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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
I thought those were the most desirable speakers back then too. I think a lot of us who liked them bought Advents instead because they had similar attitudes but were a lot less expensive.
@@alm5693 I to had a 2 pairs (4) Advents, I loved that setup. I got a job in Montana and packed them up there. Nobody had ever see anything like that in Great Falls, Mt
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.
@@stevezeidman7224 I bought my first pair in Canada where they were manufactured and put them on an airplane as luggage to get them home, they sounded so good! Then bought another pair, a center, and two subs in Greenville, SC. One of the best decisions I ever made!
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.
+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.
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.
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.
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 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
luv your videos ! should have included Allison acoustics ! hi scored today ! just arrived , shipped a pair of the vintage Allison acoustics grail speakers top of the line ! the superlative top of the line AL130 3 way W/ twin 8' woofers mounted push pull unique CONVEX mids and tweeters ! Back in the day , these speakers were a phenom smoking most other speakers in reviews ! even Consumers Reports scientists and engineers said it was the best speaker they had EVER heard and made it a "best buy " ! LOL Allison w/ the unique proprietary CONVEX mids and tweeters offered a super wide soundstage and unparalleled realism. they also had the twin 8" push-pull mounted woofers , which were electrically OUT of phase BUT acoustically IN phase ! they offered 20% Less harmonic distortion ! Roy Allison RIP , was brilliant self-taught audio engineer and inventor
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
I love big floor standing speakers. When I was a kid I heard a lot of speakers and music from my father. But I never was wowed until I heard the JBL 590s. I know folks look down on them but I think they are amazing.
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!
@@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!
What I would suggest you look at is the late-model used market. Speakers lose a lot of value in the first five years, but usually last for a long time without needing repairs. You can sometimes get a speaker that sold new for $3000-5000 maybe 3 or 4 years ago for around $1000. If you hang around the online sites, something will come up. The heavier they are, the quicker the price goes down. If you find something within your area, you can show up with cash and your truck, and the seller will be happy to see you.
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.
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.
I have to add another small speaker to my list. The Pinnacle AC-550. I owned them for years then gave them to my sister. She and her husband have never found anything they like better. I just picked up a pair on eBay for $90 with shipping, hooked them up and WOW! One of the best small speakers I have ever heard.
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.
I was about 10 or 11 when I first heard a set of Celestion Ditton 66's. A friend of my folks had them, and they were hitched up to a rack of Luxman equipment. Up till that point, most of my experience was limited to boomboxes and bookshelf systems. It was an eye opener. I've always been fascinated by the sound of Klipsch La Scala's. It vaguely feels like the sound is passing through you, rather than just hearing it. If I ever have the $$$ and square footage to support them, It's probably what I'd go for.
Just had the opportunity to listen to the La Scalas for the first time, finally!! Local shop had a new pair set up, the guy (BLESS HIM) puts on some really high quality Led Zeppelin live recording, i sat 9-10ft directly in between and was ABSOLUTELY blown away!! Honestly never heard music sound anything close to that! Literally changed my life...as far as that goes, i mean. Im saving my dollars, some day!!
Steve - Have you ever heard or taken the time to Review the Sony SS-CS series speakers? In particular, the Sony SSCS-5 bookshelf speaker? 5" foamed mica woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter, 1/2" soft dome super tweeter, proper crossover, flared port and proper binding posts. All for $150/pair. I've never considered myself a fan of Sony speakers, but these guys so impressed, I now actually own a pair. To my ears, they are extremely well refined with great stereo imaging and extended highs. They get really high reviews and I've seen plenty of folks on forums saying they prefer them to speakers even into the four-figure range. Yet, I see nobody in the audiophile press giving them the time of day - good, bad or otherwise.
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.
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
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.
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.
I love my Spica TC-50's. $300 on Ebay and I I listen to them more than my Magnapan 1.7's. Waiting for a crossover upgrade I have on order just to see what else they will do.
I've had both speaker. Used the Spica's with the subwoofer but I could never get it sorted. Had stacked advents Dealer in Pittsburgh, Opus One, was a big pusher for both.
in the early eighties, in my broke college days, I got a pair of Cizek ones. I know we are talking inexpensive here, but I thought the sounded particularly sweet. I would like to find them now to see what I think.
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.
Thanks for mentioning the NHT Super Two. NHT speakers do not get the attention they deserve. I find them to be accurate and well balanced but also engaging and fun. The Super Two has been discontinued but the Super Zero and Super One are still in production. The C3 is also an excellent value.
