Best affordable vintage and new audiophile speakers of all time!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- These are my picks, speakers I have a history with, so it's not a popularity contest. Your choices may differ, please share them in the comments. Prices (per pair) quoted for when they were new.
NHT Super Two, $750 www.stereophile.com/floorloud...
Current NHT www.nhthifi.com
Original Wharfedale Diamond, $100 (?) www.whathifi.com/us/features/...
Pioneer SP BS22LR, $150 www.cnet.com/news/mission-imp...
ELAC Debut B6.2, $$300 www.cnet.com/reviews/elac-deb...
ELAC UniFi UB5 $500 www.cnet.com/reviews/elac-uni...
ELAC Uni-Fi UB52, $600 • REVIEW: Pushing the en...
Linn Kan
Klipsch RP600M, $600 • Is it fair to review a...
Magnepan LRS $650 www.cnet.com/news/are-you-rea...
Zu DW, $999 www.zuaudio.com/loudspeakers/...
Original 1981 Vandersteen Model 1 $500 (?) My Model 1C review from 2009 www.vandersteen.com/products/...
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Steve’s System:
SME 15 turntable sme.co.uk/audio/product/model...
SME V tonearm sme.co.uk/audio/product/serie...
Ortofon Cadenza Blue cartridge
Van Den Hul Grail phono preamp audioshield-distribution.com/...
Jay’s Audio CD Transport www.jays-audio.com/
Denafrips Terminator DAC www.denafrips.com/terminator
Denafrips Ares DAC www.denafrips.com/ares
Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ mytekdigital.com/hifi/product...
Border Patrol DAC borderpatrol.net/DAC.htm
Oppo BDP 105 Blu ray player www.oppodigital.com/support/b...
Pass Labs XP30 preamp
Pass Labs HPA 1 preamp/headphone amp www.passlabs.com/products/hpa-1/
Pass Labs XA25 power amp www.passlabs.com/products/xa25/
Pass Labs XA100.5 power amp
First Watt J2 power amp www.firstwatt.com/j2.html
First Watt F7 power amp www.firstwatt.com/f7.html
First Watt SIT3 power amp www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_sit...
Amp Camp Amp Stereo diyaudiostore.com/collections...
Schiit Aegir power amp www.schiit.com/products/aegir
Mytek Brooklyn Amp+ mytekdigital.com/hifi/product...
Decware Zen Triode power amp www.decware.com/newsite/SE84C...
Denon PMA600NE integrated amp usa.denon.com/en/shop/amplifi...
Klipsch Cornwall IV speakers • Klipsch Cornwall IV wi...
KEF LS50 speakers
KEF LS50 Meta speakers • REVIEW: Radically impr...
Q Acoustics 3030i speakers www.qacoustics.com/3030i-book...
Emotiva B1+ speakers emotiva.com/products/airmotiv...
Adam Audio F5 speakers
AudioQuest digital cables www.audioquest.com/cables/dig...
Kimber digital cable www.kimber.com/products/D60
Cardas interconnect cables cardas.com/clear_reflection_ic...
JPS Labs interconnects jpslabs.com/collections/inter...
Nordost speaker cables nordost.com/leif/red-dawn/red...
AudioQuest power cables www.audioquest.com/ac-power/a... - บันเทิง
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This. This. This. More of this. There are only so many people alive who can offer this kind of wisdom in this space. Anyone can review speakers. FEW can offer real perspective. BE THAT!
So true.
I recently picked a pair of linn tukans- loving them
I enjoy your enthusiasm Steve and look forward to your videos, thank you
Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I remember the Wharfedale Diamonds.
That was a great review and approve of this round up choices. I recalled a pair of Design Acoustics 10a point source.
Hi Steve Love the show!... My 1st love were a pair of EPI 202..... Just saw we both fell in love with the Empire turntable bought at the same shop!.... Thank you for the great work
You live my dream Steve, listen to your music come alive (more so on some than others;) via different speakers.
You’re expertise hasn’t steered me wrong. Based on your recommendation I’ve purchased the Uni-fi UB5s and the RP600Ms. Both very different speakers, and both awesome for the money. Thank you for all you do!
One of my favorite TH-cam videos... trip down memory lane. So many great speakers. Remembering my old NAD preamp and Hafler amp... Mission, Spica, Boston Acoustics A40s. But my favorite was the Merlin 1B speaker. I used for years and Bobby P even walked me through replacing the tweeter. Probably my favorite sub $1k speaker. Then as I got older and a little more money, moved up the Merlin line. Will miss talking with Bobby about his speaker designs. Just a different time when the owner would take 30 minutes of his day because he was so passionate about his speakers.
