Reminiscing about the late great speaker designer Peter Snell

Andy Singer and Steve Guttenberg recall good times with Peter Snell. Snell Acoustics continued long after the founder's passing. The company is no more, but the website is still up, www.snellacoust...

[@StevePilgrim2013]

Could listen to the two of you reminisce for hours about great products of the various eras! Great interview & nice tribute to Peter!

[@c.devico6245]

I worked at a stereo store in Worcester, MA back in ~1980(?), the store sold all the best stuff, and Snell was one of the brands. I had a pair of Boots 601's, which I thought were great, until I started working there. Peter Snell used to come to our store for sale events, wine and cheese parties, etc. I ended up with a pair of Type 1's, which I paid $660 for. This was a program called 'Salesman's Compensation' and the price was less than store cost. I couldn't afford the Type A's at the time. I think the retail price for the Type 1 was $1,150. Years later, I was able to purchase a pair of Type Aii's. I still have Type 1 and Type A's. I did go to the Snell factories (They moved a couple times) and was always treated with professionalism and respect. Peter was a great guy, and he made great speakers!

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

I picked up a pair of Type E IV Snells last year at my local Goodwill for $85. They were absolutely perfect and are by far the best speakers I’ve ever owned. No reason to ever “upgrade”.

[@Borednlonely]

Great video. Joy to watch

[@alb.1911]

What an incredible story... thanks.

[@payamgh5143]

Thanks Steve

[@roymindmybusiness6908]

fabulous interview thanks Steve I can only wonder what Snell would have created if he lived another 20 years i am sure they would have been spectacular

[@motorradmike]

Steve, it was fun to see the special synergy and easy rapport between two old friends which had resulted from an enduring and very successful business relationship. Do this again with Andy, please!

[@kaap009]

Just finished refurbishing a set of Snell Type E IV I got for about 100USD. New foam surrounds for the basses and a good clean, and they are great :)

[@monode953]

Upgrade the capacitors and internal cable!

[@delgriffith2880]

@@monode953why may i ask? age or insufficient

[@cliffordcostley9798]

I met Peter Snell many years ago at the factory. I'd purchased a pair of Type A's and took them back to have checked. He was very gracious and personally gave me a tour. It was truly a shock when I learned of his passing from my dealer.

[@dave-1446]

Thanks for this Steve; that was really enjoyable. I've used Audio Note AN-Es for the past 5 years or so.

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

Lovely. I'm inspired by the Snell Type E and here I find you talking about stuff again, ha. Gone at 38 years old, wow.

[@jarodreddig63]

I bet you two had an absolute blast working together!

[@antigen4]

ahhh the Snell Type 1 was the coolest and most radical speaker ever- i remember when it came out in '79 or so ... definitely made a huge impression - impossible to find now though

[@stephencosta6814]

😍😍😍Love love love the episodes with Mr singer

[@randybath8704]

Hey Steve, I have a pair Snell A3 Improved . This was a very interesting video. I still have them set up in my living room. Love Snell Speakers !

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

I love how much fun audio and music brings to you Steve. Been enjoying catching up on all your videos.

[@ncf11]

Great video & insight to Peter Snell. Didn't know he passed at only 38. I had E II's and they, to me, are among the best sounding speakers I have heard.

[@btu45nh]

Very cool interview.

[@kuglepen64]

I still have a pair of AIII. Every time I listen to new speakers I hear that they are different, but not better in every way.

[@nicholascremato]

The Snell type A model 3 was the first loudspeaker that I ever heard that imaged and soundstaged. It was paired with Audio Research tube gear! and biamped with solid state on the bottom.

[@kylegreene3773]

I never got to meet Peter as I started selling audio in 1992. I did meet Kevin Voecks while he was there and spent a bit of time at the factory in Haverhill, MA touring the woodworking shop. Definitely where the money was invested in creating the speakers. I still to this day have my Eiii in my living room setup with the original Snell THX500 system. It’s sad that Snell is no longer around.

[@bilguana11]

Kevin Voeck, who now heads Revel, was in charge of Snell speakers about 20 years ago.

[@sa7i178]

Awesome video! I just recently acquired a NOS pair of flagship A7 Illusion's from a gentleman who was affiliated with Snell Acoustics. Supposedly, there were only 10 pairs made ($50,000 each)! The A7 Illusion is a spectacular design, so much that I cannot distinguish the difference between the speakers and my acoustic piano.

[@bksherm]

Excellent.

[@robertjermantowicz7487]

I only visited Sound By Singer once to buy a copy of The Absolute Sound. I remember seeing a pair of Sound Labs electrostats there!

