HiFi: Speakers that I WILL NEVER forget. My Top 5!

#HiFi #Audio #Stereo
My Website: www.stevehuffphoto.com
Instagram: @stevehuffofficial
By request! I have had a few emails recently asking me what my top speakers are. I made this video today talking about my favorite hifi speakers of all time. I have owned probably 30 models in my lifetime and heard more than that. These are the speakers that left a memory with me, and a good one at that!
These are the best speakers I have heard. I still own three of them! Yes I have heard top models from Magico, Wilson, Focal and others but these are the ones that spoke to me emotionally. All are tremendous and special music makers.
Enjoy!
Media Contact/Review Contact: [e-mail]

[@davidgerald285]

I bought the Dynaudio heritage special, on your very enthusiastic review, best realistic sound, a speaker for life, worth every penny.

[@DavidKasan]

When there is so much emphasis on "sizzling highs" and "thumping base" along with punched up everything, it is so refreshing to hear someone who understands the value of a beautiful mid-range and also of a smooth sound!

[@tysongarrett8688]

Bought a pair of JBL....L 100's...1975.....still going strong and sound great...

[@rlowes]

Bottom 3 (or more), absolutely!

[@joshklein6450]

@Rick Lowes Yes! Definitely, this!

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

"end game speakers" famous last words !!! XD

[@dihydrotestosterone]

The grill protector can be used at night as a dream catcher! Very innovative design.

[@positivelife3034]

I like the dyns, those Fleetwood look like bird boxes on speaker stands.

[@veetour]

Great description 😂

[@skumnjepf]

I also had a small Honda hatchback which is unrivaled to date. They sounded great with Jazz.

[@mkfmkf55]

So, why aren't the Lascala's on this list?

[@tcrutch65]

So many awesome speakers that have been made. I still use my rare vintage Kinetic Audio Labyrinth towers

[@Joldrath]

Thank you very much. Just realized while watching, how fun it is to be an audiophile.

[@mmcpa]

They may not be monsters, but I'm still rocking my ADS L1290's and love them.

[@adrianadrianp5305]

I still love my original Sonus Faber Extremas driven by 4 mono amps Bi-amped, I do supplement with an arrangement of subs as well, even though they comfortably hit 30 Hz in room

[@markbastin8583]

Love my Dynaudio Special 25's.. they exhibit all of the characteristics you mentioned.. and yes, room and amplification make the difference!

[@scottdetter]

My Martin Logan Ascent i’s still sound wonderful after 25 years.

[@tigertiger1699]

Nice to hear you’re winning and gear is getting better even after 20-30 years…

[@canyoneagle]

Keep up the great content! 👍👍👍 Thanks to you, the Fleetwood DeVille SQ is high on my list. I currently have a pair of Zu Druids (MkIV with stage 1 upgrade) with Naim NAIT XS3 integrated and newly acquired (from its original owner) 1982 Win Labs SDC-10 turntable with Souther Linear LSA-3 tonearm. I love how they sound, but would love to give the DeVilles a listen. Thanks again for the great content, and YES! I'd love to hear about your not so great experiences with speakers and equipment, too.

[@helifynoe9930]

I'm still happy with my 1978 home made speakers, in combo with my Soundcraftsmen PE-2217 Graphic Equalizer Pre-amp. Each speaker contains one 15' woofer, two mid-range drivers, and four tweeters. I guess I am not very picky. Although, I did at one point have to spend a whopping $27 to purchase foam ring replacements for the woofers. The old rings were beginning to turn to dust.

[@josephalvinalmedatv8]

$42,000 speakers is still insanely expensive and beyond reach for many audiophiles.

[@luisdiaz7914]

Wow! Incredible speakers! Welcome to Mexico and enjoy our beautiful beaches .

[@afinasomangelo4914]

Amazing Review, congratulations

[@aussierob7177]

My favourite speaker of all time was the Rogers Studio 1. They were rated at 300 watts continuous.

