Best Speakers that you've heard

[tonyvdb]

jhixson wrote:

The B&W 802Ds were very nice.

I have to agree B&W get my vote here as well. The 801's although far to pricy for me were stunning in the room I auditioned them in.
I was a big fan of Mission, thats why I have them as my main system but sadly their quality went downhill as soon as they tried to get into the big box consumer end stores.

In no particular order:

B&W 805 - the clarity and transparency of vocals and smoothness of the treble. No boxy coloration at all.

Klipschorns - they reproduce midbass realistically(not thumpy), and the dynamics make most speakers sound anemic by comparison. These speakers can easily pass for live music when heard from another room.

NHT 4.4 - awesome female vocal reproduction. Outstanding bass clarity and extension.

Cerwin Vega S1 "loud.speaker" - these surprisingly powerful "bookshelf" speakers have the legendary gut-punching bass in spades and the cleanest output at true rock concert levels I've ever heard. 200 watts will get you 120db/m.

[Ken Palmer]

With out a question, hands down, far and above, the only answer in my mind would be the Kilpsch Hertiage Series speakers. The Klipsch Horn is the best speaker make period. However there is a whole other side to the coin you did not ask, that makes all the difference in the world. These speakers would not perform worth anything with todays junk wattage amps. SO, if you match you Klipsch speaker with the correct amp, then you will be more than amazed, you would be saying the same thing I am. Now the Kilpsch Horn needs a correct wide (in the corner) placement along with the correct amp. I can't afford the correct amp and I don't have the room. I have a pair of Klipsch Bells for my HT mains , pure being there sound with out needing the corners. I use the out of the surround sound HT reciever for the mains to an input of an old 74 Kenwood KR-6600 that I run the Bells with ( I can't afford the McIntosh tube amps of old.) I get great sound that way.
Now listing to music is a horse of a different color. I listen to all my music from my old Marantz 2285 into a pair of old Kilpsch Cornwalls. I believe the Cornwalls just may be the best one of the bunch for most people. BTW, when I watch movies , I have the sub out from the surround sound going to the Marantz running the Cornwalls which turns them into two subs while the Bells are used as the mains. Music is pretty cool that way as well but I am old school and prefer the old stereo config and the Cornwalls make a much deeper base than the Bells, which make the pure sound of the base.....you would have to listen to Pink Floyd's Welcome to the Machine to know what I am saying. The Cornwalls will have the WOOM WOOM WOOM going with the windows and pictures shaking. With the Bells however you will hear ever sound in detail and the base sound of the machine will come out RUM RUM RUM and you can hear it clearly would out the deep low that will shake you to your bones. If you listen to Classical , wow the Bells are tops. BTW , the Bells look good but I believe the LaScalla's sound a tad bit better and more like the K-horns.
Deam System -speaker wise - would be a very large room with the front mains as Klipsch Horns and a center speaker being either a LaScalla or Bell just under the projector screen that rolls up and still leaves a large LCD HDTV above the center speaker. The surround speakers I would use the Heresys up high and tilted a bit down , Heresy in the center back as well. One the floor back left and rear would be My Cornwalls use as subwoofers for movies and to Listen to music when I want that certian sound they and they alone can only produce (they may be the perfect all round speaker).
Match them up with some McIntosh stuff and WOW what A DREAM.
I don't know what the new McIntosh stuff sounds like but the K-horns I heard about 1974 with them big McIntosh tubes sticking up from the black bases took my breath away for real -forget listening to music -you feel music. I get the best for the buck with the Cornwalls and Marantz (all 70.s tech)

[rcarlton]

Ken,
I agree with the K-horns. Course mine are run with McIntosh MC-275 MKIV. I also own LaScala's, Cornwall's and Heresy's.

[audio newbie]

By far the best system I've ever heard was a friends 5.1 NHT M5 system. I've never heard so much detail and clarity before. They also played extreemly loud. Far better than any theater I've been to. It was so impressive, I ended up purchasing a set of NHT SB3's with two 10" subs. The M5's were way out of my budget... ok, actually way out of the wifes "I'll never live that down" budget .

I would have to agree with the Wilson audio votes. Hands down the absolute pinnacle of audio reproduction to my ears.

However, years ago I had the pleasure of listening to a 2.1 setup consisting of Unity Audio Signature Fountainhead towers powered by Cary Audio tube amps at CES... and fell in love. Unity Audio is no longer in existence so thank goodness I bought a pair before they went into the history books.

