10 enjoyable speakers you've owned

[Rare Bird]

A mixed bag i know but i enjoyed owning the below, in no particular order of enjoyability (don't think there's such a wurd) :) :

JR'149'
Heybrook 'HB1'
Castle Acoustics 'Howard Mk.1'
Diesis 'Solitaire'
Mission '737' (Audax)
B&W 'DM4'
Ferrograph 'S1'
Mordaunt Short 'Signifer'
Monitor Audio 'R352'
Spendor 'SP1'

ps:Never owned the Ferro's just borrowed em couple month..

[WAD62]

Not sure about 'menjoyable' either Andre, is that something that goes on in Brighton... :eyebrows:

[MartinT]

Haven't owned 10 speakers and will only list those I enjoyed:

Cambridge R40 - transmission lines using KEF drivers and my first taste of proper hi-fi
JBL L-100T - great titanium tweeter, fantastic tight bass
IPL S5TL - more transmission lines, good all-round sound
JM Lab Mezzo Utopia - a real taste of the high end, fabulous open midrange
Usher Dancer Be-20 - what I have now and not likely to be replaced

[MartinT]

Is there an echo in here?

[WAD62]

:lolsign: I know. It wouldnt let me alter the mistake, i don't wanna be giving out the wrong impressions :(

I've done it myself...

Couldn't resist the opportunity of a cheap joke....;)

[WAD62]

Bump...

[DSJR]

You know, I don't think I've owned ten pairs of speakers, but here goes on some favourites..

Epos ES14
Spendor BC1
Spendor BC2
ATC SCM20
ATC SCM20 ASL Pro
ATC SCM100A
AVI Positron
AVI N5
Harbeth HL5
Musical Technology Harrier SE's

Actually, I've owned a few more goodies

Linn Isobariks (two pairs)
Yamaha NS1000M's

And that's not forgetting the Keilidh's, Rega Alya's, Heybrook HB2's and B&O X25's (Dad ended up with the last three at different times), Snell E's (ugghh!), Kans (ugghh ugghh:)) and Audiomaster Image 1's and 2's

[Steve H]

I've auditioned a lot of speakers at home but only owned 3 sets.



Meridian DSP5000 (worked up from a pair to 5 of them when I thought DVD Audio was the future and before I came to understand their weaknesses). Sold them for:
Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage which do everything right except scale and impact. Still have them but they're supplanted in the system by:
Usher BE10 which have all the clarity and musicality of the Guarneri's plus scale and impact

Steve

[Haselsh1]

The only speakers I have ever owned that were truly memorable were original QLN Mk1's and Audio Note AZ-2's. The QLN's were used with Naim amplification whilst the AZ-2's used single ended valve stuff. Why do we get rid of them...???

[Reid Malenfant]

Hmmm, difficult... I guess i'd better start with what i still have :lol:

Yamaha NS1000M (3 pairs), 1 set of enclosures left (mint)
Sansui SP-100i (incredible little stand mounts)
Celestion Ditton 66 (wrong tweeters but what the heck)
Mordaunt Short Pageant series II (in the shed & sound great :eyebrows:)
Tannoy SENSYS DCC (pair of centre speakers for a project)
Mission 780se (tiny things but superb)
Castle Trent (same as the above but without as deep bass)


previously...

Wharfedale Dovedale SP (I think, first biggish speakers i ever owned, loadsa fun :eyebrows:)
Wharfedale TSR110 (more civilised than the above, rebuilt with bits from the below & sold for 4 times what i payed for them)
KEF Cadenza (a bit woolly but great for £20)


I'm sure there has been more & i'm sure there are more still here :eek: But that's 10...

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Im sure I haven't owned 10 pairs of hifi speakers

Adam tensor epsilon's
Pmc fb1+
snell jiii (were a long term loan not actually mine)
Dynaudio a42's
Usher s520
Tannoy m2
Tannoy m3
Tannoy (some tiny things what name does escape me)
Monitor audio radius 90's
B&o boevox 1600

Thats everything ...

[John]

In order (sorry no where near 10)
AE 109 Pretty good mid but that was it
Jamo Concerts 8 Really hard to partner well one of those speakers that impressives first time you hear them and then
Silverline SR17 Lovelly standmounts just in the end not enough bass for me
Wharfedale Opus 3 Nice speakers only reason I sold them was Open baffles just do everything better
Hawthorne Duet Just love these speakers no intention of replacing them but if room was bigger would move up to the Trio version

[keiths]

Only ever had 7 pairs:

Solavox SP25 (badged Wharfedale Denton XP2s)
Goodmans Maxim 2
KEF Coda 3
Heybrook HB1
Linn Helix
Mission 753
Mission 771e

[Techno Commander]

Hmmm..................

SCS KA1
JBL 4410
JBL 4647
Tannoy Cheviots
TDL RTL1 (heavily modified)
Goodmans Magnums

[WAD62]

Currently;

Mission 753s (with monacor drivers, really transforms them)
Mission 780SEs (as above) * 3 pairs (have to agree with Mark about these)
Bose Acoustimas MS1s (used as rear surrounds, quite good for this purpose)
Wharfedale diamond 9.0 (the missus uses these with her laptop, a bit woolly)
Mission 780C (no longer used as I put the centre channel through the R & L, which is much better)

Previously (in chronological order);

Gooodmans RB20s
Wharfedale Lintons
Kef Coda 3s
Mourdant Short (err MS1's perhaps)
Mission 760is

I think that's about it...

[technobear]

What a silly thread :rolleyes:

I don't mean to be nasty but honestly, has anyone here actually *OWNED* any speakers that *WEREN'T* enjoyable? :scratch:

I owned a few that were less than perfect but they were all enjoyable :lolsign:

[Rare Bird]

I'm suprise some blokes on here havent owned many speakers! I must have owned in excess of 100 pair, no word of a lie


What a silly thread :rolleyes:



Actually an exersize for me to get to know what people like .




I don't mean to be nasty but honestly, has anyone here actually *OWNED* any speakers that *WEREN'T* enjoyable? :scratch:



O yes too many

[Jac Hawk]

I don't mean to be nasty but honestly, has anyone here actually *OWNED* any speakers that *WEREN'T* enjoyable? :scratch:


One or two pairs, that sounded great in the shops listening room, but crap in my house

[Jonboy]

Still own

Tannoy Sterlings
Tannoy 15 Inch hpds (Project)
Tannoy M2
Audio Note AZ2
Quad 57's (2 pairs)
Kef 105.3
Quad 63's
B&W DM 2A's
Apogee Stage
Dynaudio 42's


Thats ten

I still own all but Apogee and the 63's

[The Vinyl Adventure]

What a silly thread :rolleyes:

I don't mean to be nasty but honestly, has anyone here actually *OWNED* any speakers that *WEREN'T* enjoyable? :scratch:

I owned a few that were less than perfect but they were all enjoyable :lolsign:

out of my list not all are good ... especially the tiny tannoys and monitor audio radius ... both are only of any use as rear speakers

[Jac Hawk]

Still own

Tannoy Sterlings
Tannoy 15 Inch hpds (Project)
Tannoy M2
Audio Note AZ2
Quad 57's (2 pairs)
Kef 105.3
Quad 63's
B&W DM 2A's
Apogee Stage
Dynaudio 42's


Thats ten

I still own all but Apogee and the 63's

mmmmmmm I always wanted a set of Kef 105's the 70's / 80's ones that look like darleks

[Rare Bird]

out of my list not all are good ...


well you know some people unlike us two are so perfect they get things rigt all the time.

[quickie]

mission 752 (original with md tweeter)
acoustic energy ae1
epos es11
NVA Cube 2
Impulse H6
Royd Doublet
JRT AD1
Goodmans Maxim
Mission 70 mk2
Arcam 3's

Theres probably some more but these are the ones that spring to mind :)

Paul.

[WAD62]

well you know some people unlike us two are so perfect they get things rigt all the time.

...Ah but if I've 'enjoyed' listening to music on all of my systems, at some time or another, then by definition all the speakers I've owned have been 'enjoyable' at least once...and therefore...I'll stop here
;)

...I've had some shit ones too, the Bose MS1s are OK as rear AV speakers, but as a main stereo pair nooo! And the Maurdent Shorts I had were woolly indeed.

[Rare Bird]

And the Maurdent Shorts I had were woolly indeed.

You'll go to hell if Jazzbones sees Mordaunt spelt like that :lol:

Which MS were that Will?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

well you know some people unlike us two are so perfect they get things rigt all the time.

heh ... well you have to make mistakes dont you ... its hard to learn without making mistakes ... basically reading between the lines Andre, when all is said and done ... we are obviously more intelligent than everyone else because we are less perfect!

[WAD62]

You'll go to hell if Jazzbones sees Mordaunt spelt like that :lol:

Which MS were that Will?

Blame the spell checker...;)

I'm really struggling to remember, would have been bought new about 1988, cost around £150, stand mounted...MS? :scratch:

I thought today was Tuesday, nearly set off for a meeting, so remembering 88 is a bit of a struggle :(

I was running them with a Linn Axis/BASIC+/MP11 & CYRUS 1, but I found them a little soft.

[Reid Malenfant]

I'm really struggling to remember, would have been bought new about 1988, cost around £150, stand mounted...MS? :scratch:
Definately not the Pageant series II then unless you bought them secondhand?

[WAD62]

Definately not the Pageant series II then unless you bought them secondhand?

