Best Ever Audiophile Speakers, for REAL!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

This list is comprised of ten emotional favorites, out of many hundreds of speakers I've experienced. So sure, many dozens of excellent speakers are left out.

[@airmangirard]

…one of which was Ohm. I was rooting for them to make the cut but alas no….

[@davidhunternyc1]

For 70 years, every audiophile magazine promoted speakers that got better, more refined, and closer to "real music." Never do we arrive. As of 2023 are there any speakers that reproduce Mozart's Requiem or John Corigliano's 1st Symphony "exactly" as in the concert hall where it was recorded? No. Will music reproduction ever duplicate the exact sound of real music? No. We've had the brightest minds try as they might but we are still far, far away. I bet in a 100 years we won't be much further than we are now. I wish the audiophile community would be honest with themselves and ask, "Why?"

[@keplermission]

@@davidhunternyc1 No ... there is equipment that exactly duplicates a concert grand piano because the British used to blind tests with a curtain, and audience but you know, the recorded and live were behind a curtain. I've said it many times and uh ... you know, (people) just like David Hunter NYC (you know, one in a thousand so to speak NEVER LEARN, NEVER READ THE COMMENTS), they just keep up with the same jibes, and they're just critics, that's all, no pleasing them but the TRUTH is, that they will always be 'far far away' from paying the price that would need to be paid. These guys just listen to their own voice babbling away all day.

[@TommyShlong]

Dude, do you live or work in Cobble Hill? I am almost positive I saw you on the phone in front of PS 29 today.

[@edthesecond9772]

@@davidhunternyc1 you're right, it doesn't sound close to the real thing. But it's a pleasant simulation. We are still using cones like they did 80 years ago. Electrostatic is an improvement for high frequencies. But not much is really new. We need a paradigm change. Or maybe a brain-player interface.

[@nickuncagedpodcast7280]

1:50 KEF LS50 (and LS50 Meta) 2:40 ZU Druid Mk IV (and Zu Dirty Weekend and DW6) 4:15 Dynaudio Special 25 (with REL britannia) 5:30 Gallo Nucleus Reference 6:33 TAD ME1 (and TAD reference) 7:44 Wilson Watt 3 Puppy 2 8:27 Snell Type A II 9:17 Klipsch RP600m (and mk II) 9:49 Klipsch Forte IV and Klipsch Cornwall IV 10:15 Vandersteen 2C (and 2Ce Sig III) 11:23 Magnepan LRS+ (and original LRS) 12:30 Pure Audio Project Duet 15

[@keplermission]

As a side note you know, these High End speaker people, there are always about three of them in a room somewhere trying various amplifiers and speakers ... and they're 'Made People', as we say in NY. But at the low end we had Realistic Mach One and Two, and about ten years ago, a company made a new woofer for the old Mach One box and ... it's a splendid woofer, big middle range horns in the Mach One developed by Marantz create a true spatial image, if a lower earner, try Mach One, Mach Two with their ideal matching receivers that when very slightly serviced will be good enough. High End people are a 'crew' as we say, they all think alike and prefer certain things, you know we might prefer low end sound. It's not just money, it's a whole different world. High End people, they're a lifestyle we can't all reach.

[@stillaliveandwell5291]

@kepplermission 😂😂😂😊

[@stillaliveandwell5291]

I could have guessed 10 of them before watching. Scratch my back the company said to the reviewer. Scratch my back the reviewer said to the company. This guy pays for nothing which = severe credibility issue.😮🤭🙄🤫😌😁😪🥺

[@ivanv-n3152]

God bless you, man. Thanks 😂

[@staberdearth3130]

@@stillaliveandwell5291 Then he’s lying, he did call out speakers he owned and bought. Now that’s not to say he didn’t get an insane discount.

[@michaelgrabowski993]

I am 70 years old. I got into high end audio in my early 20s. I've own several speakers over the last 50 years. The speakers I fell in love with from the time they came out are the Dahlquist DQ 10. I bought a pair as soon as I could afford them. That was probably about 35 years ago and I still own those speakers. I just could never part with them. They are the only speakers I have owned that I can listen to all day without a hint of listening fatigue. I listen to those same speakers I bought all those years ago to this day.

[@ThomLieb]

As a 21-year-old college student, I scraped together the $700 for DQ 10 serial numbers 112 and 127. Enjoyed them for 15 years before finally upgrading to Infinity RS-1bs. Not really tempted by anything in between. (As far as I know, a friend of mine is still enjoying the old speakers.)

[@JukeboxAlley]

Oh, well if you like the 10s that well, you probably need to listen to the dq-12, 20 or 20i, or even the dq-8, all of those designs were done by Carl Marchisotto, the dq-10 was not, he's a too notch designer, you'll be blown away by those models, I have had the 10s also, but just wait until you try the others maybe one day.

[@ThomLieb]

@@JukeboxAlley I have a pair of Carl’s Alon/Nola speakers from 20 years ago that sound pretty fantastic.

[@DaEDman4life]

I just saw a pair DQ 10's at good friend's home today.He had a pair of Adcom GFA 555 and nice pair of Klipsch Conwalls. I was also there to purchase a pair of JBL XPL 160's!💯😉

[@richardfrankel6102]

​@@ThomLieb I bought a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10s, back in the 1970s. A few years later, I started to hear about a way to get vore volume and "slam" out of the them: use STACKED Dahlquists, that is, TWO pair, one mounted on top of the other! Well, I wanted to know if this was really a good idea, or just more 'Audiophile Craziness'; and also, how best to mount the upper pair, etc. So I called Dahlquist, explained what I wanted to do, and a very nice person said, "Let me connect you to someone who has experience with that." A moment later, I heard, "Hi, this is Saul Marantz, how can I help you?" Stunned, I blurted out, "THE Saul Marantz?!?" He laughed, but it turned out that he himself was rocking Stacked Dahlquists at home, and had designed mounting frames for them. He mailed me full-scale paper templates for the frames, which I took to a local carpenter, and that was that. How did they sound? Like Dahlquists, only huge, and alive, and effortlessly dynamic. They sounded like the illegitimate offspring of a Dahlquist DQ-10 and an Altec-Lansing 'Voice of the Theater'. And THAT was fun!

