@@daverossiter357 Yeah but JBL Classic is a relaunch of the L100 and there was other relaunched speakers from JBL and Pioneer and all the relaunch stuff is fake and it sounds nothing like the old stuff because it's made to a price but they look exactly the same.
AUDIOPHILE Speakers prices are“Too High” for me to seriously consider buying because I do not have the money. But I am happy for the people who can afford them… and are happy with their choices. Steve, you said it plainly, some people have more money to spend on “State of the Art” loudspeakers designs. The juice is in finding the right loudspeaker for your room, budget, and musical taste.
My old Audiophile system that I'd built up piecemeal since the 1980's at an estimated cumulative cost of well over $20k, finally broke down as it's core ( speakers and major components) just wore out, needing to be replaced. After careful research and consideration, I found Kanto's flagship offering call TUK active speakers and I was BLOWN AWAY by how amazing they sounded and became the new "core" of my listening room. Now, about $7k into it; YES, I LOVE MY SPEAKERS!
@@modemmark421 Yeah but you know, Kanto TUK active are not Hi-Fi, they're computer desk top monitors and if you're streaming they'll be fine but Hi-Fi, wow, it's a whole different crowd of like-minded people. (Snobs, you know). Kanto TUK are noises we just don't make around Hi-Fi people, I mean it would be thought rude.
What a GREAT topic!!! I have Klipsch Cornwall IVs that I bought a couple of years ago and chose them based on 30+ years of experience with MANY different brands and types of speakers. I was fortunate to live in an area (SF Bay Area) with a LOT of audiophiles and couple easily buy gear to try with little to no risk. I could buy something used, try it out for awhile, and then sell it for the same and often more than I paid for it. I had various models from Vandersteen, Thiel, Hales, Silverline, Platinum Audio, Magnepan, Acoustat, Apogee, Martin Logan, Soliloquy, AAD, Aerial Acoustics, and many more. But it wasn’t until I picked up a pair of Klipsch Belles that I had my real epiphany. I’d never owned a horn speaker, and certainly not a fully horn loaded design. I soon after tried every Klipsch Heritage model, Heresy, Forte, Chorus, Cornwall, LaScala, and the mighty Klipschorn. Through that process I learned that high efficiency speakers (especially horns) driven by tube amplifiers were the ticket for me. Life and family circumstances took me out of the hobby for awhile, but when I came back, I knew I wanted large Klipsch speakers. My first choice was the new LaScala AL5, but as I was starting from scratch, the budget isn’t wouldn’t quite reach the extra cost. So after a lot of reading and YouTubing (including your amazing channel), I concluded that the Cornwall IV would get me most of the way to my ideal sound. And I have to say they have not disappointed. One day I’ll pick up a pair of LaScalas and that will probably be my true end game speaker, but until then I am a happy camper.
You said you read most of the comments, so I'm taking this opportunity to say, thank you. You introduced me to the audiophile world. And I love your content and insights. Thanks, Steve!
I auditioned a few pairs of speakers (Towers and Bookshelfs) from Elac to Klipsch to KEF etc. It took me a few months. So I listened critically to all types of music I listen to IN MY ROOM as it is. I actually landed on the Klipsch RP-600mII out of everything I listened to. AND when I decided to pull the trigger on them, they went on sale! Win! WIN!
I now own what I believe are my endgame speakers - Volti Audio Rival Special Edition horns (the big brother to the Raz you reviewed earlier). They're quite large, very heavy and way more money than I could afford so I took out a loan to get them - which I'm still paying off. In fact, as I live in a modest condo, they are probably more than I need in this space (yeah ... almost certainly more). Allow me to explain my reasoning for this extravagance. These were the third pair of speakers I'd purchased since I got into this hobby (addiction?) a couple of years ago, and I know myself well enough to realize that given my fascination with all the technology that goes into making speakers these days, not to mention the aesthetic designs on tap, I could easily keep buying and selling with reckless abandon and never stop chasing that elusive idea of "perfection". I needed to draw a line - a hard line. Knowing that, I decided to force my hand and commit to speakers that I would have to keep around for some time to come, and leave all my fiddling to the electronics that would feed them. Not to mention, speakers that would sufficiently "scale" to those various upgrades. As of now, I couldn't be happier. I've gone through a number of amps/preamps/dacs/turntables and have landed on a combination that suits me beautifully. I know it may seem ridiculous to approach my speaker selection in this way, but so far I'm very satisfied.
Purchased the Klipschhorn Speakers new, 39 years ago after hearing them demonstrated and loved the sound quality and knowing at the time I could live with them for a lifetime. So far they have only cost me about $65 per year, (excluding interest) to own. Listening to them now in my living room with my new Reisong A-10 tube amplifier. I wish I had tried tubes sooner. Oh well, better late than never.
@@hanschristeler2392 Klipschorns come in a special ... Vitavox version but it's 15 ohm and you know, the British Hi-Fi impedance standard was 15 ohm. The Maggie's are 4-ohm and it's an American preferred impedance and Steve says JBL horns are awesome but they have the Japanese Standard Impedance of 3.2 ohms. But you know, getting the best from these different impedance values is no walk in the park. Wrong match and you will think high end speakers are overpriced, especially if a salesman wants a customer to buy a certain item, he'll hook up the best equipment to make it shine.
@@xprcloud No ... that's the sort of thing that ignorant people say but Klipsch aren't cheap any more, you're just repeating old ancient views of your parents, rectangular horns are very high in distortion and that's why many prefer medium sensitivity speaker sound using very powerful amplifiers. You don't get it obviously. You know tubes are a lifestyle choice that many would avoid today.
@@keplermission well my previous comment got cut off. I own fully DSP'ed Khorns that I modified, I have designed and built my own amplifiers in the past, and would not add distortion by buying into mechanical vinyl when you can get the digital source, nor would I add distortion using tubes designed for the 1938 Telephone exchange. so you tell me? who gets it? are you still buying 99.9% pure copper cable nonsense? and shakti stone snake oil?
I'll try a good tube amp which I'm sure will be fine for my Lyle Lovett and Tony Bennett CD's, but I'm not sure it'll have enough push for the Led Zeppelin, RUSH, Scorpions, Pink Floyd, and Stevie Ray Vaughan material through the Wharfedale Linton's or ZU speakers I'm looking at.
The Audiophiliac convinced me to move on to a grown-up sound system and the Audiophiliac convinced me to go Magnepan. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit and Magnepan was slow in filling orders. I saw a pair of Klipsch Heresy on craigslist and bought them and a SET amp. I was kinda happy with that until I saw a pair of Magnepan .7 for $700 and went for them. Those with a Schiit vidar, recommended by the Audiophiliac replaced the Heresy and I couldn't be happier! Thanks Steve.
Back in the early 2000s, I made the conscious choice to go with PSB. Over the decades I had lived with my homebuilt BJ webb transmission line monitors that use KEF and Celestion drivers and I still listen to them today! I was looking for a similar sound signature and had a chance to try some PSB Image 2Bs. They became my goto speakers for many years until I wanted to move up the daisy chain. Next were Imagine X1Ts, then X2Ts then used Ts, used T2s , used Synchrony Ones and finally used T3s. I try to have a listening session for at least an hour each night and the T3s never disappoint! I also have several PSB-based home theater setups with various models/amps/sources using used SubSeries 450 DSP subwoofers. I have a used Imagine C3 center channel that does an excellent job on voice clarity. I use IsoAcoustics feet for speaker isolation on many of the speakers and I notice the improvement. If I had not gone down the PSB path, KEF would probably be the way I would have proceeded but I'm very happy with how things have turned out by being a PSB-guy (after all, I am Canadian eh?). PS - I also enjoy my new PSB M4U 8 Mk II headphones that do an amazing job over Bluetooth using an old Apple iPod touch and Apple Music lossless music.
I have Buchardt S300 Mk2, totally relied on TH-cam reviews including yours, the deep bass in the small package while maintaining good sound that complimented good and bad recordings was what I wanted, because I have an extremely broad taste from classical to metal to dance music. I really liked Mads ethos and energy, he directly emailed with me to advise me on tube amp pairing and I really valued his expertise and attitude in that process too. Then the direct shipping was also appealing. I was lucky in that my system works really well without having listened to the components before purchasing. I’m in love with my system, and not worried about constantly upgrading.
Thanks, it's customer reviews I appreciate more than critics because they don't have an agenda or vested interest. I'll compare them against a few others before making my decision.
I bought a pair of Mirage 1295is in 1995 and have never looked back. I needed that spatial sound. The clarity of the midrange on these speakers is still better than most others I have given a test run to. Add on the powered woofers and you have an all around winner. I lucked out and was able to buy a demo pair right off the showroom floor at less than half the msrp.
I bought my Totem Acoustic Mani 2’s (original model), because I had listened to them once and lusted after them for 10years. I owned several pairs of Vinces’s classic line Totem’s and when a pair of Mani’s came up, in the finish I wanted and in great shape, I happily pulled the trigger. Madness occurred afterwards, as my amplifier needed changing. I am extremely happy with these, as they work perfectly in the room I’m in and with the components they’ve been paired with!
Zu Omen DW, was so enamored I had them shipped to me in Italy. Love them. Bought from recommendation on YT, yours was one of them. Also recently got a set of Lintons, based on YT again. Bought local so got to hear them first. Love them paired with 2 REL T5i subs in a listening room downstairs. I'm no audiophile but I know what I like. Love the vids and thanx for the time it takes to make them
Magnepan 3.7i. I fell in love with Magnepan speakers in college, in the very early 80s. I owned a couple of pair of 3As, over the years. I have enjoyed pairing with different tube and ss amplifiers. Enjoying the hobby now more than ever. Keep up the great work, Steve!
Absolutely love my speakers... klh model 5s. After taken a whole year to demo speakers , the KLH model 5s hit the spot. I demo'd speakers up to the 7k point and the KLH 5'S made it for me, and I had about 8 different speakers in my listening space. All boils down to listening space, preference and interaction of speaker and room. When the ears are happy... Well that's it.
I found this channel while researching Zu DW6s after hearing them at a bar/cafe in San Diego near Petco on my way to a day ball game. I wasn’t in the market for a new set of speakers or any upgrades to my vinyl listening experience, but I loved the sound coming out of them so much in a bar, I had to have a pair. They ship next week! I also needed something to drive them, having used powered bookshelf speakers for the last decade. I ended up grabbing the last black Heaven 11 Billie mk2 they had in stock, which is already making my LP collection sing without the DW6s.
I recently bought the Spendor D7.2 and Hegel H390 to match. I did this because I wanted a skip-level upgrade in my new home, my old system (which I loved) was B&W 685s with a Rotel amp and CD player. The difference between the two systems is immense.
In my late twenties I heard Klipschorns and was blown away - that experience has never left me. Fast forward I’m now 60 and during the early days of the pandemic I was craving better sound at home and got Klipsch Heresy 4’s after watching a few YT reviewers as well as listening to them at a local dealer. I also decided a flea watt tube amp was in my future so with a higher sensitivity speaker and after 1.5 years of waiting my Decware amp arrived. Price is part of my reasoning for these purchases but the sound and my enjoyment has been getting better and better as the speakers and amp break in. Thank you Steve and everyone else for guiding me on the start of this journey.
My Totem Sttaf’s were a gift from my son. My son saved up his first job pay cheques to buy them for me. He consulted with the audio shop where I had bought all my other kit and they told him what they knew I wanted. Totem is a Canadian firm from my hometown. Their smaller speakers sounded great but their floor standers always impressed. These speakers still impress everyday I listen to them as they have the first time I heard them 15 years ago. And everytime I look at them as I listen to them I think of my son.
I got the Vandersteen CEiii based on your review. I got them at $3K to include shipping. I needed a new speaker set because I wanted to have a bigger fuller sound that was neutral. The speaker also needed to have grills, because I have pets and a small child. I am pleased with the purchase and my growing system.
Good points, Steve. I bought my current speakers, Axiom m22ti's, in 2002 to replace a pair of NHT SuperOnes that were great but a little too laid back for rock music. I based my decision on price ($400/pair), positive online reviews, and Axiom's 30-day in-home trial. I also emailed Axiom to ask for their advice, and they sent a lengthy reply that was very helpful and gave me confidence in my decision. Over two decades later, my M22ti's are still going strong.
Another excellent offering. Loved your spot on analogy of cost. I think the more important question than price is, what attributes are you looking for in your speakers. I went with Klipsch Cornwall 3's when I set up my tube based system because Klipsch has a well established and earned reputation, and the Cornwalls are very efficient, with huge bass drivers and horns, both of which compliment the sound characteristics and performance of tubes. To that end, they have not let me down, and if the price had been twice what they sold for, it still would have been money well spent.
The circumstances for me were nostalgic. During the pandemic, my father(RIP)'s system needed a little TLC and his buddy came over to fix the amp. I grew up with this system from the age of 11. I'lll never forget the first time I listened to All along the Watchtower(Jimi Hendrix) with a Luxman stereo tuner. It's Luxman L200 driving B&W DM320's. My mother didn't want to sell it(even though she doesn't use it!). So, I decided to look into buying my own system. I searched for the same pair. I went to see an audiophile, who had a room full of speakers, including the DM330's. After auditioning them with an Accuphase set up, he showed me a better pair, the B&W DM620's. After hearing them, I fell in love. When I came to Mexico to live for a while with my wife, I decided to search for a pair here and bought them without hesitation. I can't fault them, and they're inexpensive. I always use Luxman integrated amplifiers with them, as my father did. I am curious about other speakers, however, I stick with what I know and I've never been disappointed. I love how it has the great highs, mids and bass. I don't need a sub-woofer. Thanks for the opportunity Steve! I hope you had time to read.
My current main stereo speakers are GR Research Encore XLS basic kit purchased about three years ago. I’m an audiophile and woodworker, and I have built over a dozen DIY speakers. After hearing the Fried C and O at coworkers house over 30 years ago I got hooked. I spent two years listening to 50 to 100 other speakers that did not sound as good for the same or much more money. I still have the twice upgraded drivers and crossovers but drivers in boxes and will build new cabinets for them next year. I discovered the XLS on New Record Day rave review. After watching 3 or 4 other great reviews I bought kit and build the cabinets and am thoroughly impressed with the musical fidelity and life like imaging. I don’t know if I’ll ever buy a retail pair of fully built speakers, but in my new and large retirement home, I’ll may be looking for my “final” pair of speakers.