Bought new...

[WAD62]

Well if it's 1988 there you go

Even the Bose AM1's sounded better, and that's a damning statement...

[Reid Malenfant]

Bought new...
Apologies, i can see that now in your post having looked a little closer :doh:

Pity, as the earlier stuff was very good indeed at the price point, the type of speakers you just want to listen to louder because of the boogie factor ;)

[Spectral Morn]

Bar a pair of Celestion Ditton (:scratch: ? can't remember which ones) I still own all the speakers I have ever had.

Proac - Super Tablets

Ruark- Equinoxes

Sonus Faber - Signums

Reference 3A - Dulcet

and my Anthony Gallo Ref 3.1s


Regards D S D L

[colinB]

Only been into Hi Fi for 10 years so cant do 10 but;

Gale monitors
Heybrook HB1
B&w 602 ( to boomy in my small room )
Pro ac ref 8 sigs ( could be unruly but great fun.)
AVI neutron 5

[The Grand Wazoo]

All the speakers I own now:
Mirage M3si's
SD Acoustics OBS's
Tannoy Mercury Mk II
Genexxa LX5

And some I have owned:
Castle Pembrokes
Several pairs of AR's
B&W DM110's - (cheap & loud!)

....and finally, a pair of B&W no-names that came to me via a mate who used to work in their R&D building in Steyning. They were in monster cabinets & had a big old KEF-style racetrack woofer, some Coles units and at least 2 other drivers. They used to sound great but the tweeters were very easy to fry!

[Rare Bird]

Very intresting Three owners upto yet of Heybrook' HB1's & a pair of 'HB2's

[Batty]

Um for me a very short list.

B & W DM2
Castle Howards MK1 (still have)
Castle Richmond 3s (still have)


Oops forgot the Heybrook HB2r

[DSJR]

Cor, there's some tat in these lists. memorable for being awful and treble strong I reckon - all those ghastly Missions - yech :D

[Jac Hawk]

for me it's the following

Wharfedale Dovedales (nice at the time)

Kef Reference 101 (cracking speakers a bit light in the bass though)

Sony ??? APM drivers (sounded nice in the shop, crap at home)

JR Sub (passive sub with it's own amp, it filled in where the kef's left off, i wish i still had it)

Bose Acustimass (my missus like them, need i say more)

Wharfedale Linton XP3 (nice 70's speakers a bit forward in the midrange)

Mordaunt Short MS45ti ( nice sound still have em)

Mordaunt Short MS10's (great little rear chanel speakers)

Castle Kendal II's (gorgeous sound even better since the crossovers got done, built like tanks and well finished)

Yamaha YST-SW80 Sub (quite musical, but way out of it's depth for movies)

[Rare Bird]

Castle Howards MK1 (still have)


Mk.1! What in Australia? you sure?

[Techno Commander]

I don't mean to be nasty but honestly, has anyone here actually *OWNED* any speakers that *WEREN'T* enjoyable? :scratch:


I have unfortunately owned some real shite.

I did manage to sell them on quite quickly though.:)

[chris@panteg]

:scratch: mmm...

Well i enjoyed my 1st speaker's a pair of Tannoy mercury mk1's , the most high end speaker i ever had was AE1's in rosewood and the amazing stands that they came with , never got on with them for 2 reason's , size of my room and the wrong amps ,but i would love to try them again .

I loved the Snell type J's but the AE linear 3's i have now work best in my current system and room layout .

My dream speakers if i got back into valve's that is , would be the Living Voice OBXR.

But in my current set up , i would have the Radiance 3's as an upgrade.

lastly although i never owned them ! the quad ESL57 which a friend of mine owned really shocked me , the sheer transparency and openess was breathtaking , but you had to sit in a sweetspot and it was like a pair of giant headphones , amazing though.

[Mr Pig]

I was wondering if I'd owned ten pairs of speakers in my lifetime and it dawned on me that I still own seven pairs now!

Ten is a lot thought. Of the speakers I've had it's only the following I'd go out and buy again if the circumstances were right.

Wharfdale Diamond (original one)
Linn Kan
Linn Sara
Linn Isobarik

[Beobloke]

OK, I'll bite, having owned quite a few speakers as well as turntables!

Ferrograph S1. Still my main speakers.

Leak 2075s. Loved 'em, sold 'em, recently bought another pair that are awaiting fettling. :)

Mordaunt Short MS20i Pearl. Simple but very sweet sounding.

GLL Imagio IC258TL. So frustrating - some of what they did well I have heard few speakers do better. Still regret selling them in some ways

Rigonda Symphony. Russian speakers from a 60s radiogram - sounded great and stunning wood finish, but melted under the onslaught of 60 Watts. I later found out that the matching radiogram delivered 4W per channel. Oops.

Goodmans Maxim 2. Budget speakers from the 80s that you can now buy for less than a fiver simply shouldn't sound this good!

B&O Beolab 8000. Stunning design and delightful midrange

B&O Beolab 6000. Ditto but even less bass!

JPW P1. Like the MS20i Pearls - simple but effective.

Monitor Audio Silver 5i. Another boot sale bargain that sounded much better than I expected.

[Rare Bird]

Ok
Was thinking about this all night last night, this is a list of summer the speakers i've owned, some odd ones:Their are some more but i can't think..


Tangent 'RS6'
Celef 'Mini Pro'
Gale '401A'
Gale '301'
Heybrook 'HB1', 'HB3'
Monitor Audio 'MA1', MA4'
Monitor Audio 'R352MD'
RAM 'RAM 100'
Acoustic Research 'AR18'
Spendor 'BC1', 'SP1', 'S20'
Castle 'Howard Mk.I'
Castle 'Richmond Mk.I'
Castle 'Conway Mk.I & II'
Castle 'Dover'
Castle 'Stirling'
Castle 'Trent'
Castle 'Warwick'
Castle 'Durham'
Castle 'Pembroke 2'
Chartwell 'PM110'
Mordaunt Short 'Carnival'
Mordaunt Short 'Pageant 2'
Mordaunt Short 'Signifer'
Sonab 'OA5/2'
Mission '700' (White Baffle Boards)
Mission '727' (White Baffle Boards)
Mission '737' (Early with Audax Tweeter)
Mission '770' (White Baffle Boards)
Mission '770 Freedom (Silver Baffle boards)
Diesis 'Solitaire'
Diesis (Forget the model, black velour baffle boards)
Ferrograph 'S1' (Borrowed)
Quad 'ESL 57' (Borrowed)
Cambridge 'R50'
Swallow (5 ways with Dalesford units, forget the model)
Kef '104AB', '101', '103'
Kef 'Carlton II'
Kef 'Celeste IV'
Couple Kef Kits
Audiomaster 'Image 2'
Audiomaster 'LS3/5a'
Tannoy 'Oxford'
Tannoy 'Mercury'
Musical Fidelity 'MC4'
Linn 'Kan' (Original)
Meridian 'M2'
ARC '050', '101'
Celestion 'Ditton 10', '15XR', '22', '44', '66'
Celestion 'DL10'
Celestion 'SL6'
Rogers 'LS6', 'LS7', 'Studio 1'
B&W 'DM2a', 'DM2/2', 'DM4', 'DM14', 'DM22'
JR '149'

:sofa:

[Darren]

My turn, my turn!
I loved all of these:
Celestion SL700 with SL 600 dipole subwoofer system.
Magneplanar SMGb
Magneplanar MG3
Magneplanar MG .6
MS. 45ti ( love paper cones and metal domes - perverse I know)
Ms. 25ti.
Spica Angelus ( the imaging baby)
Sonus Faber Grand Piano mk2
( sexy looking with great waf)

[Darren]

I love the way dipole speakers seem to fill the whole room with music. Yes they are not easy to position and won't work near walls but, my goodness when they are good they are great and no wooden box singing along either.
Anyone else feel the same?

[Mr Pig]

I love the way dipole speakers seem to fill the whole room with music.

I don't think I've ever heard one, but I like the idea. Certainly seems to make sense to me.

[Darren]

I don't think I've ever heard one, but I like the idea. Certainly seems to make sense to me.

Hi Colin, they Ain't much like Isobariks for sure..... But there is a great sense of the recorded acoustic and they really do get the air moving in a room.

[kininigin]

Technics-cannot remember model but were shit

Tannoy M2-not bad little speakers,used in my bedsit days

Tannoy M3-As above

Sony SS-176E-These seemed to punch above there weight

Kef Q60-enjoyed these alot,gave to brother he left in damp garage and the cabs
have swelled,i wasn't happy.

Wharfedale Evolution 20-Good build quality,enjoyable sound

Tapco S8 Active monitors-My current speakers,look ugly but sound very good imo,whatever upgrades i've done they just keep delivering.

[John]

I love the way dipole speakers seem to fill the whole room with music. Yes they are not easy to position and won't work near walls but, my goodness when they are good they are great and no wooden box singing along either.
Anyone else feel the same?

I love what Dipole speakers do I could never go back to any box speaker no matter how good

[Jonboy]

Ok
Was thinking about this all night last night, this is a list of summer the speakers i've owned, some odd ones:Their are some more but i can't think..


