Which speakers are liked ? (if any)

[Ken]

I would like to know which speakers are liked by posters on this board.

Apart from the latest Quads ESL’s, some feint praise for some ATC, praise for Naim by Naim ‘trekies’, I don’t think I have read a thread that any speaker receives praise from more than a few posters. I have read plenty where they speakers slagged off.

Is this to be expected because speakers are probably the most variable item, being at the ‘end of the chain’ so to speak. Or is there a make that the majority actually like?

[johnhunt]

i like jm lab

[Shiner]

I like Dynaudio Contour s5.4

[Dev]

I like BIG speakers. Tannoys (the DCs), JBL, ATCs, Dynaudio and others. However, I thinks it's all down to personal preferences. If you can get an amp and speakers to gel, you have potentially a great system, there is no absolute right or wrong with speakers or I suppose with HiFi in general.

[Markus S]

The collective wisdom here is that for a speaker to be any good it must be

- a single driver/no crossover system
- physically small, for good dispersion
- have a bass driver of at least 15"
- have a Townshend super tweeter
- made in the UK
- made in the US
- electrostatic
- horn loaded
- actively driven
- digitally corrected, but not so you'd actually hear it
- supported by loads of Mana, which in turn must be located on superballs.

You see, this forum really knows what it wants.

[Dev]

Good summary Markus.

[I-S]

Hey, what happened to the transmission-line meadowlark mafia? :p

[JackOTrades]

Generally people have said lots of good things about several makes, if i remember correctly. Dynaudio for example, a brand that I got lots of good feedback on (and they aren't either UK nor US based!).

I put my vote on Sonus Faber. I know some people dislike their looks, but the sound (most important thing imho) is sublime (I would perhaps except the latest concerto series as not being as good as the former ones).

my 2p.
Jack

[Dev]

Hey, what happened to the transmission-line meadowlark mafia? :p
We are discussing speakers Isaac. :D.

[tones]

Let's hear it for LS3/5As and for active Linn Keilidhs - and for Quad electrostatics if I could afford them.

[julian2002]

as speakers have such an impact on the presentation of the music and these things are so subjective it's difficult to state more than a personal preference. i like b&w speakers, older small missions are ok.
transmission lines are the best in the world ever - at least i hope so.
cheers


julian

[PBirkett]

I like my Rega Ela's. Also like the lower range B&W (the higher ones arent to my tastes, TBH) and I also quite liked my old Mission bookshelfs.

[JackOTrades]

yes, my recommendation too. The B&W 601s were my first decent speakers and they were very good indeed.

Jack

[Lt Cdr Data]

I like proacs, sure they have a distinct sound, Stuart Tyler manages to make them all no matter the size and drive units have a very similar balance, and the sound is SOOO addictive, there are others equal or better, but the proacs are just so nice at what they do. AND I have had some tablette's, 3 or 4 generations, and they indeed get better with each incarnation, something you can't say about all newer things. In this case, its right.
I like any really that are quality, missions again seem to get things right, b/w. the drive units set the basic quality, the crossover how cleverly they fit together.

[technobear]

I think it fair to say that most of the major brands make good speakers (and a few bad ones).

At the end of the day it comes down to synergy with sources and amps. A speaker which is brilliant in one system may be poor in another.

I would say don't get hung up on the manufacturer. Listen until you find a sound you like and never mind who makes it.

[Mr_Sukebe]

I think it fair to say that most of the major brands make good speakers (and a few bad ones).

At the end of the day it comes down to synergy with sources and amps. A speaker which is brilliant in one system may be poor in another.

I would say don't get hung up on the manufacturer. Listen until you find a sound you like and never mind who makes it.

I'll go along with everything techno suggests. In addition you also need to take into account the room the speaker will work with and the music types likely to be played.

[Mr.C]

Personally I've been converted to transmission lines. From all accounts they are very, VERY difficult to get right, hence they aren't readily mass produced like the reliable reflex design. I heard a prototype pair several months back and I'm currently awaiting my finished, custom pair. I haven't heard any other speaker design which is so competent with all types of music.

[mudgey]

I have a pair of Spendor S3/5se's being used with a Sub,I think they are a great improvement over the original BBC monitor's. They easily fill my 12' X 18.5' room, don't be put off by the low efficiency, they are easily driven by medium wattage amps. I use a Cary Rocket 88 tube amp,wonderful.

