Speakers to hang on to for LIFE

I can't agree with SteveAllen and some other posters that newer = better technology = more accurate reproduction.

Speaker technology has not changed that much since the 1920s. Manufacturing processes and materials may have, but even then it doesn't mean that a given manufacturer applies these new techniques.

My case may not be representative, but it may be instructive. I was heavily into audio in the early and mid- 1970s. Ended up with Tannoy Monitor Golds in big plywood boxes, Crown and SAE amplification and unremarkable turntable and cartridge.

Then spent many years moving around and travelling a lot and made do with nothing more than a clock radio. In the late 1990s, my finances started to improve and I decided to put together a decent system once again. Spent a lot of hours visiting various high end shops and found that the cost of good audio equipment had increased astronomically. Anyway, listened to a lot of $10-30K systems.

Eventually spent about $10K on 10 to 25 year old used equipment: Altecs from 1982 (604-8K), Tannoys from 1993 (System 15 DMT II), turntable from late 1970s (SP-10 MK II),
amplifiers from 1989 (Meitner PA-6i, MTR-101), etc.

Since then, I've heard a lot of systems in shops, at friends' houses, etc., but haven't heard anything remotely close to what I paid that, for me anyway, comes close to the musical enjoyment I get with my "old" technology. Plus I've converted several friends to high sensitivity coaxial horn-loaded speakers. Can you imagine dumping $25K Wilsons in favour of old coaxes that cost $2K including new cabinets?

It's a weird business. Main thing, though, is to enjoy the hobby and, especially, the music!

I've had the Acoustic Research AR Hi-Res center(AR2C) * mains(AR1) * surrounds(AR15-purchased from Malhance) for less than six months, but I can assure you that I have every intention on keeping this set for as long as they last. Man I love these speakers!

Mcne, like you, I'm a big fan of Dynaudio. Especially bird eyes maple, I ordered that for my Dynaudio Contour 1.8MKII too and absolutely loved it. I am into this hobby to locate for components that I can hold on and enjoy for a long time. Goal is to eventually get surround for HT with my Dyn (all bird eyes maple), higher on the list though is to save up for a Syrah preamp. Danes don't lie, I really like that motto. I know this is one investment that I do not regret eventhough it exceeded my initial budget by 100% :). I believe I will do well on the Syrah preamp. Haven't have much luck with the amplifier (started with the Denon 3802..... and now the stock SLA-1 .. yikes!!). So the amp and CD player are my continual search. This is just my story, all the best.

Hands down...JBL L100. I purchased mine new in 1977 and they still work and look like new. The drivers are "bullet proof" and will without-a-doubt out-live me. The woofers used accordian surrounds that will never need reconing...a big plus. The magnets on the drivers are huge and handle anything I throw at em. The walnut cabinets are timeless and I rub them down a couple times a year with Old Gold polish and the finish looks beautiful. I currently have a Proton D1200 Dual Mono Power Amp run through a Nakamichi CA-7A Pre Amp that pushes upwards of 500 watts and the 100's never blink. And for the purists...no they are not the most accurate speakers out there....but I don't give a damn...CSN, Hendrix, The Who, etc... never intended the music they made to be "accurate". I am currently listening to Todd Rundgrens's Something/Anything? on CD and the 100,s reproduce it to perfection. I read somewhere that if produced today, the 100's would cost approx. $4,000.00. A true bargain.

I had Polk Monitor 10 for ten years. That was my third upgrade. Now I upgraded to B&W Matrix 802s3. Probably keep them for the next 10 years. Just trying to upgrade the home theater to all Matrix speakers. Then Just upgrade the 'tronics. Click on system for the rest.