Tangent 'RS6'
Celef 'Mini Pro'
Gale '401A'
Gale '301'
Heybrook 'HB1', 'HB3'
Monitor Audio 'MA1', MA4'
Monitor Audio 'R352MD'
RAM 'RAM 100'
Acoustic Research 'AR18'
Spendor 'BC1', 'SP1', 'S20'
Castle 'Howard Mk.I'
Castle 'Richmond Mk.I'
Castle 'Conway Mk.I & II'
Castle 'Dover'
Castle 'Stirling'
Castle 'Trent'
Castle 'Warwick'
Castle 'Durham'
Castle 'Pembroke 2'
Chartwell 'PM110'
Mordaunt Short 'Carnival'
Mordaunt Short 'Pageant 2'
Mordaunt Short 'Signifer'
Sonab 'OA5/2'
Mission '700' (White Baffle Boards)
Mission '727' (White Baffle Boards)
Mission '737' (Early with Audax Tweeter)
Mission '770' (White Baffle Boards)
Mission '770 Freedom (Silver Baffle boards)
Diesis 'Solitaire'
Diesis (Forget the model, black velour baffle boards)
Ferrograph 'S1' (Borrowed)
Quad 'ESL 57' (Borrowed)
Cambridge 'R50'
Swallow (5 ways with Dalesford units, forget the model)
Kef '104AB', '101', '103'
Kef 'Carlton II'
Kef 'Celeste IV'
Couple Kef Kits
Audiomaster 'Image 2'
Audiomaster 'LS3/5a'
Tannoy 'Oxford'
Tannoy 'Mercury'
Musical Fidelity 'MC4'
Linn 'Kan' (Original)
Meridian 'M2'
ARC '050', '101'
Celestion 'Ditton 10', '15XR', '22', '44', '66'
Celestion 'DL10'
Celestion 'SL6'
Rogers 'LS6', 'LS7', 'Studio 1'
B&W 'DM2a', 'DM2/2', 'DM4', 'DM14', 'DM22'
JR '149'

:sofa:


Jeepers Andr'e you had it bad, 70 odd pairs of speakers there

[Mr Pig]

Jeepers Andr'e you had it bad, 70 odd pairs of speakers there

I'm just surprised that after buying one pair of Castle speakers he bought eight more! ;0)

[Reid Malenfant]

I'm just surprised that after buying one pair of Castle speakers he bought eight more! ;0)
I'm not :eyebrows: Never heard a bad one yet & i've heard a few & for quite a period of time ;)

[Jac Hawk]

I'm not :eyebrows: Never heard a bad one yet & i've heard a few & for quite a period of time ;)

I'd second that i've got a set of Kendal II's and i'm very impressed, I would definately by another pair.

[Mr Pig]

Never heard a bad one yet

Put me to sleep. Woolly bass and dull sound, just not for me.

[Rare Bird]

Jeepers Andr'e you had it bad, 70 odd pairs of speakers there

Just a compulsive buyer Jon, had more than that i just can't think..Don't let me list the Turntables ive had :lol:


Put me to sleep. Woolly bass and dull sound, just not for me.


Your joking rght?

[Reid Malenfant]

:lolsign: I have never heard any woolly bass from any Castles, in fact they tend to be a tad dry but accurate if anything ;)

Lets agree to differ, i know what KEF bass units including the B139 sound like (which admittedly was vastly better than the bextrene stuff that was woolly as Shaun the sheep) & i'll take a nice light pulp diaphram a la Castle any day of the week :eyebrows:

[Mr Pig]

Your joking right?

Maybe I just heard... fake ones? ;0)

[MartinT]

Put me to sleep. Woolly bass and dull sound, just not for me.

It takes all kinds, Colin. Your beloved Linn speakers would loosen my fillings in 30 seconds flat. Except, curiously, the Linn Index which was as dull as a dull thing. For me the Linn Kans were an all-time low point in speaker design.

[Marco]

Maybe I just heard... fake ones? ;0)

What day were the ones you had built? Apparently, the ones made on a Tuesday were best.

Marco.

[Mr Pig]

It takes all kinds, Colin.

Quite.


For me the Linn Kans were an all-time low point in speaker design.

I had three pairs! ;0) Love em. Very hard speaker to get working properly, but once it was you've got one of the most musically candid speakers made. Even then though there are times when you could quite happily throw them out of the window. Utterly unforgiving.

What about the LS3/5A?

Which Index's? They liked to call completely different products the same thing.

[MartinT]

Even then though there are times when you could quite happily throw them out of the window. Utterly unforgiving.

Those must have been the times I heard them. Screechy!


What about the LS3/5A?

A nicely balanced speaker as long as you didn't want real bass or proper dynamics. Great when combined with a sympathetic valve amp - a mate of mine runs them with an Art Audio Quintet. Fantastic texture to the sound and very beguiling.


Which Index's? They liked to call completely different products the same thing.

A friend had the early ones, I believe. Certainly the first model using that name. Deadly dull.

[Mr Pig]

Those must have been the times I heard them. Screechy!

They were always on the edge of that. You needed a powerful, clean transistor amp and pretty smooth front end and pretty immaculate set up. Most CD players via Kans cut glass! Even then they would rip up poor recordings and throw them at you like knives. Fantastic speakers! :0)


A friend had the early ones, I believe.

Flat black ugly things? Not the best speakers in the world. The problem with all of these early Linn speakers was that none of them were designed to work with comparably priced amplifiers or front ends. Later designs were much more forgiving but much less interesting.

[Barry]

Despite having been messing about with audio gear for the last forty odd years, compared with some of you lot I'm an audio virgin - 70 pairs or speakers? I've only ever owned two:

Wharfdale RS8/DD 8" dual-cone speakers using a 'mechanical' (inertia) crossover, built into a home made Wharfdale design cabinet 24" x 10" x 10" (I think) that used distributed rear port loading. Gave them to my father, who re-veneered the cabinets.

Quad ESL '57. 'Nuff said. I doubt I'll ever change from these - been with them too long (35 years) and I love 'em. Yes, they have bugger all deep bass, they beam, they can't be played loud, are fussy about the room they are in and the amplifiers that feed them, but to my ears nearly ever other non-dipole design sounds artificial, despite impressive capabilities. Would love to stack them, but don't have the room. I may experiment with a subwoofer later this year, but am not expecting too much success.

I have lived with some other speakers that I learnt to respect, these being:

Cambridge R50 four way transmission-line speakers,

Lowther Acousta horn loaded fitted with PMS6 drive units,

Impulse H2 three way horn loaded speakers,

and I'm getting used to Marco's

Tannoy Gold dual concentric drivers fitted into Lockwood cabinets. You can see why they were/are used for monitoring! (But then so were/are mine.)

I have of course heard many more, but these have been within the confines and restrictions of a dealer's showroom or at an audio show.

[Mr Pig]

Quad ESL '57. 'Nuff said.

Can't argue with that. Few speakers are even close to being as transparent and open. I couldn't live with them, due to the limitations you describe, but I respect them a lot. Like listening to a fantastic pair of headphones without the sweaty ears! ;0)

[Jonboy]

. Like listening to a fantastic pair of headphones without the sweaty ears!

That about sums them up, but when they are stacked they take on a whole new presentation and you wouldn't want a sub ;)

[Jac Hawk]

What day were the ones you had built? Apparently, the ones made on a Tuesday were best.

Marco.

Mine have tuesday written on the back :eyebrows::eyebrows:

did it 5 minutes ago with a black pen :lol::lol:

so mine must be good ones:scratch::scratch:

[Reid Malenfant]

That about sums them up, but when they are stacked they take on a whole new presentation and you wouldn't want a sub ;)
Add lots mass above them & a stiff frame & you have something similar to what some chap (can't remember his name - but i'll get castigated for it :eyebrows:) has in a nice concrete room ;)

Something to do with SME me thinks :eyebrows:

[MartinT]

It was the sadly departed Alastair Robertson-Aikman (sp?), the CEO of SME who famously had stacked Quads behind curtains in his listening room.

[Jonboy]

Something to do with SME me thinks :eyebrows:



Alastair Robertson-Aikman founder of SME, he had them at right angles to each other and not stacked from what i remeber being told, i know a couple of people who heard his music room which is only over the hill from me in Steyning, also i think he ended up using 63's

[Reid Malenfant]

It was the sadly departed Alastair Robertson-Aikman (sp?), the CEO of SME who famously had stacked Quads behind curtains in his listening room.
Yes Martin, that would be the chap...Sorry to hear of his passing away, it must have been pretty recently or i'd have thought we'd all have heard about it :scratch:

Probably me missing stuff as usual :doh:

[Jonboy]

2006 was when he died

[Reid Malenfant]

2006 was when he died
:doh: I'm a tad slowwwwww......

[Rare Bird]

Mine have tuesday written on the back :eyebrows::eyebrows:

did it 5 minutes ago with a black pen :lol::lol:

so mine must be good ones:scratch::scratch:

Anyone who slates 70's/80's Castles are simply as deaf as ferk.

[Mr Pig]

Anyone who slates 70's/80's Castles are simply as deaf as ferk.

Pardon? ;0)

[southall-1998]

mission 752 (original with md tweeter)
acoustic energy ae1
epos es11
NVA Cube 2
Impulse H6
Royd Doublet
JRT AD1
Goodmans Maxim
Mission 70 mk2
Arcam 3's

Theres probably some more but these are the ones that spring to mind :)

Paul.

Hi,

If I may ask. When you had the NVA Cube 2 speakers, how would you discribe their sound? What amps were they used with?

Regards.