[@MrJohnBos]

Back in the very early seventy's, I was privledged to listen to a pair of Klipsch Klipschorns driven by a modest MacIntosh amplifier. The music being played was Tommy, the Rock Opera by the Who. I was totally and completely blown away. To my mind and to this day, they were and still are the ultimate speakers for Rock and Roll. I will never forget the that experience.

[@Random-kq4pz]

Was the Mac tube or solid state?

[@Zzz-lz9kb]

@@Random-kq4pz Great question.

[@BlankBrain]

A friend of mine built four Klipshorns using the Electrovoice plans. He built two for himself and two for a friend using Altec drivers and horns. They sounded amazing. He and the friend became roommates in college. They stacked two Klipshorns in two corners of their dorm room. The friend was dorm president, so they got away with it. They were also respectful to the other people in the dorm. One time during dead week, they opened the windows and cranked up Dreamboat Annie. The whole quad rocked. There was no distortion.

[@jayaybe1]

I'm a big Who fan 😃. What was it about those speakers that made them so great for Rock and Roll, scale? Dynamics?

[@Rob9mm]

I had that same experience around 1975, can't recall amp however.

[@hireality]

No audio reviewer beats Steve’s wonderful enthusiasm and passion 👍

[@FOH3663]

His breadth of experience is extensive. I'm guessing individuals may have more, ... but who? I mean selling, plus reviewing, for three or four decades ... it's a lot.

[@Hiluxtaco]

Andrew Robinson is not too shabby ..

[@FOH3663]

@@Hiluxtaco Dig his work, ... but he's not had half the experience of Steve, no?

[@Hiluxtaco]

@@FOH3663 Maybe he's not as experienced as Steve. I view him as just another perspective on this hobby...

[@FOH3663]

@alienígena You bring up a good point ... but there's not much up there. I've been recording, mixing, and mastering since the 70's ... I'm good to 12.5khz, can you share with me the importance of 13khz on up? You know there's no fundamentals up there, merely the very top some instruments overtones, air. Importance? 8khz to 16khz, is the same musical width of 20hz to 40hz, a single octave. It's ok, really. Youth, I'm afraid, ... is wasted on the young.

[@yyams]

My grandfather has a pair of the Special 25's... Recently a driver went out on one of them and Dynaudio went all the way sorting it out for him. They, would you believe it, made a run of drivers just for him, with a few spare, and wouldn't take a penny as the 25 year warranty was still in force. Of course they gave him two drivers, one for each speaker, because the possibility of mismatched sound was out of the question. Great things, I'll inherit them one day, though I'd rather have my 100 year old grandfather.

[@aaronkiska9620]

Say that after you had them an hour lol so kidding like when I inherited my uncles precious ford falcon cars cool but

[@yyams]

@@aaronkiska9620 Odd that you'd reply and I'd be reminded I posted that... Just a couple months ago he died at 100 years old and his whole sound system is sat in boxes havign just been moved. And you make a good point - Great to have it, cool system, but where on earth do I set 'em up?! The 25's are HUGE.

[@aaronkiska9620]

@@yyams and if they butt heads they will sound like crap unfortunately

[@Mrch33ky]

Been in the hobby over 20 years. Bought a pair of active Genelecs about 1 year ago. They have made me forget all the speakers and amps I have ever owned. I listen to more music now, and enjoy it more than ever. Cheers!

[@morejelloplease]

what model? i'm looking for some magnepan replacements

[@ftlbaby]

Genelec are special. I had 8050s when I was engineering. Then downsized to 8030s as my desktop speakers. Eyeing the “new” coaxial ones…

[@telemarktumalo6978]

My favorite speakers were a pair of Altec Lansing 19's. I purchased them in 1979 and had a large room 20'x28'. I just grooved out on the music of the day. I remember Ry Cooder's Bop 'til You Drop like it was yesterday. The clarity and power of those were incredible. Unfortunately, I had to sell them when I moved into a small apartment during college years. They were indeed monstrous in size and perhaps my memory is fuzzy, but I cannot recall ever being so impressed with sound.

[@josemariatrueba4568]

My best memories to Altec Voice of Theatre for pop and rock music. IMPRESSIVE sensitivity and dynamism from 30 to 16,000 Hz with just a 15 inch and a compression driver, even if lacking very low frequency response down to 20Hz, nor all the way to 22,000. Massive sound with up to 137dB with 50 watts, spl was more than 120dB 1w at 4 feet, from a just a Marshall el34 50/50, a 50 plus 50w tube amplifier designed for two guitars, but covering at minus 3dB from 30Hz to more than 30,000. No other system that I have ever heard sounded with such an impressive personality.

[@socksumi]

Altec 19s are classic and I agree about their sound. Basically domestic versions of the VOT but with much superior refinement and a truly flat response. They compromised some efficiency in the 19s to make a better speaker but they are still quite efficient overall.

[@markbajek2541]

And big enough to be buried in.

[@kevinfestner6126]

TY for the photo of yourself when you were a young sapling. I have followed you for decades, your writing, etc. Nice to see some groovy old photos.

[@pumpkins69]

Purchased the Klipsch RP600 a couple of years back because of your review. It has brought me and my family a ton of joy and has been the backdrop to many special memories. I have them paired with my vintage Harmon Kardon 730 by the way. Thanks Steve!!

[@paulsalongo4927]

I loved my HK730. When HK was solid and really led the way in many concepts that has shown up in many brands. I miss it's performance but it probably faced too much abuse from my disco days of the 70s and 80s. I too love magnepans (I have a pair of 1.6) and klipsch. The original klipschorn is what ultimately made me an audiophile. I simply never had the money or space for them. I am interested in owning a pair of Fortes one day.

[@wadehodges2301]

H/K 730. Sold many of those back in the late 70s and still a great receiver.

[@tedrubinstein2003]

Wow, I bought my HK 730 in about 1978. With twin power amps it had much better separation than all the other receivers around at the time, so clear also. One of the channels became very fuzzy. I had it fixed once but the problem came back two months later and it’s been sitting for 30 years. And have upgraded my stuff. There’s a very competent repair place not too far away. Maybe I’ll dust it off get her fixed and see what she sounds like compared to the new stuff.

