Which pair of speakers changed your Hifi life?


*** I am not trying to create a debate or a quarrel with anyone. My discussions are purely having a talks and to express one's experiences. Also to learn fellow audio lovers passion. Please do not disrespect with hurtful words or expressions. Please be more forgiving and understanding in this discussion thread. Thank you." ***

Hopefully one day, someone would say "Mon Acoustic speakers were the turning point in my Hifi life".  😃

My 2ch-audio journey began when my uncle bought his BOSE system at his home (don't even know the model or never really heard it) in early 90s. Bose was rear and expensive in Korea(South) back then. So I started my own system with Bose Cinematics 2.1. Then moved on to Goldenear Triton 3, then to Triton 1. But more utilizing the speakers for AV set ups, not 2 ch stereo.   

When I had my first house, I bought a pair of Revel M105 speakers and I think these are the pair that really changed my audio life. My initial paring with M105 was Yamaha receiver. Then I tried goofie set up with center speaker 3.1 to see if it improves vocal in the songs I liked. We went through many combinations of system set up. I ended up with Chord Electronics set up. 

I still own them. Always struggle time to time, whether to sell them or not due to the number of pairs I own(out of a guilt). I cannot argue how many pairs of shoes my wife owns.  I pair them with NAD M10 (version 1) for my bedroom since my wife likes the warm and well rounded sound, and 80% its white design aspect. 

So what are the speakers that have impacted your life? 

 

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I listened to Apogee Duetta Signature II’s for 34 years. Cost me $3900 Then, I had them completely rebuilt by Rich Murray (True Sound Works) 4 years ago and drive them with a Pass Labs X350.8 and PS Audio BHK Pre. Rich worked a miracle and made those Apogees so much better in all ways that we ribbon speaker aficionados love….even some low end punch.

Two weeks ago, I received my pair of the brand new Aspen FR30’s by PS Audio. I ordered in the second tranche last December.  PS Audio offers a 30 trial. Well, I have found my forever speakers. Amazing frequency response, bass punch, sound stage and a Apogee-like wall of sound! 

To be fair, the FR30’s are a bit more than 2X the original purchase plus Rich’s rebuild investment I made in my Apogees. One never knows ;-)

A pair of Fisher 101 bookshelf speakers I bought in 1972. Combined with a Fisher 222 Studio Standard receiver and  Dual 1225 turntable. As I recall, the local dealer had a special where you bought one speaker for $99 and the other was a penny. This was when vinyl was still “in” before it went “out” and came back “in”. Used those speakers all the way through college and a bunch of years thereafter.