Listening to this through a pair of Epos ES11 that I think are remarkable for the retail price and still today very good speakers. Detailed and spatious sounding with good imaging, slightly warm without being rolled off, and really good bass and scale for such a little thing. You might wanna check the rubber surrounds on the woofers and change the caps on the tweeters to get them closer to factory specs, though. Great value and perfect for desktop/nearfield use!
I bought a pair of Epos ES14s for use in a recording studio in the 80s. Robin Marshall, the designer, sent a couple of spare tweeters 'just in case', and asked if we could try breaking one. We wired it up to the amplifier without a crossover and fed into it a drum track consisting only of cymbal splashes and hi hats. It took the full output of the amplifier, was excruciatingly loud and failed when the aluminium dome shattered after 20 minutes. We kept them, as not only were they robust, but allowed us to mix properly as well. Superb designs.
@@spamvacuum Nice! Never heard the ES14 but I've heard really good stuff about them. I would absolutely mix on the elevens in a pinch, althoug trying NOT to break them.. ;)
I remember back in the late 80's listening to a pair of EPOS 14's at my local audio store and just getting lost in the music and forgetting all about the equipment. Mesmerizing!
Steve, I've had several speakers in my 30 years as an audiophile including Infinity RS-3b, several different Magnepan models including the LRS and my current 1.7i's, and Thiel CS7. The speakers that stand out the most in my mind and I always think I should have never sold them ,were my original Sonus Faber Extrema's. They made magic in my music room and I have never heard anything quite like what they did. They were expensive, even though I did get them used, but amazing sound. BTW, I really enjoy your show!! Keep it going please!
Jonathan Knight Hi Johnathan - they have been repaired three times - all my fault The last time 2003 - always at Quads home in Huntingdon - I’m in the UK They fitted a protection circuit then but I’m very careful - never stressing them using up to date gear apart from a 306 amplifier I’ve got esl 63 s and 2905s also - the 57s are the best tonally having a natural organic quality that never fails to enthrall
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.
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. . .
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.
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 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!
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.
got me a pair of the NHT Super Ones....paid $350 25 years ago. They still sound great. Highs and mids blend beautifully, bass is OK, but you can't have everything in a small bookshelf. Punk is my specialty so the highs and mids are of paramount importance to me. They come up used on ebay from time to time. Grab 'em if the condition is guaranteed good.
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.
I'd include Snell's on this list. If I remember right, my type EIII was just under 1k new and I still have and use as a rotational pair routinely cycling them in without hesitation.
Totally agree. Had the Snell E IV, and they were great. Also had the Wharfdale Diamonds and heard the Linn back in the day. Both were excellent speakers.
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.
Back in 85 I had the Mirage sm1s. 8 inch 2 way in oak cabinets with a very good crossover $400/pair.. Powered by Hafler dh120 amp 60 watts r ms.with corresponding Hafler preamp. Rounded out with Thorens turntable with Grado cartridge/stylus and Onkyo FM Tuner and Teac 7 band equalizer with Monster speaket cables. I'm preparing to have the electronics brought up to snuff and putting best possible drivers and crossover into cabinets. Finally adding Steve's reviewed SVS SB 3000 sub and also Schiit Gungnir 2 multibit dac and lastly Innuos MK3 streamer/cd ripper.
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.
Great experiences....Original Advents in the Absolute Sound's "Double Advent System". Driven by Phase Linear 700 with companion pre-amp. That was a world changer moment for me above and beyond ANY receiver I heard back in the day with ubiquitous 'bookshelf' speakers. You never really gave the Original Advents a shot unless you drove them in a "Double Advent System". Lots of better stuff came down the pipe later on.....but I never had that AHA! moment again quite like that.
Had the following: Paradigm SE-7 1988-2007 Klipsch KG-4 1988-2002 Paradigm Mini-Monitor + Polk 5jr run together 2008-2012 Monitor audio Silver 50s and Paradigm SE-1 2013-2014 Currently own Focal 807W, Definitive SM-45 and Triangle Zetas. Have listened but returned Dali Spector 1, Dali Oberon 1, Paradigm Atom SE, Quad S-2, Kef Q-100s, Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE, Focal Chorus 706, Boston Acoustics M-25. I liked the dalis but not as dynamic as I am used to. Ahh, French speakers.