[GrahamMG]

B&W 805 matrix series, saved the marriage (always huge speakers before these, Rogers LS5/8 etc....)
M&K 2510's followed as a 7.1 surround setup (with dual MX350's...... wife not impressed!!) but were very good movie speakers.

Currently a full set of PMC's EB1 fronts CB6 centre, DB1+s surrounds (well I got to 26 years married so I thought I'd try my luck and got away with it......), loads of Brystons for the front and TAG amps for the supporting roles... All running in nicely this week........ (yes speakers do sound better after a bit of serious running in.....), and no you don't need a sub with EB1's.....they embarrass most subs....far more bass extension than the house can take (room EQ and TMREQ via AV192R to the rescue, thanks again John).

jamo R909 reference speakers. unbelievable imageing.

[Doug Plumb]

Actually, for me its some low cost PSB speakers - I mean for the price. I particularly like the Image B25. I have their high end M2's because they are better. Before that I would say PSB Stratus.

The Image B25 are every bit as good as their Stereophile review says they are. Excellent smooth midrange that is unreal - at almost any cost. I'd be surprised if home builders of passive speakers can match these at any cost.

I sold home audio for a number of years a long time ago and have heard the new Quads, high end B&W's, KEF's etc - I have always been a PSB fan.

[Ron Temple]

Carver AL-IIIs run off TAD 100wpc tube monos...though I understand my friends Platinums are even better. We also listened to the Dahlquist DQ-10s which were special, but without the bass. It's not just the speakers, but the system synergy, amp, player, DAC, cables, speakers, room, that make all the difference.

[Ken Palmer]

rcarlton wrote:

Ken,
I agree with the K-horns. Course mine are run with McIntosh MC-275 MKIV. I also own LaScala's, Cornwall's and Heresy's.

Wow , you've got it made. I want to come to your house to listen to some real music...........or watch a moive.
BTW, I can't understand why other don't get it. I've never in my 47 years heard anything else even close, to hear the smallest sound or to have your heart skip a beat because of the base with out the volume being too high or harsh............well I need not tell you..LOL
I did hear one well of a live concert once in Little Rock ( for the life of me I can't remember who it was)
but I walked by the stage during a strong song being played, while chasing a girl, the song pushed deep inside me so to speak and the base stopped my heart beat for a second but it did not hirt my ears. I was impressed, just like when I listened to the K-Horns with he McIntosh tube amps years ago. No need to guess, but the speakers the band was using were Klipsch Professionals, I wish I could remember who it was, all I can remember was the speakers (go figure). I wonder what kind of power amps they were using?
There is no way anyone can prove that there is any other better speaker made, not matter the cost !

[sfdoddsy]

I'd have to say my current, highly modified Linkwitz Orions. I used to own Wilson Watt/Puppies and these were better in the ways that count to me when I had both so they get the nod.

These are some of the best sounding speakers I have heard to date. A note though, that each of these systems will only sound as good as the room they are in with proper setup and proper equipment (Synergy)

JM Lab Grand Utopia BE
http://www.focal.tm.fr/catalogue-fro...3&idProduit=64

Martin Logan Statment E2
http://www.exclusive-life.de/eng/Art...logan_eng.html

Martin Logan CLS (I, II, IIz) - A more cost effective ML speaker than the E2 which can be used very effectively in "real" home sized rooms
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/650/

Wilson Audio - Watt/Puppy 5's (have not liked them since 5) with Cello Electronics
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/477/

Legacy Audio - Helix and Whisper
http://www.legacy-audio.com/spkrmain.html

Infinity IRS V's
http://www.infinitysystems.com/home/...=US&Region=USA

Ken Palmer wrote:

There is no way anyone can prove that there is any other better speaker made, not matter the cost !

Ahh, Grasshopper..... when you are able, you may swing by my place and hear the (originally) intended REPLACEMENT to the much vaunted Klipschorn and hear the Klipschorn Jubilee's

All the Khorn is with 1/3'rd the distortion!! Yep, the Khorn which is noted for its low distortion has three times the amount the Jubilee has.

One good listen and you will have proof enough.

I recently went out of my way to hear some Wilson speakers. I listened to the WIlson Maxx as well as I believe the Watt Puppy (I'm looking at their website to compare pictures to names right now)

Anyways, I only did a one song 'demo' so it's not like I spent any real time with them. I am very familar with Gordon Goodwin's "Big Phat Band" and I played "Sing Sang Sung" paying attention to the opening drumroll.

I asked the salesman to put the volume on "11" and he laughed.

