My Personal 5 Favorite Vintage Speakers!

There are MY favorite vintage speakers of all time (for now).
Check out our store:
skylabsaudio.com/shop
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @skylabsaudio
Follow us on Instagram
/ skylabsiowa
Find us on Facebook
/ skylabsiowa
#vintageaudio #vintagehifi #vintagespeakers

[@AKASHAXJ]

" Only an issue for the audiophiles who are too scared to play with their knobs. I'll let you in on a secret, sometimes I push the loudness control..........." THX it's been a while since I've laughed that hard!!

[@danielleclare2938]

Optimus 3's out of a STA 21 playing Dark Side of the Moon and watching the Woofers move in and out on the shiny rubber membrane was so cool. Best sound I ever heard but that was coming after a 1960's console TV Stereo. I was 8 years old and in love with Stereo Equipment. Friend had a set of those big flat angled things with 5 speakers. I remember them being weak sound and a dust magnet. Definitely prefer cabinet speakers. Thanks for the show.

[@garykittleson3987]

Selling my ADS L710's was a mistake, and I regretted it as soon as they left. When I put them on Craigslist with a bunch of other good vintage equipment for a garage sale, I had a guy drive an hour and arrive early to buy them before anyone else showed up. I had them set up to demo with a NAD 7155 when he rolled up. We listened for a nice long time while I brought out and wired up my other sale stuff. His absolute joy helped me get over my melancholy. I still have a great little walnut set of ADS 300's (not the L300) in a near-field setup over my workbench. The clarity and richness of those little boxes have amazed me for decades. And they look just cool.

[@Vandyfw]

I have owned my ADS L710s since the late 70’s. I love them. They out perform my very pricey B&W 700 series. I did add a sub to supplement the low end. I highly recommend ADS. They are incredibly well built.

[@stevezeidman7224]

Me too!

[@robmaxfield780]

ADS L710s were my first ADS speakers and I absolutely love them! I also own a set of 1530s and they are incredible!

[@stevezeidman7224]

@Vandyfw Wow! I’ve always wanted to hear those large XX30. I’m sure those 1530 are amazing. Have you ever seen the or heard the 2030?

[@goodun2974]

On the plus side, a/d/s speakers usually used a rubber surround and so they wouldn't rot out like foam surround speakers. On the negative side, as mentioned here, that sticky damping material on the dome mids and tweeters not only tended to collect dust and lint but would over time migrate and settle towards the bottom edge of the surround and I would imagine that this might affect its dispersion or frequency characteristics. Early versions of the Dahlquist DQ10 used an Advent woofer. They could sound good in the right room with the right equipment driving them, but they were inefficient, very fussy to set up and fussy about amplification, and the open metal mesh grill over the back allowed dust, lint and pet hair to settle on the drivers and crossover. PS, its not ADS, its a/d/s. Back in the early 1980s I had their 2001 automobile sound system in my car, consisting of their biamped mini speakers and an added subwoofer box ( Dynaudio 10's) that I built, driven by an Audiomobile preamp EQ and subwoofer amp, and a Nakamichi 250 tape deck.

[@omnion100]

I have the same speakers in Germany called Baun l810. The founder of Ads imported the speakers in the 70s. They sound excellent. The Braun company was a leader in German loudspeaker construction in the early 1970s.

[@timd5365]

My Boston A150's blow people away with their punch and clarity. Highly agree with your choices Kevin.

[@kelboodha]

I have a pair of A200s that sound amazing

[@brunohebert1351]

I had a pair of A100, was able to get a pair of A150. The choice was a little tough as the A100 had a punchier bass I thought. But the clarity and details got me on the A150. Plus they were just freshly refoamed. So I parted with the A100. Now I wish I could find A200 or A400... But now I'll keep an aye for the ADS 810 too.

[@dennyphillips2178]

Had to replace the woofers on my 150's ten years ago, otherwise going strong

[@dzhaughnne]

My first serious speakers were a pair of A60s, which although obviously not in the league of their larger siblings were simply incredible for their size: punchy and clear and with better detail than a lot of more expensive speakers. Still miss them decades later.

[@danab7472]

I never much thought about vintage speakers (have always loved older electronics) until I chanced upon a pair of Celestion Ditton 551 that I ended up restoring and I LOVE them.

[@scanspeak00]

I had the Boston Acoustics A100 as my first hi-fi speakers in the mid 1980s. It was the speaker that got me addicted to hi-fi, such a huge leap from the regular mid-fi speakers I had grown up with. Years later I built my own loudspeakers based on the wide-baffle design and they have been my love for over a decade now. Great video!

[@NCislander]

I agree, I miss my set of ADS speakers from back in the day (1980's). Now have them on my radar once more after this reminder. Thanks for all you do out here Kevin.

[@Techno.Junkie]

Always enjoy your presentations. I was a bench tech at Audio Genesis, Glens Falls, NY 79-81. Picked up a Pioneer SX 1050 someone traded in for a song, it’s connected to a pair of AR 2X’s in the living room & AR 8’s in the large kitchen. Keep the videos & knowledge coming & enjoy the Holidays.

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Totally not what I expected. ADS, BA, AR and even Dahlquist ( that's the old school sleeper ) make up quite a unique list. Love the passion and your thoughts. Thanks for the video.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thanks, Craig!

[@ccrm10]

I have 2 sets of the AR 4x speakers and I will never give them up. This was a great video, I have never heard of some of these speakers. I will now need to try to get a pair of one of these. Thanks!

[@upscaleaudio]

Hey what a fun video. My name is Kevin Deal, and I sold and owned a few of these back in the day. The entire first series of Boston Acoustic was crazy good, even by today's standards. And like you said the A400 was EPIC. They really were designed with the wide front baffle to sound like there WAS no baffle. And the BASS! So fast, deep, and controlled. I don't recall them needing to be placed against a back wall, but that was in the early 80's. DQ10's really needed a sub, and they made a passive one for it called the DQ1W, usually used in pairs with the DQLP1 active or DQMX1 passive crossover. I still have some DQM9's in my stash somewhere. A fantastic 9" 3 way standmount. I sold both Braun in the late 70's when I worked at Cal Stereo, and ADS (who used Braun drivers) later. All the speakers above require re-coning. Most ADS do not. L1530 are cool, and they made an amazing powered sub called the PB1500 for the L300 or 400 that was ahead of its time. Sorry to prattle on. I'm 66 and have been doing this for 48 years. It never gets old. You're in a fun spot.