Naim CD3.5 - Naim pre 32.5, Naim flatcap 2 - Rocket 88 - Spendor S3/5se
Inouye PLC, DIY Belden speaker and ic cables - ACI Titan sub :cool:

Bob

[mudgey]

Sorry about the spelling of Spendor, spewndor does not sound right :rolleyes:

Bob

[Ken]

Great to see more models "coming out of the woodwork so to speak".

Nice to see calls for Proac (my favourite small speaker), also for Transmission lines. I have had a pair for years, I would not part with them for anything. Kessler described them as the only speaker above the LS3/5A and below the Apogee Stage, that he would pay money for. But what does he know, I didn't even like him until his recent stand on cables.

[Ken]

Sorry about the spelling of Spendor, spewndor does not sound right :rolleyes:

Bob

I bet it does to Johnathon Woss.

[wolfgang]

But what does he know, I didn't even like him until his recent stand on cables.Is this a thread on cables now?

[wadia-miester]

I do respect the Quad 989's, not my speaker but good all the same, Egglestone Works Andra II's can be good, Those Merlin VSM's with the right gear can sound damn fine too. Properly done horns have a charm too.
The Meadowlarks and their BASSIC system is best implementation of aTransmission line I've heard by a long way. I don't do studio or big monitors, they serve a purpose, play music with other speakers though.
Apogee's are very good, just need a decent room for the 'Proper versions'
Some of the Vienna Acouastic stuff is good the Mahlar's are quite pleasing.
Plenty of good speakers out there, & plenty of tat too, speakers are just so personal, more so than front ends and women I'm lead to believe.

[bottleneck]

Apogee's are very good, just need a decent room for the 'Proper versions'
Some of the Vienna Acouastic stuff is good the Mahlar's are quite pleasing.
Plenty of good speakers out there, & plenty of tat too, speakers are just so personal, more so than front ends and women I'm lead to believe.

Ive got a lot of common ground with WM there.

I also have similar taste to DEV, enjoying large speakers, and some older models like Tannoy GRFs, Altecs, Vitavox's etc.

I like ribbons and electrostatics for mid/treble, but like conventional preferably large cones for bass.

I quite like Vienna acoustics, they get a lot right for a box speaker.

I always loved my living voices, like he Vienna acoustics they are both good to buy second hand and dont need big amps.

I love horns when combined with conventional bass cones too.

Basically its large bass cones for me, with the best quality mid/treble unit possible.

A pair of JBL K2s would be very nice please santa.

[Rory]

JM Labs are nice sounding speakers- amongst the best treble i've heard and soundstaging is fairly awesome :p

I have a soft spot for Mordaunt Shorts too, having owned 3 pairs they are great fun but the ones i've heard have lacked that certain last bit of finesse. They have some new £3.5k Performance 8's out now which may be worth an audition

Best speakers i've ever heard are the Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors. Quite simply awesome mid and treble response. I'd be happy with some :)

[wflem007]

Dynaudio, ATC, and here's one for the mix, Triangle

[Rory]

i'd like to hear some Triangle speakers actually. They are supposed to sound not unlike their other French counterparts, JM Labs....

[merlin]

I'm with Bottleneck here, although some very expensive horns do sound very similar to Electrostatics IMO. Big Bass cones! Low distortion high level bass is so addictive.

I really don't like the majority of modern speakers. Voiced from the top down, they seem to have lost their way to me over the last decade or so crawling all over the altar of perceived detail.

Exceptions to me exist courtesy of Proac, Harbeth, Vandersteen and a few others. Maybe I'm just too nostalgic!

[wflem007]

Rory

Heard the Triangle Zeruis 202 - very very very good - music just kinda leaps out at you, feet tapping all over the place............

I'm saving for a pair of ATC 50's but in the meantime I was looking at a second hand pair of Audio Note AN-E Silvers. Real butch masculine speaker size wise.

Trouble was, when I heard it I was underwhelmed totally. Played several tracks through it (powered by MF combo cdp and a big b*stard KWP thingie)

Dealer said, listen to these and he brought out the Zerius - bloody hell, within the first couple of bars I knew Triangle had got it right for me. Music just flew out from them.

