Can a Classic Speaker be better ?

Is it possible for an old classic speaker be better than a current breed of speakers? What is your experience and though in this? One good example is the Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage. It is what I called a 'classic' speaker. Can they be better than the current new breed speaker ie. the Cremona Auditors? The Cremona Auditor has a newer drivers with higher frequency response, and being newer it has the advantages of having new technology being implemented at a cheaper price. If the two speaker were to place side by side, without consideration of price or age, What will your pick be?