[@johnbrender7635]

I'm a huge fan and collector of JBL. mainly L100/4311. I specialize in restorations of JBLs but also restore any vintage speakers. Last year a customer dropped off a set of ADS 810's and let me use them for a few weeks. I was blown away. Now I'm looking for a pair for myself. Having said that, Nothing beats the look and presence of a set of vintage JBL's. The looks go to JBL but the sound goes to ADS.

[@user-xx2hj7xb6b]

I've owned the ADS 1230s for 40 years. A few weeks ago, I heard the JBL L100 Classic. Can't say I was blown away but I wouldn't mind having those (in addition to my 1230s) for an "alternative" sound to the East Cost sound of ADS. That tweeter is specked all the way up to 40Hz. Also, like you, I like their retro aesthetic. A local sound shop offered me a huge discount, $3800 for the pair, INCLUDING the stands.

[@grumpy9478]

great to have both! ... for both "sounds". a friend has had 810s forever & I recently acquired a well cared-for set of the L88+ that had been upgraded to L100 spec years ago. the Century has the Big Sound of its time & place (esp fun for recordings wherein they were the monitors), while the 810s are so smooth & easy on period jazz, folk, blues & classical, while quite "honest" about everything else. @@user-xx2hj7xb6b

[@roguesquatch1]

My 2 favorite speakers that I own are my ADS L810s and my JBL L110s. The JBLs are halfway recapped and should be finished soon. Unfortunately I blew a tweeter in the ADS though so I need to get that fixed.

[@earlyetman5588]

A/d/s products were amazing! I used their car speakers, amps, and crossovers back in the day , amazing products!

[@lotusmanb3832]

I'm so glad you mentioned my favorite speaker of time the BA A400. I bought a pair brand new back in 1987 and thru my vintage Crown amplification they blew me away. They are long gone but I've never heard a speak since that matches the depth and detail they gave me. Thank you.

[@davids1920]

I love seeing the original advertising material for the products. I've stumbled across your channel today and it brings back so many memories from my time working in a small retail store in Australia in mid-to late 80's . Thank you so much!

[@teebomus1]

I agree with you on the Jubals. Aside from being really cool with the glass top, have put mine on stands too and turn down the treble a little bit. They sound fantastic

[@mikemccallister2056]

I first saw/listened to the DQ-10 in 1983 and knew I had to have a pair. I finally got my DQ-10's last year for $300 including the DQ-MX1 and the Dahlquist subwoofer. I'm missing the wire mesh cover on the back of the speakers and there was no grill cloth but I left them like for the longest time just because they looked so industrial that way.

[@rubevaughn]

So right about the DQ 10s needing a big space. I used to have one of their bookshelf speakers which I loved. They were fantastic in my small apartment. Best I ever heard a lot of was my dad's KEF 104s. Just loved those speakers.

[@Dan-Tesch]

So happy to see the DQ-10 on the list, an enormously influential speaker for me early in my audio journey. I was talking with you in the store about a year ago and hadn't even noticed you had a pair. It was awesome to listen to them again, I just wish I had a place to put a set these days.

[@richardw.b.feigen8700]

I ❤ Dahlquist too. I bought my DQ 20s new in the mid-late 1990s, and I'm still using them, now in my third system. It's been a wonderful love affair. Dahlquist speakers, particularly the DQ 20, are beautiful sounding (and beautiful looking), well built exemplars of acoustic engineering. And the superb Scan Speak Drivers Dahlquist used are still available.

[@blueshoes8481]

Still rockin' the Acoustic Research TSW910s and Yamaha M85, C85, T85 I bought in the 80s. Love this setup. Also, a friend of mine worked at RTR in the 70s. I still have a set of PS-1 "Pyramid" satellite speakers that used to be paired with their DAC/1 Rhombus subwoofers. I also still have a set of DIY 'bookshelf' speakers with RTR components that I used to have set up in my big GMC Jimmy. That was the best vehicle audio I ever had!

[@keithroy7884]

ADS L810's were my favorite speakers from the late '70's when I used to peruse all the high-end audio stores around LA.

[@user-xx2hj7xb6b]

I've had my ADS 1230s since 1983. Can't give them up. I'd regret it, I'm sure. They have the same driver compliment as the 810s (which I also had before purchasing the 1230s) but in a much bigger cabinet.

[@jamester1ful]

Love my l1230s, in my top three favorite speakers

[@richardsmith5362]

Hi Kevin, Another gem of a video. I worked in three different audio stores from '73-'80. It was really interesting how owners and management had differeing views concerning their philosophies on hi-fi. Two were focused on having the most "accurate" speakers and electronics, while the third was mostly interested in making a buck. Regardless, it was sad that the '80's saw most of the electronics manufacturers moving to department stores. I'm certain it improved their bottom line, but it destroyed all three of the shops that I had enjoyed being a part of for so long. What was most interesting, was that the mom & pop audio stores sold things at the same price as did the department stores. Obviously, the department stores had no service department, and you were no longer able to trade in your old equipment with a department store. I heard and have owned all of the speakers that you feature in your top five picks. I still own a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10a's, that were an upgrade from the standard 10's, because the two speakers were mirror imaged and had mylar capacitors. I also still own a pair of Boston Acoustic 100's, as I felt they had a more accurate bass response compared to the 400's. Again, we are talking about highly subjective personal tastes. I tried to review all of the previous comments and hope I'm not repeating a sore spot that someone else has already mentioned, and I have done the same thing more than I wish to admit. At any rate, the DQ-10 speaker measures 31 inches, from side to side as you originally mentioned, but at about 20 mins. in to your video, you mention the width of the DQ-10's as 42 inches!?! If there is a 42" DQ-10, perhaps it has a built-in side-burn trimmer... I wish I still owned the first six "Absolute Sound" mini magazines that a customer kindly gave me in hopes that our store would take on a couple of new innovative lines. In summation, thank you for picking up the torch and showing how enjoyable and even gratifying, it can be to critically listen to great music. P.S. Does anyone know how I can get rid of the annoying emoji that now emblazons all of my comments?

