What's the best speaker you have heard?

treitz3
treitz3 Posts: 19,033
edited February 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
Of all of the systems, gear and music you have listened to....what's the best speaker you have personally heard to date?

Price is not a factor in this question.

If you would like to say what kind of gear that speaker was hooked up too? Well, I'm not holding you back... ;)
~ 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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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited January 2010
    Sonus Faber Cremona Elipsa. I believe the gear was all Conrad Johnson.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited January 2010
    Magnepan 3.6R on a system at a dealer and I forget what it was.
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited January 2010
    I've heard Sonus Faber are world-class, but I've never heard them.

    My personal favs were Carver Amazing Platinums driven by a pair of Bob Carver tube amps.
    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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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited January 2010
    Magnepan Tympani T4's at the factory demo room.
    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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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2010
    Focal Utopia (Be) tower series.

    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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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited January 2010
    I won't list demos but will go with what I've tried in my rig.

    It's really hard to just pick one. For me, it's either the Mirage M-3si, Klipsch La Scala or Magnepan MG-12qr. Each one have their ups and downs and it's too hard to pick a favorite.

    Your question is too difficult:).
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited January 2010
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    My personal favs were Carver Amazing Platinums driven by a pair of Bob Carver tube amps.

    +1 on the Plats but I did hear Toy Makers ALV speakers being driven by Carver Silver 7 and Carver Silver 9. That was the best sound I have ever heard.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited January 2010
    Dynaudio Evidence Master. I'll never be able to afford them but if I won the lottery, there would be a pair in my living room!

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited January 2010
    Sonus Faber Stradivaris powered by McIntosh. This was back in 2002 at Harvey's in Midtown Manhattan. Kinda doubt I'll ever hear anything that good again. That same week I also got to hear the B&W Signature 800s with Rotel at Stereo Exchange in NoHo. That was a really good week. :D
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited January 2010
    Magico Reference.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited January 2010
    TNRabbit wrote: »
    I've heard Sonus Faber are world-class, but I've never heard them.

    My personal favs were Carver Amazing Platinums driven by a pair of Bob Carver tube amps.

    As I heard the same speakers speakers, I have to agree with the Rabbit ;). Now if I could just get me a set of those tube blocks, I'd be in heaven.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited January 2010
    Quad 2905's driven by Manley Snappers.....best sound I've heard.

    Most profound hifi moment? By this, I mean I prefer the sound of the Quads but there are three moments that I recall vividly...

    1. The "Truth" at Casa Grande....the Magnificent Seven and the WTO on Telarc. That's when I was hooked.

    2. Popped my SDA cherry at F1's house on Steely Dan's "Hey Nineteen"....up to that point I had been skeptical about SDA.

    3. B&W N801's driven by some monster Krell amps....I still can hear how Chris Rea sounded on that rig. Awesome.


    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2010
    I'm not sure it was the best sounding system I even heard, but one of the most enjoyable listening sessions I have ever had were with a pair of Hyperion 968 speakers fed by their custom electronics.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2010
    Focal Scala Utopias.
    "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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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2010
    Face wrote: »
    Focal Scala Utopias.

    Powered by a Nikko Alpha VI amp no doubt!!! ;)
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited January 2010
    Altec A5 cabinets loaded with vintage Altec 16 ohm woofers and 1505 multicell horns with AlNiCo 288 1.4" throat drivers. They do need subwoofers (and they do benefit from the best XO components available).
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2010
    The Avantgarde Duo is the best I've heard personally.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited January 2010
    Zero wrote: »
    Some offerings from Tidal Audio.

    OOooooh Yeah, agreed. Tidal Audio Pianos - $17,000. Heard these when I visited my cousin in Germany.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2010
    These
    http://www.vandersteen.com/vandersteen_001.htm
    $16,900
    And more affordable
    http://www.vandersteen.com/3a_specifications.pdf
    $3,950
    These were hooked up to a receiver:eek:
    Wonderful sound stage and they have great accurate sound.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited January 2010
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Sonus Faber Cremona Elipsa. I believe the gear was all Conrad Johnson.

    ah, the Elipsa! yes. I'll wait until the kids have become successful lawyers before I hit them with my birthday wish to get her! :)
    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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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    I feel like i really need to pop my cherry further.

    Top three, in no specific order (and this is sad)

    1) Klipsch Cornwalls
    2) Nik's 1.2TLs
    3) My Paradigm Esprits

    I need to get my ears on some other stuff. Bad.

    On the plus side, YES, to my ears, my little Esprits compete!!!
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited January 2010
    SDA-SRS2's powered by a Sunfire Sig. 600/2 . A Rotel pre-amp and a Ultech UCD-100 cd player. Huge AR speaker cable too.

    My Newform Research R645's sound pretty awsome too but Polks' sda effect wins me over.

    Polks' Rt3000P's used to hold the top position for years. I still love them too.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited January 2010
    Possibly these Focal's:
    1067.jpg


    ... but really it was the room.
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,603
    edited January 2010
    I think I am gonna have to go with Infinity IRS Beta and Gamma models.
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • Amherst
    Amherst Posts: 695
    edited January 2010
    Altec Lansing - Voice of the Theater's

    Powered, if I remember correctly, by Phase Linear.
    Parasound C1, T3, HCA-3500, HCA-2205A, P/DD1550, Pioneer DV-79avi, Oppo BDP-83, WD Media Server W/HDD,
    Dynaudio Contour 3.3, Dynaudio Contour T2.1, Polk OWM3, Polk DSW micropro 1000 (x2),
    Pioneer Kuro 50" Plasma, Phillips Pronto Control w/Niles HT-MSU.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,447
    edited January 2010
    Legacy Whispers bar none
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  • blakeh
    blakeh Posts: 491
    edited January 2010
    Revel Ultima Salons (powered by some Mark Levinson monoblocks) are the best I've heard.
    /COLOR] [U][URL="http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=68366"][COLOR="Blue"]My Rigs[/U][/COLOR][/URL] [COLOR="Red" Balanced Audio Technology | Revel | Dodd | Monarchy | PS Audio | MIT | Polk | Etc.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited January 2010
    YG Acoustic Anats & GaMut 7's. Both powered by Burmeister.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • bigaudiofanatic
    bigaudiofanatic Posts: 4,415
    edited January 2010
    Martin Logan Vantages simply awesome!
    HT setup
    Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
    Denon DBP-1610
    Monster HTS 1650
    Carver A400X :cool:
    MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
    Kef 104/2
    URC MX-780 Remote
    Sonos Play 1

    Living Room
    63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
    Polk Surroundbar 3000
    Samsung BD-C7900
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  • esowden
    esowden Posts: 55
    edited January 2010
    B&W 800 Series Diamond - a local audio store has a pair driven by two 400w mono-blocks. I don't remember the brand but I heard things on my Satriani CD (Not Of This Earth) I had never heard before. I bought the CD in 1984 if that gives you any idea as to how long I've been listening to it.

    I never really understood the term "soundstage" until that day.
    Den
    Parasound 2100
    Parasound 2125
    Denon DCM-390
    LG BD390V
    Martin Logan Preface(x2)
    Denon AH-D2000

    Bedroom
    Adcom GTP-350
    Parasound HCA-800II
    Panasonic DVD-S54
    Denon AH-2000
    Polk S4(x4)

    ಠ_ಠ
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