Bronze Member Username: Armyscout42DUGWAY , UTAH USA Post Number: 50 Registered: Sep-04 | Hello fellow sound lovers! tell us what loudspeakers you managed to currently have, have owned or would like to have within your budget. if you are married, what your wife or husband would allow? if you are single, what your paycheck can afford. if cost is no issue, you must be one of those contributors or have your system at |
Bronze Member Username: Armyscout42DUGWAY , UTAH USA Post Number: 51 Registered: Sep-04 | I am speaker collector somewhat, i'm going to only list my main or front speakers: my flagship acoustat spectra 33 w/spw-1 passive subwoofer/ electrostatic loudspeaker 1990(andy szabo is chief engineer) my eminent technology lft 8a, ribbon/magneplanar or push pull(bruce thigpen), similar to magnepan's mg-1.6qr. Magnepan mg.05 planar/quasi ribbons, MGLRS-1 planar quasi ribbons. Srslabs Klayman signature series loudspeakers/flat panel (dr. klayman) Ohm walsh 2 and 2xo coherent line source walsh design using supertweeter. (john strohbeen, c.e.o) former bose 901 series V owner from 1985-2001 bose 601 series 2 1982-1984 1975-1981 super high end sound design...yeah right! remember those? yup used to buy stereo review magazines from 1971 til 2003, in the 70's just dreaming i had BIC TIPPANY, ALLISON 3'S, bose 901 series 2,3,4...klipsch horns, lascala, cornwall. Electro voice, JBL, altec lansing, heathkit, AR-9's, where modern home theater towers came from. Those were revolutionary designs! OHM F'S, walsh 5's, QUADS and KLH electrostats and original magnepan tymphani. I grew up thinking only klipsch and bose were the dominant high end manufacturers. My favorite out of all of them were infinity's RS series and line source. too bad infinity longer makes high end designs. |
New member Username: Simms7292Cranford, NJ Usa Post Number: 2 Registered: Mar-06 | I just got a piar of Alpha technolgy Mac 2000f loud speakers. Do not know much about them. Is anyone familiar with the company or brand and if i should toss them or keep them? |
Bronze Member Username: Armyscout42DUGWAY , UTAH USA Post Number: 75 Registered: Sep-04 | you might want to ask mr. vigne! he's the expert audio guy here in a lot of audio questions. it might be listed at audio asylum or audio review. I'm sure it's a high end manufacturer, there are so many! |
Silver Member Username: Rysa4Post Number: 425 Registered: Jul-05 | The ones I would like to have are the Merlins ( either of the two offerings) or the Silverline Sonata 3s. I have an interest in Denali Summit designs as well. I like the Green Mountain Audio Callistos too. On the budget side, far and away the best I have heard are from a french company called Highland Audio with, unfortunately, no US distributors. |
Gold Member Username: Frank_abelaBerkshire UK Post Number: 1265 Registered: Sep-04 | Totem Mani-2 Signatures. Their only problem? Very difficult to drive (200w/ch required really). Previously I had Audio Note An-E SP but after 10 years the wife said somethign more room-friendly was required! The Mani-2s are better than the Audio Notes in almost every way, and they're prettier, but it took me 3 years to find them. Would like: Naim DBL...I think...but then I'd need a bigger house... Regards, Frank. |
Bronze Member Username: DobyblueSt. Catharines, Ontario Canada Post Number: 56 Registered: Oct-05 | If I could I would love to have either Infinity Series V Reference speakers or the Martin Logan Statement E2 as my mains. Although I don't think right now my gf would let me buy the cables those things would need, never mind consider buying them. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 1041 Registered: May-05 | Sonus Faber Stradivardi is the best speaker I've heard. At $40k and the cost of amplification and sources to do them justice, I'm going to have to go ahead and say they won't grace my home any time soon. The Naim DBL's look like a great speaker. Again, finances won't allow them. Also factor in the cost of worthy ancillary equipment and the size of my apartment; I just don't see it happening any time soon. I've recently became a big Naim fan and hopefully a soon to be Naim owner. I can't get the Nait 5i and CD5i voices out of my head. |
Bronze Member Username: DobyblueSt. Catharines, Ontario Canada Post Number: 57 Registered: Oct-05 | Sonus Faber Stradivardi - 300lbs a pair! Zoinks! Never heard of them before - now intrigued although much like you Stu miles and years away from ever being in my price range for speakers. Another $20,000 I'm sure just to get the right cables, source and power and you've just bought the equivalent of a Porsche. |
Bronze Member Username: CroozerRockford, IL United States Post Number: 43 Registered: Feb-06 | Definitive Technology BP7002 |
Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 7195 Registered: Dec-03 | My favorite is the Sonus Faber Cremona. |