[@bunkie2100]

Back in 1979, I met both Andy Pettite and Frank Reid of Boston Acoustics when they came to visit the small speaker company (AEI) I was helping to run. I’m not sure why they wanted to talk us, in retrospect, I think it was that they were looking to expand Boston Adoustics and might have wanted to buy us for the manufacturing space we had in East Boston. Our speaker (the Evolution One) was designed by Roy Cizek and subscribed to the larger baffle more shallow cabinet design that the A100 took to extremes. Back in the 1970s, It was beginning to be understood that baffle-edge diffraction was an issue. The large baffle was designed to be, at least, one multiple of the frequencies where most of the detail in music can be heard. This would allow a full wavelength to propogate across rhe baffle allowing for less edge diffraction and phase cancellation. At least that’s the theory. It you look at a Dhalquist 10 (which sounded fabulous and predated the A100 by a few years), the five-way design had all but the woofers mounted on individual open-baffles, each sized to be larger than one wavelength of the driver just at or below the low crossover point. One of these days, I’m going to build my own version of the A100 and see how it sounds. Edit - Regarding the DQ10, fhat’s what I get for commenting before watching the whole video. The first time I heard them (At the Audio Exchange in Manhasset, NY), they really blew me away. They were set up in open space and the sound of Mick Jagger singing Angie gave me goosebumps.

[@martyjewell5683]

A buddy of mine had the Cizek model 1's back in 1980. They were connected to a 60wpc Kenwood KA-7100 integrated amp and sounded boss. Lotsa great speakers to choose from in those days.

[@burlingtonbill1]

For me, the Dahlquist "goosebumps" came from hearing Stevie Nicks & F. Mac doing "Rhiannon." The airiness and etheral qualities in that song were something you HAD to exoerience again & again! The amp driving them was the legendary GAS "Ampzilla II". Absolutely unbelevable experience. And regardless of the "needs a subwoofer" comment -- MY experience was this: "World Turning" from the same LP has KILLER gutpunching bass starting at 1:40 into the song. The DQ-10 setup I heard (sans the DQ-1W / DQ-LP1 crossover) reproduced it beautifully without strain, distortion, or the sense that something was missing! I eventually bought a pair (actually owned 2 pairs over the years) and had the DQ-LP1 with DQ-1W setup as well, so I think I'm pretty well-experienced here.

[@dalefoote2957]

Bought ADS L810 `s in 1982 sold in 2000. I still miss them. Wonderful experience. Currently have the AR 4x`s paired with a vintage Yamaha receiver in a secondary system, again a wonderfully engaging experience. Loved the video.

[@danwheetman6914]

Shhh…don’t talk about ads, they are still affordable. I have the 810’s, 1090’s and the 1290’s and they are so sweet. You can lose yourself and listen all day long without fatigue. I’m a believer.

[@skylabsaudio]

Lol, we have had so many requests to talk about ADS speakers. I thought the same thing, as they might be the best kept secret in vintage audio, IMO

[@artiehall7708]

Love your mention of the Boston A-400's and the A series in general. I was the tech in a small audio store that was a BA dealer back then. Great speakers. I "heard" that Boston Acoustics was started by a 2 or 3 of the designers from AR, who left the company.

[@wasclywabbit]

I still have a pair of ADS 810s that I bought new in 78 or 79. Fabulous speakers when driven by my Kenwood KA7100 (which I still have but needs some work). A buddy of mine had the ultimate setup though, a Sansui AU717 with a Thorens turntable that had one of the first carbon fiber arms. I can still remember how good that sounded.

[@dgillies5420]

You can get 1/2" quarter circle mouldings and cut 4 pieces to glue in a square and make press in grills for the AR speakers and buy cloth from a fabric store for cheap! Did it, worked great!

[@swinde]

I still have my pair of AR-3a speakers from 1970. They sold for $250.00 Each at the time or $500.00 a pair. They are a classic speaker. Before AR came out with the AR-LST, one of their "blurbs" was: "This is the best speaker we know how to make". The entire AR line sounded amazingly similar with the trade-offs as you went lower in price was more roleoff at low frequencies and less dispersion of the midrange and high frequencies, but the character of the sound remained the same.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

I have a pair of AR-LST speakers in my storage as I type.

[@paulallikas8362]

I have a pair of DQ-10's that I bought new in 1978. I heard them in the store and bought them on the spot. Just refoamed the woofers, and they sound as good as new. Driving them with my original Yamaha CA02010 amp. Also have Avid 103's, Advent smallers, and Klipsch RM-600's.

[@rasherbilbo452]

ADS brings back memories. Had the monster L2030 for a while. Other than a bit soft in the very top-end (to my much younger ears back then), a TOTL contender.

[@lobstame]

Great presentation Kevin! My fond memory of the AR 2A’s back in the early 70’s were powered by a flagship Sherwood receiver (not sure of that model) and spinning vinyl on a Benjamin-Miracord turntable sounded just superb. You are so right about good vintage gear all of the same era sounded very good to us. None of us were audiophiles, we just listened to music. Soon out of college we got jobs and began to trade up. We got the fever.

[@jackstrawjr2963]

In the '70s I grew up listening to Heathkit AS-2A loudspeakers (Heathkit's version of AR-2A) connected to a Garrard turntable running through a Heathkit pre-amp & AA-121 tube amplifier. Around 1997 I stumbled upon an eBay auction for New Old Stock AR-2A speakers in the original boxes for $300... I still have them today & they still sound awesome! They've had some attention over the years (re-sealed the cloth woofer surrounds, upgraded the level control pots) but still amazing.