Vandersteen Quattro Wood CT speakers after auditioning dozens of others, including Wilson, Magico, Focal, Harbeth, etc.,- the Vandersteens didn’t stun me, they didn’t knock me over the head, or attempt to color my world with a particular ‘brand’ sound, they simply captivated me and sucked me into the profundity of great music if well recorded regardless of genre. They activate my imagination and produce the experience of what it might have been like to be there in the studio, arena, theater, etc. I couldn’t be happier with my choice. And thanks to Johnny Rutan and the gang at Audio Connection for being such helpful audio sherpas.
Haha...I bought my Ohm Walsh 2000 tall speakers because of you because you were gobsmacked. Now I'm gobsmacked too because they're wonderful. The speakers made me upgrade my amp to a MacIntosh MA352 and I couldn't be more pleased. Thanks for your great review Steve.
My main setup is a pair of Magnapan 3.7s, powered by Rogue Audio monoblocks. I’ve been enjoying them for about 7 years and love them. My old system bought in the 1990s are a pair of System Audio 905s, powered by a NAD 7225 PE receiver. It still runs well and sounds great, so I now have two setups that I enjoy very much!
I bought Sabrina Xs because they are my favorite sounding speaker, especially the mid and tweeter. I also love the way they look, the way they retain their relative value in case I want to upgrade, the beautiful build quality. And they are relatively easy to drive when i want to listen to my First Watt F7 instead of my X250.8.
I bought my first speakers from a dealer more than 10 years ago and I am still using them to this day : Magnepan 1.6 qr. I was stunned by its imaging qualities. Some years ago, I grew tired of them (wanting better dynamics and bass) and I auditioned other products : Martin Logan, Focal, Totem Acoustic, and listened to many more at my friends' houses. Not one of those speakers convinced me to take the plunge. I came to the conclusion that I preferred better imaging to dynamics and bass. Therefore, there is for me only one way to go : getting bigger Magnepan ... Thanks for your great videos!
I was envisioning a retro, 70’s box for a while when one day i step into a thrift store and find a pair of Wharfedale Glendale 3XP, 3-way speakers. I believe my wife, who had passed away just prior at the young age of 40, somehow had something to do with it. She knew this would comfort me. Best of all, i paid 35 Eur for this tested pair. They’ve been playing effortlessly since December 2018. The new Wharfedale Linton, which is a similar box, was yet to be released over here, i believe. I sold my Yamaha NS and my LS50 Meta. No regrets and more $$ for more CDs and LPs (i’m a young 50’er, not a fan of streaming, except TH-cam for discovering new material). Keep up the good work, Steve!
I have Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III. I auditioned them for almost 6 hours. What sold me was how they load the room with music. On axis and off axis they sound great. Even listening from another room they just sound good. In fact they spoiled me so bad I had to replace the speakers in my office with Model 1Ci+. I am so happy with both sets.
Bought my ZU Omens (electric blue) after doing my due diligence looking for a dynamic, affordable and efficient floorstander. After narrowing the candidates to a couple I read your (CNET?) review of the original DW. You had me sold at that point. The fun factor is tops. Love ‘em and I think they’ll be my very last speaker. I’m officially a geezer at the age of 70.
Holy ya, Electric blue. How does not every person own some, everyone who sees them is like what the Fred man, those are amazing, and that’s BEFORE I turn them on. Hahahahaha. Love it
For about the last 30-35 years I have gone back and forth between Wilson Audio and Magnepan. I spent a short amount of time with B&W Nautilus speakers but they were too bright for my listening room. When I moved into my new home in Florida I made sure to have a dedicated room just for 2-channel.. I really enjoy the Wilson "sound" or the way they sound. I am on my 4th pair. The current Wilsons are the Sasha DAW's. I love the sound and the way they look. I auditioned them at the local dealer on numerous times in 2 different sound rooms to get a good feel for them. I will say that if Wilson speakers didn't hold their value as well as they do I could not have afforded these, I got a very favorable trade in allowance on the Yvettes that preceded these. Number 1 is sound quality and to my ears there are not much better, at least that I can afford 2 is fit and finish. All Wilson speakers are finished extremely well. 3 The dealer lugged them up the stairs and set them up, (included in the sale). At 240lbs each the last thing I wanted to do was lug them upstairs.
The new KLH model five and model three are pretty fantastic for the money, actually affordable. I'm still using my Large Advents that I bought new in 1978. It's probably one of the greatest two-way speakers ever designed by audio hall of fame legend Henry Kloss. I'll never get rid of them.
I just picked up a pair of KLH 3s on sale for $950. I think they're wonderful. I'm using a Vincent integrated with a tube preamp and now I feel like I'm back listening in the 70's. I moved a pair of Polk R-200s into my smaller den/music library.
What made me buy? Reviews ( zero negative), quality, affordability, customer service - both manufacturer as well as seller, fit, looks (minor), desire for higher fidelity (most important), sixty day trial by seller.. More importantly is what made me keep them. Performance = sound, depth, nuances separation etc. Customer service, that is speakers were exceedingly well packed. Company always answered my calls. Listening to the loudspeakers makes me smile. Just as a data point the loudspeakers are Goldenear One.R.
I retired five years ago and moved from California to North Carolina. I was building a new listening room and since the only company that replied when I reached out for assistance was Magnolia at Best Buy, I went with them. I auditioned speakers in the Magonolia show room and decided on Martin Logan speakers because of the over all sound. The speakers that best fit my room were the Masterpiece Impresssion 11As. They aren't as expensive as the Zus you just reveiwed but they aren't cheap either. I am very please with the Martin Logans.
Nobody retires to NC ... well, you know, you say you did but I mean the high property rates say you didn't and NC is a place where we make our fortune and then get out. In the east of the state it's the smell of hog country, of millions of pigs and even more tons of their feces. It's predictable that you're using the word 'expensive', NC is not a cheap place to retire. Why would anybody move from CA to NC? Wow! It's not even a place where most would have the time to follow Audio as a pursuit, it's known all over as a really hard place to be in.
I miss Magnolia. I used to go to the original in Seattle. There was one on Roosevelt Way (and a SpeakerLab and a Definitive Audio, which is still there) near the University District when I was in college.
I had listened to La Scala’s in the past and never thought much of them, I always thought the Cornwall was the best sounding Klipsch they made. But I bought a single 1980 La Scala, thinking I was going to set up a dedicated mono system, for $500 seven years ago. I never got around to doing it, and in the garage it sat. Then about a year ago on Facebook marketplace I saw another black single La Scala that was missing a crossover but came with two extra tweeters and one extra mid horns with driver for $600, I snapped it up thinking I would now sell the pair and make a little profit. After installing Crites crossovers I hauled them into the house to give them a listen. When I paired them with a pair of REL subs I was blown away by the clarity and dynamics these monsters brought to the table. Even at 65-75db they sound great! At 80db it’s like being in the room with the band! I tried a Carver Crimson tube amp, and McIntosh mc352 SS and a DIY class D, settled on the McIntosh. I’m gonna have these for a long long time. I’m 65 and have been tweaking and playing with audio for 30 years. Steve I love your show! Keep doing what your doing!
@@keplermission Wow that's a lot of hate. We left the Bay Area because it was unlivalble. We were able to sell our house in CA and buy our house in NC for cash. We live in the Triangle. We miss the CA weather but that's it.
When I resumed my interest in HiFi, 5 years ago, I had to rely on and trust your videos and a few others to find what I could in my budget. I found myself enjoying audio so much that I have since upgraded most everything in my system, again with your help. My $1500 system is now a $5000 system. My ElacUB5s ($500) are now Revel Concerta 2 F36s . ($2000) I am quite happy with my system. My Brother in law and I kid about being satisfied and stopping our purchases. Truly the only thing I might change someday are my speakers for something used and inexpensive, just to hear a different sound. Thanks for all your help, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed good sound.
I was looking for reasonably priced speakers and you recommended the Klipsch R51, I went and listened to them in the store and was impressed enough to buy them. They replaced the cubes that came with ny Cambridge SoundWorks. Very happy!
Excellent video, as always. Last summer I decided to get the Klipsch RP-600M II based on my fascination with the company, and the reviews from you, Steve, and Andrew Robinson. For the last 15 years I've had an Axiom HT system, and they were fine but not impressive. So when I turned 64, I decided to get what I really wanted. Oh boy am I happy. The RP-600s are fantastic for home theater as well as two channel listening. I know that I took a leap of faith trusting YT reviewers, but my instincts were solid. I got the full HT set that matches my Klipsch, and am a happy camper. Thanks for sharing your lifetime of experience Steve. You are appreciated.
My current speakers are DeVore O/93s, bought used. Despite the foolishness of buying them without hearing them, it all worked out. I noticed that quite a few reviewers owned them. Previously, I owned Chartwell LS3/5As, Magnepan 1.7is, multiple Focal Kanta No 2s, Legacy Focus SEs and Magico A3s. I have come to appreciate high efficiency speakers and the freedom of amp choice that permits.
6 years ago I auditioned a bunch of speakers: MA Gold, Paradigm Persona and KEF R. I bought the KEF R500 due to their non fatigueing presentation and beautiful deep & wide soundstage. I had them in my system for about 5 years, before wanting more. "More" meant more of what they delivered. I ended up with a pair of KEF Reference 1s, and I am very satisfied. To my ears, these are the best stand mounted speakers I have ever listened to. Thoughts may vary, and that is ok. We all hear differently.
@@chrisrichards2827 No. Monitor Audio was a small company that Cambridge University had to make strange, compact speakers from EMI (the record label) drivers and then after a certain time when they'd run out of these, the founder moved to Essex and bought in drivers from the Far East and you know, they weren't really 'better than the KEF', but that was the popularly received idea because Monitor Audio after 1981 worked better with Japanese amplifier sounds where KEF is best suited to British amplifier. In the USA, KEF is really unknown. Nobody knows KEF here.
I got my Maggie .7s 18 months ago after listening to several Maggies, Martin Logan’s and other speakers. I spent a whole day at our local store Audio Advice comparing speakers! Thanks, Audio Advice! Also spent some time at Magnolia/Best Buy, but I had my heart & ears set on Maggies. And I got them just before the price went up. Soooo satisfying!
About 30 years ago, I went to Innovative Audio in NYC to spend the money to get a high quality set of speakers. I had owned a pair of Advent speakers earlier and then after becoming a recording engineer working in studios, I was frequently using Yamaha NS 10s to really fine tune mixes but they were not hifi by any means. I had decided buy a Creek intergrated amp (still using it everyday BTW) so I listened in the showroom through that amp. The salesman first set up a pair of Linn speakers. I listened and like what I heard but then he said someone had traded in a set of ProAc Studio 100s. He set them up and when he put on the music the sounds came alive and I was sold. No analysis-just based on the my gut reaction. I knew of these speakers because several prominent engineers were using them for mixing and were raving about them. When I set up my work system at home (the way things have moved since 2000), I tried using them and I've never considered mixing on any other speakers. Love at first listen. Thanks Steve for another great topic.
I have had Wharfedale Lintons paired with Rotel A14 MKII since the last Christmas. My first "proper" set. When chosing the right pair I was suffering from analysis paralysis for over a year. Listening to various speakers, watching and reading reviews... I thought I will go for Klipsch 8000F but the pain I felt for two days after listening to it for only some 40 mins eliminated all horn speakers. I am very happy now. I like to listen very loud and have absolutely no pain afterwards. A year ago I asked you what is the lifespan of speakers. You replied something to the meaning "hard to say, it depends, but it can even be a lifetime with proper care" so I intend to take care and keep them indefinitely :-) The only improvement is going to be the room treatment because I heard them sound better in a different setting. Why upgrade the spekers when one can upgrade a room for much more money? So to answer your question: the deciding factor that guided me were the youtube reviews with the buzz words I was looking for (can listens to them all day, reasonable bass, warm sound)
I'm leaning towards the Linton's also, and I've heard good things about the Rotel. I'll compare the Rotel to the Cambridge Audio and Outlaw RR 2160 mkii amps. By good care does that mean a dehumidifier in the listening room?
@@nostradamus7648 Yes, dehumidifier in a room. But only if you live in Vietnam or other country with high percentage of moisture in the air. There were more aspects - especially beware of direct sunlight and do not listen to heavy bass all the time :-) Good luck on your journey.
@albertjurcisin8944 Heavy bass is not a problem in my rotation. I enjoy everything from Lyle Lovett and Tony Bennett to Led Zeppelin, RUSH, Pink Floyd, Scorpions, Queensryche, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Then I'll add The Fixx, Bryan Ferry, Fleetwood Mac, and the Eagles. Occasionally, some George Strait and Jason Aldean, because I'm in Texas.
My experience with my current speakers in my main system actually was purchased at a brick and mortar, which is very hard to find these days! I had visited a store called sound advice here in Florida and listen to the NHT 2.9 so many times, and I thought their pricing was out of my reach until the store was going out of business. I purchased them for less than half the price in 1999, and they have been going strong ever since! For me, and my listening style, these are the perfect speakers and unless I hit the Powerball/mega million number I don’t see me changing for my main system! I know my post is getting long, but I didn’t want to mention my other 2 systems include the PSB Alpha B1 in one room & goldenear BRX in the other! I really believe if you start with a great speaker and you are able to listen to it in your own room I believe you will find it easier path to nirvana in your audiophile journey 🎶 🔊
Returning to home audio after 30 years with the help of COVID relief funds I binge watched your channel and a few others to reacquaint myself with what was on the market. Zo and Tekton were on back order, so purchased the RP8000F’s.
Hello - I purchased Focal Sopra No. 1 speakers 5 years ago. I think they are great and I love the look (in red). I would have preferred the Sopra No. 2,s but they were too big for our apartment and more than I wanted to spend. As we live in a roomier space now, I long for the No.2s, but I still love the No. 1s. Am thinking of buying the REL 812 sub, but have not pulled the trigger. Thank you!
Balance is the key to getting the best out of your speakers. Their is no point spending a ton of money on a set if you are not going to fully optimise the system around it. I don’t believe audiophile speakers to be too expensive, you just need to factor in all the additional costs which will be needed in order to get the most out of them.
@@mattlehnardt783 upgrade your amp and cables to something worthy of those Wilsons. Doesn't have to be too crazy, just enough to get more out of them. Good luck.