[@terrywoodyyc]

I still have memories of the great speakers that brought me into this hobby. I worked in a stereo store as technician in the 60s and the speakers that blew me away were the JBL System 8 (AKA S8). If you know the L300, the S8 used similar components (JBL drivers 136A, LE85, 077) but in a larger cabinet (four feet wide) that used both the 15" woofer and a passive radiator, the PR15. The concept of a subwoofer hadn't been invented yet, and the bottom end on this guy was simply awesome compared to anything else at the time. The mid-range and tweeter are both horn designs and they sounded super and wonderfully transparent. I played every kind of music on these speakers and they responded beautifully to everything. The store was a McIntosh dealer, so I listened to these with the equally awesome MC275 amplifier. Of course I could never afford these speakers, or the amplifier either, but they still remain a fond memory!

[@craigellsworth3952]

I had the L300s in my misspent youth. The bottom octave was where they were lacking.

[@andershammer9307]

I worked in a high-end stereo store in the 90's as a repair and sales guy. I got to hear many speakers like Thiels and B&W and Quad and Apogee. I prefered my home speakers (Acoustat X) to all of them but I appreciated what they could do.

[@georgeb1364]

I agree, to me there is nothing to compare with the experience, at the time, from a big JBL or Altec system of the 50's, 60", and 70's. Didn't matter if in a factory, home built or after-market cabinet. I even had a JBL Hartsfield corner horn once. Picked it up at a thrift store for $75 and flipped it for $2,000 many years ago. It sounded awesome even when powered by a little transistor radio.

[@terrywoodyyc]

@@georgeb1364 Thanks for the reply George. Funny you would mention Altec --- the system I could manage to afford was an Altec 604E in a homemade JBL S8 cabinet with the PR15 passive radiator. It sounded really good, about as close I could get to the S8. My amp was a Dynaco Stereo 70, certainly a great amp to drive these efficient speakers! I still have fond memories of that system ....

[@sosonic12000]

Yes, joining the JBL fan club best sounding rock /jazz funk/ reggae speakers are the mighty JBL Lx66 huge towers. Consisting of a titanium tweeter , a mid range and a pair of 8’ woofers. Affordable 15:25 audiophile speakers I run mine through Sansui sx1130 amp… The butterflies never vacate you!

[@BrettAshcraft]

I'm still running my Yamaha NS-1000 Monitors from the late 70's I purchased in high school. Black cases weigh nearly 100 lbs. and still have original cloth front covers. Best speakers ever made in my opinion. Driven by my original Yamaha 2040 receiver. Hooked up to Sonos! Equipment is over 40 years old!!! Still use it all the time. Priceless!

[@davehood1514]

The best speakers I nearly bought 🙄 gutted regretting it ever since 🫣

[@wythetrumpet6419]

Steve your audio reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you! 👍

[@garypulsican528]

Klipsch make phenomenal speakers for the money. Very happy with my RP 6000F II's

[@1819-v8j]

till you heard something different / better. Had the RF7 & other Klipsch Speaker and they have zero chance against a Neumann in every Section (maybe more SPL but for that you buy Subs & DSP). 90% of Klipsch is cheap Electronic Parts straight out of china. For me theyre way to overpriced because the Parts Klipsch uses on Crossover etc are pretty basic and often cheap

[@selfscience]

I loved when you said the word transparent. I went to a friend’s house twice and listen to his dads flat tall thin speakers. The sensation I felt was exactly that. Transparent. He played Dream On loud, it was also the first time I heard that song. I felt like I’ve entered another dimension. It was magical.

[@Jeffiekins]

I laughed out loud when you finally got to the Magnepans. I'm still enjoying my MG-III's from the mid-80s (when I was working in a store). They were the first speakers with the 6' ribbon tweeter, and I still have trouble finding anything I like better. While they do like power, I find that a 200-watt Adcom GFA-535-II is able to (just barely) bottom them out right at the edge of clipping. The fact that they are natively (and best) bi-amped helps to make up for the fact that, as you said, they really like a _good_ amp. So I have always used reasonably-priced high-current amps (like Adcom) for the bottom, and something with more subtlety for the top, where 50 watts is really plenty, and even 30 is good (the NAD 3140 was lovely, while it lasted). I am as happy with them as I have always been, though I only use them for music, and have a "normal" 5-speaker setup (with 2 subs) for home theater. One thing I should mention: Magnepan has been great whenever I needed them. I had to replace the ribbon tweeters at around 20 years old: they sent directions for how to pack them with inexpensive materials from Home Depot, and re-built them (with the newer ribbon) and sent them back to me (in a really nice box) for $100 apiece, IIRC. They seem to enjoy taking care of their customers.

[@steelydad5863]

Had mg 3.3's. Rna them with a Bryston amp and Classe Audio preamp. They came unglued and Magnepan wanted 1700 to fixe them and 500 to ship to them....Had to let them go. Was a sad day.

[@pnichols6500]

In high school, somehow was able to save up enough to buy my first "real" stereo system, Pioneer SX1050 Receiver, Pioneer CTF9191 Cassette deck and the Pioneer CS 99A Speakers with the 15" Woofers, 4 and 5 inch midrange, Dual HF tweeters and tweeter horn. They were jamming as much into this cabinet as they could! Probably looked cooler than they sounded.

[@Ihateutubecontextandsensorshit]

They sounded good, don't short change your memory. Got a set of them I use every week, they do not disappoint

[@dennisheadley4408]

The Vandersteen 2 has always been one of the benchmark speakers in its price range.

[@markkasick]

my buddy had the 2c. I agree.

[@flynow5614]

I had them, but I never really connected with them.. Traded for maggies 15 years ago. End game for me.

[@dennisheadley4408]

@@flynow5614 Good that you found what you like.

[@VONDOOM88]

I snagged a used pair of Vandersteen 3A signatures 2 years ago. Absolutely love them. Spoke with a guy at Vandersteen prior to purchase gave him the serial numbers to see what vintage they were etc. We had a nice conversation he said the 3A sig hasn't changed in over 20 years because there was no need lol. Mr. Vandersteen gave him a set as a wedding gift nearly 20 years ago and he still has them.