[@krautsky]

I have been into HiFi since 1969, starting out with Braun receiver, Pioneer speakers Transcripttor TT, Revox reel to reel...My favorite speakers are the Klipsch Heresy, never had the space for the Klipch Horn, and the present oldie but imho unsurpassed KEF104/2. Had also some Mission speakers and a few DIY in MTM config., active powered with electronic x-over and Bryston amps....not better than the KEF at all, who beat them even with an old Quad Amp

[@danlewis243]

Some brands not mentioned " older" speakers that made music to my ears when I heard them, Early Infinity's with emits, Focal/Legacy towers Dahlquist DQ 10s. Spica's 50's Vandersteen model 2, Magnapan 3.7, Kit speakers- VMPS

[@pavlobilous4030]

Wow what a find with Dynaudio Heritage 40s! I will definitely plan on trying one in the future. In the meantime I’m wondering if you’ve heard Kanto Tuk speakers? I’ve listened to them and I feel like the sound might be close to Heritage speakers.

[@billvill61]

I had a pair of Mission Audio bookshelf speakers that I absolutely loved. Lost them in a basement flood

[@gerihifi]

Thanks for sharing! I always miss those from other KZbinr audiophiles, because if products are compared, the conclusion is for me always to "neutrale". So on the other hand to see your Tops, its more obvious what you really prefer. I've to say, the look of the speakers must fit your environment and as we all know, design and room is as important for daily listening. I personally I love my ELACs Concentro S507, driven from the Rotel Michi X5 beast, as I prefer a simple hifi chain and only listening to streaming hires (using Cary Audio DMS 650)

[@RustyTonesJr]

I liked my neighbors KEF Cantatas in the 70's!!!

[@DesignVisStudios]

very pretty speakers - never heard of them either.

[@billsoutherland5499]

I was hoping my beloved special 40’s would make your list but I get it! Great list.

[@zach2954]

For what it’s worth the HS is a SP40 on steroids

[@billsoutherland5499]

@@zach2954 I’ve heard the same. Recently bought my 40’s so not it the budget……yet!

[@Frankinsteinguitar]

Electro Voice Interface A's were my faves.

[@manchesterexplorer8519]

Don't forget A/D/S , that company made some killer products !! . I'm in search of A/D/S L910 speakers but they're hard to find.

[@SteveV2023]

Still love my Klipsch Chorus II's, definitely not top of the line but for me it's the best sound I've ever owned.

[@valerianpantsulia5137]

Thank you for beautiful and knowledgeable information 🤠✌

[@brianlewis5042]

I understand your love of the Heresy’s. Matter of fact the Klipsch Heritage line are fun speakers. I was looking at the Heresy’s, but I think I will wind up with the Forte IV because my space would not accommodate the Cornwall’s. Love see you review some stand mount speaker in the 2 to 6 thousand range.

[@MountainMetal]

I grew up with Jensen G610 Triaxials in the big, (modern large refrigerator-sized and extremely heavy) cement lined Imperial folded horns. The drivers alone were nearly $400 each in the 1955 Zack Radio catalog. (Over $10,000 each in today's dollars, and you still needed to build the cabinets). They were marketed as The World's Greatest Loudspeakers. What 10 watts of power would sound like would have to be heard in person to be believed. 30 watts could threaten the foundations of your neighbor's house. (That's not much of an exaggeration)

[@jeffmayo5283]

I used to care until my tinnitus kicked in.. Now im happy with Bose Noise cancelling headphones (blu tooth) Luv these

[@riorecchia]

Great review! Would love to watch a Pearl Acoustics Sibelius speaker review. Those sound promising

[@jimfarrell4635]

I second that. They are fascinating speakers.

[@henriksrensen3220]

It's always been standmount speakers for me. The best I have owned is the original Bowers and Wilkins matrix 805. Dali grand coupé. And my current speakers, (my best speakers ever) the Audiovector r1 arrete.

[@morespinach9832]

If you’ve got the giant room why not. For most modern city apartments there’s something for the aesthetics of three way bookshelf speakers.

[@luisrodriguez8639]

The best Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage was the one with the Dynaudio T-330 Esotar tweeter not that model

[@daveyf3144]

There has never been a Guarneri Homage with a Dynaudio T-330 Esotar tweeter. Many folk believe this, but it is not correct. The tweeter is a custom D-28 made for SF at the time by Dynaudio.

[@ianmedium]

When I was younger I lusted after those SF’s!

[@josephbunone6126]

I was giving my comment before you showed them!

[@dougg1075]

I have the Heresy IV On Willsenton R8 and I feel exactly the same

[@AllboroLCD]

I grew up on my brothers Heresy II's, playing CDs off a Sony ES CD player & JVC Integrated receiver. Sub was never needed with them and they could hit full volume with zero signs of gargle/distortion.

