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Dear inmates,What are the best speakers in the world today?
I know some people would say that you can't compare every speaker to another and so on, but please - spare me the bla bla - which speaker do you consider to be the best in the world today, at any price and size?
It's not for buying or anything, just curiosity.
Thanks a lot,
Yoav.
Follow Ups:
the Spendor 3/5's. Food for thought.
O.k., there are many other thinks one could do for the price of these bad-boys, but if I had some one else's $38k to drop on a pair of speakers, it'd have to be the mbl's.
...my best speakers were always my next speakers. ;-)So what is the best speaker in the world? Sorry if this sounds evasive, but I'd really have to say it depends on what the person is looking for. It's like asking who is the most desirable woman in the world - we're not all looking for the same thing.
Overgeneralizing here, a first rate high efficiency design excels at dynamics and emotional impact; a first rate planar excels at timbral accuracy, harmonic richness, and lack of coloration; and a first rate dynamic does many things well but excels at ultrawide bandwidth (particularly in the bass).
The best-sounding high efficiency system I've heard is probably the Classic Audio Reproductions T-1 (though I'd love to hear their Hartsfield with TAD drivers); the best-sounding planar I've heard so far is one I happen to peddle (but triple stacked Original Quads would certainly be contenders); and the best sounding dynamic system I've heard might be the Kharma Grand Ceramique 1.0.
Try Impact Technology's Airfoil. Seehttp://membrane.com/impact/products/prodairfoil.html
Although the question will bring out many obnoxious responses, I understand your curiosity.I have recently listened to 2 of the finest speakers I have ever heard; The Rockport Antares and the Verity Lohengrins
. It is hard for me to really be specific, since I did not hear either in my room. However, the Lohengrins delivered some of the finest bass I have ever heard along with the incredible midrange that Verity produces so successfully. The Antares produced some of the most natural sound I have ever heard. They had no faults.
Why that would be the Bose 901's. They are the best speaker in the world according to Bose. Come on now, you opened up a whole new can of worms by asking a question like that. You will get a million different answers. I never believed in the concept of the best because something else is always better.
To quote Steve Stone: "a truly excellent speaker for the beginner audiophile."
Rob CThe world was made for people not cursed with self-awareness
The fact you've gotten a different response from everybody indicates that. Your question is like asking which is the best automobile. There is no absolute "best", only what's best for a particular driver.
Babb Lorelei L6. Not your everyday air vibrator.
The classics of the old days for me were the Altec VOT's and Quad 57's. Power, dynamics, impact for the Altecs and see through window on the sound clarity for the Quads. Both had some other serious problems. There was a JBL which impressed me a lot as a kid, but I don't remember the model #. It was in a small refrigerator sized cabinet.I briefly listened to a large Martin Logan a few days ago which was impressive through Levinson electronics. Very much like real life, perhaps lacking a bit of impact. I've noticed the xover region on other M Logans. This one was not obvious on a "quickie".
With my cheapskate ways, I'm never going to own the word's best. Right now, I'm listening to PSB strat gold i's, Altec Valencias and RDL's. Each one very good in its own way in the right system.
There are no easy answers and even a big bankroll won't buy paradise here. I could be wrong though, just have to read this thread.
Depends on many things not associated with money. Electronics, types of music and room size are key factors.
Based on personal experience,Large Room: Dynaudio Evidence w/Arbiter electronics
Normal listening room: Sonus Faber Amati Homage w/Spectral Electronics
For a very soft and quiet with a narrow sweet spot, Quad ESLFor private listening, Stax "Ear-speaker"
For me, that I need ability to rock the house, ATC.
For detail freak, it is the Wilson Watt 6.
For a very small power SET amp, the AG Duo or Trio.
There is no right or wrong answer.
I was just about to write almost the same thing!Neutrality: Quad ESL
Dynamics: ATC SCM 100A SL
Details: Wilson WP 6
Soundstage: tie: Avalon Eidolon, Audiophysic Amati
All around: Dynaudio Evidence!!!
I have heard everything from Audio Note 'E' to Cabasse MC001 but I would say the best in the world are Harbeth's Compact 7 monitor speakers.They might not have the sub bass of trully huge units but as a musician I have never heard anything to match their purity and exactness to the original source.
The crossover point is set so the tweeter only does treble and the woofer is so light, agile and non resonant that it handles bass to upper midrange flawlessly.
I have never heard these speakers give a bad performance and they reveal things never heard on other supposedly high end monitors.
The best bit is that they only cost under £2,000!
