The best speaker you ever heard?


In my opinion, the speaker is by far the most important part of the audio system. After all, it is the only part you hear. OK, the other stuff really matters a lot, but without a great speaker... No go.

I am a bit 'speaker-obsessed' I guess, and now I am wondering: What are the best speakers you have ever heard, and what made them the best?
njonker
@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.
I have listened extensively to the new Auditorium-23 Cinema Hommage speakers. They are absolutely stunning in every way. Musical presence, soundstaging, instrument textures, timbral accuracy, transparency, dynamics, resolution, weight - everything I could ever hope for in music reproduction, rendered in a way and to a degree that I have never before experienced. It might take weeks or even months, but I am going to find a way to own a pair!