[@jsg1469]

Because of your review Steve, I own and love the Klipsch RP 600M. With a 10" sub it provides everything i need in all genres of music. For my ears it's perfect

[@Tonetwisters]

Back around 1966, Audiophile was fairly few and far between. My brother ran into a guy who worked at Lafayette E. in Tallahassee who had built two big cabinets that each had nine speakers in them. He had also built two cabinets that each had a JBL D-130 guitar speaker. My brother and I played Fender electric guitars in a band, and he had us over one night to A/B the two systems. Somehow, we plugged both guitars (a 1960 Jazzmaster and a 1954 Stratocaster) into his system and all three much preferred the JBL's for both pre-recorded music and our guitars.

[@tgirard123]

I love love love my Klipsch heresy 4s. They sound so good with most every style of music. Plus they are super sensitive and will work with almost any amplifier which makes it fun for trying stuff.

[@amse9297]

I agree about the LS50 Meta. There is a certain effortlessness about it. It's clear but not fatiguing. Unless I want to listen to something extremely loud, they're usually my go-to speaker. Paired with my Denafrips Pontus II and Rotel RA 1592 Mark II, it just sounds perfect in my room. Don't think I'll upgrade anytime soon.

[@wolverine3344]

Have you compared the LS50-meta with new R series Meta? Pair of R3 on order, with KC62 sub. Can’t wait, yes effortless is the word, and super wide stereonimage with tons of detail. I’m also a fan of the British sound profile.

[@michaelrosenberg2420]

Fav speakers until next week, omg it never ends!

[@stlpinstriping7772]

Based on your review and a couple others, I bought a pair of the Klipsch RP600 M speakers and they arrived today. Absolutely fantastic addition to my shop where I do artwork. Extremely clean and clear sound. Very impressive bass- so good that I turned my sub down a couple of positions. Thank you for the great, informative reviews with a practical approach.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

That's great, enjoy!

[@stillastillsfan]

Altec Model 18. Took 40 years for me to find this type of sound. Presence, dynamics, great tone, reasonably full range, 100 dB sensitivity, and terrific imaging w very low power tube amp. Built in ~ 1977, Close to unobtainable, I’ve only seen one other pair available in the last 10 years.

[@ronaldlemay2671]

I listen to Altec Lansing Model 19’s and love them!

[@whosbehindthedoor8788]

Altec A7

[@mikemiller659]

I worked for Altec in 1974 in OKC. They had bought University Sound located on W. Reno. I worked on the power press or any location needed. It was my first union job. It was repetative work. They has a room U might call sound proof with sound absorbing materials over the walls & ceiling.

[@josemariatrueba4568]

Not 100dB but up to more than 120dB SPL from 30Hz to 16KHz, with 1w at 4 feet!

[@stillastillsfan]

@@josemariatrueba4568 100 db at 1W at 4fts. w crossover controls set to optimum

[@DuanTorruellas]

I remember when you use to write for stereo review and high fi news. I'm so glad you're still in the beautiful world of hi fi. ❤

[@danwheetman6914]

Wow…to have walked your path and delved deeply into the sonic world, mercy! As a lifetime musician but a recent audiophile (and a fan of your approach…to thine out self be true…) it’s like me creating a top ten list of vintage instruments I have owned and played. Love it. Thanks .

[@gerryk3114]

I’ve been around longer than You & I too was in the Industry !! At the CES Convention in Chicago, mid 70’s I heard a Demonstration of a pair of speakers from a Company named Infinity !!! I Believe they were called: “The Servo Static One A” ??? WOW !!! A few years later I Bought The Infinity QLS-1. WHICH STILL IMPRESS ME AND BLOW ME AWAY !!!

[@HowardSokoloff]

back in the day, i had watt 3 and puppy 2. It was incredible!

[@Doctorevil666]

My father was a audiophile he also commercially repaired and manufactured his own equipment. we as young kids were child labour in the day lol. Where I got my love of audio I remember dad building copies of the Klipsch horns using peerless drivers that a customer ordered. He would tune every tunnel in his bass reflex cabinets separately to make them the same. He would use aircraft dope to tune the bass drivers so they had the exact wave guide using a home built valve amp oscilloscope and oscillator. Coming home from school and helping him wind crossover coils. I miss my dad his knowledge was exceptional. The equipment he built including speakers all still exist and work to this day. No wonder his business didn't do so well customers never came back to upgrade lol

[@TheDesertRoseRanch]

I loved the early/mid 80's Acoustic Research speakers. Had the 58's and AR9Lsi's.

[@josephupton3601]

The "original Advent DOUBLES" (a pair on each side). They were legendary.

[@lrsnola7080]

Agreed. I had triples. driven by McIntosh.

[@Roger-r7s]

B&W 801 Matrix IV Unbelievable Sound! I remember hearing them being auditioned by some other people and I was standing to the side not even close to the sweet spot for stereo imaging and it seemed like I was not listening to a sound system but a fully immersive 3D holographic sound field. I owned some B&W DM series which were very good and affordable speakers which also used the same tweeter in the 801s! Amazing detail and extended high frequency response. Which it turns out is needed for musical realism to reproduce high frequency harmonics (an accurate copy of the harmonic envelope)of cymbals, pianos or flutes that extend beyond 20K hz. But this a tricky balance because it is also easy for that kind of frequency response to sound too hard or hot or have a lot of harsh irritating noise and hash in the high registers. Interestingly I think my NAD PE receiver (modestly powered but with good current output capacity and high peak power dynamic headroom tested with complex waveforms under real world load conditions)may have unexpectedly unintendedly helped in this area because it contained a special design feature of a soft clipping circuit!

[@bigd7696]

I haven't had a ton of speakers over my 54 years, but I am ecstatic over my Audiovector QR3 paired with a Martin Logan Sub (12" sealed). To me, it's some of the best audio I've enjoyed and seems to punch WAY above it's price point. This setup fills my massive listening area well, and sounds great at any volume level I throw at it. Back in 89 a work colleague of mine had those Vandersteen speakers and LOVED them.

