Finding the BEST speaker, how to get there

[@sadge9697]

I have the KLH Model 5's and I absolutely adore them...BUT, I absolutely agree with Steve's main point here. The ONLY way to determine is a pair of speakers is going to work for you is to audition them in your listening room. Honestly, reviews have very limited usefulness in determining what might work for you. If you compare multiple different reviews of the same product, they can give you some clues, but they are no substitute for a home audition.

[@edmerkel2407]

My first speakers were KLH 354s, and everyone who heard them loved them as well. Henry Kloss did good work. I eventually was bitten by the 'upgrade bug', and sold them to a friend.

[@leolleiten4910]

You just nailed, no reviewer talks about how the speakers sound, to them, at LOW VOLUMES, I think it’s a huge deal for many of us.

[@orwhat24]

Another excellent point.

[@TracyJonesTraceElements]

I wanted to give them some more break in before I replied to this. They are opening up nicely- the bottom end is starting to really come in to its own and the mids are less shouty. That said, for lower volume listening, based on Steve’s review and discussion about tone controls, I bought the Schiit Loki+ 4 band EQ. It’s small and mighty and bi-passable. At low volumes I have added about 3 db to the low end and that gives that nice bit of fullness for lower volume listening. Highly recommend.

[@memcdm]

I have been seriously into audio reproduction for 50+ years and agree with your comments here totally. While assisting at a high end audio store as a "local audiophile" I learned quickly that folks have radically different listening preferences. At the shop we used to say "There's not a speaker so good someone won't hate or one so bad someone won't love." We offered to install audio speakers and systems in the customer's home. In the customers home, we would use real time analysis to measure the response and make recommendations for speaker placement and listening positions.

[@HouseofRecordsTacoma]

Steve speaks truth. I can only tell ya whats good for my ears.

[@mondoenterprises6710]

It's often about having the right speaker in the right room with the right kit.

[@mikeaustin3485]

I've been an audiophile since my early 20s. I am now 68. It was in the 1980s that I wandered into a hifi store and listened to my first Magnepan speakers. That was it. Since then I have owned a lot of Maggies. Now I have a pair of bi-amped 3.3s. They sound simply lovely. I have no desire at all to experiment with other speaker brands. That would be a waste of time, of money, of energy. I have found my speaker Valhalla and I am not leaving it.

[@orwhat24]

I totally understand.

[@thomaspoke8511]

Mike, thanks for that comment. Here I am at the same age but without your early 20’s experience because I had little money and lots of priorities. So I’d like to have a love affair with a pair of speakers and am willing to put down some serious cash but … pandemic, not many brick and mortar stores. I went to one and listened to a pair that will probably fit the bill nicely but … soon the pair of sales guys were upselling on this or that. Exhausting.

[@mikeaustin3485]

@@thomaspoke8511 I get that. Lots of nostalgic moaning about the lack of "brick and mortar" stores, but the other side of tis equation is that one now has---almost literally---an infinite choice available at a mouse click. Who could or would claim that driving around for hours and hours, visiting this store and that store, was an absolutely pleasant experience? Every piece of my audio gear, save for the Maggies (which I bought used in Argentina) was purchased on-line. Why is listening to speakers in a "brick and mortar" store somehow superior to doing research on-line? Does the listening room in the store bear any resemblance at all to your own listening room? There are so very many variables to selecting speakers. My solution is to build the system around Magnepans. The rest will take care of itself.

[@mikehuntington4440]

Went through a bunch of speakers over the last year. Settled on a single driver speaker, Omega super XRS 8. Not very popular....but I love them.

[@westernartifact580]

@kepler Mission, please go away

[@mattschmidt2164]

Steve, this is maybe your best video ever. I so wish you would do an "ok" video rundown of products that you brought in and didn't review because you felt they were just ok.

[@shanestephenson8423]

My point exactly where just as interested in why you don't like things as much as why you do.

[@ricklanders]

I'm sure he would love alienating tons of viewers by telling them how their speakers didn't make the grade, lol

[@shanestephenson8423]

@@ricklanders I guess that's the whole point of a review gaining knowledge to make an informed decision before you pull the trigger and buy something. I except it's part of the deal and the final decision should be made from a personal point of view when you audition the item and then your decision is your own.

[@jimbrunsman1011]

Steve makes a lot of sense as usual. I always tell people they shouldn't let anyone tell them what kind of sound they like. Everyone has different hearing and preferences. I find speakers endlessly fascinating. There are speakers that sound good in some rooms with proper placement while others don't sound right. Trying as many speakers as possible with your own electronics and cables in your listening room helps.

[@garyalexander5686]

Thanks for doing this one, Steve. Some years ago I had a relevant experience. I'd heard from several trusted sources that the DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Super 8 speakers were a great match with electronics I already owned, the Shindo Aurieges preamp and the Montille power amp. A pair of used Super 8 speakers became available locally. I bought them. I have never, before or since, had such an immediately negative reaction to a system in my home. To me, the sound was far too lean and tending towards bright. No amount of repositioning made them sound any better. My thought was that I had to be wrong since others had been so positive. Reaching the obvious conclusion that they just weren't for me didn't come until later. My default was that it was my fault for not hearing them "properly". This was ridiculous but it's an example of how easy it is to fool yourself.

