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What are some of the most underrated and overrated loudspeakers you’ve auditioned?

What speaker do you believe are the most overrated and which one do you consider the most overrated?
mrc4u
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

There's a strong, though not absolute, correlation between being overrated and the size of the publicity budget the company is devoting to promoting its speakers (e.g. B&W, Focal, etc. etc.).

And the corollary is true also: Fritz, Salk, Daedalus, Prana, etc. etc.

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Most overrated? Easy. Vandersteen.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,816 posts
 
@aniwolfe, ain't it the truth! For some reason the 8b doesn't get nearly the attention as does the MG1.7i. ET's dealer network is rather small, no advertising, few reviews (the UK press loves 'em), etc. People don't know what they're missing, and don't seem to be inclined to endeavor to find out. Oh well, as the kids say.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,300 posts
 
Hey I honestly believe OHM got home audio speaker design right with the Walsh design and its huge sweet spot (practically the whole room)  and most of the rest are barking up the wrong tree, so there you go.   

How many people really enjoy having to squeeze into a tiny sweet spot?

mcreyn
293 posts
 
Overrated:  BOSE.  Mostly because people who have them are convinced by the marketing and have no idea how badly they overpaid and could have had much better.  

Focus- heard them at a roadshow 20 years ago and thought they were garbage.   Can’t say they are overrated, as that was one experience, in one room, years ago.  
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