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
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.
I agree Calvin, the Soulution 540 sounds smooth and powerful. But it's the Soulution 745/746 which will ruin you! ;)
I've heard many of the greats... but... the best I've heard are the Linkwitz Orion's or LX521's - without question!

Certainly... the best for the money... especially if you build them from a kit from Madisound.com, or manage to buy them in the aftermarket.

They have all the best traits of the ESL-57's, the Maggies, ML's, King Sound, etc. and the best OB's with respect to the soundstage and image... while... having the detail, resolution, dynamics, tone, tenor, texture, range and balance of the best dynamic speakers available.

The man's (Seigfried Linkwitz) knowledge and experience of electronics and sound engineering is surpassed by no one's... and... he has successfully applied it in the design of his speakers.

About the only "disadvantages" I can think of are the complexity of the design, which requires active crossovers, and multi-channel amps to amplify each driver independantly... and... of course the WAF - they are not pretty.

But, the pay-off is... the best "live" sound you've ever heard at a "bargain price."

Don't even consider any of the "big brand names" - if you want the best sound available at a reasonable price.