Gold Member Username: Edster922Abubala, Ababala The Occupation Post Number: 3731 Registered: Mar-05 | Martin Logan electrostats, Aeon and higher models. Multidirectional immersive soundstage unlike any boxed speakers I've ever heard. |
Silver Member Username: Timn8terSeattle, WA USA Post Number: 829 Registered: Dec-03 | |
Bronze Member Username: Diana_vargasPost Number: 14 Registered: Dec-05 | Audio Artistry Beethoven speakers: http://www.audioartistry.com/ |
Silver Member Username: EldTexas Post Number: 127 Registered: Dec-05 | |
Gold Member Username: NuckParkhill, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1786 Registered: Dec-04 | I would rather forego my greatest speaker wish in trade for world peace. Yeah, whatever. Wilson watt puppies. 4 of em. no, 5. |
New member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 6 Registered: Mar-06 | great answers on any that was made! those are beautiful horns shown by timn8ter! avant grande makes beautiful ones too! my choice of loudspeakers are german physik's GAUB, they are over $200k weighing at over 1000lb each. all i can afford is used audiogon gear ranging from $1k to $1500...i currently have an Ohm walsh 2xo www.ohmspeakers.com and some optimus linaeum LX-5'S for surrounds and a DCM sub with optimus linaeum center from RCA. |
Gold Member Username: NuckParkhill, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1801 Registered: Dec-04 | A man has to learn to live within his limitations. Nice looking setup you got there from here, jim |
Silver Member Username: Frostyda9Calgary, AB Canada Post Number: 108 Registered: May-05 | B&O Beolab 5 is my choice. I haven't heard anywhere close to everything out there, but the Beolabs were close enough to "being there" for me. On the (slightly more) realistic end of the scale, I'm going to have to agree with Frank and vote for the Mani 2's, and give the value vote to the Model 1's. I'd also take the B&W Nautilus Prestige if someone were giving them away... |
New member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 7 Registered: Mar-06 | thanks nuck! great choice of loudspeakers. i guess with those wilson puppies, if everyone had it, your dream of world peace might just come to pass. all i can say is my system is better than those over priced bose some of my co-workers seem to brag about. i've seen those wilson puppies, lots of great reviews. imagine 5 of them in a home theater? that would be out of this world! Ohm has upgrades for the new 100mk2's but can't afford no upgrades. Happy with what i got. |
Gold Member Username: NuckParkhill, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1802 Registered: Dec-04 | The last Wilson setup I heard also had a sub the size of an economy class automobile. I don't even know if it HAD a model number. Ya can't overdo excess. |
Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 2880 Registered: Feb-05 | Wilson Maxx 2's or Vansersteen Model 5A's (in that order). I own my favorite budget speaker, the Paradigm Studio 20v3. |
Gold Member Username: NuckParkhill, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1811 Registered: Dec-04 | The title of the thread said 'own' or 'want to own'. Art, you stand as the former. Sweeeeeet. |
Gold Member Username: John_aLondonU.K. Post Number: 4044 Registered: Dec-03 | Quad ESL. Thread: Quad Electrostatic Loudspeaker 63. I have now had them for one year, and nothing has changed my mind. There are similar, current production models, the Quad 988 and 989. |
Gold Member Username: NuckParkhill, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1831 Registered: Dec-04 | Nice, John, real real nice. |
Bronze Member Username: IrisfailsafeBogotaColombia Post Number: 16 Registered: Jan-06 | REalistically I'd like to have the Aperion bookshelf speakers... I currently have Yamaha NXE-130 speakers. I would like to own a pair of B&W Nautilus Prestige or Bang and Olufsen Beolab 5... |
New member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 10 Registered: Mar-06 | Owning B&W is like owning BMW, another class of it's own or higher class, the same with the DANISH bang and olufsen who have always manufactured futuristic, state of the art products. Good choice of loudspeakers for your needs. for the gentleman above, I DON'T KNOW anyone who complains about their QUADS. Can't go wrong with quads. some of the higher end speakers here are truly dream loudspeakers. |
New member Username: SikjaerPost Number: 1 Registered: Mar-06 | Try listining to the Gamut L7, they are made i my country Denmark, see them at www.gamutaudio.com. it is one of the best speakers. I want to boy a pair, but my wife is in the middle of the battle, so it is not easy. Today we have B&O(Bang and Olofson) Speakers a pair of Beolab 8000 and a pair og Beolab 6000, but I miss the punch in the buttom. Sorry for my english... Peter, Denmark |
