Snell & audio notes
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Snell & audio notes
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!
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.
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.
That would probably be the DCI.Quote:
Originally Posted by Barry
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
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.
+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:
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.
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!
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.