[@stevenjackson8226]

When I was very young, one of the notable moments affecting my audio journey was a Peter Snell Type A demo. It was an important part of my pivot towards something different, something more discerning, towards an immersive palpability of a reproduced audio experience. I turned to tubes with Audio Research and the then fledging Conrad-Johnson (and lots of tweaked Dynaco, which was lots of fun), speakers like the Dahlquist DQ-10, Magnepans, BBC LS-3/5As, Snells, Apogees, etc., turntables with separate tone arms, room treatment, and more. Growing up in the Boston area I was close to the Snell factory and to an audio store that was closely involved with Snell. I have very much enjoyed many Snell models - most especially the Peter Snell-designed models (I've also listened to and owned some of the Kevin Voecks-designed speakers). I had a pair of Type Cis for years, now my brother has a pair of these along with a pair of Type E IIs. These are among the VERY, VERY rare "vintage" speakers that still can hold their own today. Stereophile proclaimed the Type A as perhaps the most important speaker design of the 1980s. I needed some parts for my Kevin Voecks-designed C/Vs and visited the factory in Peabody, MA, in its last days. Sad. The lights were out. Touring the waning space, I did see some of the large and ambitious speakers designed by Joe D'Appolito. Unfortunately, simply resurrounding/re-foaming a woofer or mid-woofer from a Peter Snell speaker has almost NO chance - slim to zero - to perform as it did in the original speaker when it left the factory. Fortunately, there's still an excellent service - it's the place where what was left of Snell landed when the doors closed and assets shifted hands - that can restore most models to their factory-new performance, perhaps even better in some cases.

[@eltorito1011]

I'm looking in to possibly getting some type A's. Everything is original even the foam. That is one of my concerns. Where can I get these speakers redone to factory specs? And are the Type A's better than the Dahlquist DQ-10's?

[@basspig]

40 years ago I was unsuccessful. 40 years later, not much better off.

[@UberPilot]

I’ve had two pairs of As. I had serial number 7 and 8. They were painted flat black and the numbers on the back where typed on a type writer!

[@augustusmustus6217]

I bought a pair of one owner Snell type e on craiglist for $125 I put new caps in the crossovers & they sound fantastic. The cabinets are beautiful. A great speaker! (I collect vintage speakers, turntables,amps etc..& I bring them back to there glory)

[@shawnoneil2046]

Augustus mustus If you ever come across a nice Pioneer sx850 receiver, could you let me know?

[@andrewdorow9895]

In the 80s, a good buddy of mine could have chosen any speaker. He chose a two-way Snell with Tekna (?) Dampers. Holy cow they sounded great!!!

[@jozefserf2024]

"They sounded exactly the same." Peter's death was a huge loss for audio, but a huge gain for Audio Note.

[@monode953]

...so was Kondo San's death, both died at hifi shows - spooky no? The Vifa tweeters in AN speakers are a different world to the paper cone ones in Snells, so upgrades to the XO network really show.

[@leethornley3575]

I have some Snell Ci and they out perform speakers today costing many thousands. Love the snells from that time period from the K to the A.

[@carlitomelon4610]

Great show. Checked out Snell type 1 pix: weird & ugly. They'd have to sound good;-) Thanks Steve

[@meshplates]

That was super interesting. Pity as Andy said they weren't able to continue making the same speakers unchanged.

[@dwightballard3868]

Wow, remember Andy Singer from a long time ago. Bought a Krell KMA 100 in the mid-80's I think it was. He has lost some weight here. Quite a big fellow back in the day.

[@williammay8413]

I have the bookshelf j7 and are very musical

[@robertjermantowicz7487]

I first heard the Type AI's in 1978 at Audiocom in Old Greenwich, CT. $1390 a pair! Demonstrated with a GAS Thaedra preamp and Ampzilla. Source was a TOTL Demon TT, Denon 307 arm and DL103 mc cartridge. Stepup device was a Levinson JC1 clone. Needless to say, this system sounded superb - and didn't cost a million bucks either!

[@sushichef9212]

I had type B's and loved them. Wish I never lost them

[@TheBTG88]

John Dunlavy was also an advocate of not using expensive parts if they did not measure better than cheaper ones. He was also criticized for using inexpensive Vifa tweeters and woofers.

[@danlivni2097]

Dunlavy made the Vifa drivers sound good. I heard the Dunlavy 1V and V speakers.

[@robertjermantowicz7487]

I only looked at the Type 1 when Audiocom had it. Never heard it! Looked interesting!

[@lttexan]

Andy sold me some great equipment. LP12, Snell Type EIII, CAL Sigma Delta CD. I had some Type K's before that, Bought some great Snell's since then to keep them alive. J's, Type 1's (yes Type 1's) and Type C's. Andy's a star.

