The best speaker you ever heard?

10-08-15: Trcnetmsncom
No doubt about it ... Avalon Isis

That is a great loudspeaker.

I just heard the Isis and loved it too. I have listened to the XLF in two different rooms that were all top of the line Boulder and DCS, but they didn't' connect with me. There are a few lines that I really have enjoyed recently. The new Proac line is awesome. Very sweet mids and highs. Not clean like VAndys, but an engaging speaker that I could own and be happy with for years. The Avalon line is great too, but distribution channels have dried up and the company doesn't seem to be what they used to be, so it would scare me off a bit. Dynaudio higher end speakers that I've heard are also pretty amazing. Very musical.

In the end, I just validated the fact that the VAndy line is clean, fast and has highly accurate bass in all their speakers. Those carbon tweeters make such an amazing difference from the mids up (My Treo's are the older ones and I wish I had the CT's, lol). I am able to emotionally connect with VAndys, Proacs, Dynaudio adn even the Rockports. Any speaker needs proper room and set up though. All too often I've been hearing speakers like Magico and Wilson's that I COULD like, but they have sounded so different with the same electronics in different shops or homes. I fully understand why folks love them like I love the other lines. I get it, but they just aren't for me. There are only a couple of higher end speakers I'd purchase if I had the money as my room is tricky. Vandersteen's Treo CT's on up are the way I'd go again. When they are set up with the Ayre Twenty gear or Boulder or Audio Research or Aesthetix (all the electronics I've listened to them with) they just do most everything correctly. I have even listened to the D'agastino line on a couple of speakers and they too sound ok, but I can't see why they cost so much other than an amazing case and his name. They don't open up like the aforementioned amps.

DCS and Empirical Audio have been the best DAC's I've listened to (I own the Empirical Audio OSDE/SE). When listening to the highest of end speakers I have heard amazing differences in DAC's to, but that's for another thread.

Cts it sounds like you have sensitive ears and a good understanding of how real music should sound. I also gravitate towards speakers which are coherent, well balanced and sound natural (ie: like real music). Avalon certainly fit that bill, and from what I've heard Vandersteen do also.

Magico speakers are fast, very resolving and overall neutral. They are what I call 'honest' speakers which are true to source, therefore careful attention needs to be paid to your upstream gear. The Magico S line is a bit warmer than the Q series and a bit more laid back in presentation, so they appeal to a wider audience. The S5's have only drawn me into the music paired with Vitus Sig series or Soulution amps. They seem to be an excellent match. I'd love to hear the new Vandy 7Mk. My Dealer doesn't carry that line, but it would still be fun.

Check them out when you can. They draw you in while still being so honest. Big change in the mk 2

@melbguy1. Did you ever hear the raidho d5