[@grantfraser3156]

I bought my klipsch RP600M’s mostly on spec as I required a high sensitivity speaker but also brand and a positive review from an audiophile most certainly helped. I watched the Audiophiliac himself review them and I bought them without hesitation after that. I believed that I had found the right speakers for me at a price I could afford. I am not disappointed and I’m so glad I own a pair. I absolutely adore them but although I couldn’t guarantee I would, I just knew that I’d love them and love them I do. Thanks Steve, you’ve saved me small fortune with your knowledgeable rants (that’s why I’m a Patreon!) so please do rant some more and may they be many, many more to come.🥳👏👍

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks so much!

[@newfguy1826]

I had to chuckle listening to this video. I purchased a pair of Pioneer Elite SP-EFS73 speakers based on YOUR review. I have never liked these speakers and I can't give them away. I wish you had discovered this message before recommending the Pioneers which you assured would be free from regret.

[@alm5693]

I discovered pretty early on (when I could still hear speakers in person) that I wasn't a fan of Klipsch. I've loved Audiophiliac since I discovered it, but I can tell that I need to listen very specifically to Steve's speaker reviews because what he likes in speakers is very different than what I'm looking for. The KLH5's are still on my "consider" list, but I'm also getting really sick of evaluating online speaker reviews without having anywhere real to go check them out.

[@paulpavlou9294]

You hit the nail on the head Steve, “too many variables, room, electronics etc” but when you get it right (electronics, source and placement etc) even an average speaker can sound good. Or a good speaker can sound fantastic. I’m with Victor, Stax earspeakers all the way.

[@johnbradshaw5891]

Confirmation bias is a very costly game when following speaker reviews. Great stuff, Steve and so right. Only way to avoid the mistakes is use your ears, buy what you enjoy listening too and don't fall for "biased" reviews.

[@andyanderson3352]

I will always go by your recommendations ! You know what you are talking about.

[@davidbastow9319]

This is a super vid. Thank you! Buying speakers is going down a rabbit hole, even more if it's the "last" ones one intends to buy.

[@philippebertrand3820]

Exactly: I bought a pair of LS50 because all the reviewers' comments and sold them later because I never had any connection with them (despite the three amplifiers I hooked up with).

[@johnkeenan9495]

I'll be returning to KEF

[@PoulPetersen]

Last year I bought the Stirling sb-88. It didn't get any rave reviews, but for me it's the best speaker I have owned, and I have owned many.

[@bigblueocean]

Great speakers at Stirling.

[@ML-rm3vk]

speaker love is a personal thing just like a color of a car or your front door.ilove my dyna 25 0ld but i like it and it makes me smile.you are correct .ps old guy here thanks

[@gizzy2403]

Therein lies th rub, most of us don't live in or really close to major metropolitan areas where brick & mortar still exist. So, we have to listen to various reviewers that we feel are trustworthy & have similar taste as ourselves to make a decision on products. Really, it's great that brands like Klipsch are around since they seem to be a ' love it or hate it ' speaker that @ least we can gauge whether certain reviewers share our taste or not. I really do miss th brick & mortar a lot though🍻

[@dsyncd555]

The closest place I can listen to Klipsch is 3 hours away...

[@johndaddabbo9383]

I drove everywhere within a 4 hr radius in order to listen to a select group of speakers of my choosing. I ended buying from NJ and I live in CT. So yeah had I not made the effort to go so far and wide to find the speakers that "I" Love... Well, I wouldn't own them now would I. I can't imagine the past 10+ years without them... No, I absolutely wouldn't want that... Drive to Hell and back my Friend... whatever it takes to find just the speaker for YOU! You won't regret it :)

[@dsyncd555]

@@johndaddabbo9383 I started flying again recently and I see some cross country flights in the future.

[@johndaddabbo9383]

@@dsyncd555 Ahhh, there you go! No doubt opening up your options.

[@matt.pma.kresnaputra5458]

I wonder if that’s true about the population of his viewers. Mostly city or small town viewers?

[@donalddrewel7862]

I know they aren’t for everyone, but I love my Martin Logan electrostats.

[@huskydogg7536]

Lost a wife in a fight over my CLX’s in the late 80’s. Eventually moved to Quads.

[@donalddrewel7862]

@@huskydogg7536 Luckily I have a dedicated room for media so the wife acceptance factor is not an issue.

[@huskydogg7536]

@@donalddrewel7862 I do too now. It’s great!

[@yuriwalter1228]

Hey, Donald! Maybe you can help me. I'm considering the Aerius I, second hand, down here in Brazil. It will be quite an expense for me, so... I have a question: I read a lot that they are "room filling", and also that the sweet spot is narrow. How can it be "room filling" and have a "narrow sweet spot" at the same time? Or... maybe a better question would be: how do they sound when you're out of the sweet spot, doing something else (grabing a cup of coffee)? Good? Great? Any advice will be very helpfull. Thank you!

[@donalddrewel7862]

@@yuriwalter1228 I have the recent masterpiece series ESL 11A. So I can't speak to that particular speaker. Mine do have a fairly narrow sweet spot but they also fill my room..Off axis the center image does suffer. I hope this helps. Good luck in your audio journey.

[@davidthom7127]

You know what else changes over the years, everyone's ears. The first extensive listening I did, I found out I was a fan of the BBC sound. Later on in life my ears craved Rega musicality. Now my ears have changed, because my ears are not as satisfied and I need to find out again what my ears need now.

