Speakers to hang on to for LIFE


After 9 years with my Proac Response 3s, I recently decided to change speakers. As you can tell, I'm not an upgrade fever patient. I want something I can live with for years & I think the best advice I'm gonna get will be from those who have & are still living with their speakers for an extended period of time. Please tell me why too. Thanks.Bob.
ryllau
Back when I bought them I was originally going to get Rogers LS3/5as, but one listen was enough for me to scrape up the extra dough to get a used pair. Used with Dyna Stereo 70, then Berning EA-230, and most recently with a parallel single ended 300B tube amp it still gives some of the best sound I have ever heard. Midrange to die for, and the midrange is where the music is. Downsides: no deep bass below about 45 - 50 Hz (midbass is fine), a bit soft in the highs, beamy trebles and no louder than life rock concert levels, but it will play surprisingly loud.

I've heard demos of Infinity IRSes, Apogee ribbons, various Martin Logans, and Avantgarde Duos and I've still got them as my main speaker. My favorite comment about the Quads was when I mentioned to an audio salesman that I had them and he said, "Well, I guess I'm not going to be selling you any speakers."
I know that I'm late into this post but I have to concur with LoveMan. The Beveridge 2 SWs are an almost miraculous speaker and if you haven't heard them you really owe it to yourself to do so. Quad 57s with tubes and Rogers LS35as with tubes if you're looking for a nearfield solution (you have good taste Jim). The new Lipinskis are mighty, mighty good. To this day the most realistic impression of a live event I have ever heard (save my experience with the Beveridge) were through Frieds C/3-L with SM/3 Subwoofers and updated drivers. I'm talking about the uncanny illusion of being transported to the original event. Amazing! I did hear the Thiels once and got the impression of absolute nutrality, probably accuracy but it didn't exite me. I also have to add that I did have a pair of AR 10pi and to this day wish I had never let them go. Oh well.
I bought a pair of Von Schweikert VR7 SE's, and received them right before last New Years Eve. I'm finish. The speakers won't move until I sell the house (they are 370 pounds each). That won't be for another ten years or so. I love them. On a separate note I also purchased a new darTZeel NHB-108 and NHB-18NS. I plan to keep this amp and preamp combo until death do us part.