[The Grand Wazoo]

ARA's Quad were arranged in two unconventional alignments.
The most recent was two pairs, each channel of which was made up of two speakers arranged closely at 90 degrees to each other. Each unit was loaded with a very heavy lump of steel on top.

Prior to those there was a semi-circular array of 57's - 14 units (I think).

[Batty]

Mk.1! What in Australia? you sure?

Yes brought them over when I emigrated along with the Rock.

[Rare Bird]

Yes brought them over when I emigrated along with the Rock.

Do you have a picture of yours?

[Barry]

ARA's Quad were arranged in two unconventional alignments.
The most recent was two pairs, each channel of which was made up of two speakers arranged closely at 90 degrees to each other. Each unit was loaded with a very heavy lump of steel on top.

Prior to those there was a semi-circular array of 57's - 14 units (I think).

The arragement ARA used with his fourteen 57's was two vertical stacks of 4 each side at the front, with two arrays of three speakers each at the rear. The speakers at the rear being rotated through 90 degrees, so they were on their sides; or if you will, a horizontal assembly of three speakers each, the entire assembly orientated vertically. I assume this was done to 'diffuse', or ameliorate the treble beaming, prevalent with these speakers.

[Marco]

Anyone who slates 70's/80's Castles are simply as deaf as ferk.

I would agree.

However, I think the "70's/80's" bit is key - i.e. an era when 'speakers were speakers', and not some of the pish purporting to be speakers that are made these days....

Hey, even Briks and Kans were made during that era!

Perhaps Colin is referring to post-1980s Castles? If so, I can see where he's coming from - they're not the same company now :)

Marco.

[Batty]

Do you have a picture of yours?

should be a pic or two in my profile thingy

Mine may be S1 not MK1 as they are from the 90s - quarter wavelength just over a metre tall.

Doesn't say S2 on the plaque it just has Castle Howard that's why I thought they'd be mk1 and I know they're taller than the S3

The position of the terminals is different to the S2

Mine were bought before the sellout, as were my Richmond 3s they are not 3i as the new ones are designated.

[Rare Bird]

should be a pic or two in my profile thingy

Mine may be S1 not MK1 as they are from the 90s - quarter wavelength just over a metre tall.



Aha didnt think they were Mk.I's. I have no time for modern Castles.

[colinB]

I believe Peter Comeau is designing the new Castle speakers now.

[Jonboy]

The arragement ARA used with his fourteen 57's was two vertical stacks of 4 each side at the front, with two arrays of three speakers each at the rear. The speakers at the rear being rotated through 90 degrees, so they were on their sides; or if you will, a horizontal assembly of three speakers each, the entire assembly orientated vertically. I assume this was done to 'diffuse', or ameliorate the treble beaming, prevalent with these speakers.


I new someone would know for sure, i got a bit of it right :doh:

[tannoy man]

These are in order from 1975, and are ones Ive enjoyed the most.
Wharfdale Linton 3xp
Big Marantz 3 way with 12" bass
Mission 770 mk 2
Kef Coda mk2
Mission 70 mk2
Monitor Audio 352 MD
Leak Sandwich This is when I got into Valves about 1994
Tannoy Lancaster 15" Golds
Tannoy Devon mk1
Tannoy Berkley mk1
Tannoy Arden mk1

These are others Ive owned and enjoyed but only stayed in the system for Months not years.
Kef Concerto original
Sequence Model 20
Rogers Export Monitor
Mission 737 Renaissance

The best Speaker Ive owned (put together) is Tannoy Arden, Compression driver disconnected ,Speaker wire direct to Bass Driver (no crossover) with Vitavox GP 1 in Fane single cell Horns with Monacor DNH 185 high pass filter.

Am currently using my Sons Monitor Audio r 852 md whilst saving to get my HPD,s reconed. Theyr sounding very good on the end of my Croft Micro and Radford STA 25.

[BTH K10A]

The arragement ARA used with his fourteen 57's was two vertical stacks of 4 each side at the front, with two arrays of three speakers each at the rear. The speakers at the rear being rotated through 90 degrees, so they were on their sides; or if you will, a horizontal assembly of three speakers each, the entire assembly orientated vertically. I assume this was done to 'diffuse', or ameliorate the treble beaming, prevalent with these speakers.

I was told many years ago that there was time delay applied to amps for the rear stacks.

[Reid Malenfant]

Aha didnt think they were Mk.I's. I have no time for modern Castles.
Andr'e, sorry chap but it's bugging me, what model Castle is that picture in this quoted post?

[Jonboy]

I was told many years ago that there was time delay applied to amps for the rear stacks.

i was told by a man that has seen and heard the system the He also rewired the lot with Van Den Dulls and half killed the sonics

[Reid Malenfant]

Cheers Andr'e, never seen one before, very odd driver arrangement as well :scratch:

Looks like the centre top bass/mid is a tad different, was this the mid & the other 3 used for bass? Or was it a 2.5 way?

E2A:- Andr'es been whisked off by aliens again :eyebrows:

[BTH K10A]

the 10 most enjoyable speakers I've owned are:

Rogers Studio 1a - Similar to the Spendor BC1's I had but less fragile
Celestion SL6 - An amazing little speaker when combined with a powerful amp
Tannoy 3LZ - Suprisingly good bass and better in the mids than larger Tannoys
Heybrook HB1 - Very well designed budget speaker
B&W DM2 - very articulate bass and extended highs
Sonab OA4 - Quite amazing with a low power SET
JBL SCM50 S8 - Effortless and easy to listen to
BTH K10A - Amazing speakers
JBL Array 1400 - Not cheap but still the bargain of the century.

Many more I could add but the above do spring to mind first.

One honorable mention for a speaker often maligned is the Celestion RS/12/DD. I had a pair of these in simple home projector type cabinets in my hall. They filled what is quite a big house with a wonderful tone that may or may not have been accurate but sure was enjoyable.

[MartinT]

So Andy, you're named after a speaker?!

[BTH K10A]

So Andy, you're named after a speaker?!

No Martin I'm named after the patron saint of Scotland :) but yes my username is a speaker, easier to remember than something like Andy26.

Strangely enough I once had some Martin speakers...........!!;)

[MartinT]

:)

[Ian Walker]

Here's mine.

Celestion Ditton 15XR.
Wharfdale Glendale.
Tannoy Oxford
Castle Richmond
Monitor Audio 852
Linn Helix(Far better than Linn Nexus)
Linn Nexus(So How did i end up with them):(
RCL small loudspeaker.
Naim Credo,
Naim NBL
NAIM DBL
Quad 57s(Stacked)
Tannoy Canterbury 15.

Yikes thats more than 10.

[TBL]

I must have owned well over 30 pairs and not sure these are the best of them but not far off.

Linn Isobariks
Wilson Benesch Arc
Zu Druid
JR 149
JR 150
B&O 8000
Bella Luna Diamante
Wilson Benesch Discovery
Totem Arro
Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage

[No Regrets]

Not all of my speakers that I have owned/own would I consider perfect, none the less, I was still able to receive a lot of enjoyment from them.

Some of the notables were:

Klipsch Korner Horns K-horns (now sold)

ProAc Response Two's (now at my brothers)

Wharfedale W25's (bedroom system)

Tannoy 12" Monitor Golds lsu/hf/12/8 in custom cabinets/redone crossovers (den system)

Dunlavy SCIV's (reference system)

[radio]

not had 10 pairs as i dont trade in to often,im listening to castle howards S2 which i bought 13YRS ago,before that mission 780 they to were a great sounding speaker,before them pioneers which i cant rember much about:scratch:

[Macca]

Here's my list:

Wharfedale CRS3 - little budget boxes with paper bass/mid and plastic tweeter, cost me £65 new. Put them on sand filled pillar stands fed them with a Denon PMA250 and my TT with a NAG MP30 cart - they amazed everyone who heard them, you could hear the rivets on the cymbals, incredibly natural sounding little things.

Mission 731 LE - a stopgap but still a very high quality minature, a little too smooth in the top for my taste and my system at the time - when I moved they were just too small for the new room so sold them to a mate who still has them in daily use.

B&W 601 1st edition - with the yellow Kevlar bass/mid and the tweeter everyone seemed to hate, the reality was it just needed a bit of running in. Thya were still too small for the room so they got replaced by

Celestion A2 - which I still have, proper big speakers with real bass fantastic timing and coherence, I will probably never be able to afford something better unless it's used or DIY

JBL Control One - if you need a minature speaker for under £70 this is it. A bit bright in the top for some otherwise a fantastically enjoyable rock n roll speaker for the size and money.

JPW Mini-Monitors - had two sets of these, the original with the creamy coloured bass/mid driver and the later ones with the black plastic bass/mid.
The originals are better by a country mile.

Studiospares Classic SN10 - a take on the old Yamaha NS10 with a larger bass driver and a decent soft dome tweeter. Clarity is their middle name. The boxes are very solid and infinite baffle (no port), which you don't get much nowadays. No deep bass, can't be faulted otherwise.

My own design - 55 litre floorstanders with very deep 3 quarter inch chipboard all round, pine bracing internally, hard wired crossover with top quality caps and inductors; using Audax 8'' paper mid bass and Audax tweeters. Cost me about £200 to build, the local students use to come and marvel at them. Bust the bass drivers during a house move and never got round to sorting it out. My A2's do it all better anyway:)

Only nine for me:)

[SPS]

The best Speaker Ive owned (put together) is Tannoy Arden, Compression driver disconnected ,Speaker wire direct to Bass Driver (no crossover) with Vitavox GP 1 in Fane single cell Horns with Monacor DNH 185 high pass filter.