[@neddodds7117]

Excellent points. The difficulty today is that it is getting harder and harder to audition speakers at a dealer, much less at home. And, of course, dealers carry only certain brands, meaning that if you listen to one set of speakers at one place, you can’t be sure that listening to another set at a different dealer is apples to apples (different amps, rooms, turntables, etc.) In addition, many manufacturers have surprisingly few dealers. Krell, for example, is a legendary maker of well-reviewed high end amps, but you may have to drive or fly many hundreds of miles to hear them, assuming that you can get an appointment. This is not to single them out, just that they are so highly regarded yet hard to buy knowledgeably. There are dozens of others. The industry hasn’t really adjusted to the decline in outlets nor in audio shows, which are expensive and time-consuming to attend unless you live in the same city. I do think that local clubs can fill the gap to some extent but it’s hard to get involved with them for a limited purpose. You correctly note that relying on reviews only takes you a certain distance since every individual will have their own take. Sorry for the kvetching.

[@playbackvintagehifihunter9669]

I'm always going back n forth between modern and vintage just like I go back n forth between High Res digital and vinyl. But this is fhe greatest thing about our hobby! To be able to experience and experiment with different equipment is just as much fun as changing music tastes depending on mood.

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

Yup I find I like my speakers more and more over time too. 20 years and still manages to surprise me.

[@stephenhunt7197]

I am one of your subscribers that bought the Klipsch RP 600M on your review impressions and have not regretted the purchase for a moment. They are perfect for me in my 5.1.2 theater system. I also listen to them in stereo only mode and find them to be an excellent value. In my opinion, the “perfect” speaker cannot exist simply because the human ear in each head has many variables which makes every individual hear a different distinct perceived sound. I often wonder if reviewers were to provide the results of a hearing exam what an experience that would be! Keep up the excellent videos. Each is always a pleasure.

[@ythagakure]

And the truth shall set you free! Always listen for yourself and if possible see if you could try the speakers out for at least 30 days at your home so that if it doesn’t appeal to your first impression at the store you can always return it.

[@ismaelgonzalez1754]

Steve, I purchased a pair of Tekton Electron SE Bi-amp. Site unseen due to covid. They took almost 3 months to get. Steve I've had them now a few months, they keep sounding better every time I listen to them. Thank you for introducing Tekton to me!!!

[@redstarwraith]

I bought the Tekton Pendragons. I liked them well enough, but I got greedy and wanted more of what they did, so I moved up to the Tekton Double Impact SE's. Big mistake on my part. The DI SEs are way more expensive and (to my ears) did not sound as satisfying as the far lesser expensive Pendragons.

[@derrickblessel6884]

I had to wait 5 months for my Lores, then another 4 months till my grilles showed up.

[@redstarwraith]

@@derrickblessel6884 do you like them though? I have mixed feelings about Tekton.

[@derrickblessel6884]

@@redstarwraith I love them. They are set up horribly by audiophile standards, but I hear things I've never heard before.

[@redstarwraith]

@@derrickblessel6884 nice! I've heard nothing but good things about the Lores. One day, I'd like to get a good set amp and try their Perfect Set 15s.

[@aceofspades6667]

Agreed... I owned the Maggie LRS and loved them! We had another child and my listening room got downsized to a smaller basement bedroom which absolutely killed their quality thus I had to sell. It was the perfect speaker for me until it wasn't. I'm now interested in a Zu Dirty Weekend mk2 or Tekton Uruz which hopefully will perform in a small room near a wall off a SET tube amp.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

That should work!

[@scottyo64]

I really love my LRSs but I am getting ready to move and finding a place in my price range that can accommodate them is a challenge. They may end up being sold.

[@orwhat24]

I think the Zu vs Tekton question weighs heavy on lots of us. And I’ve held off on the LRS only because my room is wonky.

[@rolandlickert2904]

Refreshing in what you saying I fully agree with you aftet 50 years in Audio you do learn a bit the only speakers ever I buy without listen before was thre kappa 8/9 and lucky did not disappoint.

[@shanestephenson8423]

Hi Steve you make some good comments here. And I agree with you that there is a bit of a pack mentality when something is reviewed well. My criticism of your position and many other reviewers is that you have said that you won't do a bad review. But i believe this is letting down the people that you want to watch your channel. It's becoming increasingly harder to listen to equipment in your home. Which makes people like you more and more important to people like us. We need to know what you think about stuff that doesn't quite meet your standards as well. If you can explain your reasoning why then we have more knowledge to make a better informed decision. If all we have to read and watch are great reviews for things then how do we know what isn't good. Which I believe is just as important as what is good. Because surely there is gear that just isn't up to par out there. Yes I agree with you that people need to make their own mind up about what they like and don't. But I go back to what I said before sometimes it's very difficult to get good advice. We watch these channels to get unbiased opinion and honest reviews. If all of the reviewer's out there are too frightened of the backlash to give a bad or indifferent review then I believe all you're doing is letting down your viewers.

[@1959ludo]

I totally agree with you, not so long ago we had review of the B&W 606 anniversary speaker and 95% of the reviewers gave it a good review but one reviewer didn’t like them and I wanted to buy them but lucky enough I had a listen and I did agree with him for the same reason. The criticism that reviewer got was inhuman. I think that some of the reviewers are scared to give a negative review because they depend off the dealers to get there stuff so they can go on. Greetings Ludo

[@novicatoncic6908]

@@1959ludo you’re absolutely right and I agree with you! 98% of reviewers only cares about their $ and hifi spirit is gone!