Yes, if you have say a $2000 amp and a $1500 preamp, even vintage, and now a "good" streamer and a "good" DAC, it makes little sense to pair them with $600/pair speakers. Balance, as you say, is the key. And within that price balance, figuring out what makes you happy. By the same token though, today's $600/pair speakers far outperform similarly priced speakers (allowing for inflation) from years ago. The level of sound quality that someone can get with a $5K system today was only dreamed of in the 1980s. You had to spend a lot more.
I had a pair of Vandersteen Model 2 ce Sig II and wanted to upgrade. I love the Vandersteen sound and was prepared to buy the Treo CT as part of my retirement dream system. I ended up buying the Quatro CT Wood speakers as I did not have space in my small listening room for dual subs. I have absolutely no regrets. The Quatros are amazing. I also have a pair of Model 1cs in my upstairs system.
I heard Klipsch Cornwalls in a high school gym on a military base audio show in Germany 1978. The song was Sing for the Day by Styx. It filled the room with beautiful sound. Fast forward to 2 years ago. I bought the Cornwall IVs happy to hear that you Steve liked them too. I'm very happy with them. They are as I remember and a dream fulfilled
Bought my Vandersteen 2Ce II's based upon Internet recommendations from you/others. For years I researched minimum baffles when I discovered Vandersteen. Thanks for your show. 👍
I decided to buy new speakers and went on Music Direct to check out what was available. As I was looking I came across some Elac AF61 towers that sold regularly for $5000 on sale for $2500. This was more than I had budgeted but I was curious and decided to investigate further. I checked all the specs and then read a lot of reviews by professionals as well as customers. I watched Andrew Jones go through a detailed video of how he designed them. Time was running out as I knew at the sale price so would the availability of the speakers so I pulled the trigger. I held my breath for ten days until they were delivered on a crate as two speakers came in at just over 200 pounds. I unboxed them and marveled at the quality build and overall great looks while I positioned them and then hooked them up. While awaiting delivery I had decided which song I would play first and decided on Sandman by America. I put the CD in, sat back and said a little prayer, and pushed play. What came out of the speakers was better than sex, the sound was amazing. To say I was relieved was an understatement as $2500 for speakers is a lot for me but they are amazing and I love them.
I ended up with a pair of speakers i never thought would suit my system. The dealer allowed me to audition them for 6 weeks and i absolutely loved them. I had been using floor standers but the imaging and realism from Harbeth's P3esrXD speakers, even with my modest powered valve amp, were stunning
There are no Harbeth speakers called PS3EXR, I mean I believe everything you say about the valve amp and you know the 6 weeks but there are no Harbeth speakers were ever named PS3EXR and that's why you know, people just don't tell the truth. There's a P3ESR XD, yeah but 6 weeks and you got the wrong name. That's how much he loves them ... marries a woman, can't remember her name. Wow!
I recently bought my end game system that I could afford for my 66th bday. Audiolab6000a and Elac UB62 Reference. I was a bit concerned initially about the low sensitivity, but my worries were unfounded. I listen at low and moderate volume usually. The soundstage, the clarity and the tonal balance are awesome. I couldn't be happier.
I’ve been on Zu Soul again for the last 3 years because of your favorable Omen DW reviews back in the CNET days AND John Darko’s gorgeously written prose/praise review of the Zu Soul.
I bought my Tekton Double Impacts because they have the most natural and realistc sound I had heard to date. (Heard them at a fellow owner's house.) They just sounded "right" to me.
Recently purchased KLH 5’s based on reviews alone. Price and reviewers glowing feedback helped make my decision. But yes, I feel too many audiophile speakers are over priced. BUT … considering your personal references, there are plenty of great loudspeakers between $2500 and $6000
@@raymoore8435I also own KLH Model 5s , decent enough speakers but overpriced and over hyped imho. I’ll hang onto them for awhile but definitely not an end game speaker for me. In my system they did sound impressive with a Willsenton r8 tube amp, unfortunately the amp only lasted two weeks! Lol
Following up on my last comment, it’s true that most don’t know what it takes to be in business. Just because you can bake a great desert, doesn’t mean you know how to run a bakery!
I have been VERY lucky when it comes to my speakers over the years. Most recently, I managed to find a pair of Infinity Kappa 7.1 series II speakers on Craig's List for $175! I first saw them around Christmas for $400, but I couldn't afford Christmas presents and buy them, so I passed. Then in February, I saw them still listed but now at $175! I had to at least go see them since they were local. I figured I could part them out and more than double my money. They were not in the best shape: Scratched here and there, the grills were loaded with cat hair, the Poly Mids were yellow from cigarette smoke, Woofer surrounds were falling apart. Knowing that I could fix all these things, I bought them. After refinishing the black oak cabinets, cleaning the grills, refoaming the woofers and having the Mids rebuilt by Bill LeGall at Miller sound (he's the Infinity Guru) they sounded amazing except one speaker's port tube would vibrate when a certain frequency played. A little epoxy on the mating tubes sections resolved that. I only have about $400 in them and am very happy with them. They make me say 'Wow!' every time I listen to them. These retailed for around $2k back in the day which I could never have afforded and my wife would have killed me if I had spent that much on the today. The next lucky opportunity came as a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10's. A business acquaintance knew that I was into audio and when he was retiring and moving out of state, he had a pair of DQ-10's that had been sitting in his storage locker for more than 20 years! His retirement home didn't allow for such a big speaker set plus they had a flood in the storage space which ruined the stands. He didn't have the heart to put them out on the curb so he asked me if I wanted them. I was reluctant, but knew that they were a very desired speaker over the years, so I took them. The crossover area was covered with so much dust that it looked like it was blanketed with snow! The woofer surrounds were gone, the grills were sagging, there were scratches & white paint drips on the wood side panels and for some reason, one of the rear fuses holders was missing and the Piezo's were disconnected and someone had flipped the phase on the other tweeters and the 1/8A Tweeter fuses were open. My thought was that I would just get them working then sell them, but once I fired them up, I now understood what all the fuss was about. I was hooked. so I went ahead and I fixed everything: refoamed the woofers, refinished the wood panels, fixed the grill cloths and even recapped & upgraded the Crossovers and built new custom 24" high stands so they would sit at ear height. I absolutely LOVED them! Again, another $2K speaker that I only have about $180 into. I kept these for a few years, but knew they couldn't stay because they take up so much room and the definitely don't pass the 'wife' test. I really miss them, but the Kappa's make me more than happy.
I was looking for a floor standing speaker with a sensitivity of at least 90dB that would work well with many amp topologies. I auditioned aprox 15 pairs of speakers then heard a pair of Tekton Pendragons (aprox 95dB sensitivity) at a friend’s place. Within a week, I called Eric and he spoke to me for at least an hour. I was looking at possibility buying the Direct Impacts, and instead of upselling me, he suggested the Pendragons for $1K less. It’s been about 5 yrs since I bought them, and I still love em. They sound great with tube or SS amps, both high and low wattage. I still have zero desire to upgrade.
@@rhwinner He is a great guy and after a long talk about what I was looking for and room I have etc, I asked for the bi amp option and BECu tweeters option . He told me I wouldn't need them but I insisted on the Biamp wiring. I later bought then BECu tweeters. Not long after trying them, I switched back to the silk, and have yet to need the biamp wiring. LOL. He knows his stuff.
Steve, I bought my speakers directly from Tekton after reading so many great reviews. The price was so much less than the industry average that it didn't feel like too much of a risk. Plus, I had a couple of months to listen, and if I didn't like them, I could still send them back. I never sent them back !
I have a pair of Tekton 2 10 Perfect Set. Really nice and a good deal too. I got mine direct also. Truth be told, I am not even using them at the moment as I am experimenting with some other stuff at the moment. But I am looking forward to putting them back into daily service again soon.
I really believe that no matter what speaker we have, it's a human condition that after a while, we will tire of its sound and want to hear our music played by a different pair of speakers. There are a lot of great choices !
I was blown away by the Ohm Fs in the 70s with a sweet spot for several people, not just one. I now enjoy the Ohm T-5000s, with a clear audio concept wood turntable, hana m/c cartridge, McIntosh Mx-117 tuner/preamp, and McIntosh MC-452 power amplifier that completes my analog setup. I've recently added a McIntosh MB-20 so friends can "bluetooth" their playlists through my system. The most common comment I receive is "wow, I've never heard anything like that before!" One of these days maybe John will loan you a pair to play with. You've already heard the little brothers. Love your show! Thanks for all you do!!
I first listened to and fell in love with the KEF r series when I went to a local shop to purchase Bowers and Wilkins. The salesperson asked me what I like, how I listen to music and what tones and sounds I like. He told me to listen to the KEF’s and others before I purchased anything. I just bought a pair of r7’s and couldn’t be happier with them. Eventually, I’ll go for the Reference 3’s!
I went with Lintons because of all the rave reviews and attainable price, and they haven't disappointed. But I think a rig is only as good as its weakest link, so the amp, preamp, DAC and subs need to pull their weight too. I consider EQ to be a critical part of good sound, so I use a PC as source for Amazon HD streaming and run it through Windows Equalizer APO with measurements using REW. I've pretty much accomplished everything I had hoped for when I started the gear grind a year ago, and that is saying a lot, considering how unhappy I was with the sound of other combos I tried. The rest of my rig is a Parasound A21, Musical Fidelity M6S Preamp, Denafrips Ares II, and two SVS SB1000 subs, if anyone is interested.
I love my Harbeth P3ESR speakers - they look great, sound great and totally disappear when I'm listening. I've had dozens of speakers of all brands - Totem, Magnaplanar, B&W, Klipsch, etc at all price points but prefer these over all others I've used. I was always curious about the BBC LS 3/5 concept and I heard these at an audio shop when I was visiting a different town. It was probably 3 years later that I bought them, used on Audiogon. But I've had them 3+ years and can't ever imagine selling them.
You are right on with speaker taste through time. Life changes and needs may require a smaller footprint for speakers as families grow and alter the sound we are looking for. I went through these changes but never lost my love for a friend's Magneplanar Manepans I heard years ago. When the LRS speakers came out I ordered a pair and waited four months for production of my pair and have loved them ever since.
i bought the klipsch rp-600m as my second set of bookshelf speakers because it seemed like a good stepping stone, was well reviewed, and around $400. Once you taste fine wine, you cant go back. So i wanted something that was 'better' but not phenomenal so i could enjoy each step level upgrade.
I bought the same speakers and found them disappointing. A bit too harsh. And not nearly as sensitive as they were advertised to be as confirmed by stereophiles measurements.
I haven't heard a ton of speakers so it's hard to compare. I did A/B them with the SVS Prime bookshelf speakers and preferred the warmth and bigger sound of the RP-600ms. Overall I'm curious to try a speaker in the 1200-1800 range but it's always hard to pick out what to focus on next
My story: I bought the Klipsch RP600M 50% off and hated every single minute I spent with them during the 2 years of ownership. I don’t understand the glowing reviews everywhere. The Q Acoustics 3020 run circles around the RP600M and cost less and have been around longer. Just imagine John Mayer singing behind a door with a Fisher Price guitar. This is the Klipsch RP600M. Anyways, I bought the Closer Acoustics OGY and never looked back. But you could be thrifty and look at Ruark or Castle speakers and not spend much money because nobody cares about these brands.
My speakers are GR Research XLS Encore, and I absolutely LOVE them. Perfect for my room, and they do all the things I need them to. With all of the upgrades they were about 700 USD, and compared to many speakers costing multiple times that, they do amazingly well. Problem is, I need a new amplifier now, maybe a DAC. 😅
My Cornwall iv’s ended up in my house partly because of YOU and of course other TH-cam video reviews. It was during Covid. I was bored. Watching lots of videos and wanting a new system. Putting together a system during Covid was difficult for obvious reasons but I was able to drive to Crutchfield and listen to them for a couple hours. Ultimately, I loaded them in my truck and drove them home. I still have them and listen to them EVERY day !!! Thank you !!
I’m 49 years old. This year I bought klipsch rp-5000f II and an SVS pb 2000 pro. I’m older now, I’ve always loved music. But now it’s not about volume. It’s about clarity, soundstage, a woman’s voice, a trumpet, chimes in the background. I can’t afford a 100,000 system. But I can enjoy and appreciate and love the sounds that I’m hearing right now for about 3000$. I’ve never heard music like this and I’m very happy to sit back and just enjoy every sound. I really appreciate when you tell us what you listened to during a demo. I write them down and I listen to the same thing. Thanks for the videos. 👍🏻 I bought my speakers based on reviews, reputation, awards won, etc. I bought them online without sampling them.
Bought preowned KEF R3 because of reviews, price, sound and local dealer recommendation. Paired with my Hegel H160, I think I have a decent sounding system. Paid $2200 for both. I think I got a good deal.
Bought my first pair of speakers in college 30 years ago, used Yamaha ns1000m, second set kef r300 my current speakers kef reference 1 metas. I think I see the trend in what I prefer. I did try Zu DW but they weren’t for me. I did like their dynamics though. I do like Zu’s upgraded denon cartridge. Magic on my 1210g.
You have a great system. I am listening to KEF R3s right now. I also had a Hegel H160 too, although I only used both pieces of gear together a couple of times (they were in different rooms). Did I mention you have a great system? You also got a great deal!!! I bought the KEFs new and paid about $1900 and paid, I think, $2650 for the Hegel (used). Enjoy your great system!
I currently have Joseph Audio Perspective 2 graphene speakers. I really like these "box" speakers, and although I'm considering going back to a Planar type speaker in the foreseeable future, these speakers have many virtues. I did own Apogees and your recently reviewed ET 8b's(the 8c's look promising, cannot wait for your review), and now looking at Diptyque and Magnepan as possible candidates for next leg of my "journey". Really enjoy your videos!
You know the next leg of your journey might just be a pair of Conrad Johnson 62 power amplifiers but the sound is slightly tinny. I mean who even buys CJ amplifiers? You read like you're not too happy with your choices, and going through various speakers but really need to look more at what is powering them. 'The 8c's look promising', yeah but how do they sound with your stuff? Anybody that says something is promising has no future with it. You look 'very promising' to me. Emanuel, this is a Brooklyn NY thread! You know?
@@keplermission Appreciate your comment, but I wanted to be brief and forgot to say that I have owned the 8b's! I have had also many different amps during that time and currently using Van Alstine DVA M225 monoblocks. I am quite happy with this pairing. I am originally from NYC by way.