Under @1000.00 - any of the DCM Time Frames, but especially TF-350 or TF-600. Just sounds - right. Over $1000.00 - Acoustic Research AR-9. Startling presence in horns, voice, wide soundstage when I heard them.
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.
I agree that vintage NHT were a great company (not sure about now) I've owned many pairs, and have recently picked up a pair of vintage SuperZeros, just for fun. Great bang-for-the-buck speakers back then. At one point, I had a pair of 2.5i's with a Unison Research Unico and MSB/ Rotel front end, and let me tell you - it was a heavenly combo in my medium room. Another fave of mine is the Epos ES14, which I bought second-hand on a whim at one point, long after hearing (and liking) a pair of Epos M12.2. At first, I didn't like the ES14. But once I locked on to what it did right, and positioned them absolutely correctly, they became nothing short of stellar. Royd was another British brand that I really loved, having owned the Minstrels. Great small, inexpensive speaker for a small-ish space. They can really boogie. (I really love British speakers overall, I think). Other faves that I've owned would be Rega Aras, and ADS 470/2 and 570/2 -(which of course are made in USA). I would really love to own larger models of that vintage or a bit earlier. My Lordie Lord... I have a lot of 'faves'. I guess I just like a lot of different flavours of speakers, and can appreciate them and their differences.
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!
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'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 had them! great speakers made even better with the sand-loaded footer. i then graduated to a snell model d for years. now? klipsch forte II. stay well. thumbs up.
@@smalltalk.productions9977 My biggest mod was to cut a bunch of plastic drinking straws to the same length as the port, and make a bundle that fills the whole port. This dampens the port output a bit, and actually lowers the tuning slightly. This made it easier to get more even bass in the room, and extending the bottom, too. I had completely forgotten about the Type D.
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!
the Vandersteen 1's were the most memorable speakers I have ever heard. it was hooked to a rega CD player going thru a Jolida integrated amp and I was blown away at how sweet the sound was. I think I may buy a pair but they went to over $1700 a set now. That seems high. I thought they used to sell for $795 a set.
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!
I was a hair away from ordering a set of the Zu Dirty Weekend's during their October sale but with the upgrades and color I wanted they were coming in at $1,800/pair with shipping. (The $999 price is for all black and I'm tired of looking at my black Elac Debut B6.2's and want blue). Instead, I ordered a pair of Texton Design Mini-Lore floorstanders with upgraded binding posts, internal wiring and caps in blue for $800 delivered for the pair. I have a really crappy multi-purpose listening room so spending over $1k for speakers in this house is a waste of money right now.
My Father had a set of AR 2ax which sounded really good especially when he played John Philips Susa marches awesome bass actually I never heard them sound bad no matter what he played
Got a set of DW earlier this year, shipped to me in NE Italy (I'm near an airbase) and paid $999 for them and IIRC 100 bucks shipping. They threw in a set of caps and I couldn't be more pleased. Might wanna double check your quote. The dude on the other end of the email is a fantastic rep for thier company.
Ditto. I speced out the speaker I wanted and it got expensive fast, lol. Ended up with Elac Debuts in my furnace room/gym and Klipsch RP600s on my desk.
Dating back to 80's I would add the Boston Acoustic A100. A lot of sound for the money. Still have an original mint condition pair. With small mods to the crossover they still do well today.
@@ar_xiv the cheap AE aegis one that I'm using has no boxiness about it due to fast natural response from its metallic cone bass/mid driver. This sets it apart from others in the price range.
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.
Yes finally someone who gets it lol, those ads l570 are amazing, for their size also its incredible, the bass quality is just perfect, attack and decay, and super smooth. If you think those are good, check out the l630 and thank me later.
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.
@@JukeboxAlley Picks of the litter, IMO, were the L730 and L780/2 after the Braun tweeter was no longer used, but the L500 was magic in the earlier years. Cast a huge image, totally disappeared...all from a .75 cu. ft. 8" 2-way box!
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 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.
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.
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 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.
Picking up a minty pair of Vandersteen Model 1's tonight! Looking forward to hearing them in my room!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Meadowlark Kestrel purchased in 1995 still remain one of my favorites. They were $995 a pair back then.
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!
The Acoustic Research AR3a , were my first nice speakers, very early 1970's and my Kenwood amp.
I thought those were the most desirable speakers back then too. I think a lot of us who liked them bought Advents instead because they had similar attitudes but were a lot less expensive.