Bronze Member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 14 Registered: Mar-06 | that's ok, here in the united states, they only deport your SPEAKERS if you can't speak english. just kidding! i'll check out that site. Dali's are danish, those are very nice too. I know someone who own's dali's! German physiks or MBL'S would be choice but any of the loudspeakers the people here want are are equally desirable as long as they aren't BOSE or trashy theater or digital research, no one would get bent out of shape. this is primarily a high end forum not a 99 cent store speaker like the two i mentioned! |
Silver Member Username: GmanMt. Pleasant, SC Post Number: 878 Registered: Dec-03 | The Linkwitz Orions. They are 3-way active crossover and open baffle speakers. Only downside is they have to be at least 3 feet from the back wall. Other than that they are the best speakers I have ever heard--and by a considerable margin. They aren't terribly expensive either, particularly if you have good DIY skills. |
Silver Member Username: DavidpaPortland, Oregon US Post Number: 161 Registered: Nov-05 | I just recently found my audio nirvana. aerial acoustics model 9s. I understand the 20Ts are even better? Probably a good thing they werent available for an audition, or Id still be paying for the vacation, bathroom remodel, kitchen remodel, new car......................that the wife would want to even things up! The more I tweak w/ positioning the better they get. Im like a kid who needs to get home from school in time to watch his favorite show! |
Gold Member Username: Edster922Abubala, Ababala The Occupation Post Number: 3743 Registered: Mar-05 | > Bang and Olufsen Beolab 5... I thought that Bang and Olufsen are just a higher-end Bose-ish lifestyle product, i.e. you are paying through the nose mainly for sleek compact form factor rather than actual SQ performance? |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 1056 Registered: May-05 | I've always aspired to own a pair of these Theater Research is the best speaker company their ever was or will ever be. |
Silver Member Username: ChitownPost Number: 888 Registered: Apr-05 | Stu you lie like a cheap rug. We all know Bose has been your favorite. |
Silver Member Username: Frostyda9Calgary, AB Canada Post Number: 109 Registered: May-05 | "I thought that Bang and Olufsen are just a higher-end Bose-ish lifestyle product, i.e. you are paying through the nose mainly for sleek compact form factor rather than actual SQ performance?" Generally, yes. The Beolab 5's have a really intersting sound though, you may like it and you just might hate it. A little bright, granted, but they have the ability to really disappear, which was what I liked about them. I wouldn't own them as my one and only pair of speakers, but if I had an extra 20 grand and nothing better to do with it, I'd pick a set up. |
Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 2890 Registered: Feb-05 | I listened to the Beolab's recently in the B&O sound room after a jazz concert and didn't like them at all. They probably would have sounded better without the B&O electronics. Like to give them a listen with quality gear. |
Bronze Member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 19 Registered: Mar-06 | hey stu, did you get your theater research off one of those back of a VAN being chased by the highway patrol? reminds me of ACME products by WILEY COYOTE...kidding! here's an interesting speaker design I'd like to listen to besides the ones already posted. I didn't know they made high end loudspeakers out of WATER HEATERS! |
Silver Member Username: ChitownPost Number: 889 Registered: Apr-05 | I have never thought B&O systems sounded bad, I just don't think they are worth the price. I have a friend who has a basement full of B&O equipment and it is startling in combination with his H/T system, however he spend around $50,000 for the whole thing, and I know I can do as good a job if not better with even $15k. But he is an ex pro footbal player so he can afford it and it certainly looks nice. |
Bronze Member Username: IrisfailsafeBogotaColombia Post Number: 20 Registered: Jan-06 | I friend of mine has JBL reference speakers connected to his home theater but I have never hear it. Do this speaker provide better sound than home speakers? |