Now Here This: NHT speakers always stood out to me, from the first pair I heard at the mall when i was a teenager (and knew nothing about speakers), to the monstrous 3.3 model I heard working at an A/V store in the 90's. Our store had a suite at an L.A. audio convention in 1998, and our NHT-based A/V system easily rivaled or surpassed any setup at the convention anywhere near its price range.
We sold B&W, M&K, Apogee, Totem and other "high end" brands, and I swear no other brands matched the clarity of the NHT sound. On the downside, NHTs were quite revealing: with poorly recorded music the NHTs sounded just like the bad recording, but on premium recordings the NHTs were glorious. NHTs never voiced their speakers for extra bass & treble, and they've largely used sealed-box designs which are ideal for coupling with the listening room.
Picking up a minty pair of Vandersteen Model 1's tonight! Looking forward to hearing them in my room!
steve-glad you remain well. great list. reading below, i realize how many speakers i have transitioned to/from. my most wonderful wife is a very patient gal! stay well. thumbs up.
I also started back in the 1980's with ARs and Advent. But the first one I loved was the Polk 10B and it fit the budget even though I heard others I loved. From there I moved to the B&W DM601 set that I still use today!
Time Windows and the Magnepan IIIa's - - - the Time Windows were sooo coherent, lovely to listen with hour after hour and the Maggie IIIa's were were the price budget bargain and the gateway into that great "boxless" Magnepan presentation combined with a massive soundstage.
That was fun to watch. I haven’t heard those vandersteens but I always wanted too. They look so cool!
My then BIL had a pair. That was just about the only reason I wanted to go over to his house. They really throw a sound stage.
Since the day that I listened to the Tannoy D700s in the 90s for me the speakers at any price
Steve, Thank you for all the options you have provided, and continue to provide. I am looking for something always and enjoy the hobby. You have the gravitas to provide people with knowledge and beneficial enlightenment. I would like to find a speaker/system that mimics a live audio presentation at a lower feasible price point in some future video. I listened to a pair of Magico S5 speakers and that was incredible. I enjoy what you are up to, so thank you!
Great video. I cannot speak to many of the speakers on your list, BUT the Vandersteens blew me away the first time I heard them. Amazing design, sweet sound, precise vocal localization. Giant killer in my opinion.
Love what you do! In recent years I’ve become an ELAC fanatic. I am blown away by the Uni-Fi UB5s, especially considering they were just $500/pair. I originally bought them as an upgrade to a living room secondary system for background music. Today, after adding a REL T7i, I listen to this system more than a separate system with Vandersteen 5As, which are incredible speakers, and I don’t want to suggest that the UB5s are just as good. But the bang for the buck, IMO, is exceptional. Add the REL, and you may be at least considering whether $500 speakers were turned into $5000 speakers. Now considering upgrading to ELAC Carina floor standing speakers.
Hi Steve. Good videos (I've watched both parts), and thanks for doing them. I shall definitely be subscribing to your channel, like I have subscribed to The Audiophile Man, here in the UK, which is how I accidentally happened to come across your videos, as they appeared in the list, after I'd watched one of his. I've been an audiophile all of my life, starting with being fascinated by my Dad's hi-fi, when I was literally still a baby! He had amazing "Panosona" Worden horn speakers and, as well as a Garrard 401 turntable with linear tracking Worden pick-up arm, and Rogers amplifier, he also had a good quality half-track Chilton reel-to-reel tape recorder. I fell in love with hi-fi so much, before I could even walk or talk, that it's been a lifelong passion. Apparently, I would crawl to the perfect listening position between the speakers, and would also spend hours watching the tape reels moving, and the meters kicking on his recorder, in line with the music. I don't have too many early memories, but I do remember that, and yes, I eventually got reel-to-reel recorders of my own, and I still use them now! Dad's still got his Worden horns too, but he has modified the cabinets a few times, and upgraded the Lowther full-range drivers in them several times too; hi-fi is very much a passion that we share! I've still got a pair of Wharfedale Diamonds on a secondary hi-fi system I've got, that I keep at my Dad's house for when I visit him, and they're great speakers for the size & price, so it was nice to see them included in your list. In terms of baby speakers like those, I'd also add the JBL Control 1, which I've had, and which I would argue have better top than the Diamonds. For larger speakers, I must confess that I was surprised not to see more B&W models in your list. The hi-fi shop in the town where I grew up, and spent a lot of