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What are the best speakers you have ever owned and why?

I just recently recieved my long awaited Shahinian Diapason 2’s from Vasken And they are absolutely spectacular! This got me thinking about my long journey to get here. Bless my wife for putting up with the many many many speakers that have passed through. The lifelong saga began with Magneoan MG 1’s back in college which were replaced by Dahlquist DQ 10’s. Then we traveled down a long road of speakers and systems. Magnepan Tympanis, Misson 770, Randall Rsch DQ10’s, Quad ESL single and stacked, Acoustat II, rogers LS3/5A’s, Linn Isobarik’s (2 pairs) B&W 801 Matrix, Hales Signature, Martin Logan Monolith2, Apogee Scintilla (1 ohm) Apogee Full Range, Theil SC 5A, Egglestonworks Andra, B&W Nautilius 801,Quad 63 and some I’m sure I forgot! Each speaker had its virtues and flaws but oh what a fun and a times frustrating trek! I think I have finally found my speaker to take me to retirement they do everything that I value wonderfully . They are detailed without sounding so, very dynamic, they have great low end reach, power and detail, are open sounding like a planner, their tonality and timbre seem spot on and they sound wonderful on any kind of music. Tell me about your journey!
hamr
audiojan's avatar
audiojan
406 posts
 
The best I've ever owned are my current Audio Physic Avanti III. They're really quite special speakers that doesn't draw attention to anything, just sounds very organic and live. Never heard a speaker that can complete disappear like the AP's.

Before then, Thiel CS2.4 (still awesome speakers), Magnepan 1.6, Hales Concept 5, Magnepan MMG, customer built speakers (small standmounts with a matrix birch, viscoelastic glue, HDF cabinet and all ScanSpeak drivers). First real speakers were Dali (forgot the model now, but I worked the entire summer to afford them).
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Yes , a lot of Snell owners are dead . I knew several of them .
mikexxyz
66 posts
 

1) Klipsch Heresy (Bought in 1981 and still have them.)

2) DIY three way (Used them for 25 years.)

3) Sonus Faber Auditor M’s (Last two years.)

I don’t change audio gear a lot.   When I compare my set up to what I hear at a chamber music concert, it’s a reasonable facsimile.    


gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh
381 posts
 
Some would question my sanity but for me the vintage Polk SDA 3.1TL were and still are in my top 5 best speaker I've had the pleasure to enjoy. It was my choice after auditioning and comparing with the likes of Thiel, Klipsch, Vander Steen etc. Certainly they have their faults, as do all, but for my listening, live representation of music at live levels, they did and still do provide the deepest and largest soundstage of any speaker I have ever heard to date. Sure it required a compromise such as a slight loss in definition but the soundstage just more than makes up for that. If you like Rock and concert realism them Polks will give it to you. My other go to would be B&W, Wilson, Vandersteens, but not if I'm doing heavy rocking, that's where the Polks take center stage. Just my opinion.
marqmike
841 posts
 
Miamiangler
I was in SLC up to 1979. I bought equipment from Broadway Stereo Shop downtown. Tannoy Cheviot's and Yamaha CR810 receiver. Also up in Sugerhouse, I forgot the shops name, I got some Klipsch Heresey's.  Do you remember any of those places?  Good times for a young adult. It has been a while.
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