[@monode953]

I used to work for Audio Note and have lived with this gear. The Snells are lovely but don't compare in terms of clarity! :o) Interestingly, Peter Qvortrup was going to work for Peter Snell, he had the plane ticket, when Peter Snell was at a show and mid-sentence his eyes rolled up and he was dead before he hit the carpet. He died doing what he loved. God knows what would have been if Snell and Qvortrup had worked together?!

[@chinmeysway]

wow so a heart attack? younger ppl rarely die for just no reason. also what is the story, audio note took the snell designs, but don’t sound anywhere near the same?

[@moonphaser3304]

Great intro

[@brucelounsbury9865]

Hey Steve, where's the link you promised to the Peter Snell "wrestling" picture? For that matter, I'll take any picture of him (strange as it may seem, I can't find any picture of Peter Snell on the net!?). Thanks.

[@janmaaso]

I've had two different pairs of Snell speakers. The Jii's that I used were unbeatable at their price point imo. Picky with cables, but when you got it right, the mid-range was sublime.

[@scottdavis0801]

I found a pair of Snell model K speakers $25, and a cc1 center for $20 at Karms thrift. They could have sold them for more and i would have payed more. Beautiful speakers. I still have them.

[@richardshippful]

Cool story

[@robertjermantowicz7487]

I have Snell Type AIII's, E's and J's. All excellent SQ! Compared to today's exorbitant priced speakers they were all quite affordable!

[@philquinn73]

I used to have a set of snell type "d" loudspeakers

[@monode953]

When I was at Audio Note, we had a pair of Snell Type C speakers in the demo room so I plugged them in and they just dominated the room but had no accuracy. I'd truly love to get a pair and customise them with upgraded crossovers and components in the crossover.

[@chrispicquet733]

Steve,I owned a pair of Snell type 1's with the "ramp". I couldn't deal with the ramp.i still have the crossovers out of them.if anyone out there is interested.

[@steelydan133]

I just acquired a pair of Snell Type J iii speakers, and after refoaming them, finding they are not sounding good. Very muffled sound vs my infinity which are half their size. I have never heard Snell before, so can't say if this is how they are supposed to sound or I need to do something else? Also since the enclosure is pretty good, can I put another pair of speakers in their, if YEs what do you recommend?

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Anyone help me with identifying my Snells, from around 1989? If I could find the model # on it, that would be so helpful. They do have rear tweeters, oak finish. I'm trying to decide whether to keep them or get new ones, thinking the newer ones MAY have advancements that would be an improvements. Where? Thanks

[@linefriis5774]

try and look here:www.snell.no/the_archives_type_A.htm...It is a Snell archive.

[@robertjermantowicz7487]

Correction: Denon TT! This Kyocera phone is prone to making errors when I type!

[@cafe80s]

So one question... Why wasn't this like two hours long? ☺️

[@danlivni2097]

Sadly Peter Snell died of a heart attack back in 1984 at the age of 38

[@redellnapper8979]

Snell Type A ll purchase recommendation ?

[@jacobhansen3135]

Miss my Snell Type B

[@ron101346]

Loved this interview but you interrupted Andy constantly. Let the man speak!

[@AudiophileTubes]

Does anyone know of any qualified person/shop in the Cleveland area that can 'recondition' (update caps, resistors, etc.) a classic FISHER 500C tubed receiver/amp? My father passed 4 years ago, and I inherited this piece, which he kept in 'like new' condition, and it still works when plugged in. My only concern is that after 55 years, it needs some 'TLC'! Thanks.

[@Godzilla2k69]

AudiophileTubes I do tube amp repair

[@spkaunas7487]

Check out Play It Again Sam in Lakewood

[@mjjm6220]

Yep, you don’t have to spend a King’s ransom to have very good sounding speakers I’ve the the proof in my LR. I’ve also heard very expensive speakers, that were beautiful to look at, but the sound left a lot to be desired.

[@socksumi]

The original Snell Type A used a Phillips 5" midrange that I remember selling for $15 to $20 in 1980 at my local speaker kit hobby shop. I think that the tweeter was also a Phillips in the A Mk 1. The Audax tweeter used in the Type A Mk II was $25. Most of the cost was in the cabinet construction. These were decent, not great (and inexpensive) drivers and very typical of what went into speakers of all price ranges back then.

