Top Ten Speakers of All Time?


Well its time for a new Top Ten Thread. WOW-Have I learned a lot.Thanks to all Audiogon members.Have had several e mail thanking the Top Ten Threads. We have a lot of new members just starting their High End adventure. Info was much appreciated. I will start the thread for the Acoustat 2+2 and Model 2 of which I still own and continue to enjoy. So lets have your top ten members. --- MANY THANKS ---
ferrari
Merlin VSM-MX. I thought to myself, they could not be this good. Too small. Just two drivers - (a 6 1/2" bass?). I was a skeptic. After listening to these speakers (and now owning them)I just have to keep wondering how Bobby P. was able to do it - they look so small and simple. I have had all sorts of speakers (Alon, ProAc, Vandersteen, Dunlavy, Energy...)-- all good and enjoyable speakers, but to my ears, none are as whole, detailed, musical, present, transparent, and complete (articulate, deep bass , fleshed out, 3-dimensional midrange and clear realistic, grain-free treble) as the Merlins. My next speaker will be a Merlin upgrade to my VSM-MX.
Sonus Faber Extrema speakers are pretty incredible. I've had them for years in my main reference audio system. And still to this date have heard nothing overall better natural sounding.
Not one mention of vintage McIntosh. Hmmm. I still have my XR-7s and XR-5s with the MQ107 Environmental Equalizer and they sound natural and rich. They've been keepers while others came and went. Vintage 1978-79.
McIntosh XR-7 Isoplanar Radiators with the MQ-107 Environmental Equalizer (from late 70's), even though there was a design flaw in the dome midrange speakers which McIntosh was able to correct (and still does) to perfection. Warm natural sounding and beautiful to behold from all angles.