Going back again this week and if it rings my bell again, well, er, I'll answer the door then.

[wolfgang]

Ok I got the hint. Not everyone ready for a cable debate yet again.


The best musical sound I have heard is the one in my living room. Thing is it could be anyone make of loudspeakers that happens to found its way here. However, it is after some different premutation of loudspeakers and furnitures arrangement. Once found it is best to leave it be and enjoy the music and not listen for the sound of the louspeakers and the rest of the hifi toys. Just listen to the musical notes and programme. Try to understand what the composers and musicians is doing for a change.

[BerylliumDust]

If you don´t want the whole truth then you can have half of the truth with Dynaudio C1´s.

[merlin]

Yep BD, I think the C1 is just about the best small standmount on the market at the moment. But geez don't you pay for it!

[michaelab]

And if you want to know what it´s like to have knitting needles stuck in your ears you can always try a pair of Yamaha NS1000Ms :D

Michael.

[Sgt Rock]

Yep BD, I think the C1 is just about the best small standmount on the market at the moment. But geez don't you pay for it!

How much then merlin ?

[amir]

I love Dynaudio . i listened it in A/B comparison with sonus faber (20000$)
Dyns don't lie, i believe
Dyns are best, i believe
Dyns are my choice
but if you have highend amp/source Dyns should be for you

[oedipus]

Apart from the latest Quads ESL’s, some feint praise for some ATC, praise for Naim by Naim ‘trekies’,


I own Quad 989's and they are, by a fair margin, the best speaker I've heard.

I also own a pair of ATC active 50's ...

If the naim forum is anything to go by, naim owners are not rational people, so their prediliction for naim speakers (and components) is probably misplaced nostalgia or brand loyality.

MF

[amir]

Quad have the best midrange definition i think

[merlin]

How much then merlin ?

yours for a mere four grand sir :(

A miniturised version of the Evidence Master IMO, but miniturised never the less

[Sgt Rock]

yours for a mere four grand sir :(

A miniturised version of the Evidence Master IMO, but miniturised never the less

Oh my god.

[Bob McC]

I have
System 1
IBLs active with Naim amplification.
Absolutely stunning speakers when driven actively. Their speed and clarity is unequalled. They provide a totally transparent view of the performance. Critics complain about their bass. Adherents maintain their bass is limited but clean with no overhang.

System 2
Rega Kytes.
Cracking little Kan type speakers available at a bargain price s/h and capable of showing what a 'big' system is capable of too.

Bob

[BerylliumDust]

I love Dynaudio . i listened it in A/B comparison with sonus faber (20000$)
Dyns don't lie, i believe
Dyns are best, i believe
Dyns are my choice
but if you have highend amp/source Dyns should be for you

Yes Amir. Dyns don´t lie, it´s true... but the Beryllium dust just tells the truth. What "lies" between is omission...

[mudgey]

I bet it does to Johnathon Woss.

Ken,

Sorry I have not heard of Jonathon Woss, must be some one on UK television. I have a nephew in Perth, I'm in Canada, but we are both from UK.

Bob

[Ken]

mudgey, it was probably a poor attempt at humour on my part.

Jonathon Ross (Woss) is on UK TV and BBC Radio, he is a little short tongued.

[Ken]

BerylliumDust,

How long have you had your NS1000’s

I have a pair that are currently in use more than any of the others that I own.

I think that the mid range and top end are in a league of there own as far as cone speakers are concerned. However even though they have 12” bass units I find they are a just a little bass light.

Have you had the crossovers checked out, when I bought mine they had three leaking caps. I had the lot replaced.

Take no notice of those who cannot hear. :rolleyes:

[leonard smalls]

JBL K2s for me - as soon as my Dittons give up the ghost (which at this rate will be at about the same time as the Sun goes supernova..)

[Lawrie]

Personally speaking, I'd say Sonus Faber, Vienna Acoustics, Proacs & Quads. Just my 2dB.



Enjoy the music,

Lawrie.:D

[A0S]

I have a pair of Spendor S3/5se's being used with a Sub,I think they are a great improvement over the original BBC monitor's. They easily fill my 12' X 18.5' room, don't be put off by the low efficiency, they are easily driven by medium wattage amps. I use a Cary Rocket 88 tube amp,wonderful.

