Dare I admit? Low end speaker confusion - help

JBL L200's-early 70's to early 80's

Infinity Reference Standard 4.5's-early 80's to late 90's

Martin Logan ReQuest - current.

Really enjoy the Logans and "graduated" so to speak from horns/cones to ribbons to electrostatics.

This was a fairly natural progression based upon the amount of time I spent listening to music and having the above models make a hard impact when I first heard them. BUT, I still miss the JBL's. They were incredibly efficient and had a forward dynamic presentation that was especially well suited to rock music. After seeing Tull, the Who, Led Zeppelin, the Stones, and other groups in concert and then listening at home I still think JBL is the most "accurate" representation in a home setting. Although the Logans can do rock, they can't do it like the JBL's did.
I also still have the Infinity's in the shed as I could not bear to sell them in 92 (never listed just when a purchaser of some of my sealed UHQR's wanted them) as I didn't hear anything nearly as good for anywhere near the money to my ears. It wasn't until I heard Logans in the late 90's that I decided to go for that electrostatic speed and transparency.

To me the cost of the hobby make the older designs very appealing. If you like your radio shack gear, great, keep it and enjoy it. Remember, Have FUN!!!!!

Wow - thanks! Appreciate all the thoughts.
I feel as a group this was a good "session".

I was thinking of having the finish redone so I could "have" my new speakers after all.
As much as I love the sound of the Realistic antiques, I do recall the midrange at times of extended listening being a bit fatiguing - but lonly after long periods with certain music. That and the fact the speakers were so "low end" I figured I was ready for a move.

The guitar strumming in Dire Straits "The Man's Too Strong" is a good test for crisp and dynamic midrange and treble which the speakers seem to oddly excel in.

New test next week - bringing it all to the basement.
Larger room, no curtains nor carpets.
After that I hope to be released from the isylum by October?

PS, Snicklefritz -What does a Aragon, Cal Audio, Physic listener listen to? I like it all - mostly female vocals and acoustical guitars.

Perhaps it's the three way design with a small mid woofer (3 inch is my favorite) that is giving you satisfaction with their clarity. Listen to other 3 ways sith a 3 incher, and you might find a smoother version of Radio Shack that doesn't give you listener fatigue. You might want to experiment with thick speaker cables - even monster cable from goodguys or circuit city can sometimes help to get rid of listener fatigues. I love 3 incher myself as well, and looking to buy an old JBLs with 3 incher.

Triangle speakers may be bright but they are EXCELLENT in acoustic guitar. Try the $500 Titus, it may be the improvement that you are looking for.

I remember liking the Sonus Fiber Concertino's only I didn't want to part with the base. Ended up with Audio Physics - Liked the model under the Tempo III's but special ordered the Tempo's thinking that would cover me on the bass.

I am going to try to audition the Concertino's with a Rel Sub. I might get it yet! In the mean time moving the Tempo's to a larger room and bigger amp.