[@richardjacobs7632]

I only know a few of those names! I have Celestion 3 book shelf with. JBL sub.

[@viperexpress305]

I still have my KSA D40 speakers I bought in 1978 (44 years old) & sound great ! Chicago company that's gone like everything else these days ! 😀👍🍺

[@millermark445]

I can vouch for the Dyna Heritage specials having heard them over a friend's house. The bass is remarkable for speakers of that size. In fact, when I first heard them, I thought he had his sub-woofer on. But he didn't.

[@jimfarrell4635]

Enjoyed this one and would absolutely love to hear about your bottom five. For understandable reasons we don't often hear people talking about poor gear or, at least, gear which is not to their taste. Incidentally I notice a real similarity between your Fleetwood's and my Zingali Overture 4 floorstanders. A wooden horn loaded driver ( poplar omniray in my case ) and very similar looking mid/bass drivers ( two in the Zingalis ). I wonder if they sound similar. I know the Zingalis scale very well with better electronics. Whatever I throw at them they rise to the challenge, which is why they have not been changed in 15 years, while the rest of the system has.

[@donboston7728]

Nice to 'first time' view your speaker interests. I must say, you do have fine choices. I was impressed with your appreciation of Klipsch speakers. Many don't appreciate these.. But, I know.. Paul Klipsch's estate owns the patent for the most efficient conversion of electrical energy to acoustical energy. My 'inexpensive' stereo operates on speakers and electronics designed before CDs... I won't loose it...

[@jerryodom7358]

The old Roland DS-90-A…..were some really great Analog speakers back in the day…I wish They still made them like that…

[@anotherbody2]

So far the best speakers i have owned are the original Adam Audio Column Speakers. They use the an air motion transformer tweeter and midrange orig. based on Oskar Heil's ESS version. No other tweeter/midrange technology comes close in my opinion.

[@Chasjazzez]

Still have the Guarneri’s in all it’s glory playing

[@eelcosterringa1374]

Hang on to them!

[@MichaelWhyte01]

Great video…I would love to hear your worst speakers of all time…I also would love to hear why you thought those $42,000 speakers were not that great…

[@sorenrichenberg3313]

This! Knowing what products are poor in this hobby is far more valuable than what's great.

[@Justwantahover]

Diminishing returns and poor matching has to be factored in, maybe.

[@hookedonwood5830]

Have you had a chance to have a set of Gryphon stand speakers in your home setup? - i am quite sure they would be on the list or very close.

[@mobileman23]

Sansui SP-3500s! Unbeatable back in the day!

[@jesscaldejon8247]

The Best Speakers in my opinion and I owned a pair was the ESS-AMT-1Bs! Nothing could touch those Heil Air Motion Transformers period!

[@jeffreylehman1159]

My roommate in college had those(1A). Playing Floyd and pictures would fall off the walls.

[@philvale5724]

Hi, Territorial what do you think are the best five loudspeakers that you have owned, It’s a shame you didn’t play something through the speakers the same bit of music on all 5 so we can have a comparison. Around 40 years ago I built a pair of transmission line speaker cabinets I wore an article that were in a magazine that was applying some plans and gave your reference to some drive units which where peerless , Power supply was a Cambridge power amp hundred watts roughly an NAD preamp, The system was bywired, However over the last few months I’ve had to change the driver units and these are now made by a firm called seas , And these are a great improvement on my previous drive units as I believe that the base response is a lot lower, “A lot of people have commented on them saying how well they sound but did pass comment that they look like Coffens as I stand just over 5 foot high and approximate 12 inches across the front and 18 inches deep all thereabouts. The T line is roughly 12 1/2 feet. I listen to classical heavy metal opera and just recently I’ve got into Viking War music , And a lady from one of the islands just of Scandinavia she’s got an incredible voice I cannot remember her name at the moment I don’t know how to go back into my system to find out what our name is put this lady and the Viking music definitely test your speakers are normally sit around about 5 to 6 m away from my cabinets and sometimes I feel if I’m being pushed across the room, It might be worth your while looking to see whether you can find some secondhand old transmission line speaker tablets, Love the territorial keep up the great work look forward to your next article. Phil from the moulin France. Ps I am 70 years young living by myself in an old mill obviously now retired and I still love listening to my music. On my Linn LP12 , tape deck Nakamichi DR2. Phil

[@bobr7380]

Depends on what you listen to doesn't it? Always been a fan of the JBL L100 and L7s. They were affordable and would nicely play rock to classical. However building my own I could dial in what I wanted which was a 5way tower with premium drivers.