I managed a record store for 5 years back in the early 80’s that had Heresy in our system. I always enjoyed their sound. When I retired 6 years ago we built our retirement home with a large finished area in the basement for my listening room. My wife said I could order new speakers for the space, so I ordered the current III version. Liked them for the last 5 and a half years on their little risers, but felt they could sound better. So I ordered stands from Skylan for them. Oh my, what an amazing improvement. Best bookshelf speakers I’ve ever used. 😂
I bought the Buchardt S400 MK2 because Sean, at Zero Fidelity said these speakers play many genre of music well. He is the only reviewer who listens to a large variety of music during his evaluation.
I have a pair of JBL studio 590s. They look like large black coffins but sound absolutely amazing to me. The Horn tweeters produce amazing highs and the two 8-in mid-base drivers provide all the rumble I need. In addition to that they're highly efficient around 92 I'm able to drive them quite easily with my single ended triode tube amp. I've had them for about 5 years and not currently looking for anything new.
I had a very interesting multiyear experience in my search for a new set of main speakers. Storefronts are hard to find and then only carry so much inventory so I spent the last 3 years watching youtube reviews and reading forums to select my new soundvana. Based on my self imposed budget I opted for the direct purchase of the Airmotive T1+ from Emotiva and since I did not need a designer furniture piece and I do not pretend to be an expert audiophile or even an audiophile, I can say they wok in my space perfectly, I love the sound and plan to do some more business with Emotiva. I appreciate youtube channels that provided me with so much information with the process of having access to so much more than I could get, It has helped me to find great speakers that I really am impressed with for the small purchase price. Nothing cheap about them! Thanks to you Steve for so many great videos!
Hi Steve, Right Now I’m living with the original Magnepan LRS. The short answer as to how I got them was your comparison with the Klipsch RP600m. I was just dipping my toe into hifi at that point and had the R51m as my first pair of speakers. The 600m seemed like the logical next step and that’s how I found your channel. Ultimately I bought Tekton Mini Lores based on your review on CNET. Still, I could never get the LRS out of my head (my dad owned a pair of SMGs that fascinated me with their form factor when I was a kid) Anyways I was at my local hifi shop one day when a customer was returning a pair of LRS based on the lack of bass. I bought them on the spot. Since then I’ve sold the Tektons, bought and sold Focal Chora 806s, and Vandersteen 2C. Even when I didn’t have a proper space for the Maggies I kept them because I knew I’d never find anything that good for 650 bucks; they’re truly amazing. I’ve recently decided to add a pair of Linkwitz LX Minis to the collection to try something a little different, but whatever happens, the Maggies will remain as a benchmark 🙂
For 20 years, I worked my way up the B&W line of speakers whenever I could justify the cost. To me, the 802D were the "perfect" speaker. But, in 2018, I noticed that Magico speakers were getting best of show & speaker of the year awards almost every year. B&W was getting good reviews but not "best speaker" awards anymore. I couldn't afford new Magico speakers so bought used S3 MKII based purely on all the positive reviews. ($25K used!!) They sound soooo much better than B&W 802D. After selling the B&W, I noticed that most reviewers made comments about the bright top end of B&W diamond tweeters. The S3 MKII may not to be the "perfect" loudspeaker but it is the "perfect" one for me. Adding room treatments last year took them to higher level of enjoyment. IMO, people should invest in room treatment before spending money on new speakers. They will be surprised at the improvements. Great video topic STEVE!!!!
Magico speakers are a blast in a show. Absolutely impressive! The problem is after 10 min or so they are extremely fatiguing. I used to think they are the best speakers out there until I had the opportunity to listen to them for a longer period of time outside a showroom.
I bought my Sanders Sound electrostatic speakers based on hearing them at a couple of audio shows in CA and CO. I liked the speed and clarity of the sound as well as a very tall soundstage. They also offer a life-time guarantee to the original owner. Still very satisfied 6 years later.
My speaker journey really began when I made a set of speaker cables from a GR Research kit. I hooked them up between my old NAD receiver and my pair of Paradigm Studio 40 V 3s. Wow! Soundstage! Width and depth. I was amazed. A month later, my old NAD died. I went down to the local audiophile store who is an NAD dealer. He sent me to a repair guy up in Providence. But, while I was there, this beautiful cherry-wood-faced integrated tube amp caught my eye. The repair guy didn't give me much hope. I went back to the local high-end store and asked him to play the Unison Research Triode 25 for me. I was hooked. I took it home and set it up. Now it was time to upgrade my speakers. I've been enamored with open baffle and was eyeing a pair of Spatial Audios, but I decided they'd be too hard for 35 watts to push and they're too wide for my listening space. I drove up to a store in New Hampshire to listen to some Vandersteen 2c's. Beautiful, beautiful, but, again too wide and too hard to push. About then, the DW6's were announced. Steve, I asked and you thought they would be a great match to my Triode 25 amp. I ordered them with the Supreme upgrade in blue. And YOU WERE RIGHT! I absolutely love them. Thank you!
Interesting commentary! The method of choosing speakers is interesting. Since I'm in a smaller market I value input from folks like yourself. Thank you.
In 1997 I paid 10,000.00 for dynaudio C5 because they were some of the most accurate and far better than Wilson in that time…. Soon I will upgrade and Magico A5 for 27,000 are at the top of my list.. I have played in bands and orchestras so instrumental accuracy’s is very important…. Dynaudio only made 200 pairs of Confidence 5s… so almost none of you have ever heard them… The A5 …. Well we will see..
The audiophile world is funny. You have a large group who think anything they can't afford is not worth the money and another that thinks that a higher price automatically equals better sound. It's all subjective.
I am ex-high end audio salesman from Manhattan (Harvey). Between our stock and trade-ins nothing was interesting so I decided to shop outside the norm and simply from positive reviews in Stereophile and TAS bought a pair of Harbeth Monitor 30 loudspeakers at FULL PRICE no accomodation! Why not? I'm the expert and wanted the mids nailed down. The rest I used relatively inexpensive subwoofers (two pair each Velodyne HTS15 and SVS 12 early pro models). I tune the pile of stuff to each room it has been setup using twin Parasound A21 amps. And it gets very precise and lovely sounding for not a lot of dough. Can't think of ANY setup to beat it for what it does in medium size rooms. Tests pretty darn flat too if that floats your boat. This happened 20 years ago. No regrets. STILL DISCOVERING MORE SOUND QUALITY BY SETUP. It never gets old!
I have my Dynaudio Crafft since 1997 and man it still sounds so great after all these years despite I have completely revamped my system a few times already and it's still staying. First generation handmade Esotar Tweeter is still an excellent tweeter even by today's standard!.
Wanted to update that I originally purchased a Rotel CD14 MKII which opened up a new world of sound for me!! Having just retired and now had time to appreciate music again. Speaker collection; Pioneer, Advent Legacy, JBL 80 T and JBL 80TS, Warfedale and Klipsch satellite speakers I wanted a new, different sound.
My first exposure to "high end audio" was in 1986 in the early times of fancy multi-amp and separate-speaker car audio. I had been custom building home speakers since high school in the earlier 80s. In the car installs I was doing, I remember to this day how the sound I experienced from a of set of well-setup tri-amped Nelson Pass-designed Class A low-power amps pushing ADS 320i separates and ADS 8" subs (Soundstream amps with Nakamichi active crossovers/front end) made me feel: they were soul-moving. Since then I have built, bought/sold at least a hundred different home speakers of varying types and sizes, seeking to feel that excitement again. Many speakers have come close. Some speakers have achieved it. For now, dynamic open-baffle designs tend to satisfy me the most. Today I use some old car audio Class A amps from Soundstream to power my home-built set of Linkwitz LX-Minis, no sub. Every time I turn them on to listen, I feel that same feeling of wonderment. LX-521s will be next, when I have a room that can do them justice. (unending thanks to Nelson and Siegrfried for their love for audio, design, and sharing to this community)
Hello Steve, as you know Vincent Bruzzese, CEO & Main Engineer of Totem Speakers was my math teacher in high school 35 years ago. There you go! Once, he took the time to explain audio speaker physics to me - I was 15 - and he immediately converted me to a lifetime Totem Accustics consumer. I bought the Totem Skylight 2 years ago after your review on your TH-cam channel. And I'm upgrading now to the Totem Tribe Tower after viewing Jay's Iyagi review of them. I've listened to the speakers at dealers a few times. Having that said, As my tastes evolve in Audio, I start to be less emotional with Totem though and I'm looking now more for specific technicalities. For exemple, I noticed that I prefer concentric design, no crossovers, light cabinet or open baffle speakers; I'm still looking for the speaker that combines all these criteria. I hope that my comment helps to shape your mind towards the Speaker Buying Journey. The audio sound is the goal but people like to trust others as well before to buy and spent significant amount of hardly found money. Thanks for doing what you do. I just subscribe again to your Patreon!
Steve, I am along term listener to THIEL Loudspeakers. Critical in my selection of THIEL Loudspeakers was my relationship with two different THIEL Dealers over a period of 30 plus years. I own three different models of THIEL Loudspeakers with the CS 2.4 serving as my primary pair of loudspeakers for music listening. I have multiple systems and two different listening rooms. I do own other loudspeakers (namely the Wharfedale Linton and the Magnepan MMG) which I switch up with from the THIEL’s depending on my mood and music preferences. In all cases, I audition the loudspeakers at a dealer and made my purchase decision.
I purchased Spatial Audio M3 Sapphire open baffle speakers after struggling with bass overloading my room with box speakers. Since they aren’t common in Canada, and Spatial sells direct, I relied on a detailed review on the New Record Day TH-cam channel. Fortunately, it was the right decision.
I volunteer at a thrift store (I'm a retired electronics tech) and 3 years ago a pair of Allison AL-120 speakers were donated. The woofer foam surrounds were rotted and one tweeter didn't work - they were headed for the dumpster. I brought them home and refoamed the speakers, repaired the open wire in the tweeter circuit and replaced the capacitors with audio grade parts ..... They are connected to an Onkyo receiver and are a JOY to listen to.
Hi Steve! I really enjoy your videos and discussions. I just wanted to add that for luxury items, or rather, items we don't actually need to have, a free enterprise system dictates prices. Though there are pros and cons to any system, the fact remains that manufacturers of speakers or any other commodities stay in business if they are meeting a demand and can make a profit. It is not for us, the purchasers, to really have a say in what something should cost. We can only buy what we can afford, and as you said, there are lots of people with a whole lot more money out there. As an audiophile hobbyists, we can reach as far as we can reach, and deal with the companies that we can afford. As far as my own journey, I listen to speakers and if I find one that I like better than what I have, and I can swing it, I will try and buy them. I had a wonderful pair of Bryston Mini-Ts, and was quite happy with them, but then I heard my current B&W 804 D3s, and I sold my Bryston's and purchased the B&Ws. I did it because I liked the overall sound better with my test tracks. They cost more, but that wasn't the point for me - they just did it for me, simple as that.
I bought a pair of Silverline Sonata II direct from them. I called just to inquire about prices. I spoke with Alan Yun, the owner and designer and he offered to send me a pair without knowing me or even without any payment at the moment. I was flabbergasted. He did not know who was calling and he offered to send them. I agreed and after listening them for three weeks, I bought them. Alan called me several times afterwards to check how they were performing during the “burning in” period. I just fell in love with their sound and performance. About 10 months ago, I had a friend who is an expert loudspeaker technician, modify the speakers with new Mundorf capacitors, new resistors, in fact almost a new crossover , changed the internal wires to Nordost, and new internal padding. The results are outstanding. I have compared them with ATC, Legacy, B&W, and many other speakers and I feel that the Sonatas are much better. The only two speakers I have heard that I consider better are the Wilson Audio Alexia V, and the PS Audio Aspen FR30, but I don’t have the resources to buy them.
Hi Steve - I had a set budget and went to Axpona in April 2019 to audition as many speakers as I could. The speakers that sounded the best to me and fell in the range got the sale.
I retired 8 years ago and started my audiophile journey. I went to local dealers in SoCal to review Spendor and Revel floor-standers. I really liked my brother-in-law’s black KEF 104/2 speakers, so I found a pair of walnut KEF 104/2 speakers cross-listed on Craigslist and Audiogon. My brother-in-law gave me his KEF 104/2 speaker boxes and I sent them (empty boxes) to San Jose via UPS. I bought the speakers for $550 and spent about $300 in shipping. I only had to replace the ferrofluid in the tweeters. Great looking cabinets and wonderful sounding too👍👍
Wow, you guys outdid my expectations! So many great stories, so many great and DIFFERENT ways to find bliss!
I bought my JBL L100 Classic because I owned the original in college. I still love them.
@@daverossiter357 Yeah but JBL Classic is a relaunch of the L100 and there was other relaunched speakers from JBL and Pioneer and all the relaunch stuff is fake and it sounds nothing like the old stuff because it's made to a price but they look exactly the same.
AUDIOPHILE Speakers prices are“Too High” for me to seriously consider buying because I do not have the money. But I am happy for the people who can afford them… and are happy with their choices.
Steve, you said it plainly, some people have more money to spend on “State of the Art” loudspeakers designs.
The juice is in finding the right loudspeaker for your room, budget, and musical taste.
My old Audiophile system that I'd built up piecemeal since the 1980's at an estimated cumulative cost of well over $20k, finally broke down as it's core ( speakers and major components) just wore out, needing to be replaced.
After careful research and consideration, I found Kanto's flagship offering call TUK active speakers and I was BLOWN AWAY by how amazing they sounded and became the new "core" of my listening room. Now, about $7k into it; YES, I LOVE MY SPEAKERS!
@@modemmark421 Yeah but you know, Kanto TUK active are not Hi-Fi, they're computer desk top monitors and if you're streaming they'll be fine but Hi-Fi, wow, it's a whole different crowd of like-minded people. (Snobs, you know). Kanto TUK are noises we just don't make around Hi-Fi people, I mean it would be thought rude.
What a GREAT topic!!!
I have Klipsch Cornwall IVs that I bought a couple of years ago and chose them based on 30+ years of experience with MANY different brands and types of speakers. I was fortunate to live in an area (SF Bay Area) with a LOT of audiophiles and couple easily buy gear to try with little to no risk. I could buy something used, try it out for awhile, and then sell it for the same and often more than I paid for it.
I had various models from Vandersteen, Thiel, Hales, Silverline, Platinum Audio, Magnepan, Acoustat, Apogee, Martin Logan, Soliloquy, AAD, Aerial Acoustics, and many more.
