Speaker Technology over the last 10 years

The design & component quality of the Crossover and build quality of the Drivers are key. This separates great speakers from the mediocre and is, or should be, the reason why you would want to replace your present speakers. All Drivers, regardless of make, face the same fate: sagging voice-coils which occur after 10-15 years of use. If there is a perceived difference now in how your speakers sound you could have the same Drivers refurbished and approximate the same quality of sound reproduction as when the speakers were new.

There have been some advances in materials. Carbon fiber and Kevlar have been successfully used, for example. Carbon nanotubes are used by a few, although there are other materials that exhibit the same properties. Meanwhile, some who have tried metal dome tweeters have moved away from them.

Cabinet design and construction have evolved as well - they're not just making simple boxes. Crossovers, internal wiring, binding posts and other hardware are given more attention, and rightfully so.

there have been some advances in ribbon and electrostatic panel technology, as exemplified by the newer martin logan panels and piega concentric tweeter/midrange drivers, respectively.

i still can't understand how anyone can get excited by cones. i have never heard a full range all-cone speaker that i have liked.

i did like an earlier gradient speaker, with an open baffle midrange and jordan modules as tweeter.

I think Revel has made huge advances in the last 15 years. Take a hard look at the Salon, Studio and F series speakers. They are an outstanding value used and new products are selling at heavily discounted prices in todays climate.

I would agree with Revel. They have invested a huge amount of R & D into their line in the last 5 years. Just not affordable for the casual consumer.

I would say another interesting story is the cross-over of the pro studio community to the consumer marketplace. Companies like ATC, Benchmark and Bryston engaging both communities with exceptional products.