[@christophermaley6822]

Top 5 .......Leak 2075's, IAS Beaulieu's, TDL Reference Monitor's, Living Voice Air Scout's and Tannoy Westminster's. All UK made.

[@cpu554]

Best set of speakers I ever heard were the Clements RT 7.

[@Craigo87]

What about your Klipsch Lascala’s?

[@willmac5642]

Not heard of QLN, very nice design execution. Not too big (high 'waf' factor)

[@adamnocon9432]

I will never forget Martin Logan CLS running by Mark Levinson electronics with Velodyne subwoofers. By the way Fleetwood Deville ($18,600/pair) is just Stereophile Class B (restricted LF) component. In the class A there are: Genelc G Three, KEF LS50 Meta at the price around $1600.

[@d-weezy3230]

What are the placement constraints on the Fleetwoods? Do they need some space away from the front wall?

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Magnepan 20.7s with Coda 16.0

[@tikirama8427]

The Fleetwoods look a bit like bird feeders to me - I'd be happy with the Dynaudios.

[@conduit242]

They look like the kind of hipster steampunk crap you won’t be able to figure out what to do with in ten years

[@4LED]

Thanks, so these Speakers were heard subwooferless and/or didn't use a Sub in unison heare?

[@TheTomryan123]

Odd that no prices are given for any of the speakers, especially after the intro specifically mentioned cost of speakers he's had. Also, would be nice to identify origin of all speakers. He gave that for Sonus Faber, sort of, but nothing on the others.

[@mark-hollis]

I would be interested in why you chose the Heresy over the Cornwall or even the La Scala.

[@jkjome4095]

It is difficult to know whether or not to believe the opinions he voices in his videos when his beloved LaScalas don't even make his top five speakers list.

[@toucheslapper]

I concluded long ago his opinions should be fully disregarded as they change more often than I change my underwear. His videos are for entertainment purposes only and are simply introductions to new products. They’re transactional agreed upon promotional ads he provides manufacturers so he can get discounted or free product.

[@Woofy-tm8si]

@@toucheslapper Could it be because he's constantly listening/reviewing new speakers?

[@jyy9624]

If you work in high end for years you will always be loving new products

[@man1theyoungshaman]

You went with Heresy over La Scala?

[@timothysullysullivan2571]

classics I've loved- though not necessarily owned: JBL 100/4311's; KEF 104/2, Acarian Alon's and yes- when done right (for pop/rock/country)- Polk large SDA's

[@renejunca2338]

Acadian Alon 4 were magic.

[@jeffreybrady927]

All I've been hearing is Fleetwood Fleetwood Fleetwood I hope they live up to the hype and they have at least 3 rooms set up at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest because the lines will be long. Wilson's are my favorite. Lots of great speakers.Must be able to deliver bass midrange and highs to be world class

[@MrBonger88]

Last I read , RMAF has closed its doors forever. Has that changed?

[@gradimirnovakovic5379]

Very cool, more less my kind of choice but without Klipsch. Did you heard Diapason Adamantes V or Astera, I think they are even better or in the same league as Fleetwood but muuuuuch cheaper?

[@toucheslapper]

Heritage Special is #2 on your list and you kept them for all of one month before replacing them. How much sense does that make?

[@Mike-hb4pc]

And, he raved about his Klipsch LaScala's, yet they didn't even make the top 5. WTF...

[@think2023]

Try waveform mach3, spendor sa500 or jblm1 and tell me if Fleetwood are still number 1 (I have not heard fleetwoods)

[@capezyo]

Which music you use at the end...?

[@BoBxPaiN]

i saw your review about the focal sopra 2 and you said that the sopra is better than sonus faber guernari and serafino if i remember, but you don't mention the focals in this list did still think the sopra better buy than the sonus faber? (i found the sopra and the guerani about the same price in france 8000 to 10000 euros used)

[@davidclark6896]

I bought my AR 11’s new in 1977 and just can’t get away from them.

[@richardadams6663]

Andrew, I enjoyed your list of 10 best speakers. Some I've heard, others not. You did a great job of giving your personal opinions about each of your choices. Suffice it to say, my list would be somewhat different. Magnaplaners, have you ever heard them?

