All Pre 1970 Vintage speakers suck! Prove me wrong

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.

“Good grief!  People are actually touting Radio Shack speakers?  Please escort them out of the building - through the back door - with extreme prejudice.  ”

My dream RS speakers actually popped up on eBay last week and they sold quick- Optimus T-300, finest speaker ever offered by RS.

Offered only one year ( ‘83?) , at $259 each was more $ than the the Mach 2.

Real oak veneer heavy cabinet, passive 10” woofer design, friend got them closed out 50% off - very nice speakers.

Well, you seem to have made your mind up on the subject.  Are you trying to assemble a pre 70 audio system or just or just arguing your point of view for the sake of arguing with the Audiogon collective?  I'm curious why it matters to you?

I have the opinion of,if this were kenjit, wouldn’t ALL speakers suck?? Of course with the exception of speakers that he has designed. 

@larryi ...No, I've never the opportunity to hear either of those, but I'm game to. *G*  I'm not a 'classical all, all the time' either....but do 'symphony' periodically.

It's good to have an awareness of from whence it's from, but I'm primarily of this era and prefer to 'grow with it and into it'....'eclectic' to the core... ;)

The same with the means we employ to listen.  If one thinks "Gawd, that old stuff sounds like ...", well....it was the best of its' era and the means to make it such.

The fact that many can find it still listenable....even to 'modern ears'....is a tribute to those who made it such.  I suspect that 99.8% of what 'they' listened to elsewhere drove them to do it.... ;)

@katman ....RS sold briefly a duo or a trio of speakers with a Linaeum tweeter; basically a small rubanoide dipole, 2.5Khz to 20Khz more or less.

If you've never heard one of them, not a surprise there....

Never sprung for a pair of finished ones, but got a pair of the stand-alone units from a 'surplus' box.... One works, the other DOA.  Did an autopsy on the latter....you can DIY them, but an ESL repair is child's play in contrast...

Be a dipole fan to appreciate them...

@vitussl101....If you're referring to moi'....

This is Not an argument: more of an 'appeal to audio history, and those who, Wayyy before us, suffered listening to 'music' that to a 'cultured ear' of the time likely drove them nutz.

Consider:  You just came back from a live concert of Bach (and it doesn't matter what was played) and wanted to 'extend the vibe' (so to speak) when home.

What you played at home sounded Nothing Like what you just experienced.

Give the Past a break...😣🤷‍♂️

*L* Anyway....

@rocray....Ah, yes..  "..the celebrated Mr. K performs his feat on Saturday at Bishops' Gate...."

I'll be diplomatic about the man, because we all ought to strive to allow each other that, in this very VERY "IMHO" (and sometimes, not so H....nooo) and tremendously personal 'hobby'....that is it's own sort of addiction.

Some have a firm grasp on it....  "Don't take nothing that your spirit can't kill..."

Some skip like a stone... "...skipping over the ocean like a stone..."

....and then, there's......well..... 

....'extremes'..... ;) 

To 11 and beyond....

Get Down.