But it wasn’t until I picked up a pair of Klipsch Belles that I had my real epiphany. I’d never owned a horn speaker, and certainly not a fully horn loaded design. I soon after tried every Klipsch Heritage model, Heresy, Forte, Chorus, Cornwall, LaScala, and the mighty Klipschorn.
Through that process I learned that high efficiency speakers (especially horns) driven by tube amplifiers were the ticket for me.
Life and family circumstances took me out of the hobby for awhile, but when I came back, I knew I wanted large Klipsch speakers. My first choice was the new LaScala AL5, but as I was starting from scratch, the budget isn’t wouldn’t quite reach the extra cost.
So after a lot of reading and YouTubing (including your amazing channel), I concluded that the Cornwall IV would get me most of the way to my ideal sound. And I have to say they have not disappointed.
One day I’ll pick up a pair of LaScalas and that will probably be my true end game speaker, but until then I am a happy camper.
You said you read most of the comments, so I'm taking this opportunity to say, thank you. You introduced me to the audiophile world. And I love your content and insights. Thanks, Steve!
As someone with no budget for speakers I lucked out at a rummage sale when I found my awesome Boston Acoustics CR9s for $10.
Did you finance?
Congrats 👍
I auditioned a few pairs of speakers (Towers and Bookshelfs) from Elac to Klipsch to KEF etc. It took me a few months. So I listened critically to all types of music I listen to IN MY ROOM as it is.
I actually landed on the Klipsch RP-600mII out of everything I listened to. AND when I decided to pull the trigger on them, they went on sale! Win! WIN!
I now own what I believe are my endgame speakers - Volti Audio Rival Special Edition horns (the big brother to the Raz you reviewed earlier). They're quite large, very heavy and way more money than I could afford so I took out a loan to get them - which I'm still paying off. In fact, as I live in a modest condo, they are probably more than I need in this space (yeah ... almost certainly more). Allow me to explain my reasoning for this extravagance. These were the third pair of speakers I'd purchased since I got into this hobby (addiction?) a couple of years ago, and I know myself well enough to realize that given my fascination with all the technology that goes into making speakers these days, not to mention the aesthetic designs on tap, I could easily keep buying and selling with reckless abandon and never stop chasing that elusive idea of "perfection". I needed to draw a line - a hard line. Knowing that, I decided to force my hand and commit to speakers that I would have to keep around for some time to come, and leave all my fiddling to the electronics that would feed them. Not to mention, speakers that would sufficiently "scale" to those various upgrades. As of now, I couldn't be happier. I've gone through a number of amps/preamps/dacs/turntables and have landed on a combination that suits me beautifully. I know it may seem ridiculous to approach my speaker selection in this way, but so far I'm very satisfied.
Purchased the Klipschhorn Speakers new, 39 years ago after hearing them demonstrated and loved the sound quality and knowing at the time I could live with them for a lifetime. So far they have only cost me about $65 per year, (excluding interest) to own. Listening to them now in my living room with my new Reisong A-10 tube amplifier. I wish I had tried tubes sooner. Oh well, better late than never.
@@hanschristeler2392 Klipschorns come in a special ... Vitavox version but it's 15 ohm and you know, the British Hi-Fi impedance standard was 15 ohm. The Maggie's are 4-ohm and it's an American preferred impedance and Steve says JBL horns are awesome but they have the Japanese Standard Impedance of 3.2 ohms. But you know, getting the best from these different impedance values is no walk in the park. Wrong match and you will think high end speakers are overpriced, especially if a salesman wants a customer to buy a certain item, he'll hook up the best equipment to make it shine.
Klipschorn is the best value , lowest distortion and cheapest speakers out there including in todays prices…people don’t get it
@@xprcloud No ... that's the sort of thing that ignorant people say but Klipsch aren't cheap any more, you're just repeating old ancient views of your parents, rectangular horns are very high in distortion and that's why many prefer medium sensitivity speaker sound using very powerful amplifiers. You don't get it obviously. You know tubes are a lifestyle choice that many would avoid today.
@@keplermission well my previous comment got cut off.
I own fully DSP'ed Khorns that I modified, I have designed and built my own amplifiers in the past, and would not add distortion by buying into mechanical vinyl when you can get the digital source, nor would I add distortion using tubes designed for the 1938 Telephone exchange.
so you tell me? who gets it? are you still buying 99.9% pure copper cable nonsense? and shakti stone snake oil?
I'll try a good tube amp which I'm sure will be fine for my Lyle Lovett and Tony Bennett CD's, but I'm not sure it'll have enough push for the Led Zeppelin, RUSH, Scorpions, Pink Floyd, and Stevie Ray Vaughan material through the Wharfedale Linton's or ZU speakers I'm looking at.
The Audiophiliac convinced me to move on to a grown-up sound system and the Audiophiliac convinced me to go Magnepan. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit and Magnepan was slow in filling orders. I saw a pair of Klipsch Heresy on craigslist and bought them and a SET amp. I was kinda happy with that until I saw a pair of Magnepan .7 for $700 and went for them. Those with a Schiit vidar, recommended by the Audiophiliac replaced the Heresy and I couldn't be happier! Thanks Steve.
Back in the early 2000s, I made the conscious choice to go with PSB. Over the decades I had lived with my homebuilt BJ webb transmission line monitors that use KEF and Celestion drivers and I still listen to them today! I was looking for a similar sound signature and had a chance to try some PSB Image 2Bs. They became my goto speakers for many years until I wanted to move up the daisy chain. Next were Imagine X1Ts, then X2Ts then used Ts, used T2s , used Synchrony Ones and finally used T3s. I try to have a listening session for at least an hour each night and the T3s never disappoint! I also have several PSB-based home theater setups with various models/amps/sources using used SubSeries 450 DSP subwoofers. I have a used Imagine C3 center channel that does an excellent job on voice clarity. I use IsoAcoustics feet for speaker isolation on many of the speakers and I notice the improvement. If I had not gone down the PSB path, KEF would probably be the way I would have proceeded but I'm very happy with how things have turned out by being a PSB-guy (after all, I am Canadian eh?). PS - I also enjoy my new PSB M4U 8 Mk II headphones that do an amazing job over Bluetooth using an old Apple iPod touch and Apple Music lossless music.
I have Buchardt S300 Mk2, totally relied on TH-cam reviews including yours, the deep bass in the small package while maintaining good sound that complimented good and bad recordings was what I wanted, because I have an extremely broad taste from classical to metal to dance music. I really liked Mads ethos and energy, he directly emailed with me to advise me on tube amp pairing and I really valued his expertise and attitude in that process too. Then the direct shipping was also appealing. I was lucky in that my system works really well without having listened to the components before purchasing. I’m in love with my system, and not worried about constantly upgrading.
Thanks, it's customer reviews I appreciate more than critics because they don't have an agenda or vested interest.
I'll compare them against a few others before making my decision.
Thank you for your thoughts on the S300. I am very interested in getting a pair. Stay cool.
@@davidsmithson9236 I'm a huge fan, David, for the price, the sound they put out is quite remarkable. And the new model is only better
I bought a pair of Mirage 1295is in 1995 and have never looked back. I needed that spatial sound. The clarity of the midrange on these speakers is still better than most others I have given a test run to. Add on the powered woofers and you have an all around winner. I lucked out and was able to buy a demo pair right off the showroom floor at less than half the msrp.
That is so cool! I was tempted to buy Mirage in 1998, but money pushed me to Pinnacle. I too have not looked back at my choice 25 years ago.
I bought my Totem Acoustic Mani 2’s (original model), because I had listened to them once and lusted after them for 10years. I owned several pairs of Vinces’s classic line Totem’s and when a pair of Mani’s came up, in the finish I wanted and in great shape, I happily pulled the trigger. Madness occurred afterwards, as my amplifier needed changing. I am extremely happy with these, as they work perfectly in the room I’m in and with the components they’ve been paired with!
I like totems too but I wonder if they still hold up. They are still expensive.
Mani 2’s on my list.
Zu Omen DW, was so enamored I had them shipped to me in Italy. Love them. Bought from recommendation on YT, yours was one of them. Also recently got a set of Lintons, based on YT again. Bought local so got to hear them first. Love them paired with 2 REL T5i subs in a listening room downstairs. I'm no audiophile but I know what I like. Love the vids and thanx for the time it takes to make them
Magnepan 3.7i. I fell in love with Magnepan speakers in college, in the very early 80s. I owned a couple of pair of 3As, over the years. I have enjoyed pairing with different tube and ss amplifiers. Enjoying the hobby now more than ever. Keep up the great work, Steve!
Absolutely love my speakers... klh model 5s. After taken a whole year to demo speakers , the KLH model 5s hit the spot. I demo'd speakers up to the 7k point and the KLH 5'S made it for me, and I had about 8 different speakers in my listening space. All boils down to listening space, preference and interaction of speaker and room.
When the ears are happy... Well that's it.
I just demoed a pair of KLH 5s at a local sound shop. Not bad. The 5s are speakers I think I could live with in a smaller room.
I found this channel while researching Zu DW6s after hearing them at a bar/cafe in San Diego near Petco on my way to a day ball game. I wasn’t in the market for a new set of speakers or any upgrades to my vinyl listening experience, but I loved the sound coming out of them so much in a bar, I had to have a pair. They ship next week! I also needed something to drive them, having used powered bookshelf speakers for the last decade. I ended up grabbing the last black Heaven 11 Billie mk2 they had in stock, which is already making my LP collection sing without the DW6s.
Holy ya. I just posted about Zu tooo, They are such a hidden Gem. As you say, I had to have from the first second I saw ‘em . Love it
I recently bought the Spendor D7.2 and Hegel H390 to match. I did this because I wanted a skip-level upgrade in my new home, my old system (which I loved) was B&W 685s with a Rotel amp and CD player. The difference between the two systems is immense.
In my late twenties I heard Klipschorns and was blown away - that experience has never left me. Fast forward I’m now 60 and during the early days of the pandemic I was craving better sound at home and got Klipsch Heresy 4’s after watching a few YT reviewers as well as listening to them at a local dealer. I also decided a flea watt tube amp was in my future so with a higher sensitivity speaker and after 1.5 years of waiting my Decware amp arrived. Price is part of my reasoning for these purchases but the sound and my enjoyment has been getting better and better as the speakers and amp break in. Thank you Steve and everyone else for guiding me on the start of this journey.
Ha.. my journey is the same! I got the SE84UF0 and Heresys! Magic combo.
My Totem Sttaf’s were a gift from my son. My son saved up his first job pay cheques to buy them for me. He consulted with the audio shop where I had bought all my other kit and they told him what they knew I wanted.
Totem is a Canadian firm from my hometown. Their smaller speakers sounded great but their floor standers always impressed.
These speakers still impress everyday I listen to them as they have the first time I heard them 15 years ago. And everytime I look at them as I listen to them I think of my son.
I got the Vandersteen CEiii based on your review. I got them at $3K to include shipping. I needed a new speaker set because I wanted to have a bigger fuller sound that was neutral. The speaker also needed to have grills, because I have pets and a small child. I am pleased with the purchase and my growing system.
You forgot to mention the cost of design. Good, let alone great, designs are expensive because they require savant expertise.
Good points, Steve. I bought my current speakers, Axiom m22ti's, in 2002 to replace a pair of NHT SuperOnes that were great but a little too laid back for rock music. I based my decision on price ($400/pair), positive online reviews, and Axiom's 30-day in-home trial. I also emailed Axiom to ask for their advice, and they sent a lengthy reply that was very helpful and gave me confidence in my decision. Over two decades later, my M22ti's are still going strong.
Bought Martin Logan 40i speakers, demo in store before purchase on sale list $1299 each purchased $324.99 each. Bought 2 pairs!!!
Another excellent offering. Loved your spot on analogy of cost. I think the more important question than price is, what attributes are you looking for in your speakers. I went with Klipsch Cornwall 3's when I set up my tube based system because Klipsch has a well established and earned reputation, and the Cornwalls are very efficient, with huge bass drivers and horns, both of which compliment the sound characteristics and performance of tubes. To that end, they have not let me down, and if the price had been twice what they sold for, it still would have been money well spent.
The circumstances for me were nostalgic. During the pandemic, my father(RIP)'s system needed a little TLC and his buddy came over to fix the amp. I grew up with this system from the age of 11. I'lll never forget the first time I listened to All along the Watchtower(Jimi Hendrix) with a Luxman stereo tuner. It's Luxman L200 driving B&W DM320's. My mother didn't want to sell it(even though she doesn't use it!). So, I decided to look into buying my own system. I searched for the same pair. I went to see an audiophile, who had a room full of speakers, including the DM330's. After auditioning them with an Accuphase set up, he showed me a better pair, the B&W DM620's. After hearing them, I fell in love. When I came to Mexico to live for a while with my wife, I decided to search for a pair here and bought them without hesitation. I can't fault them, and they're inexpensive. I always use Luxman integrated amplifiers with them, as my father did. I am curious about other speakers, however, I stick with what I know and I've never been disappointed. I love how it has the great highs, mids and bass. I don't need a sub-woofer. Thanks for the opportunity Steve! I hope you had time to read.
My current main stereo speakers are GR Research Encore XLS basic kit purchased about three years ago. I’m an audiophile and woodworker, and I have built over a dozen DIY speakers. After hearing the Fried C and O at coworkers house over 30 years ago I got hooked. I spent two years listening to 50 to 100 other speakers that did not sound as good for the same or much more money. I still have the twice upgraded drivers and crossovers but drivers in boxes and will build new cabinets for them next year. I discovered the XLS on New Record Day rave review. After watching 3 or 4 other great reviews I bought kit and build the cabinets and am thoroughly impressed with the musical fidelity and life like imaging. I don’t know if I’ll ever buy a retail pair of fully built speakers, but in my new and large retirement home, I’ll may be looking for my “final” pair of speakers.
Vandersteen Quattro Wood CT speakers after auditioning dozens of others, including Wilson, Magico, Focal, Harbeth, etc.,- the Vandersteens didn’t stun me, they didn’t knock me over the head, or attempt to color my world with a particular ‘brand’ sound, they simply captivated me and sucked me into the profundity of great music if well recorded regardless of genre. They activate my imagination and produce the experience of what it might have been like to be there in the studio, arena, theater, etc. I couldn’t be happier with my choice. And thanks to Johnny Rutan and the gang at Audio Connection for being such helpful audio sherpas.