[@bb_lz9790]

I love these videos!!! Historically, I'm really cheap, so as a teenager getting my first stereo system, I got a Sansui 7070 and built my own speakers. I sold the Sansui years ago and have been using a Nikko 7075 that I bought from a friend for my then girlfriend, now wife of over 40 years, back in about 1980. Never owned a pair of factory built speakers until I found a pair of ESS AMT5 at a church rummage sale for something like $35. I needed to refoam the woofers, but they've been fine ever since then. I dream of owning something fancier, but I enjoy how the Nikko/ESS pairing sounds. No idea of what I'll do if something wears out. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. When you showed the Dahlquist with the grilles removed, I gagged when I saw a Piezo horn tweeters. I've long despised those things as they always sounded harsh to my ears, but it seems like they made them work.

[@quiksr20]

L810s are my main speaker and I love em!!! The build quality is killer and they sound so good. Even today with all the other modern speakers these can hang or surpass them still in sound.. I paid a decent chunk for my 810s but they were mint and ill also never sell them, Found some beat up L620s a few weeks ago and even those sound great.. They are more like a large advent setup ( 2 way / 10" ). Another speaker I love and hope to acquire are Dynaco A25's they also stand up well today.

[@protowave]

i've got a pair of Dyna A25's and they are the best jazz vocal speaker i have ever heard. Ella Fitzgerald sits next to you and sings in the room when you put her on through the A25's.

[@quiksr20]

Cant wait to pick up a set of A25's@@protowave

[@patmeadows4759]

Hello Kevin. Another great topic and presentation. My personal faves from the 70's; Dynaco A25 and A35. OLA (Original Large Advents) I had them double stacked. The NLA (New Large Advents) and the Boston A200.

[@skylabsaudio]

Make sure to watch next week's video :)

[@johnnyhiett]

I cant wait! 🎉 All the AR 3As me and others had simply blew up woofers and tweeters. Sounded more like a cardboard box on the the Dynaco amps. But I rarely blew out a Dynaco tweeter 😂. I still have an NOS flat of Dynaco tweeters. I ran 6 Dynaco A25s stacked. Alongside with the Magnepans. Later I got the biggest Dynacos made...still have them (forsale) the Phase III Model 80. I love your vintage list! I have 3 models of ESS. The Tempest Lab 3e, the original AMT-1 and the circa 2018 AMT LTD. For smoothed over sound I have the Polk SDA II. I run all this stuff on a 1994 Niles selector.

[@DSG-br5lk]

Another vote for the Dynaco A25s. I have had a pair for 40 years and use those as my primary speakers with a pair of Polk RTI28s as rear channel speakers (all run in extended stereo off of a Pioneer AV amp), and a small Yamaha sub to balance out the bottom ends. Such a warm, natural, easy to listen to set up.

[@FlatWaterFilms]

Best ones I ever had were Voice Of The Theater, 500mhz crossover in custom cabinets, which I built. Twice the size of the production ones. 🙂 They had 20lb magnets. Those were the days of the 429 SCJ Cobra Jet. lol

[@hippydippy]

Great list. The ADS 710's were my first audiophile speakers. I used a Yamaha CA-810 to power them. Wonderful pairing. Since then I've owned a set of 810's & another set of 710's. Ended up selling the 810's & giving my Ex Brother-in-law the other pair of 710's after he gifted his Marantz 2325 to me & a Teac Reel. My speakers now are Dahlquist DQM 9's. They blew the JBL 4311's out of the water! I now own 2 pairs. Also, the JBL Jubal has been on my wish list for many years.

[@user-lb6ux1iv2t]

I can’t believe you did not have The Original Large Advent Loudspeakers on this list!

[@burlingtonbill1]

EXACTLY. Much better-sounding than 3a's IMHO and at much less cost !

[@williammecham7038]

I have a pair of the large Advent speakers I bought in 1978 . Still going strong . Replaced the suspension rings one time several years ago but other than that , still perfect

[@chasm6698]

Nice to see the ADS L810s. I haven't heard anything about them for a long time, though I did hear FROM the slightly smaller L710s in my living room this morning. They have an effortless clarity no matter what they're delivering. And, as you say, the quality of the cabinetry is exquisite. Mine will not be for sale as long as I'm alive.

[@greganderson1681]

Wow, that was a trip through the Wayback Machine! I saved up and built my first hifi system when I was a junior in high school. And there it is in your video! Well, mine was slightly less impressive - Pioneer SA-8100/TA-8100, Thorens TD165 and a pair of large Advents. Only one of our rich kid friends had a stacked pair of Advents and I’m not sure I ever heard them. But I loved my setup so much I didn’t care. Still have the Thorens although I have much better TTs now. Still have the amp & tuner although the amp needs a refresh. And I gave the Advents to my daughter, who’s still rockin’ out with them.

[@donwalker8246]

In 1962 I loved sitting in my dorm room and listening to Verdi’s Requiem on my AR 2a s driven by my Dynakit Stereo 70s (I built) and in 1992 at home driven by my Marantz Receiver 223; I gave the receiver and speakers to my daughter soon after.

[@timothyjudsontaylorofficia9786]

I had a pair of Boston A400’s and Polk SDA1’s with phase link. Between the two, the Bostons won hands down. Another truly great speaker was a set of industrial grade La Scala’s with Crites upgrades. Many others came and went. Thanks for the share.

[@jlcougilljr]

GLAD YOU POSTED TIM!!! i have SDA 1A's that i love. i'm gonna have to check some A400's out for sure!! I have a few pairs of the more modern Polk's from over the last 15-20 years but i have collected several pairs of and really love the Monitor series from the 80's like the Monitor 10's, 5jr., 5's, 4's and 7's and have always loved these from the first time seeing and hearing the Monitor series back in the day, i was still in high school in the early/mid 80's so hell i didn't have money but was starting do to part time work in the workforce so i could start buying things i wanted as a young man, like some bad-ass Monitor Series Polk Audio's , and beer of course-lol!! so yeah brother, i need to check out the A400's considering your opinion of them against your SDA1's, take care brother! \m/ \m/

[@manzanaresantonio]

I can see that you really know about speakers. I heard the Boston Acoustics A400 a few months ago and I was shocked at how smooth they sound.

