Beautiful speakers thread

24

Comments

  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2006
    Dennis Gardner wrote:
    Jim Salk...........wood crafting at its finest.

    http://www.salksound.com/

    Salk appears to make very nice speakers at great prices. I'd like to know the quality of his crossover components, though.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited September 2006
    I have always been fond of these although I have never heard them.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited September 2006
    xsmi wrote:
    I have always been fond of these although I have never heard them.


    For $70,000.00/pair, those Nautilus better sound damn good, and come with a few girls from the Tastefull Babe thread...
    Venom
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited September 2006
    venomclan wrote:
    For $70,000.00/pair, those Nautilus better sound damn good, and come with a few girls from the Tastefull Babe thread...
    Venom

    I wouldn't turn that down. Now see you done made me have to make little visit to that thread again...
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,015
    edited October 2006
    Early B. wrote:
    Zero --

    What's the brand and model of those speakers in #27?

    I believe those are Salk HT3.An excellant speaker,hand made to order.
    Price of around 4 grand give or take.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited October 2006
    Of course, there are several speakers that qualify as drop dead gorgeous to me.

    1. BW 800D in Tiger's Maple - I dont care what you think of BW, but these look tremendous. You dont want the 15s standing next to these behemoths.
    signature800.jpg
    Though I wouldnt pass on 5x BW 802D powered by Classe electronics!
    47b5df00b3127cce9ea67f1257d400000016108AZOGrVi1cNE
    47b5df00b3127cce9ea67f2fd6d900000016108AZOGrVi1cNE


    2. Wilson Sophia - The style and the sophistication, what a match! Love the sound, just not the price. This Wilson is simple and svelte... look at the lines. Absolutely beautiful, especially in person!
    wilson_audio.jpg

    3. Martin Logan Summit - Yes, these are what I have.... but these are the one of a kind "Chrome and Leather" Summit. Absolutely stunning... makes mine look plain.
    attachment.php?attachmentid=2002&stc=1
    attachment.php?attachmentid=2003&stc=1

    4. Sonus Faber Stradivari - Ultimate Sonus Faber speaker... bar none. Havent had the opportunity to hear these yet, only heard up to the SF Cremonas ($9K), but according to the salesman, the Cremonas as a poor man's Amati ($22K)... and the Stradivari is a rich man's Amati. So, based on that, I'm impressed!
    album_pic.php?pic_id=272&sid=756f0b48b5a60bc57871729ce289a429
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited October 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    4. Sonus Faber Stradivari - Ultimate Sonus Faber speaker... bar none. Havent had the opportunity to hear these yet, only heard up to the SF Cremonas ($9K), but according to the salesman, the Cremonas as a poor man's Amati ($22K)... and the Stradivari is a rich man's Amati. So, based on that, I'm impressed!

    :D nice way to put it in perspective, Joey! I agree that a Strad is the ultimate destination! To have a Stradivari in their demo room is a prestige in itself for these dealerships. That's what I've been told by several, it's their bragging right, and also it shows Sumiko's trust (and ahem, strong referral endorsement). I'll be more than content stopping at the Amati, by the way :)
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2006
    Joseph Audio Pearl - My favorite speaker from CES '06.

    photo.pearl.jpg
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited October 2006
    JM Lab's newly designed speakers..... :eek:
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited October 2006
    ^^^^ Those are nice.
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • surfntomm
    surfntomm Posts: 185
    edited October 2006
    my vote is cast off to the pair going for 70 grand :) .....thats hot
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  • surfntomm
    surfntomm Posts: 185
    edited October 2006
    anyone know if they even sound as good as one would expect?
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited October 2006
    Guess each one of these beautiful speakers -
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited October 2006
    I'm not even allowed in establishments that carry that kind of gear :(
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Airplay355
    Airplay355 Posts: 4,298
    edited October 2006
    Do yo guys really like that robot stealth bomber look or do you just think those speakers sound amazing?

    I think those wilsons are hideous. but maybe they grow on you? I've never seen a pair in person....
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited October 2006
    Airplay355 wrote:
    Do yo guys really like that robot stealth bomber look or do you just think those speakers sound amazing?

    I think those wilsons are hideous. but maybe they grow on you? I've never seen a pair in person....

    I've seen them in person and they grow on you. Although they're huge and intimidating.

    They're not exactly the best looking around, but one look at them and you know they mean BUSINESS.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2006
    Must be a guy thing, cause with the exception of the JM Labs pair I don't like the looks of any of them!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited October 2006
    Albatross Loudspeakers by Dantax International
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited October 2006
    cfrizz wrote:
    Must be a guy thing, cause with the exception of the JM Labs pair I don't like the looks of any of them!

    Well, frizz, we like speakers in the shape of our male members. Kinda makes us feel empowered (until a woman points at it, chuckles, and tells us otherwise...):p
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,536
    edited October 2006
    MBL 101E Radialstrahler

    http://www.mbl-germany.de/english/start.html

    Looks like they could be lethal. :eek:
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,536
    edited October 2006
    Any of the Thiel floorstanders. Veneer work and cabinet construction second to none. The CS7.2 and the upcoming 3.7 model.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited October 2006
    Emlyn,

    Though I'm sure the MBL speakers are to die for, they still remind me of Bug Lantern killers.

    101669_ts.JPG?cell=200,200&cvt=jpeg
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited October 2006
    I really needed that little piece of imagry!:rolleyes: :eek: :D
    Early B. wrote:
    Well, frizz, we like speakers in the shape of our male members. Kinda makes us feel empowered (until a woman points at it, chuckles, and tells us otherwise...):p
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited October 2006
    Emlyn wrote:
    Any of the Thiel floorstanders. Veneer work and cabinet construction second to none. The CS7.2 and the upcoming 3.7 model.

    There are alot of manufacturers with hardcore cabinet work at this level....it's a requirement.

    We missed the MBL because we were too hungover, ridiculous, but plan to see it this year. It was the buzz of the normal people throughout the show.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited October 2006
    Emlyn wrote:
    Any of the Thiel floorstanders. Veneer work and cabinet construction second to none. The CS7.2 and the upcoming 3.7 model.

    Never was impressed by the build of the Thiels, atleast not the 2.4c. I thought it was a shoddy job at the $4K mark. The front has black paint, that is visibly not straight at the edges by the veneer.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited October 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    I've seen them in person and they grow on you. Although they're huge and intimidating.

    They're not exactly the best looking around, but one look at them and you know they mean BUSINESS.

    I have heard the Alexandrias and they sound much better than they sound.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,586
    edited October 2006
    xsmi wrote:
    I have heard the Alexandrias and they sound much better than they sound.

    Oooh.. you baffle me. :p
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • xsmi
    xsmi Posts: 1,798
    edited October 2006
    Joey_V wrote:
    Oooh.. you baffle me. :p

    Sorry it was late Ha Ha Ha Ha..... Sound better than they look.
    2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,003
    edited October 2006
    Beauty in speakers has little to do with how they look.

    Here's a not so hot picture of a classically beautiful speaker, the Quad ESL "57":

    Pa020008.jpg
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited January 2007
    ding ding ding...

    we have a winner!
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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