[@shanestephenson8423]

@@1959ludo I'm not for one second saying it's not difficult because it absolutely is for a reviewer. But I just hope they don't lose sight of the fact that people are probably more interested in reading a bad or indifferent review than a good one. What do they say you never see a bad review. Us the consumer want to know why the reviewer thinks it isn't that good, because that might also resonate with us.👍🙂

[@shanestephenson8423]

@@mikepawntee2425 well that's more of ashame for all of us than it is for Steve. I must admit all this is making me these days just switch off. I just simply don't trust reviewers anymore, given the fact that they are either a too frightened to say anything negative or they will be getting paid some kind of kick back from the manufacturer. If they were a politician or a public servant this behaviour with have them fired. It's all very disappointing for the consumer unfortunately.

[@plaineaire]

20 years ago I walked into an audio dealer intent on buying a home theater system comprised of well reviewed components. All great components, but I just didn’t like the sound. I asked the dealer what my budget could get for a two channel stereo system. I walked out that day with speakers, amp, preamp and cables I’d never heard of and I still own that system. Nothing beats your preferences and your ears. BTW - Peter McGrath was my introduction to high-end audio. He recorded an orchestra I performed with and was always so generous of his time and knowledge and launched me on my life long love of audio.

[@Labor_Jones]

This is why I like you Dude. You are a Radical. You hear things differently and holistically. *TO ME this is ONE of YOUR Better REVIEWS!* I for one appreciate how you work, as much as your work. You obviously do Interviews to educate the public how things are engineered and not just the work (speaker, amp, turntable) are important; you might say you expose the Artist Art (how things came to be) to reproduce Art. - m.

[@EirkenElite]

I have gone through klipsch Bose Maggie's focal Wilson totem dyna Wharfedale energy paradigm...and many many more i cant remember...I started in the 80s...I have three pairs now harbeth 40.3 in my library, Martin Logan spires in my living room, and just replaced my ls50 with meta In my den took my like 20 years to be happy with what I got

[@JukeboxAlley]

Same here, owned many many sets, also have settled on the meta and gr research xls encore and no i dont need a sub, they suit me just fine, it takes alot of time and testing to see what you want for good. I do still like large floorstanders, 6 foot polks and maggies, just too big and mainly into bookshelves or midsized speakers nowadays, easier to move in and out.

[@karpen]

Well, I purchased the Klipsch RPM 600's based in part on Steve's review, and the praise of others. I did not have the opportunity to hear them prior to buying, and attempted to convince myself that I liked them, when alas, not so much. .They sound as described, but I learned that the sound is not what I dig...Lessons learned ? Not sure, but auditioning prior to purchase could help, but that doesn't guarantee a good match. Maybe this is why being into this thing of ours can become a friggin lifestyle!

[@ttrrs_o3498]

Oh Steve you’re a Genius I used to wake up to go to work and listen to my Bolivar 2 way speakers and it always put a smile on my face near field listening

[@mike-js1jj]

So true. I recently bought a pair of Tannoy Turnberry's and I think I love them.

[@greggawhite]

I remember Victor. Helped me select my first audiophile system back in 1997. It was a used Theil CS 3.6 pair and a Proceed amp and preamp combo. Victor played some tube amps for me which he loved but did not quite fit my needs at the time. I remember his calm yet confident demeanor as he walked me through my selection. If I had the budget, there were some Wilson Watt Puppies for sale at Peter McGraths store as well. Its's very cool that he shared his personal system with us.

[@garynewman2935]

I wonder how many of us need hearing aids. I found out I did. No matter how expensive the speaker is, without my aids they all sound like mud. After 46 years in the work force, working with and around all manner of landscape construction and maintenance equipment I found out I had virtually no top end hearing any longer. I recently bought a set of sennheiser hd800’s. I went headphone in deference to my neighbors. I have almost 1000 cd’s so I got a new DAC and transport, but it all sounds like mud unless I wear my $5000. hearing aids. Now my cd’s all sound like a million bucks. Love your show Gutt.

[@joesugarman1355]

Really wish you had done the review on the KLH 5 to help balance all the glowing reviews. Still don't know why there are so few negative reviews out there. It's a like a restaurant critic who loves every restaurant he/she eats at. As a viewer/reader, how can I tell the really good speakers from the mediocre ones?

[@ruk2023--]

Some stuff is just good. If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck then it's a duck.

[@yantrussart6584]

@@ruk2023-- yeah but some stuff is not so good, and we won't get to know if reviewers only do good reviews...

[@henrym78]

Stuff needs to get sold. Reviewers get products to review from companies therefore reviews are always biased.

[@ruk2023--]

@@henrym78 That's not really true is it. We can all agree that the Xbox is a good games console (even if you don't like gaming) and we can all agree that the iPhone is (objectively, even if you don't want one) a good phone. Do your research, if something is bad then someone will have said so. There's always someone prepared to break the status quo.