I got walnut cabinet AR 3a's for $225 each,
Which was a lot of dough in 1970!
@@alm5693 I to had a 2 pairs (4) Advents, I loved that setup. I got a job in Montana and packed them up there. Nobody had ever see anything like that in Great Falls, Mt
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.
ads 710 II speakers I bought in 1981 I still love. Paid around $700 and purchased in Chapel Hill, NC. Original drivers. They made great products!
Raleigh here. I owned them for 30+ years. Bought them in Reno, NV and carried them across the country.
@@stevezeidman7224 I bought my first pair in Canada where they were manufactured and put them on an airplane as luggage to get them home, they sounded so good! Then bought another pair, a center, and two subs in Greenville, SC. One of the best decisions I ever made!
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.
+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
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.
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.
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 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
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
luv your videos !
should have included Allison acoustics !
hi scored today ! just arrived , shipped a pair of the vintage Allison acoustics grail speakers top of the line !
the superlative top of the line AL130 3 way W/ twin 8' woofers mounted push pull unique CONVEX mids and tweeters !
Back in the day , these speakers were a phenom smoking most other speakers in reviews !
even Consumers Reports scientists and engineers said it was the best speaker they had EVER heard and made it a "best buy " ! LOL
Allison w/ the unique proprietary CONVEX mids and tweeters offered a super wide soundstage and unparalleled realism.
they also had the twin 8" push-pull mounted woofers , which were electrically OUT of phase BUT acoustically IN phase !
they offered 20% Less harmonic distortion !
Roy Allison RIP , was brilliant self-taught audio engineer and inventor
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!
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.
Spica TC50, was a game changer in the early 80’s. So much goodness for so little money.
Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I remember the Wharfedale Diamonds.
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.
Loving my Totem mites. Twenty plus years. Scales with every improvement to my system.
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.
Spica TC-50. I believe they were around $500 a pair. Imaging, soundstage, and vocals were unbelievable.
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!!!
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.
I love big floor standing speakers. When I was a kid I heard a lot of speakers and music from my father. But I never was wowed until I heard the JBL 590s. I know folks look down on them but I think they are amazing.
I own those and many JBL’s they are incredible. I bought mine in 2014 at $1,600 for the pair and they’re worth every penny
Barnaby Snowhands ha. I bought the Harman store demos for $500 each. Already broken in and half price. Seriously, I am glad someone else likes them.
So a speaker I sold truck loads of was the original PSB Alpha at $159 a pair. They were "the budget speaker" of that era.
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!
What I would suggest you look at is the late-model used market. Speakers lose a lot of value in the first five years, but usually last for a long time without needing repairs. You can sometimes get a speaker that sold new for $3000-5000 maybe 3 or 4 years ago for around $1000. If you hang around the online sites, something will come up. The heavier they are, the quicker the price goes down. If you find something within your area, you can show up with cash and your truck, and the seller will be happy to see you.
Ahem:(cough cough)( accessories4less.com)
Excuse me.
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.
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.
Infinity Reference 30... great musicality and sound imaging.... impressive
Great souvenirs
I have to add another small speaker to my list. The Pinnacle AC-550. I owned them for years then gave them to my sister. She and her husband have never found anything they like better. I just picked up a pair on eBay for $90 with shipping, hooked them up and WOW! One of the best small speakers I have ever heard.
Vandersteen 1 is still my humble entry-level audiophile speakers. I
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.
I was about 10 or 11 when I first heard a set of Celestion Ditton 66's. A friend of my folks had them, and they were hitched up to a rack of Luxman equipment.
Up till that point, most of my experience was limited to boomboxes and bookshelf systems. It was an eye opener.
I've always been fascinated by the sound of Klipsch La Scala's. It vaguely feels like the sound is passing through you, rather than just hearing it. If I ever have the $$$ and square footage to support them, It's probably what I'd go for.
I own a pair of celestion ditton 44 speakers and they still sound amazing. Considering how old they are.
Just had the opportunity to listen to the La Scalas for the first time, finally!! Local shop had a new pair set up, the guy (BLESS HIM) puts on some really high quality Led Zeppelin live recording, i sat 9-10ft directly in between and was ABSOLUTELY blown away!! Honestly never heard music sound anything close to that! Literally changed my life...as far as that goes, i mean. Im saving my dollars, some day!!