[@cyphermote6857]

Who's Andrew ?

[@richardrose2606]

As others asked, would like to know the price of these speakers. MSRP when bought would suffice.

[@a.s.2426]

Very interesting list. Fleetwoods sound interesting. Unfortunate that they look like two bird houses on stands.

[@roblawrence4792]

Nice stuff, I enjoy your take on audio… feels genuine. I personally would love to hear about your ‘bottom 5’ or whatever you’d call them. Especially the more expensive… Like you, I’ve been ‘playing around’ with gear for many years, although at lower price levels, and smaller rooms. Always fun to get perspective from others. Let’s hear some more speaker related stories:) Thx, R

[@davidgill2520]

Hello from Montreal, Have you ever tried anything from Verity? A Canadian audio company that has been making speakers for years. Their a bit of a niche brand but it may surprise you. The Parsifal model speaker is something special. Anyways look out for this brand. Take care

[@josephbunone6126]

Don’t forget Klipsh Heresy, 12” woofer and tweeter. Bought mine in 82 . I payed 1500 for the pair. There worth double. These were made hand made from Arkansas.

[@cafireman]

How do you like the Cornwalls?

[@zukispur5493]

Two pairs of leak sandwich 600's does it for me still. Drive them with the fantastic sansui AU 717. Garrard 401 turntable (SME arm)

[@anthonyhurd5719]

Lovely set up!

[@alistairmcelwee7467]

I think I missed what you said you used to power your Fleetwoods. You'd be a great salesperson for them!

[@HiFiHuff]

I try all kinds of power but my faves have been Pass Labs and the Billie MKII integrated.

[@Rascallucci]

The best speakers I've heard were MBL, almost any model. I think it was the omnidirectional technology which struck me hard. I just happened to have walked into the dealer in Singapore about 20 years ago. It really didn't matter whether they were standmounts or floorstanders, the sound stage was so wide. In that shop, the MBLs were all driven by Jeff Rowland electronics, both Class AB top-of-the-line monoblocks as well as Class D monoblocks if you remember those tiny 501s? Ever since I have never forgotten that experience. I have heard other flagship speakers like B&W back in the day, but nothing has impressed me more since. I have not heard any Wilson in person yet, but if you ask me which will be in my top 5 or top 1 for that matter, I can only remember the MBL, full stop.

[@morespinach9832]

What does MBL stand for? How come we have never heard of them?

[@Rascallucci]

@@morespinach9832 To be honest, I never looked into what MBL stands for, but it is a fairly well known German high end brand mostly for its speakers because of the omnidirectional tech. If you have a chance, go for an audition.

[@nkenchington6575]

Verity, Audio Note, Devore Fidelity and Marten.

[@bigjay1970]

Bottom 5!😉😇

[@roninnovastar1321]

Your #1 looks Awesome !!! you can just see the quality, would love to hear them .

[@robertm8518]

I recommend you check out the Dynaudio Contour 20i’s they have it all! Transparency, midrange, detailed and articulate with amazing bass.

[@gerihifi]

Agreed, compared with ELACs, almost the same clearity..

[@RafaelGrigorian]

No Special 40’s?

[@warrenwillis6477]

Of all the speaker/amp combos that you’ve heard, which ones perform best at low volume levels (68 DB range).

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

None. You’ll need electrostatic, ribbon, or really high-end high efficiency horn speakers. Klipsch is too unrefined.

[@benvanzanten379]

Once Magnepan, always Magnepan.

[@JoeJ-8282]

I wish you had told the approximate price range per pair on all of those you mentioned, that way I'd know if ANY of them are within my rather meager budget! (I would assume that probably none of them are though)

[@rumporridge1]

Come back and join us in the land of JBL lol.

[@johnperiard9594]

Get a pair of Klipsch Synergy B2, about $125.

[@cameraprepper7938]

Dynaudio are Danish made, you should also try the Danish speakers Dali !

[@andreasnilsson1992]

Or buchardt audio

[@gtrguyinaz]

2 more… dynaudio C3 bookshelf….and large Advents…I owned both…

[@gerrypocha175]

What happened to the LaScalas?

[@RAREFORMDESIGNS]

I heard that the Fleetwood Deville's are the Cadillac of speakers.

[@jeffreylehman1159]

Cadillac ain’t what it used to be!