.

that gp1 forms part of my 'best speaker' that i own...

they are quite something, they just dont go high enough, mine have fostex 900a tweeters above...I'm very happy, voices are quite something..


i have just brought in an early pair of b&w dm 1's from the garage, i had run them with a 70's transistor amp and they sounded too woolly, but with a couple of watts of single ended triode, the sounds much tighter, detailed with reasonble bass output for the type of speaker and very sweet.

i have a pair of 1950's accoustical corner ribbon speakers, the horn loaded ribbon is quite something too. unfortunately its far too rare for most to have heard.. or even seen..

i think i have about 10 pair of speakers in the garage at the moment they have all had a turn in the lounge


kef concerto's from 71 ish
sansui sp2000 1970ish
accoustical corner speakers
ditton 15
ns1000
leak 2060
a few wharefedales
lowther accousta's
portosound pa speakers

my main focus is on the drivers

i have lots of wharfedales from 3" to 15" about 20 or so..
about 20 or so goodmans 12"s 201/301/ 51/61/81 plus some modern ones

a few celestions..a 15" greenback and about 4X 12"

a couple of pairs of coral drivers, lowthers, whiteley's ,jordan watts modules,emi's etc

all for my open baffle messing around sessions

i also have a few compression drivers (which i'd like to make up pairs
if any body has any?)
vitavox N type
grampian sp1
reslusound su10
and a 1943 admiralty patten 789 ( which looks a bit like a the vitavox N ?)
pm me i will buy or swap?

i understand how one can fall in love with quad 57's, with a good amp they can be quite special, i had a pair for about 6 months.

[geofff]

Can't say that I've owned 10 speakers that I've enjoyed in retrospect, if you see what I mean, but the ones that I have are:

Shahinian Obelisks - beautifully musical. Not sure that they are particularly accurate, but who cares.

Reference 3A Royal Master - very easy to drive (no crossover) which I think adds an ease to the way they present music. Too many speakers sound uptight to my ears.

Living Voice Airscout - my current speakers for the last 10 years or so, and I can't ever imagine replacing them.

[The Black Adder]

I've recently got some Harbeth Super HL5's - The best speakers I've ever had. Here is a list of my previous in 'out of 5's.

1 - Harbeth Super HL5's - 5/5
2 - Dali Helicon 800 MKII's - 3/5
3 - Wilson Benesch Arcs - 3/5
4 - Monitor Audio BR5's 3/5
5 - Sonus Faber Liuto Towers 3/5
6 - B&W CM7's 2/5
7 - NVA Cubes 1/5

[Hypnotoad]

Speakers I currently own in order of enjoyability out of 5.

1. Polk SDA 1C's 6/5 :eyebrows:
2. Polk SDA 2A's 4/5
3. Boston Acoustics A200's 3/5
4. Boston Acoustics A150's 2/5
5. Boston Acoustics A100's 2/5
6. Advent/1's 1/5

That's all my wife will let me keep. Started off years ago with some Kef/Bailey Transmission Lines wish I still had them today, they were really sweet.

[jandl100]

I've certainly bought some that didn't suit me and were moved on smart-ish.

My least faves were probably ..

QLN Siggies - dull
ProAc Future Point 5 - vague
Spendor SP1/2 - boring
smga - vague
Quad 63 - boring & dynamically dead
Amphion Xenon - bland
Yamaha 1000 - OK on rock, crapola on classical
ATC SCM10 - just kind of pointless ....
Horning Zeus - lawdy, but I came to hate these coloured horrors!

My fave 10 speakers ...

MBL 116F - I can't even imagine a better speaker for me
Infinity RS2.5
Leema Xavier
Virgo 2
Martin Logan CLS2z
AE1
Quad esl57
Jim Rogers JR50
Thiel CS2.3
Bowers Active 400
SD Acoustics SD1
... oops, that's 11 :)

[MartinT]

My word, Jerry, never was a byline more appropriate. So many speakers!

Do you still have the Infinity RS2.5s? I heard a pair of Infinitys years ago, I think they were called Kappa Beta or some such? They made a very nice sound indeed, still a memorable experience for me.

[jandl100]

My word, Jerry, never was a byline more appropriate. So many speakers!

Do you still have the Infinity RS2.5s? I heard a pair of Infinitys years ago, I think they were called Kappa Beta or some such? They made a very nice sound indeed, still a memorable experience for me.

Hi Martin :)

Well, I've owned a lot more than those listed - they were just the top & bottom of my fave list.

No, sadly I don't have the space (or the finances!) to hang on to old speakers ... and to be honest, I don't really want to either. When it's time to move on, it's out with the old and in with the new!

Yes, the Infinity Reference Standard 2.5 were very fine indeed. A well-deserved 2nd place in my list of all-time faves. Not exactly pretty though! ....
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/Infinitysystem.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/Infinity251.jpg

[Neil McCauley]

In no particular order of preference:

Stacked pairs of JBL Century 100s (driven by Accuphase)
Lecson HL1s (Lecson AC1/AP1)
Spendor BC1s (A&R A60)
Spendor BC3s (Meridian 101/105s)
Meridian M1 actives
Lentek Monitors (Meridian 101/105s)
Lentek S4s (Meridian 101/105s)
TDL monitors (Counterpoint SA20)
Lumen White Silver Flames (Ayre pre/power)
Thiel 1.6 (Ayre pre/power)
Vandersteen 2C Signatures (STAX 12-S pre and LFD NLE power amp)
Magneplanar MG3a (STAX CAX-1 pre and Meridian 107 superamp)
Anything designed by Paul Burton (LFD 'cos he used them as his primary R&D tools)
Celestion SL600s (Levinson ML2A mono amps)
Wharfdale Option 1s (8 x Quad 405s in chassis frorm on-board)

[Neil McCauley]

And in addition:

Gale GS401a (driven by Meridian 107 superamp)
Chartwell PM400s (Lecson AC1/AP1)
Monitor MA3 (with elliptical bass drivers driven by Lecson AC1/AP3 Mk2))
Harbeth SHL5 (driven by any LFD)
Quad 57 (driven by Radford STA-25)
Apogee Scintilla (driven by 4 Krell KMA 100s)
Magneplan Typmani IV (driven by ARC M300 monos)

[Rare Bird]

Lecson HL1s



Nice 4 way horn loaded :eyebrows:

[Neil McCauley]

Lecson HL1. True. Very true. Sold dozens. Just one track was needed. This never failed. "School" from Supertramp's Crime of the Century. The sheer attack was visceral. It was like being physically assaulted. The cheque books never failed to materialise. Oh yes, golden days indeed. HL1 Owners, even years later always had grins so big that they would have required surgical removal.

That mid-range horn was outstanding. Bloody bass drivers had magnetic assemblies little bigger than a walnut! But the precise dimensions courtesy of Allen Boothroyd and Bob (now Robert) Stuart’s burgeoning skills using Eagle drivers was in the context of the times nothing short of magnificent.

[Filterlab]

Hmmm, I've not owned many pairs and I've enjoyed them all.

Memorex S20s (we all have to start somewhere!)
Tannoy Mercury 5 Golds
Cyrus 780s, the d'appolito ones
Mission 700Es
Mission 702Es
Alesis M1 mark 2 actives, surprisingly good hi-fi speakers actually!
Martin Logan Aeons
Revel Performa M22s
Musical Fidelity MC1s (modded)
Elac CL310i Jets

I quite like them all, the Revels were easily the best though, even better than the Martin Logans which are way too fussy about music type, placement and room condition. Still, the MLs are very very special if you get them spot on.

The Elacs are truly special, a very open window and completely neutral in every way.

[Martyn Miles]

Here's mine.

Celestion Ditton 15XR.
Wharfdale Glendale.
Tannoy Oxford
Castle Richmond
Monitor Audio 852
Linn Helix(Far better than Linn Nexus)
Linn Nexus(So How did i end up with them):(
RCL small loudspeaker.
Naim Credo,
Naim NBL
NAIM DBL
Quad 57s(Stacked)
Tannoy Canterbury 15.

Yikes thats more than 10.

What is the 'RCL small loudspeaker' ? I recognise the others mentioned above.

[The Grand Wazoo]

It was a weeny speaker designed by SEAS, the speaker driver company - some people liked to compare them to LS3/5a's but they go much louder than those!

[hoopsontoast]

My Top Ten:

Keesonic Kolt (Similar to the RCL's mentioned)
Kord Tornado
Rega R7
KEF Reference 104/2
Magnepan MMG
Veravox 5S drivers (various speakers)
Acoustic Energy AE2
Tannoy Cheviot
ATC SCM10
Rega R3


Ones that dont make the list (not all bad, just not as good...)

ATC SCM7, Fostex FF225K (Various), Hawthorne Audio Silver Iris, Tannoy Mercury S, Rega Jura, Kord Vulcan, Rega R1, Tannoy DC1000, KEF XQ1, Klipsch Heresy II

[walpurgis]

It was a weeny speaker designed by SEAS, the speaker driver company - some people liked to compare them to LS3/5a's but they go much louder than those!

I know the little speaker you are talking about, can't remember the model, but I've still got a pair of the crossovers and tweeters! Could make an interesting project.


My nominations for favourite speakers I no longer own are: Mission 780SE (1st model) and Tannoy Eaton (I've had five pairs).