Power was a McIntosh preamp (the new one with the tubes showing in the top of the unit) with some McIntosh MC-275's on each channel. (bridged??)

All I can say is BOTH Wilson speakers sounded nice and all that BUT given they were something like $50,000 for the 'large' speakers and $14,000 for the small ones.... I was left wanting.

Interestingly, the wife (who was there for a change) said "it sounded more like the band was playing inside that box where at home, it sounds more like the band is playing in the ROOM"

I just smiled.



btw, that's a legit offer if anyone happens to be in the Knoxville, TN area and wants to give the Jubilee's a run for their money

For the fans of Wilson speakers (and they DID sound nice).

You might have seen his comments about how only horn speakers might be as dynamic as his speakers and his comment on Klipsch?

http://www.wilsonaudio.com/culture/history/page1.php


You might expect that David Wilson was born to parents with a deep love for music, which they passed on to him. This was not the case. Wilson's father was an honest, hard-working man who took care of his family. He did not have the good fortune to spend his life's work on something he loved. He provided.

David Wilson was introduced to his life's work one Christmas - at 13 - as he lay in bed, trying to sleep. Sleep would not come, however, because carolers in the neighborhood kept singing, without moving on. Frustrated, he went to his window. There were no singers; a neighbor had placed a Klipsch speaker on his front porch - pouring carols into the night.

This experience so intrigued Dave that he turned to a friend, Don Alley, a young audiophile, to find out more. It was a short trip from there into audio. Like so many young people in that time, Dave's first experiment was a Heathkit amplifier that he assembled himself. He was so excited by the prospect that he rushed headlong into building the amplifier, indulging his passion without the discipline of intellect. Standing back, proudly looking at the finished product, Dave threw the power switch. And in seconds, the house was filled with acrid smoke.

Though he was only an adolescent, Dave learned a lesson that day. You can see the evidence of it in everything he does. He learned the value of the scientific method: the careful process of performing a task one step at a time and recording the results. Today, as Dave listens to changes in a speaker design, he documents each step and records the results. Testing speaker cables, he follows the same steps. Dave saves all his work. Ask him how he chose the binding posts for the original WATT loudspeaker and he will pull out a record of his listening sessions with each post.

After his experience with the Heathkit, Dave proceeded more carefully but with every bit as much passion. And he studied, reading everything he could about audio. He started building speakers. He built a speaker into a window of the Wilson household to explore the infinite baffle concept. This, of course, endeared him to his neighbors. He experimented with enclosures, using a stack of rubber tires as a cabinet - his first modular design?

Music became a passion, a need. Instead of following the popular culture of the day - Elvis and The Beatles - he developed a love of classical music. It is bemusing to watch him -perfectly pressed sitting on the floor, legs crossed, conducting the music that is playing over the WAMMs. His eyes closed, a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth - this is passion.

At Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Dave met the other passion of his life - Sheryl Lee Jamison. In this instance, Dave’s passion and intellect worked in perfect synch.

Sheryl Lee was looking for somebody to transcribe records onto tapes she could send her boyfriend in New Zealand. Sheryl Lee’s cousin, Ty Jamison, told her about his roomate, Dave, who was really into audio. When Dave met her at the door of his apartment, his heart rate went into high RPM. As they talked and he showed her his system, he was calculating just how much time he would have before she "walked out of my life." The time it would take to transfer a tape was not enough. He reached behind the recorder when she wasn't looking and snapped the input patch cords. A night of taping was followed by the shocking discovery that there was no music on the tape! It had to be done over. In 1966, they were married.

Even though Dave went into pharmaceutical research, audio was never far from his heart. A look at his 1966 system (see photo) is evidence of obsession. A turntable suspended from Whamm-o sling shot rubber bands? Years later, this concept reappeared in one of the world's finest turntables, the SME Model 30.

By 1974, Dave had a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10 loudspeakers, which he started modifying (beyond recognition). In 1977, the Wilsons launched the Wilson Recording label with their first release of organist James Welch (Concert).
In the late Seventies, Dave's research on the speaker that became his flagship - the WAMM - began. Working in his garage and living room, he constructed a prototype of a state-of-the-art modular loudspeaker (see photo). In 1981, David and Sheryl Lee introduced the WAMM at Garland Audio in northern California, and immediately sold two at $28,000 each. They sold five sets of WAMMs that year. Today, they have sold over 50 WAMM systems despite a price tag that now stands at $225,000.

