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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
route-66's avatar
route-66
56 posts
 
Going back some 45 years, here's my list in chronological order:

Advent (original)
Altec Model 15
Saras Model 12
Magnepan MG1B
Vandersteen 2C
Sonus Faber Minuetto
KEF LS50

Still have these two sets:
Magnepan .7
Harbeth C7ES-3
celtic66
1,652 posts
 
Merlin Black Magic monitors.  Just plain musical.  Great detail, reasonable dynamics, terrific imaging.  Sweet vocals.  Simply involving.

Now, ATC SCM 40 A active floor standers.  Slamming dynamics, coherent drivers....there are simply no holes in response from the lowest frequencies to smooth extended highs.  Best midrange vocals I've ever heard.  Crazy good imaging.  

Fastest vocal and instrument attack I've every experienced.  Involving like no other speaker I've ever heard.  No subwoofer needed.  My JL sub is now superfluous.  I believe I am truly off of the audio carousel for years.
timo62
280 posts
 
My current speakers , Harbeth M40.2  because they do everything right that I want to hear from a pair of speakers.

gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh
381 posts
 
Impossible to answer unless you put parameters such as price range, efficiency etc. When it comes to price range in the under $1500.00 range my best were vintage Polk Srs-SDA 3.1TL. Why? They rocked huge and the soundstage was and still is the best I've heard to date. Great for rock music and video concert. I truly loved them. Are there better, of course, but not for under $1500.00. 
david12
1,454 posts
 


Isn't it likely, in most cases, people will thank the current speakers are the best, it's true in my case? Would anyone trade in speakers for something worse? Accepting that in some cases, your choice might be wrong.

 My current speakers are certainly the best, Daedalus Audio DA-RAma. Are they the best ever speakers, of course not. They look stunning, which matters if you have a significant other. The case is beautiful solid hardwood, with dove tail joints. They just sound right, designed to sound like live music, I think they do.

  Having retired, I could not really afford an upgrade anyway, but I am very happy to keep these, till one of us finally falls apart.

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