I purchased the same speakers and couldn’t be happier. You described them beautifully!
@@kellyl9198 thank you ! And so happy you’re enjoying your Vandersteens as much as I am. They are special speakers!
Haha...I bought my Ohm Walsh 2000 tall speakers because of you because you were gobsmacked. Now I'm gobsmacked too because they're wonderful. The speakers made me upgrade my amp to a MacIntosh MA352 and I couldn't be more pleased. Thanks for your great review Steve.
My main setup is a pair of Magnapan 3.7s, powered by Rogue Audio monoblocks. I’ve been enjoying them for about 7 years and love them. My old system bought in the 1990s are a pair of System Audio 905s, powered by a NAD 7225 PE receiver. It still runs well and sounds great, so I now have two setups that I enjoy very much!
I bought Sabrina Xs because they are my favorite sounding speaker, especially the mid and tweeter. I also love the way they look, the way they retain their relative value in case I want to upgrade, the beautiful build quality. And they are relatively easy to drive when i want to listen to my First Watt F7 instead of my X250.8.
I bought my first speakers from a dealer more than 10 years ago and I am still using them to this day : Magnepan 1.6 qr. I was stunned by its imaging qualities. Some years ago, I grew tired of them (wanting better dynamics and bass) and I auditioned other products : Martin Logan, Focal, Totem Acoustic, and listened to many more at my friends' houses. Not one of those speakers convinced me to take the plunge. I came to the conclusion that I preferred better imaging to dynamics and bass. Therefore, there is for me only one way to go : getting bigger Magnepan ... Thanks for your great videos!
I've heard good things about the Wharfedale Linton's and the ZU brand.
Also Bowers and Wilkins.
Give those a try, too.
@@nostradamus7648 Many thanks for these advices. I will make sure to check those out !
I was envisioning a retro, 70’s box for a while when one day i step into a thrift store and find a pair of Wharfedale Glendale 3XP, 3-way speakers.
I believe my wife, who had passed away just prior at the young age of 40, somehow had something to do with it. She knew this would comfort me. Best of all, i paid 35 Eur for this tested pair.
They’ve been playing effortlessly since December 2018.
The new Wharfedale Linton, which is a similar box, was yet to be released over here, i believe.
I sold my Yamaha NS and my LS50 Meta. No regrets and more $$ for more CDs and LPs (i’m a young 50’er, not a fan of streaming, except TH-cam for discovering new material).
Keep up the good work, Steve!
I have Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signature III. I auditioned them for almost 6 hours. What sold me was how they load the room with music. On axis and off axis they sound great. Even listening from another room they just sound good. In fact they spoiled me so bad I had to replace the speakers in my office with Model 1Ci+. I am so happy with both sets.
Bought my ZU Omens (electric blue) after doing my due diligence looking for a dynamic, affordable and efficient floorstander. After narrowing the candidates to a couple I read your (CNET?) review of the original DW. You had me sold at that point. The fun factor is tops. Love ‘em and I think they’ll be my very last speaker. I’m officially a geezer at the age of 70.
Holy ya, Electric blue. How does not every person own some, everyone who sees them is like what the Fred man, those are amazing, and that’s BEFORE I turn them on. Hahahahaha. Love it
For about the last 30-35 years I have gone back and forth between Wilson Audio and Magnepan. I spent a short amount of time with B&W Nautilus speakers but they were too bright for my listening room. When I moved into my new home in Florida I made sure to have a dedicated room just for 2-channel.. I really enjoy the Wilson "sound" or the way they sound. I am on my 4th pair. The current Wilsons are the Sasha DAW's. I love the sound and the way they look. I auditioned them at the local dealer on numerous times in 2 different sound rooms to get a good feel for them. I will say that if Wilson speakers didn't hold their value as well as they do I could not have afforded these, I got a very favorable trade in allowance on the Yvettes that preceded these.
Number 1 is sound quality and to my ears there are not much better, at least that I can afford
2 is fit and finish. All Wilson speakers are finished extremely well.
3 The dealer lugged them up the stairs and set them up, (included in the sale). At 240lbs each the last thing I wanted to do was lug them upstairs.
I still think Wilson’s no matter what are like top 3 … but a lot of new companies are really REALLY coming after them
The new KLH model five and model three are pretty fantastic for the money, actually affordable. I'm still using my Large Advents that I bought new in 1978. It's probably one of the greatest two-way speakers ever designed by audio hall of fame legend Henry Kloss. I'll never get rid of them.
I just got a refurbished pair. Truly amazing what 4 old school driver in a large box can do
I just picked up a pair of KLH 3s on sale for $950. I think they're wonderful. I'm using a Vincent integrated with a tube preamp and now I feel like I'm back listening in the 70's. I moved a pair of Polk R-200s into my smaller den/music library.
What made me buy? Reviews ( zero negative), quality, affordability, customer service - both manufacturer as well as seller, fit, looks (minor), desire for higher fidelity (most important), sixty day trial by seller.. More importantly is what made me keep them. Performance = sound, depth, nuances separation etc. Customer service, that is speakers were exceedingly well packed. Company always answered my calls. Listening to the loudspeakers makes me smile.
Just as a data point the loudspeakers are Goldenear One.R.
Right on!
I retired five years ago and moved from California to North Carolina. I was building a new listening room and since the only company that replied when I reached out for assistance was Magnolia at Best Buy, I went with them. I auditioned speakers in the Magonolia show room and decided on Martin Logan speakers because of the over all sound. The speakers that best fit my room were the Masterpiece Impresssion 11As. They aren't as expensive as the Zus you just reveiwed but they aren't cheap either. I am very please with the Martin Logans.
Nobody retires to NC ... well, you know, you say you did but I mean the high property rates say you didn't and NC is a place where we make our fortune and then get out. In the east of the state it's the smell of hog country, of millions of pigs and even more tons of their feces. It's predictable that you're using the word 'expensive', NC is not a cheap place to retire. Why would anybody move from CA to NC? Wow! It's not even a place where most would have the time to follow Audio as a pursuit, it's known all over as a really hard place to be in.
@@keplermission Get a life
I miss Magnolia. I used to go to the original in Seattle. There was one on Roosevelt Way (and a SpeakerLab and a Definitive Audio, which is still there) near the University District when I was in college.
I had listened to La Scala’s in the past and never thought much of them, I always thought the Cornwall was the best sounding Klipsch they made. But I bought a single 1980 La Scala, thinking I was going to set up a dedicated mono system, for $500 seven years ago. I never got around to doing it, and in the garage it sat. Then about a year ago on Facebook marketplace I saw another black single La Scala that was missing a crossover but came with two extra tweeters and one extra mid horns with driver for $600, I snapped it up thinking I would now sell the pair and make a little profit. After installing Crites crossovers I hauled them into the house to give them a listen. When I paired them with a pair of REL subs I was blown away by the clarity and dynamics these monsters brought to the table. Even at 65-75db they sound great! At 80db it’s like being in the room with the band! I tried a Carver Crimson tube amp, and McIntosh mc352 SS and a DIY class D, settled on the McIntosh. I’m gonna have these for a long long time. I’m 65 and have been tweaking and playing with audio for 30 years. Steve I love your show! Keep doing what your doing!
@@keplermission Wow that's a lot of hate. We left the Bay Area because it was unlivalble. We were able to sell our house in CA and buy our house in NC for cash. We live in the Triangle. We miss the CA weather but that's it.
When I resumed my interest in HiFi, 5 years ago, I had to rely on and trust your videos and a few others to find what I could in my budget. I found myself enjoying audio so much that I have since upgraded most everything in my system, again with your help. My $1500 system is now a $5000 system. My ElacUB5s ($500) are now Revel Concerta 2 F36s . ($2000) I am quite happy with my system. My Brother in law and I kid about being satisfied and stopping our purchases. Truly the only thing I might change someday are my speakers for something used and inexpensive, just to hear a different sound. Thanks for all your help, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed good sound.
I was looking for reasonably priced speakers and you recommended the Klipsch R51, I went and listened to them in the store and was impressed enough to buy them. They replaced the cubes that came with ny Cambridge SoundWorks. Very happy!
Excellent video, as always. Last summer I decided to get the Klipsch RP-600M II based on my fascination with the company, and the reviews from you, Steve, and Andrew Robinson. For the last 15 years I've had an Axiom HT system, and they were fine but not impressive. So when I turned 64, I decided to get what I really wanted. Oh boy am I happy. The RP-600s are fantastic for home theater as well as two channel listening. I know that I took a leap of faith trusting YT reviewers, but my instincts were solid. I got the full HT set that matches my Klipsch, and am a happy camper. Thanks for sharing your lifetime of experience Steve. You are appreciated.
My current speakers are DeVore O/93s, bought used. Despite the foolishness of buying them without hearing them, it all worked out. I noticed that quite a few reviewers owned them. Previously, I owned Chartwell LS3/5As, Magnepan 1.7is, multiple Focal Kanta No 2s, Legacy Focus SEs and Magico A3s. I have come to appreciate high efficiency speakers and the freedom of amp choice that permits.
Always wondered why Legacy doesn't get more love from TH-cam reviewers? Any idea why?
I assume from your statement that you got rid of the Legacy Focus SEs. May I ask why?
@@vincentlavallee2779 audio nervosa and foolishness
6 years ago I auditioned a bunch of speakers: MA Gold, Paradigm Persona and KEF R. I bought the KEF R500 due to their non fatigueing presentation and beautiful deep & wide soundstage. I had them in my system for about 5 years, before wanting more. "More" meant more of what they delivered. I ended up with a pair of KEF Reference 1s, and I am very satisfied. To my ears, these are the best stand mounted speakers I have ever listened to. Thoughts may vary, and that is ok. We all hear differently.
Yeah we all hear differently until ... we're trained musicians and then we all hear the same or we get fired.
you should have listened to the monitor audio platinum they're much better than the kef.
@@chrisrichards2827 No. Monitor Audio was a small company that Cambridge University had to make strange, compact speakers from EMI (the record label) drivers and then after a certain time when they'd run out of these, the founder moved to Essex and bought in drivers from the Far East and you know, they weren't really 'better than the KEF', but that was the popularly received idea because Monitor Audio after 1981 worked better with Japanese amplifier sounds where KEF is best suited to British amplifier. In the USA, KEF is really unknown. Nobody knows KEF here.
I got my Maggie .7s 18 months ago after listening to several Maggies, Martin Logan’s and other speakers. I spent a whole day at our local store Audio Advice comparing speakers! Thanks, Audio Advice! Also spent some time at Magnolia/Best Buy, but I had my heart & ears set on Maggies. And I got them just before the price went up. Soooo satisfying!
About 30 years ago, I went to Innovative Audio in NYC to spend the money to get a high quality set of speakers. I had owned a pair of Advent speakers earlier and then after becoming a recording engineer working in studios, I was frequently using Yamaha NS 10s to really fine tune mixes but they were not hifi by any means. I had decided buy a Creek intergrated amp (still using it everyday BTW) so I listened in the showroom through that amp. The salesman first set up a pair of Linn speakers. I listened and like what I heard but then he said someone had traded in a set of ProAc Studio 100s. He set them up and when he put on the music the sounds came alive and I was sold. No analysis-just based on the my gut reaction. I knew of these speakers because several prominent engineers were using them for mixing and were raving about them. When I set up my work system at home (the way things have moved since 2000), I tried using them and I've never considered mixing on any other speakers. Love at first listen. Thanks Steve for another great topic.
I have had Wharfedale Lintons paired with Rotel A14 MKII since the last Christmas. My first "proper" set. When chosing the right pair I was suffering from analysis paralysis for over a year. Listening to various speakers, watching and reading reviews... I thought I will go for Klipsch 8000F but the pain I felt for two days after listening to it for only some 40 mins eliminated all horn speakers. I am very happy now. I like to listen very loud and have absolutely no pain afterwards. A year ago I asked you what is the lifespan of speakers. You replied something to the meaning "hard to say, it depends, but it can even be a lifetime with proper care" so I intend to take care and keep them indefinitely :-) The only improvement is going to be the room treatment because I heard them sound better in a different setting. Why upgrade the spekers when one can upgrade a room for much more money?
So to answer your question: the deciding factor that guided me were the youtube reviews with the buzz words I was looking for (can listens to them all day, reasonable bass, warm sound)
I'm leaning towards the Linton's also, and I've heard good things about the Rotel.
I'll compare the Rotel to the Cambridge Audio and Outlaw RR 2160 mkii amps.
By good care does that mean a dehumidifier in the listening room?
@@nostradamus7648 Yes, dehumidifier in a room. But only if you live in Vietnam or other country with high percentage of moisture in the air. There were more aspects - especially beware of direct sunlight and do not listen to heavy bass all the time :-) Good luck on your journey.
@albertjurcisin8944
Heavy bass is not a problem in my rotation. I enjoy everything from Lyle Lovett and Tony Bennett to Led Zeppelin, RUSH, Pink Floyd, Scorpions, Queensryche, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Then I'll add The Fixx, Bryan Ferry, Fleetwood Mac, and the Eagles.
Occasionally, some George Strait and Jason Aldean, because I'm in Texas.
My experience with my current speakers in my main system actually was purchased at a brick and mortar, which is very hard to find these days! I had visited a store called sound advice here in Florida and listen to the NHT 2.9 so many times, and I thought their pricing was out of my reach until the store was going out of business. I purchased them for less than half the price in 1999, and they have been going strong ever since! For me, and my listening style, these are the perfect speakers and unless I hit the Powerball/mega million number I don’t see me changing for my main system! I know my post is getting long, but I didn’t want to mention my other 2 systems include the PSB Alpha B1 in one room & goldenear BRX in the other! I really believe if you start with a great speaker and you are able to listen to it in your own room I believe you will find it easier path to nirvana in your audiophile journey 🎶 🔊
Returning to home audio after 30 years with the help of COVID relief funds I binge watched your channel and a few others to reacquaint myself with what was on the market. Zo and Tekton were on back order, so purchased the RP8000F’s.
Hello - I purchased Focal Sopra No. 1 speakers 5 years ago. I think they are great and I love the look (in red). I would have preferred the Sopra No. 2,s but they were too big for our apartment and more than I wanted to spend. As we live in a roomier space now, I long for the No.2s, but I still love the No. 1s. Am thinking of buying the REL 812 sub, but have not pulled the trigger. Thank you!
Balance is the key to getting the best out of your speakers.