[@wundyboy]

I went to a Audio Show and stood in front of Infinity's Kappa 9... shell-shocked! Now, nearly 50 years later, I still get goosebumps listening to the Kappa 8's which I bought after my encounter at the show! 😊

[@mikegallagher2732]

The KAPPA 9's are just INCREDIBLE !!! I have 4 custom made Sub Enclosures with KAPPA PERFECT 12'S for my home theater.NOTHING touches these !!!! NOTHING.... PERFECTION... INFINITYS i feel are TOTALLY underrated !!!!

[@cians1359]

Se dice que el origen fue el kappa 5 qué fue creado por un grupo de ingenieros físicos aéreo espaciales decepcionados con la tecnología de ésa época en bafles. De ahí nació el estándar Infinity referencia Saludos!!!

[@jackwezesa1081]

Infinity speakers produce the best sounding vocals ever !!

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

@@jackwezesa1081 yes I love my Kappa 8s

[@melbguy1]

@@jackwezesa1081 They're very good. I used to own a pair of Infinity Renaissance 90's, though my current Magico S5 Mk2's + Spods (with Vitus Signature series gear) are notably better than the Rens. Technology has moved on, but for their time the classic Infinity speakers were amazing

[@ricardocoloma-md]

great video Mr Guttenberg thank you so much

[@cool3rking]

Always wanted some Snell A’s. I’ve owned 3 pairs of E/III’s and use them currently. Love the old Snells..

[@mahogsed7539]

i have E IV they are awesome!

[@2visiondigital]

Sir you have a kinky list of favorite speakers. I am glad I came up with more classic vintage speakers. Haven't owned or heard anything you mentioned. You are out there in some esoteric space.

[@dr.OgataSerizawa]

Ditto. My Sansui 5000X pushing my pair of Sansui 3500 speakers suits me just fine.

[@Frankinsteinguitar]

My all time faves were/are: Electro Voice Interface As, K Horns and Electro Voice Pi153s.

[@tucki666]

Audiophiles who can smile how cool is that. Thanks a lot! I remember vividly some vintage stuff such as giant Telefunken TL90 monitors with a fat marantz 1200b. Plus little speakers by Sonab, model OD-11 if I remember correctly, these were superb for smaller rooms

[@Tnapvrvideo]

For me, it all starts with the speakers. Find the most expensive pair you that can eventually afford that give you emotional chills, and then start putting money aside until you can afford them. Or make interest free payments to the store under contract until you get them (that saves against a price climb). Buy once and slowly add a system. Speakers first, amplification second (separates or integrated - both are fabulous), and finally a source unit.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

So you work backwards....................... O.K. fine. I'm a work from middle out. Buy the best volume control/pre-amp one can afford, then build out. I can't have just one pair of electrostatics or just one pair of horns. They're too different. But I can buy the pre-amp I'll likely be happy with forever.🔈🔉🔊

[@Tnapvrvideo]

This is why this pursuit/hobby/passion is so great. There are numerous purchase approaches to meet individual interests and countless component choices to satisfy individual tastes. Tubes, solid state, and hybrid at almost every stop along the path from source to speakers. It's wonderful.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

@@Tnapvrvideo Yes Indeed. 🔈🔉🔊

[@radinan]

I absolutely agree with your method, buy first the element that will make the biggest difference in your system. 80% (if not more) of the sound we hear from a system come from the speakers and I don't understand that people can still argue about this.

[@freestylerjpartner6270]

I agree 👍

[@CosmicKnight1]

There’s some love in this list. I’ve heard a few of these :-) Back when I heard the Vanderstein’s I was seriously auditioning the B&W 801 Matrix. Fond memories.

[@kurtburkhardt5862]

This is a good list, I have heard many of the speakers in this group. I have had many speakers over the years. Celestions, JBL, infinity, Klipsch B&W, Cerwin Vega, Yamaha. All sounded good and different. My favorite speakers are ADS and I currently have L710's built in the 70's. I haven't had the budget or room for truly high end speakers, but have owned the 710's for 35+ years.

[@d.macrae461]

Have to agree with your choice. With a limited (student) budget, my small speakers had to be Brauns (precursor of ADS). Steep crossovers and dome midrange drivers gave phenomenal transparency, dispersion and imaging. If bass 'slam' was your thing - look elsewhere - but for everything else they were great! We did not see comparable accuracy in imaging until the arrival of the KEF concentric drivers, which brings us full circle to Steve's first choice.

[@lunam7249]

hard to beat....❤

[@waynealan2226]

This is going back into Memory Lane much further than most will understand or believe. In 1957, the family moved to the SF Bay Area. I mention 1957 because that is the year James Gabbert and Gary Gielow brought online KPEN FM 101.3. I had had become an electronics hobbyist and loved music. In 1963(?) the Cow Palace hosted the HiFi Stereo Boat Show. I wanted to go because I wanted to see the Stereo equipment being released that year. Dad wanted to see the boats. Mom and Sis tagged along so neither Dad nor I would spend money. One of the booths was the JBL/Macintosh booth. Who should be having a Remote broadcast from the booth? KPEN. As we entered the booth of course there was music playing which was being broadcast by KPEN. My Mom was really interested in them music and was trying to look over the crowd. My Dad asked her "What are you looking for?" Mom answered "The Jazz combo of course" The set ended and the crowd moved on and as the room cleared my Mom asked "Where'd the Jazz combo go, where are the performers?" Dad - "It was recorded music and the speakers on the stage were making the music" Sitting in the middle of the stage was a JBL Paragon C44 speaker system along with several other pairs of speakers. I went into stereo sales also and in my 30 years in the industry I've never heard a more realistic and at the same time mellow speaker system as the JBL Paragon C44. Almost everything else that has come out is brash and harsh by comparison.

[@williamlegall2988]

Even if Steve were not the best reviewer on the planet, he would still get more viewers than anyone. It wouldn't matter if he were reviewing sox. He's like a Jay Leno of the audio world. The two of them are simply loved by everyone. Both are the human equivalent of comfort food🙂 I must add that Mrs. Audiophiliac is the perfect mate and a perfect Angel.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

who

[@amdenis]

I have followed and appreciated your humor, insights and contributions for decades. Thanks Steve! I straddle the studio, mastering, media labs and audio den/salon environments, as well as high end live indoor and outdoor performance environments. From my weird cross-over experience, a couple gems you may not gave listened to: Kii Three, DragonFire, The LRS+ with Hegel 95 or above, as well as Martin Logans are sheer joy.