Naim CD3.5 - Naim pre 32.5, Naim flatcap 2 - Rocket 88 - Spendor S3/5se
Inouye PLC, DIY Belden speaker and ic cables - ACI Titan sub :cool:

Bob

I have S3/5Se too :) though without the sub.
They still sound fab in my 12' by 10' room driven by a Sonneteer Alabaster


Andrew

[lAmBoY]

In my limited experience (and in no particular order), Id say Amphion, Vienna Acoustics, 7V (well, he is an old aquaintence and I did like them at the show last year), Usher, Sonus Faber (I do like the crem aud) and hopefuly Totem after I hear em next week.

[3DSonics]

Hi,

I would like to know which speakers are liked by posters on this board.

Hmm. That is like asking a bunch of blokes which girl they want as Girlfriend. Once you discount the ones that seem related to hankering after what you can't get (make mine a Cameron Diaz & Halle Berry Sandwich with me inbetween as filling if I may) it is mainly related to what they know and have. That are a lot of different answers.

Is this to be expected because speakers are probably the most variable item, being at the ‘end of the chain’ so to speak. Or is there a make that the majority actually like?

The problem with speakers is manifold. The majority of HiFi/HighEnd Speakers work according to principles that make them comparably unsuited to high fidelity reproduction under domestic conditions. Given that practially ALL of them are griviously wrong, it is mostly a question of which particular wrongs don't spoil your enjoyment.

I have two possible theories why I like single driver, high sensitivity dipole speakers so much:

1) Because they are actually closer than practically anything else to giving good reproduction under domestic conditions.

2) Because I grew up with big wooden open back Valve Radios using Full Range Drivers which to me sounded ton's better than the later transistor stereo thingeys.

I actually do suspect a little of both, I do have sound (ouch) acoustical reasons to claim superior performance but no doubt acoustic programming throughout childhood plays a part, as does my taste in Music/Recordings (I consider most modern recording unuttereable Sh!te and like a lot of early stereo stuff fom the late 50's to mid/late 60's best, both recordings and performances)....

Probably not what you wanted to know, but I thought I'll tell you anyway :-P

Ciao T

[7_V]

... The problem with speakers is manifold. The majority of HiFi/HighEnd Speakers work according to principles that make them comparably unsuited to high fidelity reproduction under domestic conditions. Given that practially ALL of them are griviously wrong, it is mostly a question of which particular wrongs don't spoil your enjoyment.
Absolutely right.


... 2) Because I grew up with big wooden open back Valve Radios using Full Range Drivers which to me sounded ton's better than the later transistor stereo thingeys...
Isn't that strange though? It was clear to many of us that something was lost. Personally, I think I excused the transistor stereo thingies by telling myself that they were more 'accurate'.

My first hi-fi experiment was to take a mono valve record player, fit a stereo cartridge and match it up with an old valve radio for the other channel. The system actually sounded pretty good for a while.

I then decided that both speaker drivers should fit into similar sealed cabinets which I duly constructed. The sound was awful.

I'd like to say that this was as a result of the inherent superiority of the open-back, 'dipole' design. Unfortunately, I suspect it was the result of completely ignoring the drivers' T/S parameters, constructing the cabinets out of 1/4" ply and making them square. I remain convinced to this day that finishing them in pillar box red with gold tape trimming didn't help either.

Still, we learn and we move on.

My favourite speakers now? Well certainly nothing with crossovers cluttering up the mids, where they try to match disparate drive units. Quad ELSs are good and I like TL bass. Otherwise I must admit a bias towards my own designs which, considering I can choose my own compromises and design for myself, is perhaps hardly surprising.

[Quiksilver]

are Mission m71i any good?

[pjdowns]

I myself really Like Epos spearks.

I have some of the following

Epos ES-14
Epos ELS3
Epos ELS3C

[nicolap99]

See my signature, absolutely hooked on the ProAc sound.

I had Tablette 50's for ~ 6 years, saw mw through many upgrades.
For me, it just had to be the Response 1SC

[BerylliumDust]

BerylliumDust,

How long have you had your NS1000’s

I have a pair that are currently in use more than any of the others that I own.

I think that the mid range and top end are in a league of there own as far as cone speakers are concerned. However even though they have 12” bass units I find they are a just a little bass light.