time hanging out in as a kid, kept the B&W 802 speakers, and they were amazing, as were the DM7 models. That wonderful independent shop also kept the speakers that are on my main hi-fi system at my house. They are made by a company that I was absolutely astonished you haven't mentioned at all, especially as they have produced some of the best speakers the world has ever heard, not to mention having come into the language as an actual word, and that company is Tannoy. Surely, you must have come across them? If not, you've really missed out. I absolutely love the Tannoys I've got, even though they're only one of the lower models, from 1979 - the T145 (10" woofer, dual concentric, with horn loaded tweeter inbuilt). They were only £279 a pair when new, but I was given them for free when they were ten years old, and they were so good, that they've been my main speakers ever since, and are still going strong. The brilliance of the dual concentric driver design is so good it's almost unbelievable, and it makes for an incredibly detailed three-dimensional sound stage, especially when you're playing a good record with a Van Den Hul cartridge on a linear tracking turntable. The treble is crystal clear, yet never harsh, the bass is so rich and deep, yet never wallows, so long as you drive them from an amplifier with decent current, like you were saying in the videos. They significantly outperform their quoted low frequency range too, actually being flat all the way down to 40Hz, and 6dB down at 30Hz (I've tested them). They were laughingly described as "bookshelf" speakers, but if you actually put them on a bookshelf, they'd pull it off the wall! I gather that their current equivalents - the new Tannoy Eaton - are even better, but as I don't have around £6,000 spare, I'll just stick with my old faithful T145s, and besides, it's like you were saying - they still draw me in, and they have that lovely "British" sound of the time, that you were also referring to, which for me at least, just can't be beaten. Kind regards, Marcus.
Meadowlark Kestrel purchased in 1995 still remain one of my favorites. They were $995 a pair back then.
A most enjoyable pair of vids, Thank You Steve! For my 2 cents worth, I still enjoy my MG 2.5R/Velodyne ULD-12 team immensely, but have to mention the Polk Monitor 7A's (original Peerless tweeters) that I got for a try-me and wound up keeping. Was not expecting such sublime midrange from these old boxes, and they image a bit too; Balance, Balance. Also love my Debut B5's in the bedroom with a little Sansui AU-117...
Steve !! I was just thinking about upgrading my setup (but without breaking the bank) and thought of you, and you released this video, it is as if you have read my mind ! Haha
I have the Boston Acoustics A200s and love them. Have just sourced a mint pair of stand mounted A60s series ii for a second system. Great video! Subscribed
Hi Steve,
Thanks for all your videos. You have a lovely way of presenting yourself and I enjoy listening to your opinion.
To answer your question. I've recently purchased and began listening to the brand Energy and Sound Dynamics. Both were Canadian companies made by the same manufacturer API. Excellent sound quality for the money. If you can get your hands on some of the higher end products you will be amazed!
Steve after reading article back early 90s saying how the Bryston 4B was , your word solid to me. To this day it's still rocking to my L100 JBL from the 80s, rebuilt of course. Rock on Steve!
Loving my Totem mites. Twenty plus years. Scales with every improvement to my system.
Great review! Interested in a 2 of them! Thank you
My Kef Carina ll's purchased in 1984 continue to thrill me. They are the front speakers in my 5:1 now. They give me great respect for the entire Kef line. Their reference standard is admirable.
ADS-L810. Having heard the best, these 1980's 3-ways are the best speakers I can afford to live with. They are flawlessly lifelike in my room setup.
PSB Imagine bookshelf's and the JBL 830's were the 2 speakers that made me take notice. They were the speakers that started me on my quest for better sound.
The NHT Two's were my second set of speakers (after my Bose 901's). I've had them for nearly 20 years and would not trade them for anything. They have amazing response even going into subwoofer territory while maintaining crispness and clarity beyond 20k. They double as my home theater fronts and my music stereo pair. I also use NHT Super Ones as my surrounds on my 9.2.2 theater system plus a pair of NHT 10-inch subs. I think NHT ie very under rated. I also love your channel!
I walked the same path! Still have my 901's and stands and equalizer in the attic.
I have 4 Vandy 1C's as part of my surround set up with matching sub and center . Had them for 20 years. Still marvel at them. Just played the White Album Blu Ray this past Tuesday for a friend. His mind was appropriately blown. Ringo is a monster. They are situated in a intentionally designed sound room, 36 x 24 x 10, so that adds a lot.
Spica TC50, was a game changer in the early 80’s. So much goodness for so little money.
I have the Lin Kan v1 - love them. My backup to Altec model 18. Both legendary in their own right.
great video on all those lovely speakers i bought the Linn kans and one of the very early marantz cd 63 ? meridian 101 preamp and monoblocks 105 truly amazing sound at the time 😊😊
I scored a pair of Klipsch RP-280F speakers for $800 that replaced a set of Polk Audio RTi-A7 towers. I was blown away by the dynamics of the Klipsch in comparison. Even my Wife who is not even close to being an audiophile was amazed. I'd hear her say thigs like "I never heard that in that song before" & "Wow, there's so much more life in the sound now". I'd never really considered Klipsch before because I was afraid if having a too small sweet spot, but I'm glad I did... And by the way, I did so because of Steve's enthusiastic reviews. Thank you Steve, I'm more happy with these speakers than I've ever been with any I've owned. I'm now sold on horns and you are the man!
Yes I know what you mean, I have a pair of these too, fantastic I so agree!
Agree. I got a pair of same model Klipsch on half-price (buy one, get one free) on Black Friday Sale. I use in a music only stereo rig w/an older model SVS 12” sealed dub. They sounded great on their own. But adding the sub just seemed to sound slightly better and fuller. (?). To my ears in my room. I’m No complaints or regrets at $450 @ pair! I know my grandson & his friend dig it! I gave them to my grandson as a gift for all he’s done for me in my old age. I now live in smaller place and use Kef Q100 bookshelves paired w/dual 8” subs. My g-son is happy to have the Klipsch. I felt those towers had great bass. Quality sounding bass. Great music speakers. I listen to classic rock, Blues, and Jazz primarily.
I'm currently using a great pair of vintage bookshelf Infinity SL20 with solid oak cabinets, 6.5" woofer, 5." dome tweeter, acoustic suspension cabinet. Bought them on Craigslist a few years ago and they still sound great, with incredible imagery, and solid bass. You made some solid choices, Steve!
I have the Maggie LRS and love them.. First time I heard them I was blown away especially at their price. Now you need to invest on the upfront chain to make them sing but still quite a value. I drive them with a Holo Audio Spring KTE DAC -> Hegel H160 setup.
Awesome show Steve.
I was glad to see the Vandersteen 1B included in your list! I seldom see Vandersteen speakers included in many of the TH-cam reviews and I have always had Vandersteen speakers. I still have my 1B's and my main speakers are Vandersteen Treo CT's. I also have the original Model 2's and I've also owned the Model 2ce signature 2's. All great speakers in my opinion.
You could probably get a much newer model of Vandersteen 1 speakers for under $1000. The new price is $1695, so I would expect a pair that is fairly recent would be well within this price range.
Hey glad you committed on Vandersteens. I’ve had B&W 802 D3 Matrix series for a long time, always wishing for a pair of Wilson Watt Puppies but recently heard the Quatro wood CT and was extremely impressed with the sound stage and life like quality. I ready an interview with Richard Vandersteen on how and why he takes his approach. It all makes good engineering sense. Plus many of the competitors have started to follow his design concepts, individually boxes ect.
What caught your interest in his speakers? Thanks
What a cool shirt! Lovely list.
I like smooth speakers that have few tonal hiccups. I was delighted by the Infinity Interlude series, namely the IL40. Fairly transparent with good tonal balance and smoothness... Not aggressive... Boston acoustics’ VR950 was a surprise as well; a bit more zing, yet still fairly balanced toe tappers. They remind me of some of Mission’s offerings with smooth mids, unexaggerated bass and lively, yet inoffensive treble.
Great video and great information about speakers
Infinity Reference 30... great musicality and sound imaging.... impressive
Great souvenirs
Great video! I'm going to look for some of those; missed out on the Vandersteens recently.
My most recent personal experience: As a low-budget audiophile (I listen to music daily, but I don't really know anything) who likes vintage gear, I bought a pair of re-foamed New Advent Loudspeakers with the bullnose/rounded walnut veneer ($200). After trying several receivers, I finally got them to exceed expectations, pairing them with a Sansui 6060($200; had a list price of $420 in 1976; $1,900 in today's dollars). This combo provides a wide soundstage, and I began to hear more detail in live concerts (Belafonte at Carnegie Hall -wow- and of course, Neil Young). With the 2 other vintage and 1 modern receiver I tried, I didn't get anywhere near as much detail and warmth. My newish B&W bookshelf speakers are more "clean", but I don't get as deep and wide of a soundstage, even with a sub.
Thanks for this video Steve. Here is a little of my history for speakers under $1k that I owned once upon a time and still miss to this day.
Bose Bravura bookshelf speakers circa 1977-78.
Boston Acoustics A60.
Mirage M190i.
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1.
Mordaunt-Short Avant 902i.
Definitive Technology BP10.
