What brand was better than it is today?


What are the brands of speakers or components that were once significantly better than they are today? Polk, Boston Acoustics, Bose?  Keep them coming and explain why!!!
128x128jbhiller
Altec Lansing! Now reduced to sell desktop speakers! So pitiful! Glad I have my vintage Santana's, Segovia's and Stonehenge's! 
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This usually happens when the original designers/owners decide to sell the business and the new buyers are only interested in the "name".
@Elizabeth
"Fisher, Garrard, Shure, Nakamichi, Threshold, Kyocera, JVC, Aiwa, H.H. Scott, "

Those brands are not being made anymore!