[@walterbushell7029]

@@ruk2023-- Ah, the real test is if it _REPRODUCES_ like a duck. 😂

[@johngutmanis3580]

Like a line from a Billy Joel song, “ Whatever flavor your into tonight” Hi Steve, you are very right about the right speakers for you! Because of you and several other reviewers I purchased Magnepan .7i and then the 1.7i speakers. I listened to home brewed speakers for years, Klipsch Cornscala. Except I used an 18” woofer, JBL horn, Selinium T405 and the stock Klipsch tweeter. Loved the sound for years. But because of the herd mentality I decided to go Maggie’s, which I love, but eventually purchased HerseyIV just because I was missing the horns so much. For me the Maggie’s are more Audiophile sounding to me, but I need a horn fix from time to time! I now average a week with Klipsch then a week with Magnepan. My preamp is McIntosh c50 with 8 band EQ that I use to tune the sound of each speaker. My amps are a McIntosh mc352 and a Carver Crimson 275 that recently replaced two aging PrimaLuna Prologue 4 amps. Right now I use the Carver with both speaker setups. But I know eventually down the line I am going to try the mc352 and say to myself “ wow that sounds fantastic, why did I not use this amp more” ! You should give the Carver Crimson a listen, great wide sound stage, and I actually think the amp actually does listen to my room through the speakers! I swear the Carver sounds so much better than the McIntosh to me right now, that in a few months I may sell the 352 and get a 2nd Crimson and mono them to 150 watts each.

[@antoniopalau]

I enjoyed your video, and regarding the viewer system of the day, I have many times had the pleasure of listening to Victor's system. He and I go a long way since we went to high school together, and back then he was already an audiophiliac. His passion for good music and working on his audio equipment is unique. Thanks for sharing.

[@lboogie9362]

Finally someone tells the truth. Most of these reviewers just jump on the band wagon especially for certain brands. Thank you steve for being honest appreciate bro

[@stringstorm]

I used to be into the whole expensive stuff but it got boring real quickly. Its gotten to the point where I feel like I'm working when I'm listening to hifi set ups when I just want to listen and relax. You could say that the magic has gone. Its gotten to the point where it feels all the same to me: Oh that one is bright, oh this one is warm, oh that one is neutral, oh this one is analytical, and repeat ad nauseam. I've downsized since then. I've found myself using an iloud for my daily speaker and a porta pro for my daily headphone. Amazing how something so small can sound good.

[@josephcarter4391]

Yes, I experimented with various well reviewed IEM’s. My porta pros are all I need for portable headphones, and they’re cheap. Trust your ears for sure!

[@vincentrenaud7249]

I agree Steve: Zu grow on you!

[@jo1512]

Tested: Q Acoustics Concept 20, 300, Dynaudio Special 40, Focus 160, Contour 20, Atc scm 11, 19, Pmc Twenty 5 22, Totem Tribe Tower, Paradigm Persona B, Zellaton Legacy, Buchardt s 400...... All good in a way but my end game speaker is after testing for over 5 years the Dynaudio confidence c1 mk2. Very good soundstage, very good instrument seperation, full bodied, perfect for long and low volume sessions. Bass is perfect integrated into the rest of the music information. Very detailed but still musical. Very good balanced. You can get the Dynaudio confidence c1 mk2 for like 2500 Euro on the used market.

[@kloss213]

Some of the reasons I build my own loudspeakers is because the market designs are hamstrung by profit margins shipping costs and having to have mass appeal since they are products. They also rarely use the best available transducers and parts and if they do it costs as much as a house.

[@kevinpayne3482]

Steve, you need to get to the speaker shop here in Buffalo New York. Awesome people, been there since the mid 70’s. Ask for Ed. Been going there for the last 25 years.

[@scofab]

Right on Man... too many people buy based on what comes out of someone's mouth, rather than what comes out of the speakers (amp/preamp/DA/whatever). Listen to as much as you can and buy what you like. Nothing else matters.

[@edwardcote1331]

all of my home theater speakers are upper end klipsch,but when it comes to just music my first and last are my beloved cerwin vega at15's.they get regular exercise and after all these years i still love them.horrible for a/v but they love classic rock.

[@edmerkel2407]

Steve, your reviews are priceless. I'm an old-timer living in an audio wasteland, where getting to preview anything means a long drive and hotel room. With that said, I've enjoyed your commentary for years. I'm about to jump back into audio...probably the Magnepan .7 speakers and either a Dayens Menuetto amp or Outlaw Audio 2160 Mk II for amplification. Even buying sight unseen (or ears unheard), I think it'll work out. Mostly thanks to you.

[@AtulSingh-ym5fq]

U are the one. The neo of the audiophile matrix.

[@greymurdock2]

Good topic. Thanks for sharing. I own the Elac debut and I appreciate their imaging but that’s it. But they are usually put on the back burner. As I connect with other speakers much more.

[@jasonreyes9504]

I have the 5.2. Imaging is great. Bass is good for its size. The highs are good but not great. Where I really find the speakers disappointing is the mid range. They just get lost. It’s much more v-shaped than every reviewer said it is. It’s described as balanced. I don’t find that to be true at all.

[@jamesromeyn8165]

Viewer System Spica Angelus speakers: loved the pair I heard at an audio shop in South San Francisco, CA. Played surprisingly loud, and within its range sounded amazingly good. Also owned the two earlier lower cost stand mount Spica models the TC-60 and TC-50. The TC-60 outperforms the already nice TC-50, but neither can hold candle to the mighty Angelus. Well done, designer Jon Baugh.

[@mr.b4444]

Great post. My favorite speaker from the mid 80's were the ESS AMT1b. Lost them in a divorce a few years later. Even the old Lafayette Electronics sold a couple of Criterion speakers that had the Heil drivers as well. I just loved that airy sound for jazz. ESS still makes them today but unaffordable. I have some LRS on order hopefully they'll capture the sound I'm looking for to work with my Outlaw RR2160 mkII.