[@scarabeo500gt]

In the late 80's I got a pair of Carver Amazing Platinum Speakers (60) inch ribbons and that got me hooked even tho I only had a Bob Carver 1.5t amp to drive them and needed more power....

[@SONOMA_VALLEY_TOM]

I've been a musician since 1960. And a hi-fi equipment nerd since the mid 1960's. I've owned dozens of rigs from vacuum tube Heathkits / Eico / Dynaco / Fischer. Solid state rigs : Conrad Johnson, Parasound, SAE, etc... Speakers back in the day I owned Klipsch Heresy / Cornwalls / Electrostatics / JBL Century 100's etc.. But my emotional favorite speakers were the Altec-Lansing A-7's. Ridiculously large for the basement 30' X 40' room, but oh, the clarity, airiness and imaging of the sound was so thrilling. Every Lp sounded like it was being performed in a concert hall or open air. NY philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein on Columbia pressings sounded amazing. Never had a need to crank the A-7's to deafening levels. Today I'm a mid-fi home theater / music component guy: Pioneer 7.1 channel receiver, Sony ES series speakers. Good enough for streaming NetFlix and Radio Swiss Jazz. But thrilling sound it is not. My wife would never accept nor tolerate a pair of A-7's in the house. Old guys do revel in the memories of their youth.

[@allanwhittle3041]

Absolutely fantastic content ..love it Thanks Steve , the enthusiasm you had and still have for what you do is infectious Keep em coming 👍

[@liamporter1137]

Awesome sharing. Bought Klipsch RP-600M partly because of your Mk1 review. Yes, it's a very dynamic and enjoyable speaker. However, can be a bit bright due to the physical room. Tone control or EQ will be beneficial to the setup. It's a very value for money speaker and worth it.

[@JukeboxAlley]

Go get the Klipsch nines, and you'll be done, that's all most will ever need, and yes, their that good, no need for anything else.

[@mpi5850]

Glad to see the LS-50 on the list. Amazing small speakers when paired with appropriate amp.

[@reeceward9817]

And what would the appropriate amp be ?

[@mzondi1970]

Handsome cerwin Vega speakers in the 80s with big old woofers in them love them and then got Boston acoustics and really fell in love

[@Hiluxtaco]

Steve, could you please do a video of your favorite amplifiers that have passed by your way over the years? The models that just blew you away, regardless of their price tag?

[@SCAudiophile]

Thanks for using a photo of part of my system with the TAD R1 MkII speakers,..brought back great memories...

[@acronus]

They're not "the best", but I did get the opportunity to buy the actual speakers that got me into the audio hobby as a kid so so many years ago. A pair of Celestion Ditton 66's. They we're owned by a family friend who has since retired and is moving South. He didn't want to take the whole system with him, so he made me an offer I couldn't/wouldn't refuse. And I'm happy to learn that it wasn't a case of rose tinted glasses. They still sound awesome today.

[@mrkeeny]

Love those huge bass drivers, best speakers I’ve ever heard, needs a big room tho

[@douggallentine8316]

I had a pair also, and a pair of Ditton 33’s.

[@StevenGold-z5i]

Steve, You brought back some memories of those early days at sound by singer Lexington Ave and the magnificent Snell Type IIIa's

[@frankcolliton10]

Enjoy this man's channel 👍. My favorites was the Gale GS 401, if I recall that correctly, from the late 70's. Chrome/steel stands, chrome enclosure, and incredible sound.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Right, I used to sell those! Loved them.

[@JamesJoyce12]

LS50's are a no-brainer - they are great now and they will be great three decades from now.. and I have owned Magnepan and most of the others

[@AbbieHoffmansGhost]

In the late 70's there was an ad in the back of Stereo Review. It was a stereo store in NYC that was offering AR LST2's for $199 ea. and I believe that it included shipping though I can't guarantee it. My wife and I bought a pair. We loved them and to this day they are one of the finest speakers that I've heard, at least in the living areas that I've had. Shortly after getting them I was able to purchase a pair of Allison One's and we ran them with the AR's in a sunken living room that was heavily carpeted with paneled walls and the sound was startling.

[@sonixwellness1536]

A shout out to the late Roy Allison and his pioneering work in speaker design. I owned a pair of 4’s way back which was part of my 1st upgrade from my Radio Shack unit in high school. Eventually was considering upgrading to the 7’s but liked B&W Series 2 Matrix 3 more at the time. AR speakers were quite popular during my college days and good bang for the buck.

[@willhemmings]

I haven't heard any of these but enjoyed this overview. I remember back in the late eighties buying the components that would make my vinyl only system and leaving the speakers until last. They were Townshend Glastonbury II's and were exceptional in every way, sound quality, appearance build and value. Sadly I had to sell them to raise a deposit for a house and always regretted it because they are rare as hens' teeth now. The only other speakers that I have enjoyed without compromise are JBL L100's, and Apogee Duetta Signatures

[@JeremiahPersinger]

I've always appreciated your input when selecting audio components.. I think the only time that we've had a difference of opinion was on the ZU dirty weekends, those were the worst speakers I have ever had in my system. they really didn't do anything well in my listening space. I agree that Sean is a great guy and his son has always helped me out. great customer service and a great company, thank you, Steve...

[@wng8993]

I'm loving my Cornwall IVs!

[@weeooh1]

Its why I follow this channel. Because of Steves experiences spanning decades. If a speaker impresses a reviewer, it helps knowing that he is referencing it vs 100s of other speakers over time.

[@MichaelLivingston-me]

These are interesting choices. The LS50, Magnepan and Vanderstein speakers are the only ones I've listened to out of this group. I think I heard the large Snell's too, but I don't recall their sound. That's as near as a miss 😉 I like the ones I've heard in common with your list. I'm fascinated by the Zu speakers. I think I would like to own a pair. I already own too many speakers. I need to sell a few.

[@markucla]

I'm going to go Zu too this year. Not sure if I'm going for the Union 6 or Union Supreme 6. I might go for the Soul as well, but I gotta find a way to get to Utah to hear them. I'm not into the 60 day try out thing. I always end up keeping what I get.