The speaker that I always wanted to buy but never got around to it was the original Linn Kan. The audition is still seared into my memory.
I haven't seen many examples of Paradigm speakers, but I think these fly under the radar. I have a pair of Paradigm Titan v.3 in my house that, then A-B'd against the Pioneers mentioned from Andrew Jones...blew them away on every level. My price was $40/pair before re-foaming them. A true gem.
They don't get the recognition they deserve! I own a couple of monitors from 25 plus years ago and I still hold them up to anything in there class, they "punch above their weight" as the charlatans say... lol
I had the Studio 100v3's. Monitor 7's, 9's I think it was?,.. I really like Paradigm speakers for short periods of time. Not sure what it is but the first few songs are amazing, but after that it gets fatiguing to me. Don't get me wrong, about 3very 5 years I buy a pair on craigslist or something and enjoy them until they sell, Paradigms to me are like a really hot 25 yr old chick that you can't wait to be with, but after you just know it wasn't meant to be lol.
Mission 773e’s ...small floorstander.. love the mids & highs & when paired with good sub &electronics makes a fantastic setup
I still have my Vandersteen 1B's in my system since I bought them back in 1992. They have grown with my system over the years and I still get complements when people hear them. I have never felt the need to upgrade them and the only thing I have done to them is a recent replacement of the socks which I was able to do myself.
Steve has just single handily has increased the value of a lot of vintage speakers!
His videos have raised the retail of some pieces I have considered. Good for manufacturers but not me! 😆
Local marketplaces my dude, that's how you find the good deals
Steve !
First: Always like to listen to you, sharing your idea's & experiences on Audio-stuff.
Very enthousiastic but also very down to earth.
Love it !
As for the hall of fame, these should be in the hall of fame, really:
Synthese 1 from the early 80-ies. Or even Synthese 2, bit more affordable at that time. Later Ivan Schellekens (Antwerp, Belgium) also designed a Synthese 3, which was the least expensive them all, but also the least impressive. My pick would be the Synthese 2... there is a limit to what i can put in my livingroom, plus they really are magnificent if you can get used to the odd shape & size... (they look like huge vintage phone horns, lmao).
Greetings from the Netherlands , Ger.
I love those those little Pioneer SP-BS22-LR's, as I have said before. I am very happy with them. As for Vintage speakers that have stuck with me, my Aunt dated an audiophile in the 1980's, and he bought her a set of Empire Royal Grenadier 9000's. Even as a teenager I LOVED those speakers!
Late 70's/early 80's, Polk Audio Monitor 10's. Fantastic speakers for around $600. Back when Polk made real speakers. My stereo shop would have these in the "big" room with the high end speakers and they really competed at a reasonable price.
I bought a pair of Polk Monitor 10s in 1979-80 and am still using them. Lived in Baltimore at the time. After reading a review of the Polk Monitor 12, I decided to check them out and maybe move up from my Bozak Tempos. Somebody I knew worked for the Polk dealer in the area and he insisted I also listen to the 10s before springing for the 12s. The 10s were a bit warmer than the 12s and I liked their sound better. They still sound great to me. The brochure I still have from that time specifies 30Hz-20.5kHz +/- 2dB. They are quite some numbers. Although I've never checked that out, I've had no reason to doubt it. For music listening, I definitely haven't needed a subwoofer.
I bought a pair of Design Acoustic D-12’s in 1974. I’ve had them ever since and they are still outstanding. One of the earliest attempts at omni-directional sound, they fill a room with a soundstage that is high, wide and deep. Imaging is very precise and they have a wonderful spacey sound. Julian Hirsch reviewed these as the best speakers he had ever heard in the mid-70’s.
I have a set of DA PS-8a speakers I bought in the mid 80’s. They still sound wonderful - even better than the Paradigm 200B speakers I recently purchased. I was worried the DA speakers would dry rot soon but they seem indestructible!
Thank you, Steve.
By the way, I admire the painting on the wall.
Watching this with Pioneer BS 22LR + Marantz PM5005 .. Love it !!!
My speakers are as follows. All under $1000.
Paradigm 3se mark ll - Elac Debut b6.2 and now the Triangle BRO3. All excellent!!!
Would love to try the LRS at some point.
Good choices all but it was your original review/recommendation of Zu DW's that convinced me that I should seriously consider them.
I found that the 97db 1watt/meter sensitivity combined with all the other things they do right... dynamics, accuracy, transparency, frequency range, etc. opened up fabulous possibilities with SET, low wattage tube amps which I own like the Decware SE84UFO and consider superior design, build quality and true to life performance. Upgrading to clarity caps put the DW's over the $1000 mark by $100 but really make these one of the all-time audio bargains. Dealing with Sean and his crew is a pleasure and just frosting on the cake and ...Once I viewed Sean's You Tube interview with John Atkinson, I was totally convinced/ sold.