[@johnkreutz3207]

Great video Steve. part of purchasing the speakers I have owned over the years is to go to a store dealer and experience the initial exposure from that perspective. I think I have finally found my sweet spot speaker 3 yrs ago when I traveled to a dealer who sells Magnapans. I did this even though Magnapan has a home trial period. The real time advice from the dealer helped in choosing the right model for my system and space. At last I found the sound that (as you say) I am looking for for my taste and situation. Thanks again Steve for all you do!

[@grendel7097]

One of your most important videos, Steve! 👍The best speaker or component is the one YOU like best. Be "the master of your own domain". Freedom of choice compels you to self-examine. That is the journey, and the destination ...

[@stephenbarrow3352]

So many variables, even our own ears.

[@tcalixto4v]

I became quite attached to Dynaudio speakers since I visited Sunrise Lab more than a decade ago, they were running a pair of Focus 220: It was unbelievable the sound that came out from such small speakers.

[@scottyo64]

I know this is an older video but I just watched it again. I bought a pair of Wharfedale 4.4s, my wife liked the way they look and I had heard wonderful things about them. They never hit me and I tried for over a year to like them. Well I decided to sell them and can't. 3 months later they are still for sale. I still get comments on how much better the 4.4s are than my Klipsch yet I get offers on my Klipsch but not the 4.4s. That speaks volumes

[@kennethdias9988]

What’s good is what You like what’s great is what Love

[@edmerkel2407]

Funny you mentioned the KLH Model 5s. Way back when, my first 'real' speakers were the KLH 354s. I'm thinking that was back in the late 70's, perhaps. I enjoyed them, and when I decided to upgrade to Merlins a friend begged me to sell 354s to him, so I did. But that was then. I'm not 'auditioning' speakers on the internet (no dealers within a reasonable drive), and don't have KLH on the list. You're the Man, Steve!

[@Extremesam43]

Absolutely. A good audiophile knows what the "herd"" is saying and will then decide based on what he or she is hearing for themselves. It`s definitely a learned process

[@afdk1]

I did buy my KEF R3's on reviews! Steve Guttenberg's review came out after I already bought them. I'm very happy with them in my system consisting of a Rotel RA-1592 and marantz CD-5004.

[@idray986]

One of my favorites. One day I'll get the reference ones

[@johnsweda2999]

I think I agree with you with the quads' detail and revealing but flat like 2D image on a piece of paper is that your expense Placement is a big factor in speakers what can take a long time to get right! but use rew in real time and adjust your speakers accordingly you don't need to use EQ the eq is in the Adjustment placement Steve

[@bubbleone6526]

Aww yes speakers. I can’t see paying 2k + for little bookshelves then having to pay another 2k + for a sub because they don’t have enough bass. Then you might have to buy another high power amp because the speakers efficiency is 92 db or lower. I’ll stick with my Klipsch La Scala’s and be done with it. Great video.

[@josephchamberlain3681]

I've been told La Scalas are a little thin in the sub basement?

[@ptbfrch]

My favorite speakers I ever owned were Snell E3s. Moved into a house where they didn't work, and listened to people reviewing Athena speakers, so I got a pair and I was super disappointed. That killed my interest for a while, and I sold them to someone who loved them. Go figure. Now I spent time figuring out what I like and landed on Dynaudio, and while I'm still nostalgic for that E3 sound, I'm really happy with them, and luckily they work in my new home still. That journey was about 25 years long.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

What a great video Steve! All about what touches you. Finding one's favorite pair of speakers is a soul-searching exercise... It's a great journey if you don't get frustrated along the way... À big part of it is about the synergy you get with the entire system... Thanks for the video!

[@timgreen7208]

I got into Hi-Fi again about 18 months ago. Based on a good in store demo I had Kef LS50 for a month, but they very quickly felt too bright at home, and started to hurt my ears. B&W 706 S2 were better but after 6 months still felt too bright. I have a NAD M10 and bought the full range Dirac room correction to try to tame the top end, but in the end it can't completely change a speakers characteristics. Finally I have been very happy with Spendor A1, not bright and a beautifully intelligible mid range. Dirac applied now is just the default version it calculates for the room, if the speakers are right you don't need to do a lot of fiddling.

[@Michael-bj4sz]

Steve, glad to see someone promote being honest to yourself rather than following the other sheep; another reviewer uses the phrase “know thyself”. I purchase the Buchardt S400 a couple of months before all the rave reviews started coming out. Those speakers were a problem from day one, then I saw all these great reviews and thought I must be missing something and tried everything you can imagine to make them acceptable. Well I failed, had to admit I made a mistake and sold them. Thankfully they had become so popular because of great reviews that I didn’t loose any money.

[@edselvillapando1528]

Hey Steve. First of all, I agree with you a 1000% on this. As audiophiles, I think we have an obligation to ourselves to audition speakers that interest us even at least a couple of minutes so we could have an idea on what we're buying. But here's the thing. From where I live, all I could say is, it won't be a joyful experience for you. You go into an audio store (a high end one), you see what you like, find someone that you can talk to and alas, everyone is ignoring you. Sometimes they entertain you, you audition said speaker and you don't like it, ask to sample another one and from there you can see contempt from their faces as if saying "you are wasting my time". It seems they have this extra sense to spot a person who's just there to "browse" around. You leave the store feeling embarrassed. I think that is why people including me rely on speaker reviews from you who spend at least a week reviewing a particular model. Listening on audio demos from other channels even though we all know it's not an ideal thing to do, but that's all the resources we have just to make an "educational guess". I have been an audio lover all my life but this is the sad truth. The price of audio equipment is so sky high but I don't blame the manufacturers because, well, in short, you get what you pay for. The result is audiophile becomes a niche market and the dealers become this institution of "snobs" and rightfully tell you "you don't belong here". Just want to show you the perspective of the "other half". ✌️

[@markscott7583]

Honest video with good advice - taste is very personal and variations of gear / room mixes makes a massive difference to listening experience. Videos focused on great pairing of amps and speakers are difficult to find.