[@whiskeyhangover1438]

I was lucky enough to own a pair of ESS speakers with the AMT air motion transformer. Made listening to music a luxurious experience.

[@blt4085]

i have a pair Ess amt 1am speakers b and o turn table powered by a yamaha receiver awesome sound

[@SpinningSpur]

I had a pair of those. Really great sound loved them. The wife of my friend uses them in her class room these days. She teaches music history. The kids love the crazy patch quilt screens. Really excellent speaker.

[@nazdackster]

Have some AMT3 rock monitors with new woofers, midrange, crossovers, and now big rear ports. Incredible.

[@stevemoores510]

Bought a pair of Acoustic Research 93’s in 1981. Probably worlds away from what you guys listen to but they crushed my living room. Still have them today although they could use a refresh.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

Apogee Scintilla’s full range ribbons blew away anything I’ve ever heard. Powered by Krell 100 watt class A mono blocks .

[@andrewhockley2579]

I've never heard anything like a set of Scintillas with the right amp. Just fabulous.

[@scratchback2001]

Hey from Australia. Oh Steve...I can remember when I was a "bavishing rooty" too. I love the selection of speakers you;ve shown here. We've come a long way in a relatively short time from wind up 78 players to Technics turntables and beyond. Cheers Andrew Collins.

[@Relayer56]

The first speaker I fell in love with was the Pioneer HPM 1500 in the late '70s, playing "September" (Earth Wind & Fire). Sounded unbelievable. I was just a poor young man back then, never had a prayer of owning them. I wonder how they would compare with the one on your list.

[@JukeboxAlley]

Yep, that's an amazing speaker, I love the hpm-100s also, one of my favorites.

[@patrickterry779]

My brother had those, he bought in Korea from the base exchange in the Air Force. Coolest speakers. But the US models were the 150s, not quite the same.

[@patrickterry779]

I bought the Carver Amazing Loud Speaker 3 awhile back. IMO, best speaker for the money, but needs a lot of power and a lot of room to make them shine.

[@Relayer56]

@@patrickterry779 Haha, all my cool gear came from the USAF BX, also (Yokota AB, Japan).

[@keplermission]

Funny ... you know there was a fly living in the United Kingdom and it sort of buzzed in one time, and had always remembered that Pioneer HPM 1500 that were what we call 'toys for the real boys' or ... how the 1% live. The British HPM 1500 had 40KHz and the 150 was only 25KHz, because the customers in the UK (you know), were much richer and paying more than here in the USA.

[@dadeoo4722]

My Dynaudio 1.3 SE are the greatest single sound to come out a Twitter and woofer than you could ever imagined. 3 feet from the walls and HarmonicTech cables throughout and too much more to add. After a couple REL 9s to keep up with the speed. It is just too beautiful with all types of music. You just cannot imagine our daily listening sessions my wife and I have every day now that we are retired. Cheers

[@taylorhickman84]

I had a Volvo that came with Dynaudio 3 way in the doors, phenomenal sound in that car.

[@SumedhaManabaranaKandy]

My peronal best was the Pioneer 4-way, 4-speaker sound systems from the early (1980s): I had the Pioneer CS-603 with 12-inch woofer, (5 inch) midrange driver , tweeter, and super tweeter. I used the system with a Sansui set up. Brilliant combo! Maybe you haven't sold the Pioneer series. I love this video, so I shared it on my twitter. Thank you so much!

[@slackymac2756]

In college, my next door neighbor (apartments) had a pair of the CS-603s. There was no telling him to turn them down as they always sounded great, even through the wall!

[@SumedhaManabaranaKandy]

@@slackymac2756 Thank you for sharing that story with me. It was really interesting!

[@sparky_klystron_w1zot]

I see a long listening session with the LRS+ speakers in my future. Thanks for the excellent review, Steve.

[@tee-jaythestereo-bargainph2120]

Thank you Steve The Jbl 4435 blueface blew my socks off ! One of my all time favs And Me a Kef lover as well ' imaging is so dam good

[@johnlesoudeur3653]

I preferred the 4355s.

[@780brando]

I'm so glad you mentioned ZU AUDIO, I wanted something different than the rest & I love speakers that jam. I think the dw6 is going to fit the bill

[@CaptainJamesTKirk-en4kt]

Steve, I like the KEF LS50 Meta's especially for near-field listening. Small medium sized room, they where great, did I miss something in your video I thought you where a avid Magnepan fan. Lately I been reviewing and trying "Bang for your Buck" off the charts good stuff and I would say Triangle Borea 03 and newer LSR+ Magnepan knocked my socks off so much I recently bought a pair. I had several SP25 over the years, my current HT system is all Dynaudio's. Good stuff....

[@jamescease4280]

The LRS and LRS+ made the list towards the end.

[@doctorpatient519]

great content, as usual, but super props for including that wonderful shot at 2:00 with a "Eraserhead" poster featuring Jack Nance in his instant classic pose ... that movie from Lynch includes some amazing, dark, industrial sounds as he's walking thru a nighttime city

[@steveoh4511]

Excellent review~ Remind me of my old days bringing my favorite CDs to audition new gears at the Sound by Singer store. And the viewer system of the day looks very cool and contemporary. I wonder how the owner makes the movie screen pop up at the book case. Greatly well executed and neat and beautiful with the Maggi speakers.

[@Marcshayo]

The screen rolls up from the base of the book case

[@olegyamleq7796]

great nostalgia, great recap!!! Thanks Steve!!

[@steveowens398]

Steve, do you remember the early Infinity towers? I have a very early set with a separate mid enclosure, some unusual piso tweeters (front firing and back firing), and two 10 inch woofers, one firing forward and one firing downward. These speakers are fused to protect the drivers but handle high power very well. They had a glass insert on the top. I compared them to the original JBL Centuries over a pretty long listening session and eventually went with the Infinity towers.

[@bobtaylor7197]

I had infinity RS II speakers in the 80s

[@manzanaresantonio]

Steve, I bought the Klipsch RP-600m II based on your recomendations and other reviews and I'm really in love with them, especially when playing with my vintage Tube receivers and amps. Next on my list of already 12 pair of speakers is the Magnepan LRS+

[@janco333]

My personal favourite speakers are the Wilson Benesch Discovery standmounters. Incredible imaging and bass slam.