Steve - Have you ever heard or taken the time to Review the Sony SS-CS series speakers? In particular, the Sony SSCS-5 bookshelf speaker? 5" foamed mica woofer, 1" soft dome tweeter, 1/2" soft dome super tweeter, proper crossover,
flared port and proper binding posts. All for $150/pair.
I've never considered myself a fan of Sony speakers, but these guys so impressed, I now actually own a pair. To my ears, they are extremely well refined with great stereo imaging and extended highs. They get really high reviews and I've seen plenty of folks on forums saying they prefer them to speakers even into the four-figure range. Yet, I see nobody in the audiophile press giving them the time of day - good, bad or otherwise.
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
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
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.
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.
Good Piece. I would think a list like this should include The Spica TC 50 and Large Advent.
I love my Spica TC-50's. $300 on Ebay and I I listen to them more than my Magnapan 1.7's. Waiting for a crossover upgrade I have on order just to see what else they will do.
Advent speakers will always be close to my heart. Too bad the woofer surrounds rotted so fast. They rarely sound the same after repair
Definitely Advent, still got Mines 👍
I've had both speaker. Used the Spica's with the subwoofer but I could never get it sorted. Had stacked advents Dealer in Pittsburgh, Opus One, was a big pusher for both.
I still have my Spica tc-50 speakers that I bought in 1986. Great imaging. Love them.
in the early eighties, in my broke college days, I got a pair of Cizek ones. I know we are talking inexpensive here, but I thought the sounded particularly sweet. I would like to find them now to see what I think.
Vall --- Remember reading some positive reviews of them back in the day . . .
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.
Thanks for mentioning the NHT Super Two. NHT speakers do not get the attention they deserve. I find them to be accurate and well balanced but also engaging and fun. The Super Two has been discontinued but the Super Zero and Super One are still in production. The C3 is also an excellent value.
The Super Zero and Super One are awesome. I love that they came in the poly box that I don't have to fuss over.
I have the Lin Kan v1 - love them. My backup to Altec model 18. Both legendary in their own right.
Listening to this through a pair of Epos ES11 that I think are remarkable for the retail price and still today very good speakers. Detailed and spatious sounding with good imaging, slightly warm without being rolled off, and really good bass and scale for such a little thing. You might wanna check the rubber surrounds on the woofers and change the caps on the tweeters to get them closer to factory specs, though. Great value and perfect for desktop/nearfield use!
I bought a pair of Epos ES14s for use in a recording studio in the 80s. Robin Marshall, the designer, sent a couple of spare tweeters 'just in case', and asked if we could try breaking one. We wired it up to the amplifier without a crossover and fed into it a drum track consisting only of cymbal splashes and hi hats. It took the full output of the amplifier, was excruciatingly loud and failed when the aluminium dome shattered after 20 minutes. We kept them, as not only were they robust, but allowed us to mix properly as well. Superb designs.
@@spamvacuum Nice! Never heard the ES14 but I've heard really good stuff about them.
I would absolutely mix on the elevens in a pinch, althoug trying NOT to break them.. ;)
I remember back in the late 80's listening to a pair of EPOS 14's at my local audio store and just getting lost in the music and forgetting all about the equipment. Mesmerizing!
Steve, I've had several speakers in my 30 years as an audiophile including Infinity RS-3b, several different Magnepan models including the LRS and my current 1.7i's, and Thiel CS7. The speakers that stand out the most in my mind and I always think I should have never sold them ,were my original Sonus Faber Extrema's. They made magic in my music room and I have never heard anything quite like what they did. They were expensive, even though I did get them used, but amazing sound. BTW, I really enjoy your show!! Keep it going please!
I also had the original Extrema, and i also regret having sold them, alongside the rest of an excellent system in a moment of madness.
Quad ESL57, an oldie but still so good. Like lifting a veil.
Nick S
Agree - have had a pair since 1974 - play them every day
Albie Palbie how many times have you had to make repairs, and what have you done?
Jonathan Knight
Hi Johnathan - they have been repaired three times - all my fault
The last time 2003 - always at Quads home in Huntingdon - I’m in the UK
They fitted a protection circuit then but I’m very careful - never stressing them using up to date gear apart from a 306 amplifier
I’ve got esl 63 s and 2905s also - the 57s are the best tonally having a natural organic quality that never fails to enthrall
Aren't they more than 1K?
@@JimLongCO
They cost £210.00 - in 1974
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.