As the Wilsons continued recording (with Sheryl Lee running the business), they discovered that their on-site monitors did not provide accurate information about the recordings. Sheryl Lee, the realist…who paid the bills…, had been urging David to build a smaller, less expensive speaker for the company. He had resisted. The Wilson passion pushes him toward the outer edges of the art. But when his recordings were undermined by the quality of the monitors, he was convinced. And thus was born the WATT, a design that reshaped the high end speaker market.

He built two pairs of WATTs. One - the "white dwarf" - for recording work (see photo) and another, nicely finished, for home use. The second pair went to the 1986 summer CES where, despite its $4,500 price tag, it wowed the crowds. A classic was launched. The WATT's dedicated woofer, the Puppy, followed in 1988. Suddenly the Wilsons had a major high end audio company. WATT cabinets began to stack up throughout their house and the Wilson children - David III, Kevin, Daryl and Debby became speaker builders.

In 1991 the Wilsons moved their business and family back to Provo, Utah, where Dave and Sheryl Lee first met, and where their success continues. Since then, the business has grown exponentially. Over 12,000 WATTs have been sold. In 1993, they introduced the X-1 Grand SLAMM, a $65,000 state-of-the-art design that took the audio world by storm. Wilson has sold over 400 pairs of the X-1.

Each of these speakers is an exercise in excellence. Within the design parameters of each speaker, Wilson builds the product without compromise. Listening to a Wilson speaker is like reading a score. You will know exactly how the piece was played, and what each instrumental voice has to say. "Revealing," is the pertinent adjective. Each Wilson design is intensely intellectual. It is difficult to disengage your brain because there is so much information demanding your attention. Passion enters the equation in the speakers' abilities to reproduce the dynamic scale of music. Short of a horn, no speaker is as dynamic as a Wilson.

[jimC]

Newform Research R645v3 with active crossover and a pair of Hsu VTF-3 mk3 subs

I've listened to the Wilson Audio Alexandria X2s, and then listened to the Magnepan MG1.6 and MG3.6 right after (at a store called STEREO DESIGN here in San Diego), and I must say, I was extremely impressed by the fidelity of the Magnepans. Not to say that listening to $200,000 + worth of speakers (in the Alexandria X2s) wasn't impressive, but the Maggies, imo, sounded more clear than even the X2s. Also auditioned several B&W setups too, and still the Maggies sounded the best to me. The only downside with the Magnepans is the real estate required (yes they're thin, but they still take up a lot of room at least with anything above the MG1.6 line - which are wall mountable). I ultimately ended up with Focals for my home theatre, which weren't my first choice, but fit into my budget as they were significantly reduced in price due to a closing of a local AV chain store.

[Ken Palmer]

Coytee wrote:

Ahh, Grasshopper..... when you are able, you may swing by my place and hear the (originally) intended REPLACEMENT to the much vaunted Klipschorn and hear the Klipschorn Jubilee's

You've peaked my interest ! OK, are you talking about their professional movie theater speakers?

I did note some awesome professional ones at some concert I attended (can't remember who it was)
I did note just the opposite with Arosmith, I say them and their speakers were just awfull.

BTW, you mention the efficiency of the jubliees are the much more then the Klipsch Horns, IMO, that would be over kill for the home; for big time theater/concerts........well that's a tad bit different.

How do they sound in the home and at low levels?

What do they look like in the home?

Thanks.

[imbeaujp]

Yamaha NS-1000 Studio Monitor are the best ! Superb with tube amp !

Ken Palmer wrote:

You've peaked my interest ! OK, are you talking about their professional movie theater speakers?

BTW, you mention the efficiency of the jubliees are the much more then the Klipsch Horns, IMO, that would be over kill for the home; for big time theater/concerts........well that's a tad bit different.

How do they sound in the home and at low levels?

What do they look like in the home?

Thanks.

(I've deleted a couple of your lines)

OK... starting at the top,

First I am talking about the Klipschorn Jubilee. It was ORIGINALLY intended to REPLACE the Khorn in the HOME environment. Unfortunately, PWK died before that plan came to fruition. Happily, it seems, the bass bin was SO good it held a nice spot in their commercial lineup. It's because people see it in their commercial line they think it's a commercial speaker. Truth is, it was planned for a HOME speaker and it just happened to be good enough to go commercial.

Second, I refer to their distortion as opposed to their sensativity. I don't have the numbers at hand (they're buried in an email) but per Roy at Klipsch (PWK's right hand man and essentially, the co-developer of the Jubilee with PWK) the Jubilee puts out let's say "1" on the distortion level and the Khorn is at "3" (I'm making those numbers up but that's the logic) The information he gave me was from his measurments, not a hacked analogy like I gave just now.

