Best Speakers that you've heard

**Sonnie** · **10-25-07, 07:36 PM**

Okay guys... let's play nice! Remember the forum rules.

Keep in mind that it's the best speakers that you have heard, whatever they may be. Let's keep it rather simple if possible.

Thanks!

**Jeje2** · **10-26-07, 02:07 PM**

Quote:

Sonnie wrote:

Keep in mind that it's the best speakers that you have heard, whatever they may be. Let's keep it rather simple if possible.

Well actually I think it's not that simple...
I've just recently understood (after the latest hifi-show) that I prefear warm speakers with a not so very sharp low-bass. I do like bass, but the sound that comes when it's too sharp just cracks in my ears. (Have a hearing problem on higher frequencies as well in both ears)

On our recent hifi-show there were speakers from edge to edge, but for most of them I could at once reject them based on my two own criteria. (Some were very expensive loudspeakers too) Most were just cold &/ metallic - and the bass...

So my cup of tea, most likely isn't yours' (or anybody elses either), thus this is a very difficult topic.

So in order to understand why someone likes a certain speaker - we also have to know about his/her likings in speakers

Well then what is the best I've heard? Really can't anymore (uptil recently would have stated B&W 805 that heard some ten years ago), but now I'm very happy with my mission elegante e8 series

**Sonnie** · **10-26-07, 02:27 PM**

You may have missed the "if possible" part...

Besides that, we also need to keep the thread on topic, which doesn't necessarily require us to give a sales pitch and/or for anyone to write a book about the speakers birth. However, I did find "all" of the reading in the thread quite interesting... some of it would be better served with its own thread.

**phaseshift** · **10-29-07, 11:15 AM**

For me, the best I have heard in a long time would be a set of Thiel CS 3.7's. Voicing and balance is very good and the overall accuracy is astonishing.
Close second or similar would be from Wilson. Pups I believe.
Right up there with them - Martin Logan (I believe a Summit or somethign like that- I am terrible with names)

**drdoan** · **10-29-07, 11:21 AM**

In my experience, the very best I have heard were the Vandersteen 5A's in stereo with some very expensive equipment (which, I am sure, cost much more than the speakers!). The speakers absolutely disappeared, the sound stage was as real as I have ever heard, and the dynamics were incredible.
I still, tho, am quite impressed with my own setup of SVS SB-01 (7 speakers) and my SVS PB12-Plus/2 with the new drivers. And my system costs a fraction of the Vandersteen system. Dennis

**trainCatcher** · **10-29-07, 12:51 PM**

I haven't heard all the high end offerings, but I was really impressed with the Focal Electra 1037 Be. I listened to a Daina Krall's Live in Paris album on them and had a nice psychoacoustic shock in which my brain could not reconcile my visual and auditory inputs.

**Randybes** · **10-30-07, 04:46 PM**

Top of the line Usher, Aerial 20T

**Blaser** · **11-02-07, 08:45 AM**

The best speakers I have ever heard and that really blew me away are the JBL TI10K. But they cost pretty high

**kioko12** · **11-06-07, 03:20 PM**

The big Martin Logan Summit speakers, if only for their ridiculously wide soundstage (and probably the $15K amp they were hooked up to)

**Scuba Diver** · **11-08-07, 10:38 PM**

Are you kidding me. BOSE is the best!!! Everyone knows that. Why don't you people just bow down to the ultimate is home audio. LOL I am only kidding.

Martin Logan would get my vote. To be honest I try to stay away from the expensive stuff. That way my cheap speakers sound the best.

**hifibuyguy** · **11-30-07, 07:00 AM**

What fun, I'm getting in on this...
From my first Experience in audio to present:
Klipsch Klipsch horn with Macintosh tube gear
B&W Matrix 805
Carver Amazing
Monitor Audio
Meridian Active Digital
Magnepan 3. something's
Martin Logan CLSIII
Thiel CS6
Wilson watt Puppy
Proac Tablet monitor..awesome little speaker
Genelec pro monitors

**atledreier** · **11-30-07, 08:20 AM**

My most memorable experience was when I got a chance to listen to the original B&W Nautilus speakers coupled with a host of Gryphon amplification. That was just pure fun. Cranked up Rage against the Machine and it was just bliss! Those babies would take anything you threw at them with ease.

**htaddikt** · **12-01-07, 01:53 PM**

The best were likely some Wilsons, or maybe some Vandersteen, and others I can even recall the name, but remember the sound... I've heard over the years. It's been a while.
I enjoyed my KEF 104/2 s for a long time. Incredible clarity in the mid range, ok bass, and smooth highs.
More recently the Dali and Helicon and Mentor series
I have Dali Ikon 6 now, and loving them more everyday. I thought they should have been broken in by now but continue to impress me on both music and soundtracks. (proper setup is everything too!)
While not a replica, a great shadow to the Helicon.