Bronze Member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 20 Registered: Mar-06 | Not if you are comparing it to any of these high end loudspeakers. They are no where in the same league. those are used more for music studio referencing. It gets technical when you get involved with the high end community. just ask any of the commentators here who have experience. JBL is known for their professional applications. Not too impressed for home applications. Plenty of bass but bad imaging/soundstaging in my opinion. Way too boxy! If you enjoy audio nirvana, accuracy, clarity, cleanliness, tightness of the bass, imaging/soundstaging, sweetspot are SOME of the examples of what to consider. Many of the commentators are even more technical and critical in their assessments. those who are very quality oriented are FINICKY and rightfully so if you are going to spend some bucks and if you are passionate about your musical and movie home entertainment. All the contributors here have good advice to make before you decide to check into those JBL'S. |
Silver Member Username: HawkHighlands Ranch, CO USA Post Number: 727 Registered: Dec-03 | MAGNEPANS. I can listen to Maggies all day, never get tired, and hear details I have heard through no other speaker. Even their MMGs ($550/pair) outperform many mega-buck speakers. |
Silver Member Username: GavincummNew York USA Post Number: 854 Registered: Feb-05 | I agree hawk... thats why I own a pair of MMG's :-) |
Silver Member Username: GavincummNew York USA Post Number: 855 Registered: Feb-05 | I agree hawk... thats why I own a pair of MMG's :-) |
Silver Member Username: DakulisSpokane, Washington United States Post Number: 856 Registered: May-05 | Ascend Acoustic CBM 170s - oh wait, I already own those. LOL I'll have to go with Art here, I really liked the Vandersteens, Model V would do me fine and some beluga caviar to go with them, I suppose. |
New member Username: SikjaerDenmark Post Number: 2 Registered: Mar-06 | JBL the good old American speaker, in my earlier days I had a pair of JBL L65, ten years after I found a pair og JBL L65 Jubal, the tweeter is one of the best. Back then I always listen to Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenauer, Bob James aso. The old JBL really sound great with Luxman equipment. For some years back I found a pair of JBL TI 5000 they are made i Denmark, do anyone know the TI 5000? |
Silver Member Username: DakulisSpokane, Washington United States Post Number: 875 Registered: May-05 | OK, another option, I'd really like to hear Tim Forman's Myras, just to see if he's put as much value into those as he has into everything else of his that I've heard. If so, Tim's probably built a $5000 to $10,000/pair of speaker that he's selling for $2000 or $2500/pair. But, hearing is believing and I've yet to go hear these BUT it's on my agenda. |
Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 1066 Registered: May-05 | I asked Tim to send the Myras on tour with no luck. |
New member Username: StefanomDublin, CA United States Post Number: 3 Registered: Apr-06 | I'm a simple man. I would just like a pair of Paradigm Studio 20's and a HSU VTF-3. |
Bronze Member Username: Kfree1966Post Number: 16 Registered: Jan-06 | Sonus Faber Cremonas |
Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 2926 Registered: Feb-05 | Well done Stephen. I love my studio 20's. |
New member Username: StefanomDublin, CA United States Post Number: 4 Registered: Apr-06 | That along with an Marantz stereo receiver and CD player will probably constitute my next system, whenever I get around to it. |
Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 2931 Registered: Feb-05 | Priorities right. |
New member Username: StefanomDublin, CA United States Post Number: 6 Registered: Apr-06 | Indeed. I'll be moving back to Maryland in a couple weeks, and selling everything I own...including my current system. The joys of divorce... |
Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 2933 Registered: Feb-05 | Sorry to hear that Stephen. I went through that a couple of years ago. On the bright side, my ex and I are friends and I'm happily married to a wonderful woman...oh and I have Studio 20's..lol!! |
New member Username: StefanomDublin, CA United States Post Number: 7 Registered: Apr-06 | Haha. Well, I'm still young, and I get to finish my degree here, which is always good. Plus all my family is back there, so its for the best. |
New member Username: StefanomDublin, CA United States Post Number: 8 Registered: Apr-06 | Plus without the wife harrassing me, I can get whatever I want |
Gold Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 2935 Registered: Feb-05 | That's the spirit!!!! |
Gold Member Username: NuckParkhill, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1949 Registered: Dec-04 | Good luck, Stephen! |
Silver Member Username: DakulisSpokane, Washington United States Post Number: 879 Registered: May-05 | Stephen, When life throws you a cherry, I usually get stuck with the pit, so I can relate. Sorry to hear about the divorce but life and music rolls on. Pick head up, (seems like you're doing that), finish school, find new girl who likes music and live happily ever after. Hearts mend and they're stronger after they do, honest. |
