Confidence 5’s, Bass could shake the room, fast and detailed to boot, one of my favorites of all time as long as you had an amp with the current. Then after hearing about Quad ESL 57s many years earlier, I purchased the Quad ESL67s totally rebuilt from top to bottom by Electrostatic Solutions, had those for many years, and once I learned how to setup them up they could be jaw-dropping good and they loved my 400-watt McIntosh Amp, then after 9 years with them I found the Spatial Audio Sapphire M3 speakers that were one of the only speakers I could live with after the Quads, then sound like panel speakers but with true bottom end and dynamics to spare when having no box sound, so best of both worlds. 2 years now with them and still shake my head at times how they sound so present like the performance is in your room. Electrostatic/Panels sound but with balls! Can finally let them rip when the music demands it, and they play from early jazz, big band, Blues, all eras of rock and roll, classical, and folk equally well. Are these my last speakers, could be, retired now and I’ve heard many others on top of what I’ve owned and I find I’m at peace with these speakers they make listening to music enjoyable and that is what this hobby comes down to in the end, and it has been 40 years now and I fully understand when good is good, then it becomes a change for change sake.
What are the best speakers you have ever owned and why?
I just recently recieved my long awaited Shahinian Diapason 2’s from Vasken And they are absolutely spectacular! This got me thinking about my long journey to get here. Bless my wife for putting up with the many many many speakers that have passed through. The lifelong saga began with Magneoan MG 1’s back in college which were replaced by Dahlquist DQ 10’s. Then we traveled down a long road of speakers and systems. Magnepan Tympanis, Misson 770, Randall Rsch DQ10’s, Quad ESL single and stacked, Acoustat II, rogers LS3/5A’s, Linn Isobarik’s (2 pairs) B&W 801 Matrix, Hales Signature, Martin Logan Monolith2, Apogee Scintilla (1 ohm) Apogee Full Range, Theil SC 5A, Egglestonworks Andra, B&W Nautilius 801,Quad 63 and some I’m sure I forgot! Each speaker had its virtues and flaws but oh what a fun and a times frustrating trek! I think I have finally found my speaker to take me to retirement they do everything that I value wonderfully . They are detailed without sounding so, very dynamic, they have great low end reach, power and detail, are open sounding like a planner, their tonality and timbre seem spot on and they sound wonderful on any kind of music. Tell me about your journey!
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- 194 posts total
- 194 posts total