Top Ten Speakers of All Time?

I've got to support Thiel. It's hard to pick an exact model, but I've heard a good number of them, and to my ears, they are the best all around speakers that I have heard. But if I had to vote for a particular model, then I'd say the CS3.6, which is what I bought. True, there are newer models that have more clarity, but the 3.6's sound very musical to me.

Yes, Martin Logan's can get my pulse rate up as well, but to me, they aren't quite as well rounded as comparable Thiel models. The older AR's are pretty darn impressive, too, especially when you consider their size and price. I have always thought that the TSW series from AR didn't receive the recognition that they deserve.

Tom.

Shahinian Diapason
Soundlab A-1
Vandersteen 5
Quad 988
Magnepan 20.1
Any of these would be a welcome addition to my home. I currently have the Shahinians and love them to death.

Revel Ultima Salon and Studio coupled to a pair of B15's or a pair of the upcoming Sub 30's = probably the best combo of all time. No weaknesses whatsoever from 15hz up to over 30khz. True audiophile speakers. Image's like electrostatics without the inherant distortion, dynamics equal to horn loaded compression drivers, and bottom end presense equal to any live symphony. Anything less though from speakers in this price range simply is not acceptable performance.

Harmonic Precision Caravelle: And that was only the prototype.. Wondering how much better this innovative speaker will be when it finally does come to production..Tom

My favorite speaker(s) of all time???

(01). KEF Reference 105/2
(02). Vandersteen 2Ci/Vandersteen 2Ce
(03). B&W Nautilus 801
(04). Martin Logan Statement
(05). Infinity IRS Beta
(06). Infinity IRS V
(07). Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy System

Obviously.... I haven't listened to enough REALLY good speakers in my lifetime in order to compile an actual "TOP TEN" list. But the ones that are listed above are the ones that I have listened to over the last 25+ years (and I am only 40) are the ones I am familiar with. They are listed without regard to price. Because I feel that if you have good engineering, good execution, and good performance right along with good support, that will go a long way toward putting out a good product that will last almost indefinitely. Price only comes secondary after the fact. Any of the speakers I have listed above will be a welcome addition to my audio system. But only if they are paired with the correct amplification and front-end anciliaries. And in saying that, I can use the Vandersteen 2's now with my current system if I just want to make the change to acquire these speakers without further tinkering as far as my system is concerned. The other six I have listed will require a drastic change in amplification and anciliaries before I can get any enjoyment out of them. But just like I said though, if I end up with any of these speakers right now, I don't think I'll be disappointed.

Just for the record, I currently own the baby sized version of the KEF Reference 105/2......... the KEF Reference 102. The 102's may not be the last word in ultimate low end extension, but they have a midrange clarity and an airy top-end that you can just die for. And they image like the devil too. I had mine for 15 years now, and during that time, I even auditioned other speakers in the event of finding something that could finally supplant them and ultimately replace them. That hasn't been done yet. And next to my Nakamichi BX-300 Cassette Deck (which I had a year longer than the KEF Reference 102's), if I can keep a component THAT long, then it must be doing something right. I know of some marriages that don't even last THAT long.

--Charles--