**atledreier** · **12-03-07, 12:32 PM**

Quote:

htaddikt wrote:

The best were likely some Wilsons, or maybe some Vandersteen, and others I can even recall the name, but remember the sound... I've heard over the years. It's been a while.
I enjoyed my KEF 104/2 s for a long time. Incredible clarity in the mid range, ok bass, and smooth highs.
More recently the Dali and Helicon and Mentor series
I have Dali Ikon 6 now, and loving them more everyday. I thought they should have been broken in by now but continue to impress me on both music and soundtracks. (proper setup is everything too!)
While not a replica, a great shadow to the Helicon.

My Euphonias kept getting better even after 6 months of hard and virtually continuous use. The Ikon 6 is a great speaker for the buck. Too bad the Ikon 7 is butt ugly, it's only a little more, and loads better midrange. Did you try it before getting the Ikon 6? Opps, sorry about hijacking this thread....

**htaddikt** · **12-03-07, 01:57 PM**

Quote:

atledreier wrote:

My Euphonias kept getting better even after 6 months of hard and virtually continuous use. The Ikon 6 is a great speaker for the buck. Too bad the Ikon 7 is butt ugly, it's only a little more, and loads better midrange. Did you try it before getting the Ikon 6? Opps, sorry about hijacking this thread....

Not really, for the extra bucks I would have been tempted to go with the Mentors for even somewhat better speakers and even nicer looking.
For my present room size the 6's are perfect. I worked with a CEDIA installer even though most of the installation which largely purchasing components, but the time we spent 'setting up' was invaluable!
He did not have the 7's in demo, in fact your assessment was the first I've read on them at all. My retailer did not think the 7s would add that much to my setup, and in fact be overpowering for the somewhat limited space. He certainly could have pushed for them, I had to wait for shipment on the entire system anyway.
Should I go with a larger HT room in the future, would consider a pair of Helicon, or possibly Mentors up front and place the 6s in the back. Right now using OnWalls for surround. They are quite good!
The Velodyne was certainly cheaper as well as more effective substitute over the Dali sub for HT use especially.
I am sold on the Dalis for the cost. Very quality speakers that grow on you nicely.

**jerome** · **12-03-07, 02:49 PM**

The best were AvantGarde Duo, followed by Martin Logan Vista in a carefully tuned setup.
The AvantGarde Duo are located in a dedicated room with high-end electronic and tuned by some who knows how to do it. Splendid, wonderful, I was just amazed ...

If only I had the money and a larger room !

**MacDad2** · **12-04-07, 11:21 PM**

The best I've heard are the B&W Nautilus, N802D, N801, and N802 in that order. Seven years ago I got some N802's and SCM1's for my media room. The Meridian systems and Martin Logan speakers have always been impressive.

The hard part of this thread is that a speaker(s) quality is somewhat qualitative and secondarily costs for the speakers and the pre/amps that drive them. As I get older and closer to retirement I find myself more price/performance sensitive.

Chris

**MikeDuke** · **12-06-07, 09:10 AM**

Some of the best that I have heard have been JM Labs Grand Utopia Be's, The Big TAD monsters, V.S 4jrs and VR-9. And I have to admit, even though I am was never a huge Wilson fan, the WP8's sounded very nice when I heard them. And obviously my own JM Labs 1027Be's

**Terry Duty** · **12-06-07, 11:18 PM**

Dahlquist DQ10 with DQ1 subs. And their CHEAP for what you get.

**rubbersoul** · **12-07-07, 07:15 AM**

The best speakers I have every heard is a false statement since there any many that fall in that catergory. I have been to so many Home Theater shows and seen so many different speakers from the outrageously expensive to the very reasonable and modest price home theater package.

My memory is poor when it comes to model numbers so forgive me.

Top of the list...of course B&W 804 (Because I own a pair)
Top of the line B&W Nautilus
Dalis
Vandersteen
Polk Ls series (There demos' at the Home Theater Show always blew me away.)
Kef's
Wilson
Genelec
Paradigm
Dynaudio

**mike c** · **12-07-07, 09:45 PM**

Since I did not listen to them one after the other ...

I will have to name the three that I most liked:

Martin Logan Aeon i
B&W N805
Monitor Audio GS10

**atledreier** · **12-08-07, 02:52 AM**

Quote:

rubbersoul wrote:

Top of the list...of course B&W 804 (Because I own a pair)
Top of the line B&W Nautilus
Dalis
Vandersteen
Polk Ls series (There demos' at the Home Theater Show always blew me away.)
Kef's
Wilson
Genelec
Paradigm
Dynaudio

What Dalis? I love most of their models, and own the Euphonia MS4s and CS4. Awesome value and great speakers. have you heard the MegaLines? NOW we're talking high-end.

**clownjuggles** · **12-09-07, 10:37 PM**

Genelec 8200 series (8240 or 8250) or their 8000 series any of those.
McIntosh Car Speakers, Dynaudio car speakers, Focal Pro SM8 and SM6.

JBL LSR 4300 and 6300 series are excellent for their value. I like the focal pro stuff as well.

**Maceo23** · **12-16-07, 08:56 PM**

I have to say that the 2 most impressive speakers I have ever heard were the Vandersteen 5a and the Audio Artistry Vivaldi. Both were being run off of BEL Mk V amps. Really just the kind of stuff you could get lost in.

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