Their is no point spending a ton of money on a set if you are not going to fully optimise the system around it.
I don’t believe audiophile speakers to be too expensive, you just need to factor in all the additional costs which will be needed in order to get the most out of them.
I bought some Wilson Audios and I have them plugged into my Magnavox stereo using old lamp cords. sounds like crap.
@@mattlehnardt783 upgrade your amp and cables to something worthy of those Wilsons. Doesn't have to be too crazy, just enough to get more out of them. Good luck.
Yes, if you have say a $2000 amp and a $1500 preamp, even vintage, and now a "good" streamer and a "good" DAC, it makes little sense to pair them with $600/pair speakers.
Balance, as you say, is the key. And within that price balance, figuring out what makes you happy.
By the same token though, today's $600/pair speakers far outperform similarly priced speakers (allowing for inflation) from years ago. The level of sound quality that someone can get with a $5K system today was only dreamed of in the 1980s. You had to spend a lot more.
I had a pair of Vandersteen Model 2 ce Sig II and wanted to upgrade. I love the Vandersteen sound and was prepared to buy the Treo CT as part of my retirement dream system. I ended up buying the Quatro CT Wood speakers as I did not have space in my small listening room for dual subs. I have absolutely no regrets. The Quatros are amazing. I also have a pair of Model 1cs in my upstairs system.
Me too! I purchased my Quattro Wood CT’s in April and couldn’t be happier.
I heard Klipsch Cornwalls in a high school gym on a military base audio show in Germany 1978. The song was Sing for the Day by Styx. It filled the room with beautiful sound. Fast forward to 2 years ago. I bought the Cornwall IVs happy to hear that you Steve liked them too. I'm very happy with them. They are as I remember and a dream fulfilled
Bought my Vandersteen 2Ce II's based upon Internet recommendations from you/others. For years I researched minimum baffles when I discovered Vandersteen. Thanks for your show. 👍
I decided to buy new speakers and went on Music Direct to check out what was available. As I was looking I came across some Elac AF61 towers that sold regularly for $5000 on sale for $2500. This was more than I had budgeted but I was curious and decided to investigate further. I checked all the specs and then read a lot of reviews by professionals as well as customers. I watched Andrew Jones go through a detailed video of how he designed them. Time was running out as I knew at the sale price so would the availability of the speakers so I pulled the trigger. I held my breath for ten days until they were delivered on a crate as two speakers came in at just over 200 pounds. I unboxed them and marveled at the quality build and overall great looks while I positioned them and then hooked them up. While awaiting delivery I had decided which song I would play first and decided on Sandman by America. I put the CD in, sat back and said a little prayer, and pushed play. What came out of the speakers was better than sex, the sound was amazing. To say I was relieved was an understatement as $2500 for speakers is a lot for me but they are amazing and I love them.
If they are better than sex, they are certainly less expensive than many spouses, so you got a great deal.
I ended up with a pair of speakers i never thought would suit my system. The dealer allowed me to audition them for 6 weeks and i absolutely loved them. I had been using floor standers but the imaging and realism from Harbeth's P3esrXD speakers, even with my modest powered valve amp, were stunning
There are no Harbeth speakers called PS3EXR, I mean I believe everything you say about the valve amp and you know the 6 weeks but there are no Harbeth speakers were ever named PS3EXR and that's why you know, people just don't tell the truth. There's a P3ESR XD, yeah but 6 weeks and you got the wrong name. That's how much he loves them ... marries a woman, can't remember her name. Wow!
@@keplermission Jesus no need to be so pedantic. Anyway, I've edited it now.
I recently bought my end game system that I could afford for my 66th bday.
Audiolab6000a and Elac UB62 Reference. I was a bit concerned initially about the low sensitivity, but my worries were unfounded. I listen at low and moderate volume usually. The soundstage, the clarity and the tonal balance are awesome. I couldn't be happier.
I’ve been on Zu Soul again for the last 3 years because of your favorable Omen DW reviews back in the CNET days AND John Darko’s gorgeously written prose/praise review of the Zu Soul.
I bought my Tekton Double Impacts because they have the most natural and realistc sound I had heard to date. (Heard them at a fellow owner's house.) They just sounded "right" to me.
Recently purchased KLH 5’s based on reviews alone. Price and reviewers glowing feedback helped make my decision.
But yes, I feel too many audiophile speakers are over priced. BUT … considering your personal references, there are plenty of great loudspeakers between $2500 and $6000
How do you like them ?
@@raymoore8435I also own KLH Model 5s , decent enough speakers but overpriced and over hyped imho. I’ll hang onto them for awhile but definitely not an end game speaker for me. In my system they did sound impressive with a Willsenton r8 tube amp, unfortunately the amp only lasted two weeks! Lol
Following up on my last comment, it’s true that most don’t know what it takes to be in business. Just because you can bake a great desert, doesn’t mean you know how to run a bakery!
I have been VERY lucky when it comes to my speakers over the years. Most recently, I managed to find a pair of Infinity Kappa 7.1 series II speakers on Craig's List for $175! I first saw them around Christmas for $400, but I couldn't afford Christmas presents and buy them, so I passed. Then in February, I saw them still listed but now at $175! I had to at least go see them since they were local. I figured I could part them out and more than double my money. They were not in the best shape: Scratched here and there, the grills were loaded with cat hair, the Poly Mids were yellow from cigarette smoke, Woofer surrounds were falling apart. Knowing that I could fix all these things, I bought them. After refinishing the black oak cabinets, cleaning the grills, refoaming the woofers and having the Mids rebuilt by Bill LeGall at Miller sound (he's the Infinity Guru) they sounded amazing except one speaker's port tube would vibrate when a certain frequency played. A little epoxy on the mating tubes sections resolved that. I only have about $400 in them and am very happy with them. They make me say 'Wow!' every time I listen to them. These retailed for around $2k back in the day which I could never have afforded and my wife would have killed me if I had spent that much on the today.
The next lucky opportunity came as a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10's. A business acquaintance knew that I was into audio and when he was retiring and moving out of state, he had a pair of DQ-10's that had been sitting in his storage locker for more than 20 years! His retirement home didn't allow for such a big speaker set plus they had a flood in the storage space which ruined the stands. He didn't have the heart to put them out on the curb so he asked me if I wanted them. I was reluctant, but knew that they were a very desired speaker over the years, so I took them. The crossover area was covered with so much dust that it looked like it was blanketed with snow! The woofer surrounds were gone, the grills were sagging, there were scratches & white paint drips on the wood side panels and for some reason, one of the rear fuses holders was missing and the Piezo's were disconnected and someone had flipped the phase on the other tweeters and the 1/8A Tweeter fuses were open. My thought was that I would just get them working then sell them, but once I fired them up, I now understood what all the fuss was about. I was hooked. so I went ahead and I fixed everything: refoamed the woofers, refinished the wood panels, fixed the grill cloths and even recapped & upgraded the Crossovers and built new custom 24" high stands so they would sit at ear height. I absolutely LOVED them! Again, another $2K speaker that I only have about $180 into. I kept these for a few years, but knew they couldn't stay because they take up so much room and the definitely don't pass the 'wife' test. I really miss them, but the Kappa's make me more than happy.
I was looking for a floor standing speaker with a sensitivity of at least 90dB that would work well with many amp topologies. I auditioned aprox 15 pairs of speakers then heard a pair of Tekton Pendragons (aprox 95dB sensitivity) at a friend’s place. Within a week, I called Eric and he spoke to me for at least an hour. I was looking at possibility buying the Direct Impacts, and instead of upselling me, he suggested the Pendragons for $1K less. It’s been about 5 yrs since I bought them, and I still love em. They sound great with tube or SS amps, both high and low wattage. I still have zero desire to upgrade.
Eric's the man, and Tektons are among the best values in hifi.
@@rhwinner He is a great guy and after a long talk about what I was looking for and room I have etc, I asked for the bi amp option and BECu tweeters option . He told me I wouldn't need them but I insisted on the Biamp wiring. I later bought then BECu tweeters. Not long after trying them, I switched back to the silk, and have yet to need the biamp wiring. LOL. He knows his stuff.
Steve,
I bought my speakers directly from Tekton after reading so many great reviews. The price was so much less than the industry average that it didn't feel like too much of a risk. Plus, I had a couple of months to listen, and if I didn't like them, I could still send them back. I never sent them back !
I have a pair of Tekton 2 10 Perfect Set. Really nice and a good deal too. I got mine direct also. Truth be told, I am not even using them at the moment as I am experimenting with some other stuff at the moment. But I am looking forward to putting them back into daily service again soon.
I really believe that no matter what speaker we have, it's a human condition that after a while, we will tire of its sound and want to hear our music played by a different pair of speakers. There are a lot of great choices !
I was blown away by the Ohm Fs in the 70s with a sweet spot for several people, not just one. I now enjoy the Ohm T-5000s, with a clear audio concept wood turntable, hana m/c cartridge, McIntosh Mx-117 tuner/preamp, and McIntosh MC-452 power amplifier that completes my analog setup. I've recently added a McIntosh MB-20 so friends can "bluetooth" their playlists through my system. The most common comment I receive is "wow, I've never heard anything like that before!" One of these days maybe John will loan you a pair to play with. You've already heard the little brothers. Love your show! Thanks for all you do!!
I first listened to and fell in love with the KEF r series when I went to a local shop to purchase Bowers and Wilkins. The salesperson asked me what I like, how I listen to music and what tones and sounds I like. He told me to listen to the KEF’s and others before I purchased anything. I just bought a pair of r7’s and couldn’t be happier with them. Eventually, I’ll go for the Reference 3’s!
I went with Lintons because of all the rave reviews and attainable price, and they haven't disappointed. But I think a rig is only as good as its weakest link, so the amp, preamp, DAC and subs need to pull their weight too. I consider EQ to be a critical part of good sound, so I use a PC as source for Amazon HD streaming and run it through Windows Equalizer APO with measurements using REW. I've pretty much accomplished everything I had hoped for when I started the gear grind a year ago, and that is saying a lot, considering how unhappy I was with the sound of other combos I tried. The rest of my rig is a Parasound A21, Musical Fidelity M6S Preamp, Denafrips Ares II, and two SVS SB1000 subs, if anyone is interested.
Amen. An equalizer can help any speaker and any room. Make a good speaker sound better.
I love my Harbeth P3ESR speakers - they look great, sound great and totally disappear when I'm listening. I've had dozens of speakers of all brands - Totem, Magnaplanar, B&W, Klipsch, etc at all price points but prefer these over all others I've used. I was always curious about the BBC LS 3/5 concept and I heard these at an audio shop when I was visiting a different town. It was probably 3 years later that I bought them, used on Audiogon. But I've had them 3+ years and can't ever imagine selling them.
You are right on with speaker taste through time. Life changes and needs may require a smaller footprint for speakers as families grow and alter the sound we are looking for. I went through these changes but never lost my love for a friend's Magneplanar Manepans I heard years ago. When the LRS speakers came out I ordered a pair and waited four months for production of my pair and have loved them ever since.
Some great viewer systems.. Congratulations to their owners.
i bought the klipsch rp-600m as my second set of bookshelf speakers because it seemed like a good stepping stone, was well reviewed, and around $400. Once you taste fine wine, you cant go back. So i wanted something that was 'better' but not phenomenal so i could enjoy each step level upgrade.
I bought the same speakers and found them disappointing. A bit too harsh. And not nearly as sensitive as they were advertised to be as confirmed by stereophiles measurements.
I haven't heard a ton of speakers so it's hard to compare. I did A/B them with the SVS Prime bookshelf speakers and preferred the warmth and bigger sound of the RP-600ms. Overall I'm curious to try a speaker in the 1200-1800 range but it's always hard to pick out what to focus on next
I have the tower version, and they're quite excellent.
My story: I bought the Klipsch RP600M 50% off and hated every single minute I spent with them during the 2 years of ownership. I don’t understand the glowing reviews everywhere. The Q Acoustics 3020 run circles around the RP600M and cost less and have been around longer. Just imagine John Mayer singing behind a door with a Fisher Price guitar. This is the Klipsch RP600M. Anyways, I bought the Closer Acoustics OGY and never looked back. But you could be thrifty and look at Ruark or Castle speakers and not spend much money because nobody cares about these brands.
@@user-xg6zz8qs3q it’s a shame the way the influencers just parrot one another
My speakers are GR Research XLS Encore, and I absolutely LOVE them. Perfect for my room, and they do all the things I need them to. With all of the upgrades they were about 700 USD, and compared to many speakers costing multiple times that, they do amazingly well. Problem is, I need a new amplifier now, maybe a DAC. 😅
My Cornwall iv’s ended up in my house partly because of YOU and of course other TH-cam video reviews.
It was during Covid. I was bored. Watching lots of videos and wanting a new system. Putting together a system during Covid was difficult for obvious reasons but I was able to drive to Crutchfield and listen to them for a couple hours. Ultimately, I loaded them in my truck and drove them home.
I still have them and listen to them EVERY day !!! Thank you !!
I’m 49 years old. This year I bought klipsch rp-5000f II and an SVS pb 2000 pro. I’m older now, I’ve always loved music. But now it’s not about volume. It’s about clarity, soundstage, a woman’s voice, a trumpet, chimes in the background. I can’t afford a 100,000 system. But I can enjoy and appreciate and love the sounds that I’m hearing right now for about 3000$. I’ve never heard music like this and I’m very happy to sit back and just enjoy every sound. I really appreciate when you tell us what you listened to during a demo. I write them down and I listen to the same thing. Thanks for the videos. 👍🏻 I bought my speakers based on reviews, reputation, awards won, etc. I bought them online without sampling them.
Bought preowned KEF R3 because of reviews, price, sound and local dealer recommendation. Paired with my Hegel H160, I think I have a decent sounding system. Paid $2200 for both. I think I got a good deal.
Bought my first pair of speakers in college 30 years ago, used Yamaha ns1000m, second set kef r300 my current speakers kef reference 1 metas. I think I see the trend in what I prefer. I did try Zu DW but they weren’t for me. I did like their dynamics though. I do like Zu’s upgraded denon cartridge. Magic on my 1210g.
You have a great system. I am listening to KEF R3s right now. I also had a Hegel H160 too, although I only used both pieces of gear together a couple of times (they were in different rooms). Did I mention you have a great system? You also got a great deal!!! I bought the KEFs new and paid about $1900 and paid, I think, $2650 for the Hegel (used). Enjoy your great system!