Original Large Advents & EPI M50's ( which I own ) are two of my favorite cheap classics.
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. . .
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.
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 recently picked a pair of linn tukans- loving them
I enjoy your enthusiasm Steve and look forward to your videos, thank you
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!
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.
got me a pair of the NHT Super Ones....paid $350 25 years ago. They still sound great. Highs and mids blend beautifully, bass is OK, but you can't have everything in a small bookshelf. Punk is my specialty so the highs and mids are of paramount importance to me. They come up used on ebay from time to time. Grab 'em if the condition is guaranteed good.
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.
I'd include Snell's on this list. If I remember right, my type EIII was just under 1k new and I still have and use as a rotational pair routinely cycling them in without hesitation.
Totally agree. Had the Snell E IV, and they were great. Also had the Wharfdale Diamonds and heard the Linn back in the day. Both were excellent speakers.
Yes have to agree - Smell E's were a great all - around speaker. You could play all types of music through them and they never disappointed.
Sorry about that, spell- check doesn't know about Snell loudspeakers.
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.
Back in 85 I had the Mirage sm1s. 8 inch 2 way in oak cabinets with a very good crossover $400/pair.. Powered by Hafler dh120 amp 60 watts r ms.with corresponding Hafler preamp. Rounded out with Thorens turntable with Grado cartridge/stylus and Onkyo FM Tuner and Teac 7 band equalizer with Monster speaket cables. I'm preparing to have the electronics brought up to snuff and putting best possible drivers and crossover into cabinets. Finally adding Steve's reviewed SVS SB 3000 sub and also Schiit Gungnir 2 multibit dac and lastly Innuos MK3 streamer/cd ripper.
Haflers were and still ARE great amplifiers! I do upgrades on them that restore or even take them to the next level! Mirages were great too.
@@Theupgradeguy Hi Jim. After a real vaccine is available I would like to talk with you about refurbishing and upgrading my stereo equipment.
@@mdr4670 You can see my upgrade listings on ebay. 7houses is my user name. Just search for Halfer Audiophile Upgrade to find them.
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.
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
Polk Monitor 10B. A classic many of us owned in the 80's.
Yup, one of the finest deals is speakers ever.
KLH Model 11 turntable and integrated amp with very sweet 4” speakers. If you had this unit in your college dorm room any new album came to you.
Great experiences....Original Advents in the Absolute Sound's "Double Advent System". Driven by Phase Linear 700 with companion pre-amp. That was a world changer moment for me above and beyond ANY receiver I heard back in the day with ubiquitous 'bookshelf' speakers. You never really gave the Original Advents a shot unless you drove them in a "Double Advent System". Lots of better stuff came down the pipe later on.....but I never had that AHA! moment again quite like that.
Had the following:
Paradigm SE-7 1988-2007
Klipsch KG-4 1988-2002
Paradigm Mini-Monitor + Polk 5jr run together 2008-2012
Monitor audio Silver 50s and Paradigm SE-1 2013-2014
Currently own Focal 807W, Definitive SM-45 and Triangle Zetas.
Have listened but returned Dali Spector 1, Dali Oberon 1, Paradigm Atom SE, Quad S-2, Kef Q-100s, Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE, Focal Chorus 706, Boston Acoustics M-25. I liked the dalis but not as dynamic as I am used to. Ahh, French speakers.
Under @1000.00 - any of the DCM Time Frames, but especially TF-350 or TF-600. Just sounds - right. Over $1000.00 - Acoustic Research AR-9. Startling presence in horns, voice, wide soundstage when I heard them.
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.
I agree that vintage NHT were a great company (not sure about now) I've owned many pairs, and have recently picked up a pair of vintage SuperZeros, just for fun. Great bang-for-the-buck speakers back then. At one point, I had a pair of 2.5i's with a Unison Research Unico and MSB/ Rotel front end, and let me tell you - it was a heavenly combo in my medium room.
Another fave of mine is the Epos ES14, which I bought second-hand on a whim at one point, long after hearing (and liking) a pair of Epos M12.2. At first, I didn't like the ES14. But once I locked on to what it did right, and positioned them absolutely correctly, they became nothing short of stellar.
Royd was another British brand that I really loved, having owned the Minstrels. Great small, inexpensive speaker for a small-ish space. They can really boogie. (I really love British speakers overall, I think). Other faves that I've owned would be Rega Aras, and ADS 470/2 and 570/2 -(which of course are made in USA). I would really love to own larger models of that vintage or a bit earlier. My Lordie Lord... I have a lot of 'faves'. I guess I just like a lot of different flavours of speakers, and can appreciate them and their differences.