[@beercanshooter7680]

Excellent Video, I watch every one you publish and also, your record cleaning kit actually works pretty good.

[@keithsargent6963]

I inherited a pair of Wharfedale W-60D speakers. Purchased in 1964 by my father in Miami Fla. So they are my favorite vintage speakers.

[@markmorrow3250]

Nice trip down memory land. I got my first stereo in about 1978, it was a Rotel 25 watt receiver and and pair of AR18 speakers. My brother in-law is still using the Rotel at his house. I kept the AR’s unit sometime in the early 90’s I think. I had some other speakers in those years but they didn’t trip my trigger. But I bought a new pair of Boston A400’s in 1984-85 sometime. Kept them for several years. They were really nice to pair with modest electronics and gave a great experience. But it was easy to annoy the other people in our apartment building with them. In the late 80’s I was working at a couple different audio stores, and changed out gear kind of regularly. But I did sell several of the brands that you mentioned here. I always liked and sold lots of Boston Acoustics especially the A100’s. ADS was a great speaker, but didn’t sell as well because they were more expensive, and not as flashy, people tended to like a little bump and splash in the demo room. Despite their popularity, I never worked at a store that sold JBL. I always thought that they were bass heavy when I heard them, but lots of people liked them.

[@goodun2974]

The audio store I worked for in the 80s sold Boston acoustics BMW face Tech and dalquist speakers. We sold plenty of Boston A40's and A60s but not too many of the larger models because he B&W DM10's at $300-somehing a pair just about crushed almost anything in the store until you spent 3 times that. Everybody working in the store-bought a pair of those b & w speakers for themselves at half price on salesman's accommodations.

[@jordanrussell345]

I never see Polks make these lists, but of course it's Kevin talking about his personal favs and that's of course subjective and perfectly fine! Just interesting that the Polks don't ever show up.

[@zacharyduren5909]

the monitor 7b w/ peerless tweeter is up there with the best I've ever heard

[@tommywingate2220]

I’ve had a crush on the ADS line since they appeared and it’s been hit n miss over time but Polks have been in my systems starting with the srs 3.1 tl model just incredible performer along with there LS-70 and more recently the LS i9 that I cannot rave enough about. Polk is sneaky I fall asleep then suddenly WHAMM I discover something I dont live without. Thanks for bringing them up.

[@billsmith5166]

For value today, nothing much compares to the 7s.10's or any of the SDAs. 10s in my neck of the woods and in good condition can be found for $300 to $400 and I bought a pair of the compact SDAs for $350 a year ago. I'd never heard them, and they're great. From what I've found over the past several years, Magnepans are also a bargain.

[@shodan6401]

First I'm seeing your channel, but I immediately understand that you know what you're talking about - because you nailed it right out of the gate. You obviously have a discerning pair of ears. BTW, you owe it to yourself to chase down the original Stereo Review articles on the L810's and much of the ADS line, as well as many of the others in your list of favorites. You may have to use the "WayBack" machine, but it's worth the effort. Years ago, while working at a HiFi shop, we took most of these models in on trade, and 35 years later, I still have my L780 Mark II's, L810's, many of the ADS bookshelf models, and the classic AR's. Love the "fried egg" tweeters. Great vid, thanks.

[@triples4good]

Great video. I love these kinds of videos. As an owner of a pair is L810s I agree. I would like to have a pair of the newer ones with metal grills too! I admit I turn the treble and bass knobs and push the loudness button.

[@karenfyhr2363]

Love the review you gave on all the speakers and as always I value your opinion. Don't ever apologize for what you like.

[@skylabsaudio]

Thank you, Karen! We always seem to agree :)

[@karenfyhr2363]

​@@skylabsaudioYou're welcome. Yeah I noticed that, it's rare that I agree with anyone all the time and that anyone agrees with me.. it's refreshing for a change...lol

[@charlesivey100]

I paired my JBL-L65s with the L-56 off my Marantz 2275 (I bought it in 1977) back around 1982. I lived in an apartment at the time, so I didn't get much chance to open up the volume. When I moved into my first house, I set the speakers in four corners, trying different placement combinations. The L-65s sounded better on 1' pedestals. The bass was fantastic, while the mid and tweeters, I scaled back some. And yes, I used the loudness button on my Marantz. I can give a good example of the bass: the band Styx had a song named Queen of Spades. The synthesized bass at the end would rattle the walls and you would feel it inside your body. Live recorded music would sound as if you were present.

[@EfficientRVer]

I often use Castle Walls by Styx when comparing speakers.

[@pervertedalchemist9944]

My favorite vintage speakers are the ones I am currently using. I have a pair of AVID 102 speakers made in 1980. They have a knob to adjust the sound of the tweeter and have a fuse to power them. I don't hear them talked about much - if at all.

[@phongpit]

I know for a fact that AR-3a speakers were available in the early 1967 and likely 1966 time frame, I was stationed in the Azores in an Air Rescue Squadron and several of my friends got a pair of them. I left there in August of '67 so I know they had them for a long time before that. As for flat sound, I read that you needed lots of power with AR-3a's (maybe 80 watts per channel or more) because you needed the power to get greater fidelity at lower volume settings. ( I have a pair of Altec-Lansing Model 14 speakers, my dream speakers purchased in early 1980's while in Japan)

[@sabrowenie]

Last summer a fried called me to say he was sitting on ADS 2030’s at a garage sale for well under $1K. Went to the bank got a cashiers check then hightailed it almost two hours away. I get a call they were sold. It turned into a bidding war between a couple people for well above what I had the check for. As a consolation prize, the next week as I’m dropping of yard waste at our community recycling center. In the electronics room there’s a pair of near mint Pioneer CS-99A’s. Waxed the cabinets, DeOx on the pots. Total cost. Free. Been on my main system with Heresy’s ever since.

[@rankenfile]

Fun video. Absolutely love my ADS L810's I scored 12 years ago. Such a wonderful sound.