@@dougcannon3783 thanks. I do ❤️ my system.
I currently have Joseph Audio Perspective 2 graphene speakers. I really like these "box" speakers, and although I'm considering going back to a Planar type speaker in the foreseeable future, these speakers have many virtues. I did own Apogees and your recently reviewed ET 8b's(the 8c's look promising, cannot wait for your review), and now looking at Diptyque and Magnepan as possible candidates for next leg of my "journey". Really enjoy your videos!
You know the next leg of your journey might just be a pair of Conrad Johnson 62 power amplifiers but the sound is slightly tinny. I mean who even buys CJ amplifiers? You read like you're not too happy with your choices, and going through various speakers but really need to look more at what is powering them. 'The 8c's look promising', yeah but how do they sound with your stuff? Anybody that says something is promising has no future with it. You look 'very promising' to me. Emanuel, this is a Brooklyn NY thread! You know?
@@keplermission Appreciate your comment, but I wanted to be brief and forgot to say that I have owned the 8b's! I have had also many different amps during that time and currently using Van Alstine DVA M225 monoblocks. I am quite happy with this pairing. I am originally from NYC by way.
I managed a record store for 5 years back in the early 80’s that had Heresy in our system. I always enjoyed their sound.
When I retired 6 years ago we built our retirement home with a large finished area in the basement for my listening room. My wife said I could order new speakers for the space, so I ordered the current III version.
Liked them for the last 5 and a half years on their little risers, but felt they could sound better. So I ordered stands from Skylan for them.
Oh my, what an amazing improvement. Best bookshelf speakers I’ve ever used. 😂
I bought the Buchardt S400 MK2 because Sean, at Zero Fidelity said these speakers play many genre of music well. He is the only reviewer who listens to a large variety of music during his evaluation.
Hey just what I was hoping to get today! A lecture from a salesman on why nobody should question the absurdly high prices of some products. Neat!
Blah, blah, blah....
I have a pair of JBL studio 590s. They look like large black coffins but sound absolutely amazing to me.
The Horn tweeters produce amazing highs and the two 8-in mid-base drivers provide all the rumble I need.
In addition to that they're highly efficient around 92
I'm able to drive them quite easily with my single ended triode tube amp.
I've had them for about 5 years and not currently looking for anything new.
I had a very interesting multiyear experience in my search for a new set of main speakers. Storefronts are hard to find and then only carry so much inventory so I spent the last 3 years watching youtube reviews and reading forums to select my new soundvana. Based on my self imposed budget I opted for the direct purchase of the Airmotive T1+ from Emotiva and since I did not need a designer furniture piece and I do not pretend to be an expert audiophile or even an audiophile, I can say they wok in my space perfectly, I love the sound and plan to do some more business with Emotiva. I appreciate youtube channels that provided me with so much information with the process of having access to so much more than I could get, It has helped me to find great speakers that I really am impressed with for the small purchase price. Nothing cheap about them! Thanks to you Steve for so many great videos!
Hi Steve,
Right Now I’m living with the original Magnepan LRS. The short answer as to how I got them was your comparison with the Klipsch RP600m.
I was just dipping my toe into hifi at that point and had the R51m as my first pair of speakers. The 600m seemed like the logical next step and that’s how I found your channel.
Ultimately I bought Tekton Mini Lores based on your review on CNET. Still, I could never get the LRS out of my head (my dad owned a pair of SMGs that fascinated me with their form factor when I was a kid) Anyways I was at my local hifi shop one day when a customer was returning a pair of LRS based on the lack of bass. I bought them on the spot. Since then I’ve sold the Tektons, bought and sold Focal Chora 806s, and Vandersteen 2C.
Even when I didn’t have a proper space for the Maggies I kept them because I knew I’d never find anything that good for 650 bucks; they’re truly amazing. I’ve recently decided to add a pair of Linkwitz LX Minis to the collection to try something a little different, but whatever happens, the Maggies will remain as a benchmark 🙂
For 20 years, I worked my way up the B&W line of speakers whenever I could justify the cost. To me, the 802D were the "perfect" speaker. But, in 2018, I noticed that Magico speakers were getting best of show & speaker of the year awards almost every year. B&W was getting good reviews but not "best speaker" awards anymore. I couldn't afford new Magico speakers so bought used S3 MKII based purely on all the positive reviews. ($25K used!!) They sound soooo much better than B&W 802D. After selling the B&W, I noticed that most reviewers made comments about the bright top end of B&W diamond tweeters. The S3 MKII may not to be the "perfect" loudspeaker but it is the "perfect" one for me. Adding room treatments last year took them to higher level of enjoyment. IMO, people should invest in room treatment before spending money on new speakers. They will be surprised at the improvements. Great video topic STEVE!!!!
Magico speakers are a blast in a show. Absolutely impressive! The problem is after 10 min or so they are extremely fatiguing. I used to think they are the best speakers out there until I had the opportunity to listen to them for a longer period of time outside a showroom.
I bought my Sanders Sound electrostatic speakers based on hearing them at a couple of audio shows in CA and CO. I liked the speed and clarity of the sound as well as a very tall soundstage. They also offer a life-time guarantee to the original owner. Still very satisfied 6 years later.
My speaker journey really began when I made a set of speaker cables from a GR Research kit. I hooked them up between my old NAD receiver and my pair of Paradigm Studio 40 V 3s. Wow! Soundstage! Width and depth. I was amazed. A month later, my old NAD died. I went down to the local audiophile store who is an NAD dealer. He sent me to a repair guy up in Providence. But, while I was there, this beautiful cherry-wood-faced integrated tube amp caught my eye.
The repair guy didn't give me much hope. I went back to the local high-end store and asked him to play the Unison Research Triode 25 for me. I was hooked. I took it home and set it up.
Now it was time to upgrade my speakers. I've been enamored with open baffle and was eyeing a pair of Spatial Audios, but I decided they'd be too hard for 35 watts to push and they're too wide for my listening space. I drove up to a store in New Hampshire to listen to some Vandersteen 2c's. Beautiful, beautiful, but, again too wide and too hard to push.
About then, the DW6's were announced. Steve, I asked and you thought they would be a great match to my Triode 25 amp. I ordered them with the Supreme upgrade in blue.
And YOU WERE RIGHT!
I absolutely love them.
Thank you!
Interesting commentary! The method of choosing speakers is interesting. Since I'm in a smaller market I value input from folks like yourself. Thank you.
In 1997 I paid 10,000.00 for dynaudio C5 because they were some of the most accurate and far better than Wilson in that time…. Soon I will upgrade and Magico A5 for 27,000 are at the top of my list..
I have played in bands and orchestras so instrumental accuracy’s is very important….
Dynaudio only made 200 pairs of Confidence 5s… so almost none of you have ever heard them…
The A5 …. Well we will see..
Try to listen to a Magico for more than 5 - 10 min outside a showroom. They are extremely fatiguing!
@@Andy-xb5qg tell me more about Magico.. My C5s play for hours at 70 db and never do my ears sing..
The audiophile world is funny. You have a large group who think anything they can't afford is not worth the money and another that thinks that a higher price automatically equals better sound. It's all subjective.
it's so weird!
people get MAD about expensive stuff that nobody is forcing them to buy, amidst an ocean of options at every price level
I am ex-high end audio salesman from Manhattan (Harvey). Between our stock and trade-ins nothing was interesting so I decided to shop outside the norm and simply from positive reviews in Stereophile and TAS bought a pair of Harbeth Monitor 30 loudspeakers at FULL PRICE no accomodation! Why not? I'm the expert and wanted the mids nailed down. The rest I used relatively inexpensive subwoofers (two pair each Velodyne HTS15 and SVS 12 early pro models). I tune the pile of stuff to each room it has been setup using twin Parasound A21 amps. And it gets very precise and lovely sounding for not a lot of dough. Can't think of ANY setup to beat it for what it does in medium size rooms. Tests pretty darn flat too if that floats your boat. This happened 20 years ago. No regrets. STILL DISCOVERING MORE SOUND QUALITY BY SETUP. It never gets old!
I have my Dynaudio Crafft since 1997 and man it still sounds so great after all these years despite I have completely revamped my system a few times already and it's still staying. First generation handmade Esotar Tweeter is still an excellent tweeter even by today's standard!.
Wanted to update that I originally purchased a Rotel CD14 MKII which opened up a new world of sound for me!! Having just retired and now had time to appreciate
music again. Speaker collection; Pioneer, Advent Legacy, JBL 80 T and JBL 80TS, Warfedale and Klipsch satellite speakers I wanted a new, different sound.
My first exposure to "high end audio" was in 1986 in the early times of fancy multi-amp and separate-speaker car audio. I had been custom building home speakers since high school in the earlier 80s. In the car installs I was doing, I remember to this day how the sound I experienced from a of set of well-setup tri-amped Nelson Pass-designed Class A low-power amps pushing ADS 320i separates and ADS 8" subs (Soundstream amps with Nakamichi active crossovers/front end) made me feel: they were soul-moving. Since then I have built, bought/sold at least a hundred different home speakers of varying types and sizes, seeking to feel that excitement again. Many speakers have come close. Some speakers have achieved it. For now, dynamic open-baffle designs tend to satisfy me the most. Today I use some old car audio Class A amps from Soundstream to power my home-built set of Linkwitz LX-Minis, no sub. Every time I turn them on to listen, I feel that same feeling of wonderment. LX-521s will be next, when I have a room that can do them justice. (unending thanks to Nelson and Siegrfried for their love for audio, design, and sharing to this community)
Hello Steve, as you know Vincent Bruzzese, CEO & Main Engineer of Totem Speakers was my math teacher in high school 35 years ago. There you go! Once, he took the time to explain audio speaker physics to me - I was 15 - and he immediately converted me to a lifetime Totem Accustics consumer. I bought the Totem Skylight 2 years ago after your review on your TH-cam channel. And I'm upgrading now to the Totem Tribe Tower after viewing Jay's Iyagi review of them. I've listened to the speakers at dealers a few times. Having that said, As my tastes evolve in Audio, I start to be less emotional with Totem though and I'm looking now more for specific technicalities. For exemple, I noticed that I prefer concentric design, no crossovers, light cabinet or open baffle speakers; I'm still looking for the speaker that combines all these criteria. I hope that my comment helps to shape your mind towards the Speaker Buying Journey. The audio sound is the goal but people like to trust others as well before to buy and spent significant amount of hardly found money. Thanks for doing what you do. I just subscribe again to your Patreon!
Steve, I am along term listener to THIEL Loudspeakers. Critical in my selection of THIEL Loudspeakers was my relationship with two different THIEL Dealers over a period of 30 plus years. I own three different models of THIEL Loudspeakers with the CS 2.4 serving as my primary pair of loudspeakers for music listening. I have multiple systems and two different listening rooms. I do own other loudspeakers (namely the Wharfedale Linton and the Magnepan MMG) which I switch up with from the THIEL’s depending on my mood and music preferences. In all cases, I audition the loudspeakers at a dealer and made my purchase decision.
I purchased Spatial Audio M3 Sapphire open baffle speakers after struggling with bass overloading my room with box speakers. Since they aren’t common in Canada, and Spatial sells direct, I relied on a detailed review on the New Record Day TH-cam channel. Fortunately, it was the right decision.
I volunteer at a thrift store (I'm a retired electronics tech) and 3 years ago a pair of Allison AL-120 speakers were donated.
The woofer foam surrounds were rotted and one tweeter didn't work - they were headed for the dumpster.
I brought them home and refoamed the speakers, repaired the open wire in the tweeter circuit and replaced the capacitors with audio grade parts .....
They are connected to an Onkyo receiver and are a JOY to listen to.
Based on your three review videos on the Cornwall IV, I picked up a pair. My amp is a McIntosh MA8950. Great system! No regrets.
Hi Steve! I really enjoy your videos and discussions. I just wanted to add that for luxury items, or rather, items we don't actually need to have, a free enterprise system dictates prices. Though there are pros and cons to any system, the fact remains that manufacturers of speakers or any other commodities stay in business if they are meeting a demand and can make a profit. It is not for us, the purchasers, to really have a say in what something should cost. We can only buy what we can afford, and as you said, there are lots of people with a whole lot more money out there. As an audiophile hobbyists, we can reach as far as we can reach, and deal with the companies that we can afford. As far as my own journey, I listen to speakers and if I find one that I like better than what I have, and I can swing it, I will try and buy them. I had a wonderful pair of Bryston Mini-Ts, and was quite happy with them, but then I heard my current B&W 804 D3s, and I sold my Bryston's and purchased the B&Ws. I did it because I liked the overall sound better with my test tracks. They cost more, but that wasn't the point for me - they just did it for me, simple as that.
I bought a pair of Silverline Sonata II direct from them. I called just to inquire about prices. I spoke with Alan Yun, the owner and designer and he offered to send me a pair without knowing me or even without any payment at the moment. I was flabbergasted. He did not know who was calling and he offered to send them. I agreed and after listening them for three weeks, I bought them. Alan called me several times afterwards to check how they were performing during the “burning in” period. I just fell in love with their sound and performance. About 10 months ago, I had a friend who is an expert loudspeaker technician, modify the speakers with new Mundorf capacitors, new resistors, in fact almost a new crossover , changed the internal wires to Nordost, and new internal padding. The results are outstanding. I have compared them with ATC, Legacy, B&W, and many other speakers and I feel that the Sonatas are much better. The only two speakers I have heard that I consider better are the Wilson Audio Alexia V, and the PS Audio Aspen FR30, but I don’t have the resources to buy them.
Hi Steve - I had a set budget and went to Axpona in April 2019 to audition as many speakers as I could. The speakers that sounded the best to me and fell in the range got the sale.
Dear S, Thank You for responding to my Jotunheim question. Adding a Fosi V3, just having fun. Enjoying my amazing gear. Best, D.
I retired 8 years ago and started my audiophile journey. I went to local dealers in SoCal to review Spendor and Revel floor-standers. I really liked my brother-in-law’s black KEF 104/2 speakers, so I found a pair of walnut KEF 104/2 speakers cross-listed on Craigslist and Audiogon. My brother-in-law gave me his KEF 104/2 speaker boxes and I sent them (empty boxes) to San Jose via UPS. I bought the speakers for $550 and spent about $300 in shipping. I only had to replace the ferrofluid in the tweeters. Great looking cabinets and wonderful sounding too👍👍