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!
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!
Rectilinear Tall Boy lll back in the day had an amazing tone.
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...
The first speakers I *had* to own were the Snell Acoustics Type E/II - about $900/pair. I lived with them and loved them for 25 years or so.
i had them! great speakers made even better with the sand-loaded footer. i then graduated to a snell model d for years. now? klipsch forte II. stay well. thumbs up.
@@smalltalk.productions9977 My biggest mod was to cut a bunch of plastic drinking straws to the same length as the port, and make a bundle that fills the whole port. This dampens the port output a bit, and actually lowers the tuning slightly. This made it easier to get more even bass in the room, and extending the bottom, too.
I had completely forgotten about the Type D.
Steve here in Montreal older focal speakers can be had for super cheap, must be a french connection thing. I picked up a few used pair of focal over the years for cents on the dollar, alot of HiFi for very little money! I've spent 600$ 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!
the Vandersteen 1's were the most memorable speakers I have ever heard. it was hooked to a rega CD player going thru a Jolida integrated amp and I was blown away at how sweet the sound was.
I think I may buy a pair but they went to over $1700 a set now. That seems high. I thought they used to sell for $795 a set.
Vandersteen 2 ces are great.
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!
I was a hair away from ordering a set of the Zu Dirty Weekend's during their October sale but with the upgrades and color I wanted they were coming in at $1,800/pair with shipping. (The $999 price is for all black and I'm tired of looking at my black Elac Debut B6.2's and want blue). Instead, I ordered a pair of Texton Design Mini-Lore floorstanders with upgraded binding posts, internal wiring and caps in blue for $800 delivered for the pair. I have a really crappy multi-purpose listening room so spending over $1k for speakers in this house is a waste of money right now.
My Father had a set of AR 2ax which sounded really good especially when he played John Philips Susa marches awesome bass actually I never heard them sound bad no matter what he played
Got a set of DW earlier this year, shipped to me in NE Italy (I'm near an airbase) and paid
$999 for them and IIRC 100 bucks shipping. They threw in a set of caps and I couldn't be more pleased. Might wanna double check your quote. The dude on the other end of the email is a fantastic rep for thier company.
Ditto. I speced out the speaker I wanted and it got expensive fast, lol. Ended up with Elac Debuts in my furnace room/gym and Klipsch RP600s on my desk.
Large Advent? Bestseller for many years,awesome bass!
I still have the Super Two!! I bought them about 20 years ago at Sixth Avenue. I miss that store!!
Dating back to 80's I would add the Boston Acoustic A100. A lot of sound for the money. Still have an original mint condition pair. With small mods to the crossover they still do well today.
I’ve got the BA A200s and love them! Have just sourced a mint pair of A60s series ii for my office set-up
Just bit the bullet on some wharfedale diamond iii’s! Very affordable. Thanks for this video.
Very boxy sounding. U know you're listening to a box!
@@2mikelim thanks for the input!
@@ar_xiv the cheap AE aegis one that I'm using has no boxiness about it due to fast natural response from its metallic cone bass/mid driver. This sets it apart from others in the price range.
@@2mikelim honestly I like the sound of the diamonds, and I’m picky. Maybe I’ll check out the aegis at some point, they do seem fairly affordable.
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.
I really love the sound of an 8 inch 2 way speaker. I’d nominate the ADS L 570 and the Dahlquist M 905.
Yes finally someone who gets it lol, those ads l570 are amazing, for their size also its incredible, the bass quality is just perfect, attack and decay, and super smooth. If you think those are good, check out the l630 and thank me later.
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.
The mid-70's a/d/s/ L-500, when they were using the 1" German Braun tweeeter and 8" tufted paper woofer.
Lewis --- I just mentioned mine a few minutes ago, have been my speakers since 1977 . . .
Oh yeah, ads is overlooked and all are incredible, l570, l630, pretty much all of em, perfect.
@@JukeboxAlley Picks of the litter, IMO, were the L730 and L780/2 after the Braun tweeter was no longer used, but the L500 was magic in the earlier years. Cast a huge image, totally disappeared...all from a .75 cu. ft. 8" 2-way box!
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 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.
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.
Still have my Linn Kan’s and they’re still awesome.