[@sfbadboy]

I lucked out and got some AR7s at a thrift store for $12. After replacing the foam, they sound amazing staring my whole audiophile journey

[@EfficientRVer]

Almost as good as my finding a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls for $7.99ea in the furniture section at a Goodwill bins outlet. I presumed they were blown. They weren't. The key to finding amazing stuff at thrift stores, is to be in the right place at the right time, which you can only do by figuring out which ones get especially good stuff, what their schedule is for putting out stuff, then putting in your time doing the rounds of good stores, and thoroughly checking what is there. Eventually it pays off. It also pays to pick and resell stuff other than what you're personally interested in, to help justify spending more hours in your personal quests. It's funny what picking/reselling skills you can develop if you pay attention, or if you make friends among other regular pickers/shoppers. If looking for stereo components, make a deal with a picker friend that they'll grab good stuff for you, if you'll grab stuff in their own areas of interest, say kitchen appliance blades and Legos. At first, just do it while you're both in the store, to exchange stuff into each other's carts. Then, consider buying for each other when only one of you is there, and squaring up later. It might lead to a $10 mistake once in a while, but not often enough to outweigh frequent $100+ wins.

[@andrewg824]

Dalhquist DQ 10’s with two HK citation 19’s and a passive sub were fantastic. A wall of sound.

[@ecyfoto]

“Audiophiles are too scared to play with their knobs.” Classic!

[@Palaemon44]

Being older than dirt, seeing those old names brings back memories. My roommate in the Air Force had a pair of 2ax’s, Dual Turntable, and Marantz receiver. That was some great listening.

The one thing to watch out for in the Boston Acoustics A line is that the drivers have foam surrounds that deteriorate with age. You will probably have to replace the foam on a vintage pair if it hasn't already been done. It's not a difficult repair, but you need to allocate most of a day from start to finish because the glue needs drying time. Break them in a for a couple of days after the repair; when you first install the new foam it will be stiff and the speakers will have no bass. eBay sellers have the replacement foam, and it's not expensive. You'll pay somewhere around $20 per pair of speakers for the surround for the lower end two way models (just one driver to repair in each); the larger speakers cost proportionately more to fix because you'll have to repair more drivers.

[@deekay2]

Nearly all older speakers that use foam surrounds will need replaced after 25+ years. Boston Acoustics speakers are no better or worse than other brands. If you buy the correct high compliance "filleted" half roll type surrounds, no break in period is needed.

@@deekay2 I know the problem with foam surrounds isn't unique to BA. But I don't know whether any of the other speakers in this video have them. The need for break-in is per my personal experience. I have repaired a number of Boston Acoustics speakers, and they have all sounded better after playing something on them for 48 hours. So far as I know, I'm not buying the wrong foam.

[@bonzer2u]

I put new surrounds on my A-150's 10 years ago, pushin with my circa 70's yammy ca/ct 800 stack. Yah they still kick ass like they did new almost 50 years ago. Best roi on $2500 in my lifetime...

[@christianboddum8783]

My first set of speakers were Harman Kardon HK-20 which I was lucky to get for my confirmation at age 14, a simple 2-way speaker set but I really liked what I was hearing and I had many hours of listening on those.

[@douggarber8731]

In 1968 I sold AR3a and AR2a speakers in a Hi-Fi department at Hess Brothers in Allentown, PA. The salesmen preferred KLH 5s and 6s, so we drilled holes in the back of the ARs to kill the deep bass. Hardly sold any ARs after that - true story!

[@swinde]

So you sabotaged the better speakers. I will guess that the markup on the KLHs was better. KLH made excellent speakers as well. Back in the late 1960 I worked as a tech at a retail store that sold quality audio equipment. They had the AR-3a speakers, Advents, JBL L-100s and they had speakers marketed by H. H. Scott. The manager wanted us to push the Scott speakers because it had a much better markup. Luckily, I did not do too much sales because the Scott was not a great speaker.

[@Derdedering]

I'll never ever get rid of my ADS L810's ❤ The Boston Acoustics A100 image so easily, I can't wait to hear your A400's when you have them set up sometime !! Super excited to build boxes and x-overs for my the L65 drivers as well. Great content as usual !!! Others on my keeper list: EV Sentry III Wharfefale W90 JBL L100T & L96 Marantz Imperial I & 8 ESS Heil Elites w/ Gauss 15's Polk Audio SDA II ... so hard to keep that list small IMO 😉

[@trog69]

I loved my L810s so much that when a guy mentioned that a pair of 910s (no "L" designation, since they were originally built as studio mains) had a seller on eBay from my state, I jumped on them. Turned out, I missed that they were selling for $900-each. I immediately messaged back saying I was very sorry but I couldn't afford them, but that I felt they were easily worth it. That was the magical phrase, as the seller had been bombarded with low-ballers and cranks, so he sold the pair to me for $1000, including his time and gas to drive to my place. Two weeks later, the seller drove 2+ hours, each way, to deliver them to my house, as I don't drive and he didn't want the stands or cabinets possibly damaged via shipping. I am eternally grateful to that very generous man! As for how to 910s sound compared to the L810s; instruments come out of the drivers much larger than before. Dual-10.5" bass drivers inside their own enclosures inside the cabinets, and the exact same mid/tweet as the L810s. 28htz-25khtz/93db/4ohm/130lbs-each w/stands. The 910s are my end-gamer loudspeakers.

[@omnion100]

I have the same speakers in Germany called Baun l810. The founder of Ads imported the speakers in the 70s. They sound excellent. The Braun company was a leader in German loudspeaker construction in the early 1970s.

[@williamsarver2491]

You and I agree on most audio topics- As a salesman from 72 to 79 my audio shop carried multi lines of tts and receivers and speakers - When the DQ 10 came out it blew away everything I had heard up to then except if you wanted to crank up hard rock - My ultimate system in 1976 was Technics 1100 with SME 3009 arm with ADC-XML cartridge HK CITATION 11 preamp Marantz 500 power amp Dalqiuist DQ10s Chair -palm plant - Cat Stevens albums 😅 Sad I sold them but it helped me pay for college The AR3 was the first air suspension book shelf speaker that delivered great bass in a small package

[@MH-rl9ep]

Awesome list, Kevin….these are all my bucket list vintage speakers! Oh, and I’m all I’m on loudness and tone controls too!