Have you had the crossovers checked out, when I bought mine they had three leaking caps. I had the lot replaced.

Take no notice of those who cannot hear. :rolleyes:

In my setup I never felt that the 1K´s were bass light. I never checked out the crossover either.

[Flexo]

Meridian 507
Tag 60p & 10PA
Anyone recommend some good speakers for these electronics? Around £600 or less. Would consider higher model 2nd hand

Cheers

[Rory]

I myself really Like Epos spearks.

Epos ELS3


yes i like those too. cracking little speakers :)

[Tom Alves]

Any Totem speaker, Naim SBLs (active) and of course the Seventh Veil Nonsuch. Then PMC and Living Voice

[BerylliumDust]

In my setup I never felt that the 1K´s were bass light. I never checked out the crossover either.

Ok, I removed the 1K´s crossovers... look nice. I will chek out the electrolytics and replace them by polypropylene capacitors.

[nankin]

My Kef 105/4 for me as good as it gets.

The Nankin

[MO!]

Meridian 507
Tag 60p & 10PA
Anyone recommend some good speakers for these electronics? Around £600 or less. Would consider higher model 2nd hand

Cheers

Hi Flexo.

Welcome to the forum :)

You'd be better off starting a new thread and asking this.

You should also be a bit MOre specific.

What type of music do you listen to?
What's the room like they'll be used in?
What kind of sound are you after?

Also, many here prefer to buy second hand. Is this something you'd consider?

What are your current speakers, and what is it you're hoping to improve with a change/upgrade?

Cheers

MO :)

[Crustyloafer]

I really like my Acoustic Energy AE1 Mk3s. Cracking little speakers.

http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/products/reference/IMAGES/refweb2.jpg

[Ken]

Ok, I removed the 1K´s crossovers... look nice. I will chek out the electrolytics and replace them by polypropylene capacitors.


BerylliumDust,

Run a multimeter over them first there is no point in changing something that is OK.

If it's not broke don't fix it.

Mine were faulty, I could not purchase the same make as replacements, that is the only reason I had them all changed. (I used Solen as the only reasonably cost effective replacement).

[BerylliumDust]

Ken,

The electrolytics were all fine. The capacitors replacement has the single purpose of make it better (not equal). We´ll see...

It´s not a "pure" replacement (one for another), it´s something else...

I will remove the potentiometers too.

[mr cat]

I like my Kef Q4s - lovely clarity and soundstage, with a my velodyne giving decent lower support... :D

[analoguekid]

FCUK ME that sub looks enormous, family of four could live in that:)

[mr cat]

yeah, it's not too big tho....but hey, I won it, so I'm not gonna complain...!

[analoguekid]

Mr Cat I was not critiscising, just passing comment, great prize, how did you win it?

[michaelab]

I haven't replied to this thread yet as I don't think I have enough experience of different makes of speaker to have a worthwhile opinion. I think replying that you like your own speakers (as many have done) is a little pointless. Obviously I like my Dynaudio 1.3MkIIs but as I had a chance to buy them at an excellent price I didn't seriously audition anything else. I've heard other speakers in other systems obviously but IMO not enough times to be able to say whether I like or dislike a particular brand's qualities.

Michael.

[mr cat]

Mr Cat I was not critiscising, just passing comment, great prize, how did you win it?

don't worry! :D

I won it on another forum (www.avtalk.co.uk/forum) as they were offering it in conjunction with their new av classified website...
I've been slowly upgrading my system for ages now and when I bought my Kefs )which I git 1/2 price, second hand!) I was going to buy either a sub or some main speakers...lucky I made the right choice!

I've only had the sub since last friday..! :D

all I need now is the matching Q6c centre speaker and I'll be sorted for now!

edit - I know what you're saying Michael - just I don't have a great deal of experience of speakers (especially compared to some people on this forum), I just thought I'd say that I like my speakers....

[analoguekid]

Lucky barsteward,......enjoy:)

[bec143]

I used to love my Vienna Acoustic Bachs until I replaced them with Audio Physic Virgos.

[Audio nut]

The bigger the better for me!! How about the JBL 250ti (K2's would be nice), Tannoy Kingdoms or my personal favourites the Dunlavy SC V or Dunlavy model 6 :JPS: