2. speakers
  3. 143809-9458

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
gillsysb
54 posts
 

My best ever owned, and current? Dynaudio Contour S 1.4. They just do it all right. Not one negative thing to say.

webking185's avatar
webking185
178 posts
 

Silverline Audio Sonata ii

jdougs's avatar
jdougs
181 posts
 

I’ve not had nearly so many speakers as many here.  I’ve found a pair I was happy with and stuck with them for a long time.

Large Advents mid 70s to early 80s

Boston Acoustics A400s early/mid 80s to mid 90s

20+ years away from HiFi

Large Advents (again) Late 2010s to 2022

New KLH Model 5s 2022 to early 23 (love them)

Harbeth SHD5+ XD early 23 to possibly forever

Not a speaker there I couldn’t live with forever, but the Harbeths may well be the last speakers I ever own.  I still have all except the first pair of Advents, BTW.

Oh, and a pair of Wharfedale Dentons in the bedroom.

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,666 posts
 

I've owned 20 pairs of speakers, some pretty expensive, and the ones Ive stuck with for the last 14 years are Klipsch Epic CF4 version 1. I have bought several other pairs during that time, but they couldn't beat the Epics. 

The main reasons are coherence and dynamics. I think the main reason is that I often forget that I'm listening to speakers.

mapman's avatar
mapman
21,842 posts
 

My current Ohm F5 series 3. They do it all well and are adjustable to most any room large or small. They are a pleasure to listen to for hours on end until something finally pulls you away.

I also have much smaller kef ls50 metas which are also way up there within their limitations. But pound for pound these things are near perfect in a smaller room along with a powered sub up to about 85db SPL or so. I’d need something like KEF blades to take on the Ohm F5s. Maybe someday.

More to discover