Well, I have just bought a pair of the Pioneer SPBS22LR's on Steve's recommendation. What can I say? Completely blown away. Absolutely incredible sound for the money. They're hooked up to another of Steve's favourites - NAD 3020 amp.
Wow. Never seen the NHT Super Two's make any list. Turns out I have a pair in the back of room for rear surround channels. I guess I need to move them to the front of house now that Mr. G has given them his endorsement!!!
I know this is for your next video but back in the mid-70s my favorite speaker by far magnepan tympani 1 D's at the time $1,500. Still Out Of Reach for me at least for the next few years. I was able to acquire repair and kept them for 20 years. Just a little bit different sound then any of the single panel magnepans. Although they didn't offer the extended high-end they did offer a very unique Sound Stage. Something that's similar but not duplicated on single panels.
Those don't fit into your first criteria but from the same time frame the first very small speakers that I thought sounded incredible were visonic David's. Incredible sound for the size and inexpensive.
My friends dad had a pair of Cerwin Vega 901’s in the 80’s. I was in love with the sound. Reggae was the genre of those days and they handled every note with aplomb.
loud and proud. thick boxes but not much dampener and the crossover was cheap.
PSB Alphas have a good pedigree in this value for money space as well. For me, from the late eighties I had a set of Axiom Audio speakers that were outstanding. They have been handed down to my son and still going strong.
+1 for Linn Kan!
I got my Linn Kan II pair, 28 years ago and I still own them and play them from time to time when I feel nostalgic.
They will never leave this house!
Aurelio Lombardi mine are the mk 1, bought second hand in 1990 and used ever since. However it’s time for a complete change - I am thinking of some sort of vintage floor standers. but I doubt I will ever sell the Kans.
Just let my son have my kans had them for 35 years... Still sound sweet
Great topic. I recently returned to audio and started out with NHT SB1's. Quickly jumped to the SB2's which are now my office speakers driven by a yamaha AS-2000. Overkill? maybe but it sounds pretty damn good at all volumes.
In the 1970s I bought myself a pair of Larger Advents in walnut and my brother a pair of Dynaco A-25s with handsome linen grill cloth. We both still own them, so of course I’d put them on the list for vintage. The Advents have needed new foam surrounds twice. The first time they were boomy instead of tight bass. The second I did myself with surrounds from Simply Speakers and they were much more like the originals. The first time my brother tried to replace the Dynacos, his wife said the black boxes he chose were ugly, so he returned them and back in went the A-25s. I’ve always wanted to hear Vandersteen 1s or 2s with that angled driver on top.
Early Acoustic research. I own 2AXs that I restored. Cloth surrounds are still very supple. The 3As are supposed to be even better. East coast sound, flat response and great for female voices.
In the Early 80s, I had a friend that had 2 Heil AMT 1b speakers. They had a front-facing 12, a rear-facing passive radiator, and the Heil air motion transformer on top. I was in a room with a large couch, carpeting, and curtains, but those things had a spacial projection that to me was unreal. If I close my eyes, I couldn't tell where the speakers were, but where the recording engineer wanted them to be in the room. They made a few later speakers that were basically the same except the woofer and radiator were both on the front, and I never heard them. I guess they didn't sell well because the only place I seem to be able to find them now is on Ebay.
Used and/or vintage gear for me.
1. The price opens more doors to the high end sound you might be looking for.
2. If any issues I can fix myself. And lowers the price more
3. I can mod. or break it without screwing up a warranty.
4. You meet some like minded and really cool people during the transaction.
I scored a pair of vintage magnepan MG III’s that sucked me right in to the cult following. I mean WOW. I sit down just to test and find myself sitting there way longer than I intended, that’s part of the sometimes unexpected fun you get from audio.
For me its Mission. I bought a set of 773s in 2000 which are floorstanders with a D'Appolito arrangement of two midwoofers with the tweeter between them. Very intelligently made, there are swoops and chamfers on the cabinet which are there for a reason. There's wierd slits in the tweeter baffle, also for a reason. I love these speakers, they are what you described of the Dirty Weekends. Entry level audiophile but they grow with the electronics. Every electronics upgrade I throw at them they keep raising their game. To the extent that sometimes I tell myself I should change them but I can't justify it.
Enjoying my Telydne AR90 speakers being pushed by 500w each. 4ohm speakers, 5 way. Just an overall great design if you have the power to drive them. Bass is tight and powerful. The kind of speakers that make you want to dance.