[MartinT]

I loved my old Cambridge R40 transmission lines.

[istari_knight]

I don't have a top ten but favorite's I no longer own would be...

Acoustic Research AR3a
Acoustics Research AR2ax
IMF TLS50 mk2
Wharfedale E70
Castle Conway II

[realysm42]

Roksan k2 tr5 < 1st taste of what a decent speaker was capable of.

Usher cp-6311 < bettered the Roksans in every way, the gateway and into the Usher family, amazing natural, unforced and musical sounding, I loved these.

[Andrew B]

In no particular order
Linn Isobarik
Naim SBL
Rega Ela
Spica TC50i S.E.X.
Spica Angelus
Dynaco A25x
Apogee Centaur
Audio Note/Snell J
Audio Note/Snell K
Impulse H6/Lali

[Joe]

I've only ever owned five pairs of speakers (and still use two of them).

The most enjoyable are those two: Audiovector Mi3 Signature and Harbeth P3ESR. The Goodmans RB35s were fun till one of the bass units failed, and the Mordaunt-Short 20s were a reliable stand-by pair for about 25 years. The only ones I have less than fond memories of are the Castle Chesters, but this was probably a room/speaker mismatch rather than any failing in the speakers themselves.

[Tarzan]

Not owned ten pairs of speakers, but 2nd favourite go to ProAc Resonse 2S, amazing speaker, but my fave up until this day is...........

Harbeth Compact 7ES2, a fantastic speaker- it must be l had it for yonks!:cool:

[pjdowns]

I also have not owned 10 pairs of speakers but have enjoyed all the ones I have bar 1

1. IMF ALS40 (Single speaker in mono as the other had blown!!)

2. Homemade 1970's Large Stand mount speakers (Ok sounding but crap design)

3. Wharfedale Diamond II (Brilliant little speakers that my parents bought me for my 14th Birthday)

4. Rega Kyte (I hated these speakers, bought them purely on reviews and it was a big mistake, utter tosh!)

5. Linn Nexus LS250 plus Ku-Stone stands (I loved these speakers, yes they were rather coloured but great with Pop and Rock music :))

6. Epos ES14 plus dedicated stands (My first 'proper Hifi' speakers and still love and own them :))

7. Wharfedale IV (Always harked after these but couldn't afford them so recently bought them for my second system :)

Paul.

[istari_knight]

Just goes to show, different strokes for different folks - I really like Kytes but always hated Wharfedale Diamonds !

[pjdowns]

Just goes to show, different strokes for different folks - I really like Kytes but always hated Wharfedale Diamonds !

Very interesting :lol:

Personally I found the Rega Kyte speakers to be shrill and overly sibilant making them unbearable for longer listening sessions where as the Wharefedales (that they replaced) were a lot more laid back in their presentation...

What I forgot to mention was that I moved from Yamaha CR-600 (1970's receiver) powering the Wharfedale Diamond II speakers to an Audiolab 8000a amplifier powering the Rega Kytes... I am sure that would have undoubtedly contributed... the Audiolab whilst IMHO was a very good amplifier, it did tend to be a little bright when partnered with brighter ancillaries!

Paul.

[The Grand Wazoo]

.. the Audiolab whilst IMHO was a very good amplifier, it did tend to be a little bright when partnered with brighter ancillaries!

Well the Yamahas of that era can sound a little thin too, if you're not careful with what you match 'em up with

[pjdowns]

Well the Yamahas of that era can sound a little thin too, if you're not careful with what you match 'em up with

Really Chris?

I found quite the reverse, certainly the CR-600 I thought was quite a warm sounding receiver in it's overall presentation... Certainly it didn't come close to the Audiolab 8000a in term of sheer musicality or soundstage but it was certainly a warmer sound...

[The Grand Wazoo]

I've heard them sounding exactly like that - not a problem I've ever had with my 1020. I suppose some people might call it too clean?

[pjdowns]

I've heard them sounding exactly like that - not a problem I've ever had with my 1020. I suppose some people might call it too clean?

I would love to hear a 1020... they were the one to beat back then (from what my Dad has told me anyhow ;))

[pjdowns]

Whilst it may sound a little coincidental, my love for the warmer sounding Yamaha compared with the more clinical Audiolab led me to the Exposure path... they are a much warmer sounding beast but with all of the detail and then-some :)

[RobbieGong]

Mission 752 Freedom - Detailed, balanced, musical and non fatiguing hence I love 'em and still 'av 'em :)

[chelsea]

Snell & audio notes

[Oldpinkman]

Likewise, I can't find 10

I have a huge great big soft spot for the Spendor BC1 - keep nearly buying a pair, but much as I loved them, they don't really take me forward from the testicals
I would really like to hear some of Andrew Jones (Owens twin brothers) TAD speakers one day (and hopefully will get to do so)
Actually, on that one, would be interested in the "signature" cheapies Pioneer sell in the states, and have a much better prospect of getting a pair of them over. (Still remember his "washing machines" at his house near me - B&W DM70's)
The ESL63 and stacked Quad 57's
And an oddball - bright and brash, but an honest little fella in a well balanced budget system (I stuck a pair in some really fancy systems) - the Keesonic Kub!

[Barry]

10 Speakers?! :scratch:
I've only ever owned two (OK, four overall with my second system), though I have heard several others in other systems.



My own:

System 1

Wharfedale RS8/DD drivers in a home built ~ 1.5cu ft distributed port cabinet, as recommended by the manufacturer.
My first 'hi-fi' speaker and sounded a lot better than many bought by my fellow contemporaries. Passed on to my late father.

Quad ESLs (so-called ‘57s).
Not perfect, and with many shortcomings. But what they do well, they do very well. And what they don’t do as well, is not important to me. They will be with me for life: I think that well of them.


System 2 (used for AV duties)

Eltax speakers
Given to me for free. Probably no great shakes if used solely for hi-fi, but good enough for AV duties.

Replaced by B&W DM2a speakers. Much better, but are too large. Would prefer DM3s or perhaps Rogers 7 (or even LS3/5As, if they didn’t fetch so much).



What I have heard (in other people’s systems) are the following:

Spendor SP1 (?).
Good bass, good mid. Reasonable soundstaging, but no reason for me to consider replacing my Quads.


Celestion 66
Again, good and accurate response. Can’t really comment on the sound staging or dynamics.


Lowther Acousta with PM6 drivers
Superb attack and transients, good sense of dynamics but coloured as hell!


Cambridge R50s
Superb transmission-line design. Thunderous and tight bass, but questionable sound staging and dispersion.


Impulse H2s
"A Lowther for the ‘90s". Again good transient attack, good bass, but like many horn designs, a coloured mid and bass.


Tannoy DC 15 Golds in Lockwood cabinets
Used as monitors in recording studios, so come with a certain amount of kudos. As far as monitors are concerned, they do an excellent job without being overtly analytical and sterile as some ‘professional’ monitors can be. They have excellent bass, mid and treble (if slightly coloured) with superb dynamics. From what little I have heard, the focus and sound staging is adequate.


Mordant-Short Pagent 2s
A ‘soft’ sounding speaker, with no real vices. Would recommend these to anyone looking for a ‘good sounding’ stand mounted small speaker.



Heard elsewhere, in dealers showrooms and at audio fairs:

Gale 401s
As bright and as coloured as their chromium plated end caps might suggest. Suspect I was not hearing them partnered with the most sympathetic of amplifiers.


Mission 770s
Quite liked these, though not enough to deviate my allegiance away from the Quad ‘57s.


Linn Isobariks
Quite possibly the worse speakers I have ever heard! The version I heard was the first, and they might have improved in later versions, but I can only report what I heard.

Good on pace, rhythm and timing (though transient attack was only average), tonal accuracy fair, focus and sound staging lousy! I heard these speakers on two occasions: once in a dealer’s, and the second at an audio show. On both occasions I was unimpressed.

Linn’s philosophy at the time was that ‘pace rhythm and timing’ was all that mattered and focus and sound staging were irrelevant (as was tonal accuracy) – well the early versions of the Isobariks certainly exemplified their philosophy! Me, I just suffered motion sickness from listening to the instruments ‘swimming about’!


Rodgers LS7s
Mounted on stands, these are a delight when fed with simple, small-scale music: chamber quartets, singer/guitarist folk music etc.


Audiostatic ESLs (Sorry I have forgotten the model number)
Superb: good bass, good tonal accuracy, good transient performance, good focus, good soundstaging. In fact, had I not already been in possession of Quad ‘57s, I would have seriously considered purchasing these.


Of course I have heard many other speakers, but they have either 'fallen by the wayside' or have made little impression on me.

[Lee1976]

Epos ES14 great speakers did nothing wrong at all.
Livingvoice Auditorium not the best bass but they had some kind of magic.
B&W Matrix 802s3 good speakers that hit hard and good mids but could get on my nerves after a long listen.
HSM's big stand mounter with a big sound. Great drive and detail from mid and top. a remarkable speaker.
Ruark Verious Enjoyed all the Ruarks a very easy listen.
Snell K what a stunning little speaker in the right system they are a true star.
Snell C big old Snells 3 way. great intergration with the magic of the LV's and some. Great bass deep and tight. They are my current speakers.

[jandl100]

....Audiostatic ESLs (Sorry I have forgotten the model number)
Superb: good bass, good tonal accuracy, good transient performance, good focus, good soundstaging. In fact, had I not already been in possession of Quad ‘57s, I would have seriously considered purchasing these......

