The best speaker you ever heard?

Macrojack, back when they sold these BOSE 901's in High End stores people use to RAVE about them ! It was Only after they started selling the 901's in Discount Stores did people start bashing the 901's !!...

Ammending a previous post--which I've started to do many times, but just didn't bother...the very best speaker system I've heard, by a really wide margin is the MBL System.
I'm extrapolating what I heard, from the big po (potential) that was there, based on the handicap of the venue.
Show venues, and I know this from exhibiting personally, as far back as 1986--are a nightmare...poluted electrical lines, inadequate power, flimsy room construction, terrible diminsions...you name it, they're all there to some degree.

In Munich a couple of years ago, I heard the MBL's always a curiosity of mine, based on the 'look and feel' of the product.
So, while exhibiting myself, in my own suite, I took a bit of a break and visited their room.
The MBL's do things dynamically that most speakers have real issues with--and let's face it, one missing ingredient of loudspeaker reproduction is 'Dynamic Fidelity', (thanks Jim Thiel). Without the enormous contrasts which ARE one prime ingredient in accurate reproduction, we have a truly renditional moment, instead of a passable faxcimile. (sp?)
Then, there's scale...which is to say, size of, focus of, and the three diminsions necessary to complete the whole of the experience.
The MBL's handle these areas with aplomb and are, therefore, IMHO, easily the best of those that I've experienced.
Do they cost a lot? Yes--but then, you get a lot--a whole lot!

Best,
Larry

Lrsky, the MBLs have always left me cold. I heard the first efforts back when CES was still in Chicago. I was fascinated by the basic ideas. I do think that in the last several years, their room has gotten much better, but I cannot see giving them serious consideration.

I also could not imagine my ever buying a $70k system, but I did after hearing the Tidal Contriva Discera SEs.

Tbg,
Boy do I understand your comment...you're precisely where I was BEFORE I heard them set up, for a change, in a manner which showed of their charms.
I'm thinking, taking a good friend to the 'great' restaurant, on an off night trying to explain what it was, or has been at other times.
Only hearing for one's self is believing...so I get it.

Once I heard them as they should be, wow--I was hypnotized.

Glad you're happy with your recent purchase, those are intoxicating speakers, by the way. (As if YOU didn't already know).

Best,
Larry

mbls have to be set up right in the right sized room and with the right amp and electronics running them to demonstrate their distinctive charms appropriately.

I've heard the exact same system set up this way at the dealers and not as well at a show. You would not have known the performance at the show was lacking unless you heard them set up just right. They can do a wide and deep holographic soundstage with very accurate placement of individual instruments within it like no other I have heard when done right. And all other aspects of the sound were spot on as well.