20 Legendary Vintage Speakers That Put Modern Gear to Shame, According to Audiophiles

bcwsrt
bcwsrt Posts: 2,407
in Vintage Speakers
No Polks on the list. Anyone else a little surprised there are no SDAs or Model 5/710s here?

https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/12/legendary-vintage-speakers-according-audiophiles/

Brian

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Comments

  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 27,035
    No Cerwin Vegas either :'(
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,145
    They should stick to headphones. Monitor 7's with the Peerless tweets should be on the vintage best list.
    Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 3,076
    I used to own a pair of Kappa 9. They look impressive, and they sound great - for about an hour. After that, they get quite fatiguing. I suspect it has something to do with the EMIT/SEMIT tweeters, as I’ve since talked with a handful of prior owners that report the same feeling.
    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,339
    It's a pretty solid list, just missing some Polks. Cornwall are on my next list...
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,702
    Quite a few of those speaker models are still available on the new market in better form than the originals. Missing Martin Logan CLS.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,908
    The author is a hack. I like the cat pi$$ing on the KEF Reference 105's.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre Upgraded with Mundorf Supremes
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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  • slow_polk7
    slow_polk7 Posts: 55
    edited December 2025
    The Polk Monitor 10s show up on yet another thread from the same site - "20 Most Overrated Speakers and the Better Alternatives, as Voted by Thousands of Audiophiles

    In the copy for the Monitor 10, they mention the Monitor 7 as a better alternative.

    https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/09/overrated-speakers-better-alternatives-audiophiles/
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,532
    I quit reading anything that comes from that garbage website.
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  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,331
    How did hpm 100's get on that list?
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,425
    Read the list and I have no comment
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,123
    AI generated? No AR9 either. I mean, EPI 100 were nice little speakers but compared to SDA’s? Or even Model 7 Peerless. HPM 100’s were popular but way overrated in my book. I had some Rectilinears that beach-slapped them. I had some AR-LST’s that would kick the shite out of most of that list.
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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 10,123
    Funny how many of the speakers in the “legendary” list are labeled overrated in the second list ….
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,998
    Here is a pretty good, short list, I'd opine:
    https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-116

    I own two on that list (not entirely coincidentally, although completely independent of Art's column), and I've heard them all (except the Jensen G-610, which I've been told on good authority is quite superb).
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,615
    edited December 2025
    I own a few on the list still today. I've owned a few others but sold them. I've had the chance to buy many others second hand, but was too poor and or thought they weren't worth the price. I've also owned models that were cheaper than some listed in the list, like the Ohm speaker. I had the Ohm Walsh 2s.

    I've been so blessed to have had and have what I do. All on a thin wallet, too.

    I also owned Polk Monitor 7s w/peerless. I should've never sold them! :s:(
    Post edited by Tony M on
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.

    “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
    --Mark Twain.

    “If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,691
    It’s always a pleasure to read anything by Art Dudley. It is definitely a different take on what should be included under the “vintage” umbrella.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,986
    I cringed when I saw the title of this thread, as just by reading the title, I had a very strong suspicion it came from that click bait, anti audiophile site. Sure enough, my suspicions were true.

    I hope I never see another article or meme from them on here again. They are part of what is wrong in this hobby and play a major role in holding people back. Agree with me or not, I don't care. That's my take and no one will convince me otherwise. The article may as well been written by Amir, the laughing stock of real audiophiles worldwide.

    Tom
    ~ 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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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 1,953
    Agree with one on that list, the Kappa 9's.

    Author likes the ear piercers.
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  • bcwsrt
    bcwsrt Posts: 2,407
    Damn, did you get some coal for Christmas, Tom?! 😂

    Sorry, I didn’t know the history of the source. It may have been the first time I ever ran across it, not sure. It just struck me odd that no Polks were mentioned. Nothing more, nothing less.

    Now back to your regularly scheduled program of what caps to use, how much are my relative’s 10s worth, T/S parameters and eggnog! 😝👍

    Brian

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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,848
    treitz3 wrote: »
    The article may as well been written by Amir, the laughing stock of real audiophiles worldwide.
    Tom

    He wouldn't have even needed to listen to them to tell us how they sounded....lol.
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 3,076
    gmcman wrote: »
    treitz3 wrote: »
    The article may as well been written by Amir, the laughing stock of real audiophiles worldwide.
    Tom

    He wouldn't have even needed to listen to them to tell us how they sounded....lol.

    All he needs is his precious “SINAD” measurement to tell you exactly how any piece of gear sounds…
    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,998
    edited December 2025
    maxward wrote: »
    It’s always a pleasure to read anything by Art Dudley. It is definitely a different take on what should be included under the “vintage” umbrella.

    He is much missed. :(
    Plus, his interests and mine intersect pretty well. :blush:
    That Altec sound is a thing. I find it utterly beguiling -- although I will say that the right-ness of the RCA LC-1A coax is a wonderful thing to hear. I will never be able to afford (i.e., justify the purchase price) of a pair, though.

    54934146526_8238257a16_b.jpgRCA LC1A by je245, on Flickr

    Photo taken by my friend, colleague, and designer of my 2A3 amp, Joseph Esmilla, of a pair of slightly scroungy-looking, but sonically unassailable LC-1As ensconced in a pair of gorgeous bespoke cabinets built from Harry Olson's own recommended enclosure plan for his redoubtable coaxes.

    This is a pair of LC-1As with which Joseph & I are both quite familiar. :D
    https://jelabs.blogspot.com/


    Post edited by mhardy6647 on
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