[@MarvinHartmann452]

These ADS look amazing. I like the dome mid and tweeter, they usually sound very good.

[@thelowprofile9767]

I don't have an ADS L810 but I got an ADS L400 bought at a yard sale for $5.00 for the pair including the original stand. Amazed that it still works without any issues. I matched it with an Onkyo subwoofer then later a Klipsch subwoofer and the combination is really great.

[@robmaxfield780]

I have a set of ADS-L1530s that easily compete with my later aerial acoustics model 8s. I also have a set of ADS L710s that were my first set of vintage speakers and got me hooked onto the ADS line. I absolutely love the ADS brand! Fabulous speakers!

[@MuscleBN]

I have had almost every ads speaker with the exception of the 910 and one other ..And I have to say the most accurate and pleasing to me was actually the 710 over the 810...I am so sorry I got rid of those...they were my favorite..the bass from the 2 -7 inch was so tight and snap. They didn't go as low as the 810 did.but prefer the 710 quickness.😢

[@customconsult3045]

I’m still sorry I dumped my L1530’s after I bought a pair of L1590’s. Being young & foolish I believed newer meant better even though my ears said otherwise. It’s a shame ADS didn’t survive to present days.

[@chienminchang40]

I sold my ADS -L1530 because size too big, then sold L-710L , now use Proac response D1 . Still keep AR3a , and 4x .

[@trog69]

It seems most people who've heard both prefer the L710s. I am most fortunate to have a pair of 910s practically drop into my lap here in S. Arizona. There are a few 910s that occasionally can be bought off Craigslist in the NE markets around where they were built.@@MuscleBN

[@charkuat]

From, Malaysia, you selection are all thumbs up. My Jubals are my pride and joy, alnico bass drivers, 707 crystal "hot" tweeters and solid mid speakers, from the softest of volume to pushing the volume limit, it holds well. Added an active Jamo sub, happy as a lark.

[@265126]

In college, I had a pair of AR-2AX, an AR turntable, and a Marantz receiver! They were on my desk . . . the dining table was for homework! What a great way to start my audiophile experience.

[@toddcovington1172]

Great list. The honorable mention of ESS makes great sense. I love my ESS AMT 1 B's! Completely agree with different types of speakers. I rotate the ESS's, Vandersteen C2 i''s, Ohm H's, Ohm Walsh I, and JBL 4310. Jubal's and ADS's are/have been on radar ! Love your cast!

[@ronblackburn308]

Pair my Yamaha cr-820 with ESS model 7s' and get JBL like rock tones. Use ESS Pedestals speakers for fronts with Pioneer Elite SC-68 for that clear airy sound.

[@Nafregamisrocanob]

Still have my JBL L26 speakers and Yamaha 610 II amp and YP-d71 turntable purchased in 1976 before I went off to college. I reconed the woofers and refinished the cabinets and they are as sweet sounding as ever. I now drive them with a second hand Carver 90amp receiver.

[@toddclarke1580]

The 2 most magical Audio Moments in my life involved wiring up a pair of AR3a , to my Sansui 9090 db, that was about 2002. And another was hearing the DQ10s playing outside on someone’s porch around 1984. Epicure/Epi Speakers are also really under rated and Impressive Sounding.

[@NoferTrunions]

I'm 71 and have tried a lot of low cost "audiophile" speakers. (Acoustat 2+2, Apogee stage, B&W 801,DM6, DCM QED, Cerwin-Vega, Infinity, Magnaplanar, etc.) and the initial focus was bass. However, in my 30's I discovered "imaging" and the race was on. Imaging is everything. When the experience turns into a razor sharp "surround" sound, frequency response, base, etc. become almost unimportant. When you get a better imaging set, it's time to listen to all your records again to heard things you never heard before - it can be quite dramatic. The Champion so far is a set of Phase Research Tower R's - a 6" transmission line 2-way that has so many design tweaks they look experimental. The tweeter was in a tunnel supported by a "fin'. This tunnel was recessed about 2" back from the woofer cabinet. So I thought, Gee that flat surface should be reflecting sound upward and blurring the imaging. So I laid a terry cloth towel on that top edge - and it totally destroyed the imaging! Whoever designed these speakers knew things - I've never seen other speakers employ many of the bizarre things done to these.

[@burlingtonbill1]

agree 100% except for me the Magnepan MG3a's did it !

[@NoferTrunions]

@@burlingtonbill1 I think I had the 2's and always wanted the 3's. However the Apogee Stage were like fireworks when listening to brass - you could "hear" the metal of the horns - something you experience live. I can't imagine what the Diva's were like. The 2+2's were a bit of a letdown, but back in the day, they were like ultra futuristic science fiction. Opus One in Pittsburgh was loaded with that stuff including the Advent 7' VideoBeam Projection TV of which I owned about 6 and at one time had 4 in my house.

[@johnnytoobad7785]

I've owned BA speakers since 1994. Sub-stat7's. It's an external woofer box and satellites. (almost 30 years old!) Just got the satellites re-coned last year.

[@jeffbrooke4892]

Another well worth listening to video. As always, thanks! PS- love the Boston A series. I have a set of early issue A150s and A200s with oak veneer and light brown grill cloth and feel they are hard to beat. PSPS - you need to do a program on your Fisher 400. Seriously! I have a 800B that's been long on the deferred maintenance list and into a shop for recapping and getting back into rotation with a set of Klipsch Heresy Is. I would be very interested in hearing your opinion on the Fisher series of receivers from that period, especially the amp and preamp sections.

[@martyh9309]

I had some Boston Acoustics A200s and loved them!! I also am an Epicure fan from the 70s and 80s. I had a pair of 20+ models... Love those too.

[@tonyidle7813]

back in the early 80s , I was able to pick-up a pair of AR-2ax speakers really cheap. the tweeter wire was broke and the customer did not know it . ran them with a tube fisher int. amp. sounded great.

[@gdemirjian]

Klipsch kg4 are my current fav vintage speakers. Great video. Thanks.

[@gli7utubeo]

AR had these AR Music Rooms that had all their equipment set up for listening but it was not for sale there. One was in Grand Central Station in New York and the other was in MA (Cambridge I think). This was in the first half of the 1970s.