Gold Member Username: John_aLondonU.K. Post Number: 4075 Registered: Dec-03 | That's correct. And well said. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 479 Registered: Nov-05 | Do I hear violins? |
Gold Member Username: John_aLondonU.K. Post Number: 4076 Registered: Dec-03 | No, MR, more like "been there; done that". And I still have the speakers I purchased on the rebound, when I could spend my own money. They are now "vintage", of course, like their owner. Shame about the split LP collection, of course. That won't bother Stephen! |
Silver Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 480 Registered: Nov-05 | John, sorry my remark was referring to Daves heartfelt advice to Stephen. I could almost hear the soundtrack. :-) So, et tu Mr A? |
Gold Member Username: NuckPost Number: 1974 Registered: Dec-04 | I also have the souvenier t-shirt from divorce lawyer. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 481 Registered: Nov-05 | What the heck! Am I the only guy left in the world a woman wants to keep? |
Silver Member Username: DavidpaPortland, Oregon US Post Number: 166 Registered: Nov-05 | No MR, Ive kept one too! Dont ask how, cuz she sure couldve done better! |
Silver Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 482 Registered: Nov-05 | Hooray I'm not alone! Congrats David - mine could have done better also. Guess we're just plain lucky. |
Silver Member Username: DavidpaPortland, Oregon US Post Number: 172 Registered: Nov-05 | I cant gamble..........no luck there. Im the guy that gets pulled over.....no luck there. Im always the shortest.........no luck there. Broken every bone in my body..........no luck there either. Cars always break down......no luck there. The list goes on............BUT I am still one of the luckiest guys around! Sounds like you are too! Congrats as well. |
Silver Member Username: DakulisSpokane, Washington United States Post Number: 883 Registered: May-05 | MR, Hey, been married, coming up on 29 years and she's kept me, too. I don't know what she's thinking of. BUT, it took several heart breaks to get there and my longterm memory is still much better than my short term memory. MR, yes those were violins, with an oboe just to the right of center stage, somewhat in the back of the soundstage and, I might add, a tenor sax playing, "My heart bleeds for you" well in the background. LOL |
Silver Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 485 Registered: Nov-05 | So that was "My heart bleeds for you" - and I thought I was going mad. Thanks Dave and congrats on the 29 years. We are 33 yrs in May. Geez, I've gotta remember that this year :-) So I guess it must be our charisma, empathy, compassion, not to mention good looks and other virtues eh Dave? |
Bronze Member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 28 Registered: Mar-06 | SOUNDS LIKE YOUR WIVES ARE SINGING THRU YOUR SPEAKERS. I believe it's the WAF factor or wife acceptance factor among audiophiles! yup, i read it all the time. many men have to sell their beloved system or loudspeaker that they cherished because it doesn't fit the decor or the waf factor. You truly are lucky when the waf factor favors you when purchasing or owning the speaker system of your choice. I think loudspeakers gets discriminated by wives or girlfriends more so than amplifiers or cd players, WHAT DO YOUT THINK? poor loudspeakers, they are always judged based on their size, height, color and weight compared to their fellow amplifiers, receivers and players. now among you audiophiles amplifiers are discriminated against equally to loudspeakers in my opinion. but among couples, it's always the loudspeakers! that means you guys need to sell everything and buy BOSE OR DAVINCI/THEATER RESEARCH/DOG DIGITAL/DIGITAL RESEARCH and AUDIOVOX! |
Silver Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 489 Registered: Nov-05 | "You truly are lucky when the waf factor favors you when purchasing or owning the speaker system of your choice." Jim My wife likes the looks of all our audio gear. But then I really like all her dresses and shoes and tell her often how beautiful she looks. That's how you do it! |
Gold Member Username: John_aLondonU.K. Post Number: 4078 Registered: Dec-03 | MR; "So, et tu Mr A?" Yep. But it was so long ago that CDs hadn't even been invented. It hurt like h_ll at the time, but led on to wonderful things. Cue violins. |
Bronze Member Username: BasicaudioChula vista, Ca US Post Number: 30 Registered: Mar-06 | hello guys, check out my new post on your choice between loudspeakers or your spouse or pets. be as humorous as yould like when responding (-: i am basing it out of this subject line and all the discussions made here. |
Silver Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 492 Registered: Nov-05 | "but led on to wonderful things" That's the main thing, John. A case of: All's well that ends badly. |