I’m sensitive to bad speakers. And those old speakers that I owned way back when and have occasion to hear once in a while now were horrible compared to even a $500- $700 new pair of speakers. Just don’t understand how people can praise them and brag that they listen to them. I chalk it up to the vintage people either never having heard good modern speakers or desperately trying to find something old that sounds new. I liken them to listening to a transistor radio dropped down a well.
All Pre 1970 Vintage speakers suck! Prove me wrong
Have tried many vintage speakers.
My conclusion: All pre-1970 vintage speakers suck. Well-made but crappy sound.
Used with both vintage amps and modern.
I do like many vintage amps such as Radio Craftsmen RC-500, Marantz tube, Scott tube, Heath W5, Lafayette and Pilot tube.
But back to pre-1970 speakers:
No bass, harsh, or honky mids and no highs. Not musical or listenable to me.
Tried many including Acoustic Research AR-3a, 2Ax, etc. The entire AR product line. Also Klipsch Horn, Large EVs. Altec VOTT. Pioneer CS-88 and 99.
Nothing pre 1970 is even close to the better modern speakers.
I challenge you: Prove me wrong.
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...I think we can safely listen to this: ....since 'vintage' is the du jour topic... ;) Considering all the pro's 'n con's that have been espoused, posed, deposed, and debunked in some manners (and a paltry few without).... There's been some very good ranging to definitely atrocious in the eras (and errors) of audiophilia....we've managed to live, live with, live through, and live without a considerable span of that trudge of time. The 'Rat Shuck' actually did have a few rough diamonds and the 'Major Players' (Enter Your Fave Rave *HERE* if you haven't already) I liked some of the Infinity's of the late '70s'~early '80s'. Oh, btw...some background on the 'lion' opening song.... Changes your whole attitude about it....😑 |
The vast majority of pre-1970 speakers were quite poor compared to modern speakers. But, as I and others above have mentioned, not all vintage speakers are inferior. Many of the best are not particularly practical, but, if you heard them, I am sure the sound would please you. Like modern speakers, there is a VAST array of sound of vintage speakers and not all sound thin or nasal or harsh or rough; but the best are not that easy to find and hear these days. Have you heard a real Western Electric 757 or 753 system for example? |
7 years ago we strolled into a gift shop in Fairhope, AL. We were immediately greeted with a smooth, balanced, engaging sound quite unique in the "gift shop" world of "musical wallpaper". The sound revealed the complexity of the music. Not too bright. Not too boomy. Just right. I got a glimpse of boxes hanging on the wall, my curiosity got the best of me and moved in closer for inspection. You just can’t blame a compass for pointing north? And, there they were, grilles removed -- AR3as. I noticed a large silver-faced something behind the counter driving them but couldn’t make out the model#. The person on duty that day mentioned the owner was an "audiophile". We visit the area about once per year now. I always stop in for a "wellness check" on the old ARs. In the world of musical wallpaper, they are a Rembrandt hanging on the wall. |
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