That would probably be the DCI.
Yes, fab speakers, I kept mine for quite a while ... until I got fed up with the slow bass rolloff which seemed to start at about 200Hz!
Impossible to integrate with a sub for that reason, too.
Ah, well - onwards and onwards. :)

http://www.hifi.nl/gfx/audiostatic_DCILT_310303.jpg

[Barry]

Hi Jerry,

Yes, those look like the ones I heard at an audio show. Not sure if Audiostatic (a Dutch company) are still in business.

[Oldpinkman]

+1 btw for the isobarik as the worst. Honest that's not just cos they were linn. You got it in one barry. They left you seasick, or looking for the room the music was playing in:mental:

[Gordon Steadman]

Sure is difficult this.

er.......... Quad 57s might get a look in.

KEF101 - maybe not as accurate as the LS35a but I reckon they are more fun
Rogers 149
Celestion Ditton15

Those are the only ready made speakers I have ever owned. All the others have been home built.

[bossjw]

In no particular order:

Totem Arros
Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grand
Elipson Planet
Audioplan Kpntrapunkt
Audioplan Kontrast
Quad FRED
Audiostatic DC1
Finale 400
Tannoy Dc700
Snell J II

And all very enjoyable and most in the "why did I change??" category!

[walpurgis]

Tannoys

Previously:

IILZ (3 pairs)
Chatsworth Gold
Cheviot HPD 315A
Eaton HPD 295A (5 pairs. Lovely little speakers)
System 1000
System 800 (3 pairs)
System 600
i6
i12
DC 1000

Currently: Cheviot II (3128 drivers) easily the best to date.

I've also owned speakers by Cura/KEF/B&W/Proac/Magnat/Celestion/Goodmans/Studiocraft/Fisher and many, many, more including home built systems.


Not exactly a list of ten, unless you just include my previous Tannoys.

[istari_knight]

Here's some of the speakers I've owned... I say some as I can't 100% remember every single one :doh:

I've starred those I remember most fondly... Listed in no particular order:

Sanyo bookshelf jobbies
Wharfedale Diamond 1
Wharfedale Diamond 3
Wharfedale Programme 30D
Wharfedale Diamond 8.1
Wharfedale Diamond 8.3
Wharfedale Linton 3XP
Wharfedale E70
Kef Cresta 10
Kef Corelli
Kef Choral
Kef Reference 103.4 *
Denon SC-M51
Denon SC-M2
Celestion Ditton 15
Celestion Ditton 33
Celestion Ditton 44
Acoustic Energy Aego M
Acoustic Energy AE100
Mordaunt Short MS-902i
Mordaunt-Short MS-914
Mordaunt Short MS-202
Mordaunt-Short MS-206
Mordaunt-Short MS-816
Mordaunt-Short MS20i
Mordaunt-Short MS25i
Mordaunt-Short MS-30i
Mordaunt-Short CS1
Mordaunt-Short Carnival 2
Mordaunt-Short Festival 2
Mordaunt-Short Pageant 2
Jamo D-165
Technics SB440
Technics SB-EX2
Tannoy DC200
Art Stiletto 6
Rogers LS3/5A *
Rogers LS4a
Rogers LS6
Eltax Symphony 6
Eltax Monitor 3
Quad 12L
Monitor Audio B1
Monitor Audio BR1
Monitor Audio BR2
Monitor Audio Silver S5 *
Monitor Audio R352
Monitor Audio Monitor Gold 2
Sony APM-20ES
Sony APM-22ES
Sony SS-G3
Sony SS-A1 *
Neat Critique *
Neat Mystique
IMF TLS50II *
Rega Kyte
Rega Ara
Rega Ela *
Royd A7
Royd Eden
Royd Minstrel
Royd Apex
Royd Merlin
Royd Sorcerer *
Linn Nexus
Linn Keilidh
JPW Mini Monitor
JPW AP2
JPW AP3
JBL L90 *
JBL TLX70
Cerwin Vega! VE12
Acoustic Research AR94
Acoustic Research AR4xa
Acoustic Research AR2ax
Acoustic Research AR3a *
Acoustic Research AR18s
Goodmans Magnum K
Goodmans Magnum K-2
Goodmans Magnum SL
Goodmans Axiom 301
Gale GS301
Naim Credo
ARC 101
Mission 760i
Mission 780SE
Mission 751
B&W DM2
B&W DM4
B&W D5
Castle Richmond 3i
Castle Durham
Castle Conway II
Epos ES14
SD Acoustics SD3R
SD Acoustics OBS

[walpurgis]

Is that all James? ;)

A sad shortage of Tannoys. Did the DC200s put you off? I'm not surprised, they are pretty dire.

How many on your list have you still got?

(the TLS50 and AR3a speakers would be my pick out of your list)

[Barry]

+1 re. the AR3a and AR2ax speakers. :)

[istari_knight]

Is that all James? ;)

A sad shortage of Tannoys. Did the DC200s put you off? I'm not surprised, they are pretty dire.

How many on your list have you still got?

(the TLS50 and AR3a speakers would be my pick out of your list)

Hehe, it may look like quite a few but most are budget models. Yes the DC200's are best forgotten ! I would like to try some "proper" Tannoy's but things just haven't come together yet... I'm sure their time will come ;) Of those listed I still own the B&W D5 & Monitor Audio B1... I'm currently in the market for another pair of speakers but haven't decided which direction to take yet. The D5's are doing a sterling job whilst I make up my mind.


+1 re. the AR3a and AR2ax speakers.

Currently one of the biggest bargains in retro hifi IMO. I do wish a current manufacturer would produce a proper sized, 3 way acoustic suspension standmount... With modern driver tech I daresay they could be quite superb but we'll just have to make do with the still rather spiffing originals :)

[Macca]

. I do wish a current manufacturer would produce a proper sized, 3 way acoustic suspension standmount... With modern driver tech I daresay they could be quite superb :)

Very much agree. If they could be retailed at under a grand they would be first in a field of one.

[Gordon Steadman]

Here's some of the speakers I've owned... I say some as I can't 100% remember every single one :doh:

I've starred those I remember most fondly... Listed in no particular order:


Blurry 'ell, I thought we were talking ten!!! I haven't broken double figures over an entire lifetime. maybe I was lucky to find my perfect speaker early on.

Quad 57.





JR149
Kef 101
Kefkit - can't remember number - usual three drivers.

[walpurgis]

I still own the B&W D5

Well worth hanging onto. Better than the DM4 which remains a popular 'classic' (for reasons I can't fathom).

[istari_knight]

They're not bad at all - I do [did] like the DM4 but despite being a technically inferior design the D5 has the musical edge which at the end of the day is what its all about.

[loo]

Tannoys

Previously:

IILZ (3 pairs)
Chatsworth Gold
Cheviot HPD 315A
Eaton HPD 295A (5 pairs. Lovely little speakers)
System 1000
System 800 (3 pairs)
System 600
i6
i12
DC 1000

Currently: Cheviot II (3128 drivers) easily the best to date.

I've also owned speakers by Cura/KEF/B&W/Proac/Magnat/Celestion/Goodmans/Studiocraft/Fisher and many, many, more including home built systems.


Not exactly a list of ten, unless you just include my previous Tannoys.

Now there's a man that knows what he likes :clap:

[mr sneff]

Here's some of the speakers I've owned... I say some as I can't 100% remember every single one :doh:

I've starred those I remember most fondly... Listed in no particular order:

Sanyo bookshelf jobbies
Wharfedale Diamond 1
Wharfedale Diamond 3
Wharfedale Programme 30D
Wharfedale Diamond 8.1
Wharfedale Diamond 8.3
Wharfedale Linton 3XP
Wharfedale E70
Kef Cresta 10
Kef Corelli
Kef Choral
Kef Reference 103.4 *
Denon SC-M51
Denon SC-M2
Celestion Ditton 15
Celestion Ditton 33
Celestion Ditton 44
Acoustic Energy Aego M
Acoustic Energy AE100
Mordaunt Short MS-902i
Mordaunt-Short MS-914
Mordaunt Short MS-202
Mordaunt-Short MS-206
Mordaunt-Short MS-816
Mordaunt-Short MS20i
Mordaunt-Short MS25i
Mordaunt-Short MS-30i
Mordaunt-Short CS1
Mordaunt-Short Carnival 2
Mordaunt-Short Festival 2
Mordaunt-Short Pageant 2
Jamo D-165
Technics SB440
Technics SB-EX2
Tannoy DC200
Art Stiletto 6
Rogers LS3/5A *
Rogers LS4a
Rogers LS6
Eltax Symphony 6
Eltax Monitor 3
Quad 12L
Monitor Audio B1
Monitor Audio BR1
Monitor Audio BR2
Monitor Audio Silver S5 *
Monitor Audio R352
Monitor Audio Monitor Gold 2
Sony APM-20ES
Sony APM-22ES
Sony SS-G3
Sony SS-A1 *
Neat Critique *
Neat Mystique
IMF TLS50II *
Rega Kyte
Rega Ara
Rega Ela *
Royd A7
Royd Eden
Royd Minstrel
Royd Apex
Royd Merlin
Royd Sorcerer *
Linn Nexus
Linn Keilidh
JPW Mini Monitor
JPW AP2
JPW AP3
JBL L90 *
JBL TLX70
Cerwin Vega! VE12
Acoustic Research AR94
Acoustic Research AR4xa
Acoustic Research AR2ax
Acoustic Research AR3a *
Acoustic Research AR18s
Goodmans Magnum K
Goodmans Magnum K-2
Goodmans Magnum SL
Goodmans Axiom 301
Gale GS301
Naim Credo
ARC 101
Mission 760i
Mission 780SE
Mission 751
B&W DM2
B&W DM4
B&W D5
Castle Richmond 3i
Castle Durham
Castle Conway II
Epos ES14
SD Acoustics SD3R
SD Acoustics OBS

SOME of the speakers you've owned?

