The best speaker you ever heard?


In my opinion, the speaker is by far the most important part of the audio system. After all, it is the only part you hear. OK, the other stuff really matters a lot, but without a great speaker... No go.

I am a bit 'speaker-obsessed' I guess, and now I am wondering: What are the best speakers you have ever heard, and what made them the best?
njonker
@ melbguy1. I agree. I heard some vandersteen. The have a very full weighty sound from what I remember. Magico definitely is a great sound and paired with wit us should give it a slightly darker but open and transparent tonality. It should come with ample weight and texture with that combination. I use cabling to change the flavor a little from time to time. I also tube roll my E.A.R CD player to change it up.
Too bad Avalon is loosing most of their top dealers as they won't advertise like the dealers want them to. Great sounding speakers. I heard the Times and they were really nice. Not worth the money for me compared to similar costing gspakers, but nice. Was just told by a friend whom I trust that the NOLA's were really sweet sounding. Nice bass and they really drew him into the fabric of the music. I agree with the Wilson's having poor bass. Even the XLF's I've heard in a few different rooms and systems now, didn't impress at all. I thought the bass didn't live up to what you can get in nearly any of the 60k speakers we've talked about in this thread. bigger and louder maybe, but not as good quality wise. The rooms were fine too, so I don't think that was the problem.
Maybe one day Magico will learn the secret to drawing you into the music..
Mel, maybe they will. Vandy's never did until their new stuff. Again, I keep an open mind. Ton's of great speakers don't do it for me. Doesn't mean I don't enjoy listening to them, but I'd never own them. I didn't like the Magico's before the new ones at all, so for me they are getting better. Maybe they never will draw me in. They'll still be popular and make money, so it's not a big deal, lol. I"ve listened to Wilson's since before he came out with his puppy's. I was amazed at the Watt when I first heard it in the studio. It was great for recording, but I never wanted to own one. I had a headache after dealing with them the first day and never used them again. Everyone who plays the XLF's for me gets so excited about them and keep telling me how great they are. I don't have the heart to tell them that I don't like them. Open, detailed, big huge bass and the list goes on, but I just don't warm up to them. Focal's the same thing and I used to LOVE a small pair of JM Lab Microns I believe they called them. Now, I don't like them. I did hear a larger Utopia that showed promise last year, but I didn't' spend much time with them as I wasn't getting them anyways. They were the first of the Focal's that weren't too bright for me. I haven't heard their whole line at all though just what the local dealer has had for years.
@melbguy1. My current system is one that I heard with a guy who actually has my gato fm6. He has the KR audio va 900 and he was allowed to demo a soulutions 540 CD player. It was really great. It's produced a slightly warm sound but with real big images and very non fatiguing sound.