The best speaker you ever heard?

Without question the best speaker I ever heard was a beat up Altec coaxial. It was driven by a Western Electronic two 205 tube mono amp. If there had been two such amps, I would still have them today, I think.

"many a megabuck speaker held hostage by the room."
Totally agree with statement by Agear on MEGABUCK speaker.

09-16-15: Tbg
Melbguy1, now with expensive cables and power cords, I think the notion of a balanced approach is nonsense. I have found that $20k worth of HFCables on an $1800 dac makes it sound like a $35,000 dac. Also isolation and better racks cannot be ignored.

Yes GiGo, but everything is critical for there to be the magic that we can now get.

Tbg, I can't speak for HFC cables as I own Jorma Prime and Statement cables. I certainly agree top flight cables and isolation matter and have heard the benefits with my own ears. In fact, the first thing I invested in when I started to build my high end system was cables, so I don't disagree with your view. Though cables and isolation can only take you so far. Then you need to invest in a better amp and front end. I feel i've found the right balance in my system & am very happy with the results.

Intuitive Design Gamma Summits and their Mosaic's are the best speakers for me. not bright nor grainy and are so seamless. and with these speakers I have found every seat is a sweet spot.

Well put Agear. I've been around this hobby since '69 and have found most dealers can't set up a speaker to save their lives and/or a room. Most of the rooms do suck as they have to cram so many speakers in there. That's why I make sure to call ahead whenever I can to get them to set up the system in a room with nothing else when they can. Most can't and I think they lose business from folks who know what they are listening to.