[loo]

Here are some I remember well

Wharfedale Linton
Kef Concerto
Cyrus bookshelf things 780 based I think
Epos ES11
Epos ES14
Rehdeko RK115/5
Rehdeko RK50/4
ML Ascents
Quad ESL 57
Quad ESL 63

I still have 4 of the above
Paul

[quickie]

Audio Physic Virgo 3
Mission 752
Epos ES11
NVA Cube 2
Celestion 3
Impulse H6
Royd Doublet
AR Red Box
Goodmans Maxim 2
Mission 70 mk2

[istari_knight]

SOME of the speakers you've owned?

Just dont ask me to list amps as the list will be twice as long :o

[Haselsh1]

IMF Super Compact
QLN Mk1
Linn Kan Mk1
Rogers LS3/5a originals
Castle Harlech
Audio Note AZ-2's
Dali Suite 2.8
Dali Ikon One Mk1
KEF Q500

OK I know that's only nine but that's all I have ever owned since getting into hi-fi in 1978.

[dgolh]

Three last ones :
- OB1 (nice but power hungry),
- SHL5 (very nice but I fancied a change),
- Devore Gibbon 88 (current, soooooooooo nice !!!)

[Rush2112]

Hi well not ten for me but here's the lust:

Mission 70's the original ones

Celestion SL6 the original copper tweeter one still in use and still great

Celestion SL600 awesome vocals but bass what bass !

B&W Matrix 805 with Slate Audio stands these are still remembered fondly

Sonus Faber Alecta Amators 1 and 2 with Iron Wood stands and a Gravis Subwoofer

The 2's and Gravis are my current speakers and won't be replaced untill funds allow for Wilson's or Martin Logan's Yes I know they seems a odd choice for either or !

[walpurgis]

Celestion SL600 awesome vocals but bass what bass !

Yes I had a pair of SL600Si for a couple of years and the bottom end was surprisingly good.

I bought my mint pair from a dealer in Watford for £200 and later sold them on eBay for £700 to a guy who was desperate for a set, not bad going really. He was happy and so was I.

[Rush2112]

Well the 600's did have some bass but not what I had from the 6's even with the Cliff Stone dedicated Foundation stands. I sold my pair to a friend who had bought a pair of 6000's cheap. Now if anyone tells you bass is not directional try listening to well set up 600's with 6000's it's a revelation !

[petrat]

The two that stick in my mind are, strangely, the biggest and smallest I've ever owned: my current Tannoys and a pair of Harbeth P3s.

[f1eng]

Monitor Audio MA3
Nightingale NM point 5
Harbeth P3ES/Xtender *
Proac EBS*
Yamaha NS1000*
Sonus Faber Extrema
Apogee Diva (active)
Goldmund Epilog 1&2*
Tune Audio Anima*
KEF LS50*

Still in stock *

[ff1d1l]

Mordant-Short Pageant ii's
Quad Esl 57's
Stacked Quad Esl 57's
Linn Isobariks
Gennexa lx5 pro
Celestion Ditton 15
Tannoy Monitor Gold 12" with Decca ribbons, silver crossovers.
JBL 4410
Repro Tannoy Autographs, Monitor Red drivers and crossovers
Urei 811's

[Rush2112]

Wow ! That's a real mix of design approaches to speakers. I can see I am not alone in the view that if it works for you then that's all that matters !

[The Barbarian]

I know JBL were popular over here but i did not know you could buy Urei speakers in UK! However i did own one of their Compressor/Limiters years ago..

[Rush2112]

I've heard the Mordant Shorts some time ago can't remember much about them but they can't have been bad or I am sure I would remember! The Quads in various guises but not heard them stacked ( I believe ARA of SME was a devotee of stacked Quads ) but always liked them. As for Isobarik's well a friend was a devotee but for me in an all linn activ crossover system etc they were just too full on! In a strange way I preferred his starter system of LP12 LVV A&R P77 feeding A&R A60 and Linn Kan's !

[The Grand Wazoo]

.......I believe ARA of SME was a devotee of stacked Quads

No, he didn't stack them. He used 63s in pairs arranged 90 deg to each other (L-shapes) with whacking great lumps of steel placed on top.
Before that, he used 57s in various arrays including one with 13 (or was it 17?) units arrayed in an arc across the front of the room.

[Barry]

No, he didn't stack them. He used 63s in pairs arranged 90 deg to each other (L-shapes) with whacking great lumps of steel placed on top.
Before that, he used 57s in various arrays including one with 13 (or was it 17?) units arrayed in an arc across the front of the room.

Before he used the 63s, ARA had used two quadruple-stacked 57s at the front and two sideways quadruple- (or it might have been triple-) stacked arrays at the rear.

[banjoman]

B&W DM5
JR149
Rega RS7
Epos ES11
Epos ES14
Proac D28s

And also a pair of tannoy Mercury speakers which were total budget speakers but, combined with a Cambridge Audio amp gave me lots of pleasure in my ealry days when I simply listened to music and not the hi fi!

[Yomanze]

Well, here's 5x in no particular order (of them all the Sorcerers are my favourites - at the moment!):

Amphion Argon2
Amphion Argon3
Royd Sorcerer (SE spec)
Royd RR3
Royd Sapphire MK1

[ff1d1l]

Wow ! That's a real mix of design approaches to speakers. I can see I am not alone in the view that if it works for you then that's all that matters !
Well...it does represent 40 years worth. So not a prodigious rate of change. I'm more interested in listening than box swapping, and in their way these are all great communicators. Not making the list were Wharfdale Dovedales, Wharfdale Lintons, Musical Fidelity MC4's and Tannoy DC2000's.
I had two sets of Bariks, one pair with
internal crossovers, one external. My folks have the internal pair, so I still hear them regularly. They're musical and enjoyable, even on the end of some nondescript sony receiver.
Ureis were sold in the british isles, but solely into the professional sector. I think a lot are still in use, but less for monitoring and maybe more for treating clients to an impressive playback. Jbl bought them out, and the b and c series have jbl drivers. The a's I have have selected Altec 604g's, with a sophisticated crossover which is hamstrung by limiters using bulbs and wire wound pots for treble levels. I mounted the crossovers externally and bypassed the 80s bulb bling and pots, reinforced the cabs and took out much of the fiberglass damping. They are very good now, and probably my favourite speaker.

[Barry]

I'm still recovering from seeing Linn Isobaraks placed in the same grouping of speakers that include Quad 57s ! :eek:

One of them are probably the worst speakers I have ever heard, and one of them is probably one of the best speaker systems I have heard.

[ff1d1l]

I'm still recovering from seeing Linn Isobaraks placed in the same grouping of speakers that include Quad 57s ! :eek:

One of them are probably the worst speakers I have ever heard, and one of them is probably one of the best speaker systems I have heard.

Thorens TD160, Sme 3009, Ortofon VMS20e (or maybe A&R P77?), Crimson Electric Pre and Power, Quad ESL's

or, a good few years later,

Lp12/lingo/modded bearing, Naim ARO, Spectral MCR signature, Krell KSL, Krell KSA100, Isobariks

(I'll just mention that compared with the KSA 100 into bariks ANY Naim amp of the time* would be wringing out the wee wee.....)

Er, ?




*and probably now too

[DSJR]

You know, I don't think I've owned ten pairs of speakers, but here goes on some favourites..

Epos ES14
Spendor BC1
Spendor BC2
ATC SCM20
ATC SCM20 ASL Pro
ATC SCM100A
AVI Positron
AVI N5
Harbeth HL5
Musical Technology Harrier SE's

Actually, I've owned a few more goodies

Linn Isobariks (two pairs)
Yamaha NS1000M's

And that's not forgetting the Keilidh's, Rega Alya's, Heybrook HB2's and B&O X25's (Dad ended up with the last three at different times), Snell E's (ugghh!), Kans (ugghh ugghh:)) and Audiomaster Image 1's and 2's


Fuggin' 'ell - you can add AVI Pro 9's (ugh ugh ugh 'cos they scream), Wharfedale Denton W20 (originals), which are delightful and cover their tracks so well so you don't think anything's wrong until you hear something more modern and Rogers LS5/9's, a not well loved BBC monitor design that NEEDS particular amp characteristics to sound half decent.


Barry, no two pairs of 'briks ever usually sounded the same, at least not until the later ones that used the revised KEF mid driver and the design was incredibly room-challenging. I personally feel that an active set especially (or a VERY carefully chosen passive set) and in a room they like, could sound incredibly good with the right amps, and CB Naim is NOT the right kind of amp for them in my opinion over thirty years later!

[hifinutt]

some hand made speakers by roland

focal 1028be , for vfm they are exceptional and so very natural

[loo]

Its Great to see so many people
having spent time with the Epos ES 14
surprised by the lack of certain brands though:scratch:
Paul