The best speaker you ever heard?


In my opinion, the speaker is by far the most important part of the audio system. After all, it is the only part you hear. OK, the other stuff really matters a lot, but without a great speaker... No go.

I am a bit 'speaker-obsessed' I guess, and now I am wondering: What are the best speakers you have ever heard, and what made them the best?
njonker
All rounder: Snell A/III

What they got right: Amazing top to bottom integration, tremendous bass, perfect imaging, great off axis. Imagine the combination of Wilson’s bass plus Martin Logan's imaging but without tonal exaggerations anywhere to be found.

Amazing imaging: Early Martin Logal full range ESLs. Terrible tonal balance compared to today’s standards.
I agree with erik squires! The Snell Type A's are still a world champion speaker even 44 years later. Peter Snell got the "magic" right using three drivers in a sealed box! I have a pair from the original owner!
I have heard the Infinity IRS---as well as their original Servo-Static I and RS-1b (which I for a time owned), Wilson WAMM, current big Wilsons (don’t know that model, but they retail for around $200,000, I believe), single and stacked Quads (my own), Magnepan 30.7 (and the earlier Tympani T-IVa, upon which the 30.7 is based. I currently own a pair), all the Acoustats, Jadis horns, Altec Voice Of The Theater, Marten Coltrane, all the Martin Logans, big SoundLabs, Vandersteen Model 5, and others that don’t come to mind at this moment.

But if I was to go out and buy a pair now, the Sanders ESL would be at the top of my list. I’ve heard them twice, and LOVED ’em!