[@edmaster3147]

Interesing point to me is 'thinking for yourself'. In my experience very few people are capable being realistic and truly objective and therefore seeing and hearing objective (and for that matter thinking objectively). As for a speaker, it might be the device that is possible the most determining factor of how a system sounds and so personal, like falling in love. I remember settiing up my speakers, about 30 years ago, being 16 and my dad bringing home lots of speakers in order to pick a good set. I fell in love with that sound and still do. Its not perfect, just the sound I love.

[@brianbowker3260]

Steve, very good point of view and makes perfect sense, only problem, some of us can't access the many different brands and types of speakers to audition that we'd like. Usually because of our geographic location or lack of good audio stores near buy. We have to trust your reviews and other reviews we watch and read hoping for the best when the product arrives. I've just bought a pair of Klipsch forte IV and hope they will be as good as all of the reviews, including yours. Never listened to Klipsch speakers before and probably would never had the chance to audition them because they are hard to come by in Australia. Never spent this much on speakers before either but the reviews make me want them even more. When they arrive i will let you know if they live up to my expectations. Great videos by the way.

[@FOH3663]

It's all about the room, set-up optimization etc.

[@TOM-C.]

I compared many semi high end speakers back in the day, anywhere from $2000 TO $5000. I really wanted to like the more expensive speakers as they looked the part, but I settled on PSB Stratus Gold i's as they sounded better to me, by far than speakers costing twice as much. I learned a lesson that day, don't buy on appearance, and cost! 😁✌👍

[@brucemitchell5092]

Good comments Steve. Like food or music preferences, taste impacts what we love/dislike in sound. Learning what I like in speaker sound has taken time, and involved listening to dozens of speakers. When assessing reviews, take into account the reviewers musical preferences (they often provide a list of test tracks they use) and their past speaker preferences. I tend to rely a lot on a reviewer like Tarun or Sean because their taste in speakers and music aligns more closely with mine. Not that others are bad reviewers - I appreciate the detailed descriptions of sound profiles to understand a consensus. I just have learned that my taste veers toward British loudspeakers and inheritors of the BBC sound, and away from Klipsch or Zu.

[@lanemiddleton9]

Congratulations 🎈🎉🎊 Victor on your stellar system making the Audiophiliac Viewer System of the Day‼️ Mucho happy listening 👂🏼 mi amigo and my best regards, Lane

[@homerjones3291]

For people who have lots of access to physical speakers you don’t need reviews - you go with the ones that knock you out. Reviewers hear sometimes hundreds of speakers so they have a reference point that the casual listener will never have. We almost can’t even do the find-a-reviewer-with-the-same-taste-as-me approach like you can with music reviews, because the regular person can’t afford to put in the effort and money of buying, listening, returning, keeping or selling equipment to find that person.

[@jeremyr722]

If you review the Soul Six I will absolutely melt down with envy. I have some Dirty Weekends and I lust after those Souls

[@danielhesse5311]

I agree with a lot in this video. I was suffering from an overload of choice and opinion after watching review videos for too long and was waiting for AXPONA this October to get some in person listening, but since the postponement again till April 2022, I decided to just visit a local store. If anyone watching this video or many videos like these do yourself a favor and find a good shop near by and check these speakers out. Went in thinking I would confirm my desire to buy KEF LS50 metas, but they ended up being my least favorite I listened to that day. The GoldenEar BRX were more exciting to me. There are some (including Steve) reviews out there but nowhere near the LS59 metas and no rave excitement. The store associate also recommended another stand mount speaker that I immediately fell in love with. The monitor audio gold 100. Yes it is in the next tier up, but I had never heard of it or considered it. I put in an order for the color I wanted that day knowing that I loved it no hesitation or second guessing with the added connections/benefits that come with having a physical location near by.

[@decaf77]

Steve, I bought the RP600s based on your video and ended up building my home theater system around them so thank you!

[@playbackamusicloversjourne8620]

Synergy is everything and my B&W N805s & 4 subs mate nicely with my Luxman 550A II. Seeing those Spicas brought back fond memories of my Spica TC50is that unfortunately were fried by a malfunctioning amp & tweeters not replaceable. I purchased a pair of TC60s a couple of years ago but they didn't have the magic of the TC50is with the old system in what was a better room for audio. Thanks for the shirt tip Steve!

[@reaality3860]

Steve, You convinced me the price for Klipsch Cornwall, driven by tubes, was well worth the price. I've been saving the $10k for this setup for almost a year. Now you're saying this may not be the best for me?!

[@justwatching6186]

Can you do a series on recommendations for quality speakers for home theater? I know a lot of your viewers are interested including myself. Great videos 🤟🚀🥩

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Sorry, I have retired from reviewing home theater gear.