[@willywillhym]

My personal favorite of all time are the KEF 107.2. First time I heard them I was blown away.

[@raybod1775]

My youthful investment was a Marantz receiver and pair of AR15 speakers… about 45 years ago.

[@Jack96993]

Hey 45 years ago I had the Marantz 2265B and Cerwin Vegas speakers My start down the audiophile journey 😊

[@mikeinmontana8875]

We've had a pair of Klipsch Chorus II's since 1998 (1996 models) Haven't changed since and still amaze me when doing serious listening. But ...living in the sticks of nowhere Montana, haven't listened to other speakers for so many years, so they are all we know now. We do have a Decware amp on order that looks to ship maybe December as we are finally on the of the first page with 180 in front of us..Your review did this to us Mr! 😉 You do a great job conveying quality of sound & reviewing. We enjoy your channel. All the very best to you and yours. Mike & Kathy

[@Revelator2025]

Steve I really appreciate your reviews and commentary immensely. I’m sure I’m not alone in that appreciation. Question: will you consider doing an in-house review of the BACCH SP? It’s so amazing imo and I feel your audience would greatly appreciate your feedback on what is such a revolutionary technology…take care. :)

[@MH-fb5kr]

Like beauty, audio is a personal preference

[@arifnizami3378]

Yamaha NS 1000M. The most agile and transparent speaker I have ever heard. Needs tube amps to tame the extended top end and midrange as both are Beryllium drivers.

[@garycanuel3102]

great speaker i own a pair but only tweeter is beryllium.a much better speaker is my JBL 250 Ti

[@arifnizami3378]

@@garycanuel3102 Infact, both the Midrange driver and the tweeter are made of Beryllium.

[@TheDanEdwards]

Remember hearing, at a dealer, the Martin Logan CLS back when it came out. It took my breath away the brief time I listened. Every once in a while a loudspeaker will come along that, if used on the appropriate music, will seem special.

[@noahman27]

I can no longer afford to listen to this channel !!! :)

[@MichaelPohoreski]

Old audiophile joke: _When I die, I hope my wife doesn’t sell my speakers for what I told her what I paid for them._ 😂

[@FastGuy5]

😂😆😆😆

[@MrTwangstaable]

Well atleast you have that problem, I could never afford anything on this channel.

[@Vakera]

😂 Listening is for free.

[@adamwood9915]

@@MrTwangstaable me either but do love to dream, old man used to make speakers, will never hear anything like them again $$ do appreciate it all price does get steep quickly though

[@danpinsonsax]

Fun and relatable video! My main listening setup is Magneplanar MG IIIa, JBL B380 subwoofer, BX63 crossover driven by two Adcom GFA 555s.

[@Jack96993]

I was lucky enough to hear the Infinity ISRV speakers at a dealers when I was looking to upgrade my stereo equipment I also heard the Infinty Kappa 9's that were amazing! No way could i afford either one and ended up with the Dunlavy SC lll's

[@jimwood1584]

I had Infinity Kappa 8s with Perreaux 2150 amp, The emit tweeters didn’t hold up well I had to order new ones.

[@brianmercer712]

When i was 16 in the 70's I had Klipsch Heresys, B&O 4002, Nakamichi Dragon with various amps / preamps (i was servicing high end equipment since i was 14 in an audio store and was known as a Mcintosh specialist) . I Know I also had a pair of Ohm Walsh speakers with the cone on top that sounded great along with a lot of other speaker and amp combinations. My favourite system was an Apt Holman preamp (later replaced with Spectral and Counterpoint preamps , Krell 50watt amp and DCM Time Windows (original transmission line design) with an Oracle Delphi TT that I took to the factory in Québec to get the DC motor mod. (I had a well tempered arm on it with a shinnon cartridge. Those DCM Time Windows made in Michigan in the 80's just were phenomenal how they sounded and the dynamics, for parties I hooked them up to a Crown 300watt amp.

[@michaeldoyle5001]

Time Windows!! I passed mine on to my son and he had them for years.

[@dxcheong]

I remember the first time I heard the Dynaudio Special 25. There wasn’t a sub but I spent 5 minutes looking for one. They were incredible.

[@lunam7249]

they make a 6 inch midrange with a 3 inch coil!

[@mikerichardson60]

Nice to see the Vandersteens and Maggies mentioned. My favourite ancient speaker is probably the Dahlquist DQ-10. I'm also a big fan of the British makes like ProAc and Rogers.

[@rogerdsmith]

My issue with horn loaded speakers is the acoustic glare they produce. They’re great at reproducing dynamics, but oftentimes you leave a listening session with a headache. My all time favorite speakers are the Dayton-Wright electrostatics. These days they are extremely rare.

[@kevyjo]

What do you think of waveguides? I've heard Amphion and they seem very non fatiguing...as well as the only speakers with metal woofers I could stand...

[@SaintVacuum]

I absolutely agree on the LS50’s. Even moreso on the Snell A-II’s. I had the A-III’s from introduction up until ‘96 ….when I finally found something better (ESLs….SoundLabs) Alas….one of those decided to catch fire one afternoon 2 yrs ago. Now….I have Classic Audio T-3.4’s (3 field coils, no waiting)……suddenly, it’s like having the A-III’s back again. One just can’t appreciate Snellsin their heyday if they’ve not heard.

[@scottharris7222]

With great respect. We are getting old. Our hearing isn't up to this kind of subtle comparison. I have been in recording for decades and although I mix at low volumes I have hearing loss beyond what is expected at my age level. You've seen the frequency drop off charts based on age for the average population. I don't know how you can trust your ears to the level that you do. Maybe you are truly an exception. They are out there. I am not.

[@dubchile]

I havent begun listening yet but my memorable speakers are the early 1980's KEFs, the Mission 700's, the Pro Tannoy & the Bose studio monitor range blew me away.. But my fave speakers of all time are the Wharfedale E range..the E30's in my own experience. They have a most unique presence about them and after 43 years they're maturing just lovely. Now I'll watch the vid and kick meself in the head for forgetting some diamond blasters.

[@titanxsand2153]

Polk Audio SDA SRS's fantastic speakers

[@billblake4029]

Right there with you brother.