[@jeffarthur322]

Snell e first gen third set of surrounds. Still going original owner. Had to pay many times over to get something I liked better

[@bigjay1970]

The speaker mentioned which I am not familiar with sounds like it's using the same reflection technology as a Bose 901 speaker. That speaker also uses the room and has cheap components inside!🤤 It sounds great using a beefy amp of 250 watts RMS and up which is the Key that most people never consider when using that speaker. Like a magnapan, it needs a lot of juice. The more the better! When set up correctly they sound great. Incorrectly, well that's how most people experience them, horrible!😤Let's not forget 70% of the ones people tend to hear don't have the eq box connected or even know it has one! I don't own a pair but have listened to a pair correctly set up.🤗 Just watched/listened to some snell speakers on youtube,man those are fantastic! Again just shows design is so much more important than cost no object components a lot of times.

[@fredwa1225]

So... Let me get this right. You have never heard a Snell type A speaker but they sound just like a Bose 901, Um... Hu? You then go on to say "I listen to speakers on KZbin and they sound fantastic." You make a judgment on how a speaker sounds from a KZbin video! This is why whenever someone tells me they are an Audiophile I turn and run as fast as I can and I don't look back, because I know if I do I will surely turn into a pillar of salt.

[@bigjay1970]

@@fredwa1225 I meant the snell sounds like they are using technology like the Bose 901 in that it uses the rooms reflection points! And yes I can hear the differences on KZbin with my high-end equipment! Thanks for clarifying!

[@fredwa1225]

Ok Jay, have a nice day.

[@noth606]

@@bigjay1970 Ehm, you might be able to hear A difference, but definitely not THE difference, YT audio is very compressed and often far too low quality to hear the actual difference. Songs and music are the same, YT is worse than mp3, which in turn is worse than CD, which in turn is worse than Hi-Res formats and DSD etc. That's just fact, if you can't hear the difference, it doesn't matter really, the difference is there, you can measure it. If they all sound the same or close to you, that's fine, but it doesn't change facts that can be proven easily using A\B testing with a fast capture scope. I pick my gear based on how it sounds to me, but you'll never find me arguing that formats and resolutions, dynamic range etc don't exist or don't matter.

[@jayoliver3734]

I just today picked up a pair of type J mk IV for $20! Of course the foams are utterly gone, but they’ve been ordered for $25. So for under $50 i hope to be very happy for a long time.

[@TheBodhisattvaWisdom]

Peter Qvortrup .. Some say, he stole from Kondo too..

[@RealHIFIHelp]

Snell speakers are overrated. What most people don't get is that, the sound was so dialed back, that it left most people believing that it was very good with much potential lurking around the corner. But if you challenge it, it simply does not deliver. (it is only meant to play at a very low level that is the reason why he could build them so simple and cheaply, they are not compatible with the new age of ultra revealing gear) And yes I agree, for the price back then, it offered a lot. But nowadays, almost everything blows it to pieces. It's just an old and charming speaker now, that is very imprecise especially because of the age. The new Audio Note speaker in the AN-E line that is based on Snell, totally disintegrates it by about 10x, at their lowest models. So yeah, it was cool and nice back then. Speaker standard just changes so much with times. In 50 years time, we are maybe going to say the same about the current AN-E speakers. Because in the future we might easily have a standard that is again so much better. I am though surprised of the prices from back then, wow I did not know that. Incredible how ignorant that guy is, saying that there is a type e speaker from Audio Note costing 100k based on the same design. Yeah buddy there are 18 models now, and AN totally changed the design and made it a lot better and they start from around 3-5k now in the top e line, and if you did your math, then you would realise that it is actually a lot cheaper now compared to back then and a lot better, taking inflation into consideration. Incredible the dillusions that go on in some peoples heads to justify their own bias.

[@IvoCoric]

Andy Singer is delusional.

[@chinmeysway]

hahahaa and you don’t have any biases i’m guessing, ever.

[@markbryant4641]

I don't know what a cannoli is either.

[@groovesick]

The comment about better parts being irrelevant is more than foolish. If that were the case, then cables would not matter, nor would all the silver in the famed Ongaku (that this gentleman - if I am not mistaken also used to sell). My ears beg to differ. So do those of many, many other listeners. AN-Es (which evolved from the original Snells) easily show differences in crossover components, internal cabling and drivers.

[@dan-qe1tb]

You probably don't have golden ears able to hear things that the laypeople can't. Cables still don't matter and never will.

[@chinmeysway]

your ears uses a brain. brains use confirmation bias most often. audioperves constantly profit off this. boomers ripping off goofy brained boomers.

[@ingenfestbrems]

An audiophile version of bose. Cheap but attractive

[@jimroyle2206]

There is no audiophile version of bose anything!

[@fatherlarsathon]

"... hick town?" Yikes, take it easy with the hate. It's 2019.