I still have the Super Two!! I bought them about 20 years ago at Sixth Avenue. I miss that store!!
Spica TC-50. I believe they were around $500 a pair. Imaging, soundstage, and vocals were unbelievable.
You called it on the little Poineers. I have a couple pair (as well as the floorstand variant). I put a pair with the little Onkyo integrated (9110 I think) that gets raves for a little bedroom system. Crazy good. You can get them for $60-80/pair. Gotta be the greatest value ever.
Hi Steve. My old audio sales buddy had an HQD system with 6 ML2s. Mono Levinson crossovers. ML 6 mono preamps and 25 INCH Hartleys with 500 lbs of sand filled cabinets. I myself own Magnepan 1.7i. And tube power ...I'm happy.
I have limited personal experience, but I really liked the KEF Q150 and the Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary. My only other experience is with the original ELAC Debut B5, but the other two impressed me more.
Found a pair of KLH model 6 speakers, 2-ways, in a thrift store ~10 yrs ago for $10. Brought them home & they blew me away. In production '58-72. Also found a pair of Dynaco A-25 speakers at the same thrift for $5. Again, awesome, but smaller & work very well in my second system. Vintage can be jaw dropping good.
Steve here in Montreal older focal speakers can be had for super cheap, must be a french connection thing. I picked up a few used pair of focal over the years for cents on the dollar, alot of HiFi for very little money! I've spent 600$ on used focal and also on new elacs and man oh man, for the money the focal absolutely destroy the elacs in every way!! With a 30 watt tube amp the elacs always sound lifeless but a set of used focals and you really get some seriously alive sound!
This list REALLY should include the Spica TC50. In 1986, I listened to ust about every speaker I could find in stores, and none of them really sounded good until I heard the TC-50.
While well over the 1K threshold, I absolutely loved the Celestion SL-700. Expensive, gorgeous to look at, and sound staging and imaging among the best ever. They were jaw-dropping in my opinion. Don’t know how I never bought a pair. It’s the one that got away. . .
Nice job, my first small bedroom speaker the Boston A40 which I covered the front baffle with felt and turned upside down had a clean bright sound. Dayton still makes a $45 model that looks virtually the same. After those I had the Celestion 3, also acoustic suspension with an exposed metal dome, easy to dent but great highs and imaging. I still have a pair in mint condition, the 2nd pair bought belonging to my mother. The biggest problem with these 80’s speakers is they sound boxy compared to something modern.
Thanks Steve for all your great advice. For those of us who are NOT wealthy, buying used newer or vintage is great way to a super audio system. Remember to look at feedback (eBay, USAudio Mart, Reverb etc.) and if you use Craigs list ask for a demo, don’t be shy about it. For example, Klipsch Cornwalls here in Maine one owner excellent condition, $850! Check the new price!!! Enjoy your music!
Agree with the Vandersteens since I own a pair.
Snell type A. The speaker you keep. They keep growing on one. I have just bought the KEF LS 50II, and they are the first speakers where I get the same feeling.
I heard the SD Acoustics SD1 through DNM amplification in the 1980s at KJ Leisure Sound off Oxford Circus station in central London. Their sound has never left me.
I have the Elac B6.2 pair and I love them.
My favorite vote for the best vintage speaker and my first back in 1973 was the ESS Heil AMT 1 floor standing speaker for a little less than $1,000. Women vocals like Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell were crystal clear thru the AMT. Speakers were non-fatiguing and could listen for hours playing LPs of Classical music and of course The Beatles and Rolling Stones in their glorious youth with a Dual turntable and Pioneer receiver. A great value back in the day and still in production as the AMT limited edition but at a much higher cost (Inflation).
I second your motion, Bill! I still have my original mint-condition pair from the late 1970's. They continue to be my critical-listening speakers.
Of course, every decade or so I've had to do a little maintenance, like refoam the woofer surrounds, rebuild the x-overs, replace a Heil ribbon, and even replace the grill cloth.
Certainly, I could have bought something else during these many years and I have. But, I've never found anything I like better and that includes things like mega-priced Wilson Watt Puppies.
I also have a pair of AMT 1b’s that I have had for some 30+ years now. I have replaced both the 12” woofers and 12” passives multiple times over the years. I love these speakers. I can’t bring myself to replace them.
the b&w dm110 i purchased in the early 80's for well under $1k were awesome. 8" bookshelf, don't see too many of those nowadays.
