The best speaker you ever heard?

My cousin has had Sonus Faber Guanieri with ARC tube separates for over 10 years now. He played the Eagles' Seven Bridges Road for me once (CD recording)). The aliveness of that music (great separation & texture/tonality on individual vocal parts) made a lasting impression on me. Something I've sought to recreate in my own much more modest system. Ain't got there yet, however. I'm not saying the SFGs are the best - have not heard enough speakers for a valid opinion. But they are certainly very good. Mainly just posting my impression in response to the question about Sonus Faber. The other thing worth mentioning is that for how small they are bass was well represented in the music I heard from them. Takes quality amplification, I'm sure.

@ghosthouse thanks. I guess that was the guanieri homage. I wanted to know about the bass performance. I'm glad you gave me your other impressions. I would be using audio research on the front end. That's what I have now.

Calvin, I'm checking with him. See if I can get you some more details. Regarding bass...going by old memories here but I know for sure he used to crank some ZZ Top on that system and it certainly didn't sound anemic. Not trying to say it was like having a sub in the room, but still a pretty satisfying listening experience.

Thanks I'm going to probably go with a smaller speaker from the early sonus faber family.

Calvin - I was wrong on the SF model but this might actually be more relevant to your current direction.

The speakers he has are SF Electa Amator, NOT Guarneri (don't know where I got that name from).

ARC equipment is VT130 amp w/LS2 pre.

Regardless of name. It sounded great. Good look in your search.