The best speakers ever

zarrdoss
zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
edited February 2009 in Vintage Speakers
What is the absolute best sounding, looking speakers (in your opinion)you have ever owned? Include pics any brand home-made I dont care. ;) and what if money was no object would you own or build?
Post edited by zarrdoss on
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited February 2009
    interesting thread...
    I have fallen in love with the shear presence of the SDA line so any in this family are tops for me and my budget... cost no object? This is also quite easy for me, as back in the mid 80's I worked for Magnepan, and was able to audition a set of one-offs that became the basis for the tympany series. one key difference between the ones I heard and the production versions was that the bottom end was absolutely magnificent. they were bing driven by MASSIVE custom Mark Levinsons... to have this setup in my home is the ultimate audio wet dream
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited February 2009
    I have only been a Polk owner for a few years now and been a member of this forum for a few months but have always been into audio and have owned some real top notch stuff. I really liked the Polk SDA line but was always out of reach. I have never seen such a following as I have with the Polk SDA line of speakers, You guys are hard-core!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,211
    edited February 2009
    I haven't found them yet.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited February 2009
    This used to be my all time fav till I got the 2.3tl,s

    http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/988infinity/
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,393
    edited February 2009
    Don't know if these are "The best speakers ever" but they are the best that I have ever heard.

    McIntosh XRT2K

    SYSTEM TYPE: Sealed Dual Column 3-way
    NOMINAL IMPEDANCE: 8 ohms
    POWER HANDLING: 2,000 W
    MAGNETIC SHIELDING: All drivers
    WOOFERS: Six 12” aluminum long throw
    MIDRANGE: Sixty-four 2” inverted titanium dome
    TWEETERS: Forty 3/4” titanium dome
    ANECHOIC RESPONSE: 16Hz – 45kHz
    REFERENCE SPL: 2.8V/1m: 89dB
    CROSSOVER FREQUENCIES: 250Hz and 1.5kHz
    FINISH: Piano black with optional finishes available
    GRILLE: Black knit cloth with high gloss black trim and optional finishes available

    DIMENSIONS (H x W x D)
    84-1/4” (214cm) x 19” (48.26cm) x 18” (45.72cm)

    WEIGHT: 452 lbs. (205kg) net
    590 lbs. (267.6kg) in shipping carton including skid.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,211
    edited February 2009
    Wow, what's the price on those puppies? Unique design.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited February 2009
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Wow, what's the price on those puppies? Unique design.

    not much just 80,000......childs play! HA!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,211
    edited February 2009
    Where did you get a chance to demo them if you don't mind me asking?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2009
    While not the best speakers ever I would someday like to build a pair of Linkwitz's fully active diploes ,the Orions.
    http://www.linkwitzlab.com/orion_challenge.htm

    When I first got into this hobby I used to drool over ads for these.:D http://www.infinity-classics.de/infinity/models/IRS-series+Beta+Gamma-Delta-Sigma-Epsilon-1988-95-98/IRS/body_irs.html
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2009
    GV#27 wrote: »
    While not the best speakers ever I would someday like to build a pair of Linkwitz's fully active diploes ,the Orions.
    http://www.linkwitzlab.com/orion_challenge.htm

    When I first got into this hobby I used to drool over ads for these.:D http://www.infinity-classics.de/infinity/models/IRS-series+Beta+Gamma-Delta-Sigma-Epsilon-1988-95-98/IRS/body_irs.html

    What can I say I remember that set of infinities and that was also the time I began to think about Audio. I couldn't believe anyone could make a system that cost that much! It boggled my mind back then.

    Oh well, I still can't afford anything like that but I enjoy listening to some of you describe the Heavenly End (not high end--since most of us can never reach it) of Audio.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited February 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    What can I say I remember that set of infinities and that was also the time I began to think about Audio. I couldn't believe anyone could make a system that cost that much! It boggled my mind back then.

    Oh well, I still can't afford anything like that but I enjoy listening to some of you describe the Heavenly End (not high end--since most of us can never reach it) of Audio.

    cnh

    but at least some of us are old enough that drooling is acceptable again....
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited February 2009
    There is a company right down the road in Boulder CO. that makes some of the best speakers on the plannet, I tried to get a job there and went on a tour of the place and they let me hear some of their Sentinel top of the line speakers. HOLLY S*&T! is all I can say, If money was no object I would certainly buy those. As I remember them telling me they were $140,000 a pair.

    http://www.avalonacoustics.com/
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2009
    Best sounding, my custom Vifa/Seas speakers.

    Best looking, my Tannoy Ardens.

    If money was no object, I would build something with Accutron drivers and Duelund guts.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,393
    edited February 2009
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Where did you get a chance to demo them if you don't mind me asking?

    I demo'd them at Gramophone in Columbia MD. The source was this http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/default.asp . Powered by 2 MC2KW (2000W RMS/ch, Peak of 8000W/ch) http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/mcintosh-mc2kw-2000-watt-reference-power-amplifier.asp. If I recall the total price for the system was $200,000.

    I couldn't listen to my system for a week after that.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2009
    Next time I fly down to FL I'll have a chance to listen to them in this rig: http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/showcase/default.asp
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited February 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    What can I say I remember that set of infinities and that was also the time I began to think about Audio. I couldn't believe anyone could make a system that cost that much!cnh

    For me I guess the best (or most fun) I actually owned would have been the Infinity QLS I owned in 1988 just before I bought my 2.3TL's. They were used in a audio demo booth at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City around that time and had a couple of blown driver. Too much demo-ing I suspect. Anyway, the guy sold them to me for next to nothing. It took me 6 months to track down replacement drivers (no Internet in those days). Anyway, sold them in 1989 & bought the 2.3TL's which for me were the actual best sounding speakers next to and ahead of my current 1C's.

    I have also owned some Maggie's and a pair of Martin Logan that were sweet.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2009
    Best I've ever owned: Carver Amazing Loudspeaker-III
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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