I bought my DM110s from Classic Stereo Limited way back in 1984. I loved them, but when I recently compared them to my Klipsch RP600Ms with upgraded crossovers, and My ELAC UNI-Fi UB5s, they suddenly seemed to have no bass or dynamics. Shocking that a large 2-way with an 8" woofer had so little bass compared to a small 3 way with a 5" woofer. There has definitely been a lot of progress, especially in bookshelf speakers, over the last 4 decades!
One of my favorites was the Epicure and EPI line of speakers, the top choice for value for me was the simple Epicure model 10. I sold these by the truck load. They were the low end of the Epicure line, a simple 2 way speaker with amazing response.
I had the epi 20+ as well loved them. Wish I never sold them!
ESS Amt 1b, first pair of truly fine speakers I owned when I was 18a and they were great, replaced by 2 sets of Yamaha NS-1000M’s which I had for 20 years....
I'm quite fond of the Large Advents... which after 40 some odd years I still listen to. I really liked all of Henry Kloss' designs... AR, KLH, Advent, Cambridge Soundworks...
I have the Rogers LS3/5 since......1976, I bought two pairs, one get stolen during removal, and I never, ever think of selling/changing, even after having a bunch of more different speakers etc....then few years ago it happened I built a pair of Karlson bookshelf with a single driver, a Fostex FF-105WK, and it blowed everything away. It costed me my time, some screws and paint and of course the price of the drivers. Very easy to drive, they become my reference to get an idea of what I am listing to. I wont be afraid to confront them to any you have mentioned.
My favorite speakers are the Genesis Physics 3 or III towers. I've had them for 45 years along with a Kenwood ka-9100 amp purchased both in 1976 and are actually still going strong. I've had other speakers over the years but they never sounded as good as the Genesis.
My first with a killer tweeter. Inverted dome that was still available and unchanged 10 years ago when I last checked
ALR JORDAN ENTRY S. Superb little bookshelf speakers that are like a gift that keeps on giving. Made in Germany, last forever, solid, quality units that deliver big sound but are small enough to fit anywhere. My first pair are 20 years old and going strong, picked up a new old stock pair in January and love them, my main listening speakers in our weekend house.
The first high quality speakers I owned were the 3D Acoustics 3d610b, 3 piece 2 satellites and a 10" passive subwoofer. They had an open, detailed sound with good imaging. Later found they were made by Dahlquist. Couple of years later I purchase a pair of Dahlquist DQ20i, used from Stereo Exchange. Got them for $450 with a torn grill clothe. Those were truly beautiful sounding speakers.
Still have my Linn Kan’s and they’re still awesome.
Very much agree with your list, I would like to add on Linn Sara, KEF 104ab and AR18 just for my honourable mention additions. Cheers
I purchased the Acoustic Research AR11’s in 1977 for 750.00 a pair. Still have them and they sound great with my new Marantz PM 8006. Love your comments.
Rectilinear Tall Boy lll back in the day had an amazing tone.
Harbeth LS3/5A, Dynaco A25. We have a pair of rebuilt Dynaco's in our living room. I did replace the tweeters with new Seas and film crossover caps.
Great video Steve. I loved my Kans, best small speakers I owned and I now want to find another pair very badly! First speakers I fell in love with were actually owned by my friend, the Audiomaster MLS4. A big box stand mount design by Robin Marshall who subsequently went on to replicate them at Monitor Audio in the form of the R352. Big bold dynamic sound with fabulous midrange. Too forward for some but brilliant for really rocking out!
I'm trying to find a solid review of them. Is the upper mids to lower treble raised in volume to make them forward?
@@papapatriot This is tricky to answer. I loved them at the time and whilst they were a little forward in their presentation, they were in no way fatiguing to listen to. However, I had a very different front end and amp compared with my current gear. With a Linn LP12 source, using a smooth cartridge with a solid bass, they sounded really nicely balanced, although there was a fair amount of colouration to the tone. Voices were not without a little added character.
If I were to plug them in to my modern digital sources, with it’s much more neutral tone, I suspect the colourations would be more obvious next to my Monitor Audio speakers. Perhaps I’d better leave them alone, so as not to tarnish my fond memories. Nevertheless, I am sorely tempted as they were just so alive!
@@markcarrington8565 Thank you for the quick response. I'm looking at a pair for sale right now online and have two possible locations for them even if I'm not a 100% sold on the sound. Thanks again, Mark!
I really liked Infinity reference 30,now i have Canton CT 90 and its just amazing,heard quite a few speakers,but these are just amazing for me.Got them really cheap and they are so far best bang for buck.
Original Large Advents & EPI M50's ( which I own ) are two of my favorite cheap classics.