[@bobbiejoyamann3981]

Another cool 🆒 video, had not heard of ADS before; always learning something new from your videos!

[@xxxYYZxxx]

"Sometimes I push the Loudness control". 😊 I've recently discovered the joys and pitfalls of my preamps "loudness contour" knob. Without a sub, I'm running 5.25" 2-way monitors, and the bass sounds great, especially down the hall and into my bedroom at night. 😐

[@wjack4728]

Had the Boston Acoustic A-150's back in the mid 80's. The best speaker I've ever owned, man those speakers could make the room expand, and almost blow my windows out. I've had many speakers since, and have never found speakers I enjoyed more since.

[@vrm86gt]

really enjoy my Infinity Kappa 6, also own restored KLH Five, Ar 2AX, DCM TF300 (really like those also) And RTR HPM-12M are probably my favorite, they work really well with my 50 watt Luxman R-1050 receiver.

[@analogkid4557]

I remember back in the 80s hearing B&W, KEF, Polk, Infinity etc. The Infinity speakers were great back then but when I heard Thiel, that was it for me.

[@alexw890]

Many JBL tweeters have a reputation for being harsh including the old horns as well as the 80’s and 90’s titanium domes. In my experience it’s all about the crossover. I have done crossover upgrades on several models and the measurements all show an elevated top end. Not sure why they did this but they did. They are all great drivers however and when implemented properly, have a nice flat response. As for the A400’s wide baffle, one big plus to that is it pushes the baffle step frequency down to where it’s much lower. Without getting into too much theory, that makes the crossover easier to design and the low end better.

[@pdxtomct]

The stereo shop I frequented back in the day always advised patrons to purchase the best set of best speakers they could afford when assembling a system. I always thought that was good advice, though I watched plenty of people buy powerful receivers and amps, then scrimp on speakers.

[@rotaxtwin]

True story. You can slap together a little IC-based 5 W amplifier and have impressive results if you are driving real speakers. Look what results they were getting back in the day with a pair of theatre Altecs and a medium size (for the time) tube amplifier.

[@martyjewell5683]

Boston Acoustics built swell speakers. I have the A-40's in my 900+cu/ft kitchen hifi system and find them very satisfying. Tiny speakers with a big sound. Was a time in NYC you could pop into stores like Tech Hifi, Harvey's, Audio Graveyard, Stereo Warehouse, Great Sounds even Crazy Eddie's and more to audition speakers with your own LP's. Tech Hifi had a great sales staff that cared about you satisfaction.

[@IronHorsey3]

Even if I’m not that interested in the equipment, I love the Skylabs intro. 👑

[@DQ-su6qf]

First heard the DQ10’s at Paris Audio in Sherman Oaks ca. back in 1973 and To this day that speaker has made the biggest impression on me..

[@amandamak8808]

after my DQ10 broke down. Not many things come closed... Snell, B&W, infinity

[@Sticky187]

My favorite line of speakers is Design Acoustics I'm using them again from the late 70s D-12 and D-6 still love them.

[@chuckgilly]

I have my DCM Time Window 3s in use right now. Super easy to place. I had a set of ADS L710s with stands when I was a kid driven by Techniques ST-8080 tuner and SU-8080 integrated amp.

[@morrisonAV]

You should have seen me smiling as you began with the L810s. My first "real" speakers and they were the original cloth grille version. I strayed away from a/d/s (or aDs or ADS) a couple of times but always came back. Have a pair of 1230s in my living room now and they are sublime. Great video.

[@siriosstar4789]

i've heard hundreds of different speaker set ups over my 78 years and still to this day my favs were the original Polk SDA, i'm not going to try to justify that with techy talk , it's just one of those things in life where an external object is somehow in sync with one's subjectivity .

[@johnvincent4048]

Kevin, you have the best job/hobby. Messing around with all this cool vintage audio equipment. Have you or anyone else out there listened to DLK 1 1/2? Made in Mendota Heights MN in the late 1970s to early 1980s.

[@francescotenti193]

Another great and informative video, and fun too, by your admission, in public!!, to use tone and loudness controls.

[@raymondmoran2881]

I had my Dahlquist speakers in a small room and they sounded just fine. I had them close to the corners of the room in a furnished basement and I think the cement foundation brought out the best they could do. You do need a sub. They will blow the built-in fuses if you don't

[@moore2522]

I purchased my DQ 10's new back in the early 80's after lusting for them for years. I knew that they were power hungry so I built a pair of Hafler DH 200's bridged to mono with a DH 110 preamp to start. Later I added a pair of HSU HRSW10's powered by an Adcom GFA 555. It all may seem overkill, but one of my passions is the pipe organ and in the 80's this was the best bang for the buck that I could muster. The DQ 10's work especially well because as you've stated, they are open and give a wide stage presence. Plus the frequency range works well for pipe organ music. The HSU's will go down smoothly to 16hz and the Adcom will push them there! The HSU design so impressed me that for my dedicated home theater room I built a pair of Sono-tube subs, scaled up to almost 6 ft with 15" woofers. Yup, they do earthquake! Great listening doesn't have to be nose-bleed expensive. I still have the DQ 10's (now in my home theater) and have re-done the foam surrounds on the woofers. They still sound as sweet as ever. Judicial spending on the right gear is always the key!

[@robertmceuen3630]

My favorites are the ones I built myself. Two 8" JBL's, horn mid, and ribbon tweeter. Column design, ported. They sound pretty good for home built. Solid, 60 lbs each.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

they really should just sell it asap, im sure many people prefer simple portable solution to accompany their activities (and their expensive iems)

[@robertmceuen3630]

@@jesse75 of course. I built two others also. Each have JBL 15" 2226, LE175 horn, 2 8" JBL, and a Renkus Heinz horn tweeter. They really smoke, no subwoofer needed.

[@robertmceuen3630]

@@jesse75 those LE8T's are sweet. Cabinets from 2 to 3.5 cu. ' will do fine. Ports about 8"×2"×4" deep. More cu. ' cabinets = more bass.