[@PatrickHenryLibertyorDeath]

Bought my Tekton M-Lore solely based on your review. I love them. So much sound for the price. It works so well with my Heaven 11 Billie Tube Amp.

[@cheapaudioman]

Loved this video. I need some Zu in my life

[@rojona]

I've had a longtime love affair with Pro Ac Studio 100s buying them originally for home listening 25 years ago and now use them for mixing and mastering records. When I was shopping for speakers, the salesman at Innovative Audio was suggesting a pair of Linn speakers but he mentioned that a pair of used Pro Acs had come into the shop. When he played them for me it was love at first listen, like a bolt of lightning. The point is that finding a speaker can be very much like falling in love. It should have an almost primal connection with your brain. Don't think when you buy speakers, Steve is right -let your instincts rule your choice.

[@stimpy1226]

I was never a fan of the Quad 57‘s either Steve. But, I seem to be one of the few people (other than many reviewer‘s) that absolutely love the Quad Planar Headphones of which you’re not a fan. That’s quite strange because I agree with almost everything you say but in this particular case we each have our own opinion. And we are both correct regarding our own listening preferences. It’s too bad we don’t have a lot of audio salons around anymore. Each Audiophile is entitled to their own choices and who really knows why some speakers appeal to many of us while others do not. Bottom line. I’ve got what I want. Can I do better? Of course but at my age and the amount of money I’ve invested over 60 years of listening … I don’t think so. I listen for the joy of music and try to purchase high quality source material rather than more physical equipment.

[@stimpy1226]

@@keplermission4947 I met Bud Fried around 50 years ago and I had no idea he was the first person to bring the real Quad speakers into the country.

[@stimpy1226]

@@keplermission4947 I’m driving the headphones with a pass H PA one headphone amplifier. I communicate with Nelson via email and he was not that familiar with the headphones at that time. I can only say that they sound incredibly good. The Absolute Sound and four other prestigious reviewer’s gave the highest ratings to the Quad Headphones yet they are hardly ever mentioned by other people who may own them. I still can’t understand it. They are a really excellent headphones.

[@MrWslindsay]

I've been in this position. Multiple times. 😄 I've finally found a couple stopping points and selling off speakers I won't use

[@mymixture965]

All true, I would insert "Guitar" for "Speaker" and I can tell you after 40 years professional playing, it is the same :-)

[@LA-db9xj]

Great topic for this video Steve. I'm going to have look into getting a couple of those shirts too. I've NEVER had "herd mentality". If anything I've probably been the opposite. Whether we're talking stereo, now HT equipment, cars or anything else. I've always prided my self on being what I called an "individualist". I set my budget, do my research and the go shop for what sounds, potentially perfoms well and looks good to me. A few times I have ended up purchasing something that was considered "top-tier" at that time. But...for my own reasons and not from following the herd. And then many times I have purchased something that I referred to as a "sleeper". Usually still name brand equipment, but maybe just not considered top tier at the time. Say for instance if everybody was buying belt-drive. I wasn't afraid to go with direct-drive, or vice versa. By going this route I am still enjoying most of my pre-1980s purchases that I made. And everything is still sounding and performing as good as when I originally purchased them. Indeed!

[@DC-xx4kv]

Actually the best speaker I’ve ever heard is …. wait for it … Me! My articulation, enunciation, projection and stage presentation along with best possible Sibilance control are outstanding. I come self powered, wireless and get constant upgrades on a daily basis.

[@jimfuquay7116]

Great explanation of the appeal of the Klipsch speaker you mentioned. Last year I bought a Musical Fidelity dual-mono integrated amp, and the energy that thing had! Wow. But it wasn’t right for my ears in my room. I sold it to a drummer. Like Steve said, let somebody who appreciates it have it.

[@03_Degen]

B&W 702 my personal choice!!

[@donaldchisholm9931]

Steve thanks for being honest with us. I can relate to what you said. I purchased Elac Unifi UB52's because you and Cheapaudioman both gave them good reviews. It was either the UB52'S or Maggie LRS. I got scared off of the Maggie's with the placement requirements. Although the Elac's are ok I was kind of disappointed with them and will probably sell them. Also purchased the Klipsch RP600Ms and the KEF Ls50's which I love. Thanks again for your honesty with your reviews. There are so many variables with purchasing speakers it really is a crap shoot. Especially when purchasing without hearing them. The nearest B&M audio salon is an 8 hr. drive away for me.

[@alanburnham9832]

Great job! Lived with Klipsch Quartets for years still love them.

[@JamesLee-ph9go]

I tested so many different Speakers over a period of 6 months! Then I finally found my perfect Speakers. Well perfect for my ears. Dali Rubicon 2s, excellent quality Speakers. So smooth & detailed. So yeah! Try before you buy. 👍🏻

[@MrWinger1951]

As a fellow Dali owner (Euphonia MS5's) I completely agree.

[@JamesLee-ph9go]

@@MrWinger1951. Exactly my friend. 👍🏻

[@dougdavis8986]

Do you have a shop that lets you take stuff home?

[@JamesLee-ph9go]

@@dougdavis8986. Yes I do. I'm from the UK 🇬🇧. What about yourself??

[@dougdavis8986]

@@JamesLee-ph9go : difficult to test stuff out here in Portland Oregon

[@jamesmcmillan6350]

Love the Klipsch RP600M bought about a year ago on your recommendation for 432 bucks. Still love it. Now want the Forte iV!