2. speakers
  3. 135152-111557

Missing the Old Days

I’m new to the higher end audio game. What I don’t know about modern audiophile technology and doctrine could fill a library.

What I do know is how I like to listen to my music, which I’m quite sure would make some crinkle their eyes and squint at me with a look of “my lord son, really?” Kinda look lol.

My first foray into good speakers are my current Goldenear Triton 5’s and my JL D108 Sub. They sound nice....very nice...but they just don’t sound the way I like. So now I’ll soon hook them up to a Parasound Halo A21/P5 which I’m sure will improve the sound.

However, I’m aware that it still may not deliver the goods for me personally. I miss the days of those big, solid, powerful speakers that’d shake the dust off your shelves and make the squirrels living in your my attic fear for their lives. 

I miss my trusty old MTX AAL 2230’s. They weren’t fancy, they certainly weren’t overly detailed, but they kicked ass. They kicked a lot of ass. Where are the speakers that can deliver big sound, driving Bass and clarity without the need to run 1 or 2 Subs? Speakers that are powerhouses without costing 10, 15, 20 thousand or more? There used to be a time when you could go to any number of local Stereo shops and have multiple choices of all ranges of speakers and equipment. I have to drive an hour or more to find any store remotely close to that.

I’ve seen Tyler Acoustics, but I’m Leary. No dealers, only direct sales, very generic specs, and hardly any reviews anywhere. I’d like to hear a few of his models, the cheaper Halo 1’s that closely resemble my beloved MTX’s just look like a white van special Speaker with those shiny black woofers.

Maybe I’m just an old Deadhead stuck in the past, but if there are speakers like this out there that are quality and don’t cost as much as a car, I’d love to hear about them!
128x128bigjohn9095
pkvintage's avatar
pkvintage
199 posts
 
👍👍And they continue to be the good these days as well. A simple inexpensive cap upgrade and some new surrounds if needed and you have speakers worth listening to. 

The OP  IMO is going about it wrong to spend 1k to 2k on new speakers. His Parasound fear would work great with Amy of the speakers you and I both mentioned. 

I had a set of Klipsch rf 82 ll. Retailed for about $1200.00. They lasted a week only to be replaced by 40 year old  JBL L50 and some Infinity kappa 8. 

falconquest's avatar
falconquest
1,108 posts
 
I have a similar pair of speakers to these. Never understood the need for a sub. Get these and rock on!

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649427189-legacy-audio-focus-se-beautiful-natural-cherry/
jhills
613 posts
 
Here's a thought - a used pair of PSB Stratus Gold i. At 4 ohm and only 87 db efficient, they need a bit of good power to rock. Not only can they rock, but their detail and imaging, when pulled out from the front wall 3 to 4 ft and a couple of ft from the side walls, is incredible. I like their sound (bigger, richer and fuller) better than their newer models, sa. the Imagine T3. They can be found, on occasion, for around $1K. I have a pair in my second system and feel no need for a sub - when cranked a bit. The Stratus Gold i is a great combo of old school rock, mixed with new school detail and imaging. Unlike the Cerwin Vegas, they actually do present a deep taught base without adding a layer of tubbyness to everything. Good luck with your quest...Jim
akaim8's avatar
akaim8
28 posts
 

the OP hit the nail with the title of this thread- that’s saying a mouthful....the latest saying on the street is "old school is the only school"...I’ll take it a step further. it’s not only about big powerful speakers that were affordable. the whole audio experience has lost its touch. reason- they aren’t making high quality analog masters in the studios anymore, like they used to. that affects sound quality, in that the music doesn’t "draw you in" like it used to. I remember getting up on a Saturday as a kid, and starting to play vinyl records at around 10AM, on a consumer mid-fi 110 WPC solid state rig. and at 12:30PM I’d still be playing them, taking some breaks to eat and shower. and they sounded do damned good, and if I had nothing to do, or it was raining outside, or winter, or nobody around to hang out with, I’d keep right on playing LP’s until the played stack was dozens high, and the sun would be going down.  12+ hours straight of listening, or more-  and it sounded awesome, and was a thrilling experience. Now I long for those days, cuz life has changed to the point, people just don’t enjoy music like that anymore- to that extent. they listen to music like buying fast food in the drive through. I think what we have to do, is put a couple days a month aside, or at least ONE day, to do nothing that day but listen to music. like the old days....

More to discover