Most overrated speakers...
nooshinjohn
Posts: 25,917
in Speakers
Our own RussMan even gets a quote...
https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/09/overrated-speakers-better-alternatives-audiophiles/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO9bwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsMW5KV2RNSFlrSE1LWFNxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvyVw7IBrR_H376lS-5YcDphpv4IrtLOPSsM1L7y8Ug3ZFUvJ6FYgyOq9eh1_aem_ilj5HW4RrZhtE2a4bUwtMA
https://www.headphonesty.com/2025/09/overrated-speakers-better-alternatives-audiophiles/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO9bwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsMW5KV2RNSFlrSE1LWFNxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvyVw7IBrR_H376lS-5YcDphpv4IrtLOPSsM1L7y8Ug3ZFUvJ6FYgyOq9eh1_aem_ilj5HW4RrZhtE2a4bUwtMA
The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 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 MiND2 Shunyata Triton
“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
How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
“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
How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
Comments
-
Ironic that a few of those same speakers also turn up in lists for underrated speakers."This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon -
That site is a hack. They don't vet anything and they are anti-audiophile. It's just there for click bait.
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. ~ -
That site is a hack. They don't vet anything and they are anti-audiophile. It's just there for click bait.
Tom
Interestingly and amusingly, the objectivist clan hates that site, too.
The most overrated loudspeakers to my ears have been some of the big Wilsons and almost every Bowers & Wilkins model I've ever heard (except for some of their early efforts, which weren't bad).
-
Admittedly, I did not read the article. I felt no need too.
That said, I see you mentioned B&W speakers. I have one word for every damned model I have ever heard in my life, with a stellar front end...."congested".
They fall apart in every conceivable way possible when the heat gets on and the mid-bass/bass? Laughable at best, on any level.
I heard some bookie Wilson's at Trey's pad and while they were not "optimum" in the listening position? They sounded good from off center and while not listening as I should have. Even then, when they were cranked up and as a bookie? They sounded better than an B&W I ever heard at anything other than a low listening level. TBT.
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. ~ -
I skimmed the link after posting that. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see B&W and Wilson on the list.
I'd concur that the little Wilsons are OK. As they get bigger they get... less reasonable.
Heck, I feel that way about the ads/Braun loudspeakers of yore. The really big ones aren't bad, but they were overkill. Even the L-810 was a bit more in-your-face than I'd prefer. The L-710, though, is still a personal fave. I like all of the small, two-way ads loudspeakers I've heard, too. There's a pair of... umm... L-520s, maybe, here someplace.
Actually, googling suggests they are L-570s. Whatever they are, they are small and unassuming, but very pleasant sounding.
EDIT:
Yes, L-570.
-
The Wilson Cub is a fantastic (yet very colored) "little" speaker.
The Duette was not to bad, no where near the asking price new but not a bad speaker at all.
Wilson Audio is the Apple of loudspeakers. Its a lifestyle as much as it is a speaker.- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
Have never had the opportunity to see let alone hear any Altec speakers.
Must admit, would like to hear those 19's, they look cool.
Nobody is surprised by #1.
-
The Nineteen's far from my favorite Altec, but they're good.
-
B&W is just eye candy in general. Congested was a perfect one-word summation.
ADS 1290's are hidden gems.
Everybody knows that Bose blows...fuses.
Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists. -
That assessment of the Monitor 10 is in agreement with what some have said here, but not all. I believe there are several people who have said they prefer them to the 7, even Stu Lumsden has said his favorite was a pair of M10 stacked on top of each other with the tweeters in the middle. Some people may appreciate the dynamics and potential lower distortion of the extra driver and lower bass extension and are forgiving of the lobing issue and it's effect upon the imaging and ability to move your listening position.
If the author was more savvy though, he would've recommended the RTA 11/Model 11 as the upgrade to the M10.George / NJ
Polk 7B main speakers, std. mods+ (1979, orig owner)
Martin Logan Dynamo sub w/6ft 14awg Power Cord
Onkyo A-8017 integrated
Logitech Squeezebox Touch Streamer w/EDO applet
iFi nano iDSD DAC
iPurifier3
iDefender w/ iPower PS
Custom Steve Wilson 1m UPOCC Interconnect
iFi Mercury 0.5m OFHC continuous cast copper USB cable
Custom Ribbon Speaker Cables, 5ft long, 4N Copper, 14awg, ultra low inductance
Custom Vibration Isolation Speaker Stands and Sub Platform