As for their effiency, you can use them with an active (most of the 6-8 owners are doing) or you can use them with a passive. Again, per Roy, with the active crossover (we're using the Electro Voice Dx-38 http://electrovoice.com/products/50.html ). Using the active, the Jubilee is about 109 db/watt and with the passive, I think it's several db LESS though I'm not sure of the number. Either way, it's more effieicnt than the Khorn. I don't know that I agree that 109 db is way over kill for the home but maybe it is for some. You don't always have to crank it (yes you do )

Three:, how do they sound? I've angered some by a few of the words I've chosen in the past. Most people that own what has been historically, one of the pinnacles of sound (Khorns, LaScalas...) do not like to really hear that they no longer own the 'absolute' best on the block. Virtually everyone who has heard the Jubilees, either at someones house or at Klipsch HQ, or the Klipsch factory has walked away basically shaking their head muttering that it is the best speaker they've ever heard. I know I feel that way. I've owned LaScalas since 1979 and owned Khorns for several years. The Jubilees sit in the corners my Khorns used and truth be told (IMHO) I'm GLAD I sold the Khorns. The Jubilees have an asthetic issue so they're not "furniture grade" like the Khorns might be BUT... if someone is looking to buy NEW, would it make sense for them to buy a 'furniture grade' Khorn or for perhaps same (or maybe LESS) money, buy the Khorn 'replacement' and get BETTER sound for same/fewer dollars, but not be quite as pretty? Again, that's a personal call BUT someone could obtain them and finish them out themselves. The Jubilee was first going to be price pointed (MSRP) about $15,000, you can buy them in the black finish (or unfinsihed) for less than half that.

Four: If you want to see what they look like in the home, go to this thread
http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/767705.aspx

It's the thread where Mikes & my Jubes were built, delivered and setup. You will see them in MY home as well as a pic of my former Khorns (pics are on about page 11/14?) Mike & I were the first two people to buy the Jubilees in the 2-way format (in the world). There is a gentleman (6foot8) who bought a 3-way version and lives in Florida. PWK wanted to take the Khorn BACK to a 2-way speaker so the 2-way Jubilee is a better idea of what PWK wanted it to be than the 3-way is.

Today, there are Jubilee owners here (Knoxville, and there are two of us), Dayton Ohio, somewhere near Seattle Washington, Colorado, Michigan and of all places.... London England!! The guy in London talked to Mike & myself and bought them sight/sound unseen! He was looking to buy some new LaScalas and stumbled onto the excitement on the Klipsch forum that was buzzing about the Jubes so he bought a pair (how cool is that!!)

There are several guys who have made clones of the Jubilees, one in Nashville, one has a pair in Athens, Georgia and there are a couple more... I've never heard the clones and do'nt know how they sound.

To me, the REAL secret to how good this monster sounds is that HUGE K402 horn on top. One of the clone owners has his Heritage horns on top (K400 and T35). Once he heard the K402 horn he realized what the HUGE difference was.

I've got a McIntosh MC-2102 (tubed, 100x2) on the top horn and a Crown K2 pushing the bass bins.

These things will play at levels with great sound and of course, will also part your hair if you want them to.

The offer to hear them was a real offer although I understand you are not 20 minutes away and that's an issue.

For anyone contemplating a NEW purchase, I think an audition of these would really warrant the effort because they will simply become the last speaker you ever buy.


Ok, I'm out of the closet... anyone care to guess what I think of them?!!

Looking to see how to attach picture

Hmm...had to tinker but seems they might have worked.

So now this has become the "Fan-Boy" Klipsch thread?

Glad you like your Jubilee's, but cut back on all the editorial and Mag Rag type posting, geesh we get it you like them.

[Doug Plumb]

Its more interesting to talk about low priced stuff because great high priced speakers are not difficult but low priced stuff is hard to do well.

Relax Fanboy

There is a lot of MIS information out there about them so I'm trying to give the whole story so for those who are interested can read a more accurate portrayal of their reality.

Besides... I type fast

[Derek]

I think listening to the best speakers is sorta like the best meal you ever had. I can't think of one speaker (or 1 meal) that was head and sholders above all else, but I've been lucky enough to have some really great experiences that were inclusive of the room, my mood, the music, etc. Top contenders in no particular order..

Apogees
The first time I heard KEF 104's
Martin Logan Statment
$50k Infinities
Thiels
Lecacy's
Wilsons
VMPS ribbons