Yours,
Monode :o)
I have heard everything from Audio Note 'E' to Cabasse MC001 but I would say the best in the world are Harbeth's Compact 7 monitor speakers.They might not have the sub bass of trully huge units but as a musician I have never heard anything to match their purity and exactness to the original source.
The crossover point is set so the tweeter only does treble and the woofer is so light, agile and non resonant that it handles bass to upper midrange flawlessly.
I have never heard these speakers give a bad performance and reveal things never heard on other supposedly high end monitors.
The best bit is that they only cost under £2,000!
Yours,
Monode :o)
Without having heard them, I take it on faith (and on the word of Professor Greene, whose review led to my buying my Compact 7's), that the Harbeth Monitor 40's are the best all around. Much more bass and more difficult to integrate into a real world room, though, and maybe you and I would find the C7 to be lighter on its feet and more faithful to real life midrange microdynamics, but REG does use the M40 as his reference and has said that in some absolute sense it is the better speaker.
.
(nt)
Your question is silly.
...just cliche.
Yes, its better than the Parsifal Encore in every ways. Flat down to 17Hz but NOT boomy AT ALL. VERY delicate highs and even a better midrange! Clearly the best speaker I have listened so far. I bet that Lars (http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/hirez/messages/37147.html) will cry when Verity Audio will take them back!Pat
I didn't know they had a big brother/sister to the Parsifal Encores, which are magnificent. I better start saving!
Despite some of your comments indicated that you've read too much audio publications in your childhood I would agree with you last statement. Most certainly he’ll cry even weep, as usually laud and effectively. And most certainly he’ll make (as I can see already did) certain people drool about Lohengrins. And as usually if the more competent parties then just a plan-vanilla Audio Cheerleader express an alternative results then YOU never see it (at AA): it will be deleted.You’re talking about the terrorism…
Regards,
Romy the Cat
Romy, it wasn't a review, and you're wrong about the fact that I read too much audio publications: I read none. Is it the 17Hz that makes you saying such a statement? You are making statements too early! No, I don't need to read any publication to confess that I like a product, in fact, see that my comments precedes the reviews. I must add that Lars haven't influenced me (like you seem to presume) since I heard the Lohengrin at Verity Audio's office. BTW, I don't have any relation with Lars. When its good, its good!Do you had the chance to listen to them in its final version? There is a substancial improvement from the prototype version that you may have heard at the Las Vegas show.
Pat
I heard the Lohengrin in CES2001. I just cannot stand it and ran away. I know all the potentials of Raven and Audio Technology. If you ever had experience with Quad ESL-57, you will consider there is nothing special in Lohengrin except the bass.Lohengrin is good and probably as good as Rockport but they are not my cup of tea. My suggestion: Get Quad ESL-57 although they are hard to maintain. Or you may buy Belcanto from Symphonic Line, much much cheaper and more fun and happliness than Lohengrin or Rockport.
Cheers
It's all a matter of preferences, I have listened to Quad's (but I think it was the ESL-63) and liked it also. But like I said to Romy, you have listened to the Lohengrin prototype at the CES2001. The final version of the Lohengrin have a new midrange and the tweeter is now completely intregrated with the midrange. I listened to both versions and the differences were substancial: The prototype was too dark, too warm, even not as coherent as the Parsifals. On the final version of the Lohengrins: the transparency top to bottom, the openness and the coherence are largely improved and now the Lohengrins does the dissapearing act completly. Now, its is clearly better than the Lohengrin prototype heard at the CES2001.Regards,
Pat
I strongly suggest you to listen Quad ESL-57.
ESL-57 is Much much better than ESL-63.
The first thing I noticed in CES2001 is the bass of Lohengrin.
LAMM Audio amplifiers cannot control it fully. It is out of control.
(Pictures on the exhibition).I have no intention to hurt anyone.
The midrange transparency and openness of Lohengrin are still
inferior to Quad ESL-57. It is quite evident!!!I know both Per Skaaning of Audio Technology and Burno of Verity Audio.
I considered mid/bass from Audio Technology are the best in the world not long ago.... but if you asked me the same question. The answer will be totally different. I have something special in mind right now.Lohengrin is an excellent speaker definitely but not "my cup of tea".
Are you talking about 18W set drive 95 Db speakers? I had ML-2 driving (REAL) 94 Db without problems. Giving to the fact that ML-2 dose bass as good as it theoretically possible today, I think something fundamentally wrong with the Lohengrin… There are the thousands reasons why speakers do the shity bass … not only the sensitivity issues. I think that generally (no only because of the bass) the Verity guys did more damage to themselves by presenting what they presented. At least, they gave an opportunity for the different morons like you and me to badmouse their company and their product. I hope they will take this lesson under advisement.Besides, if I remember correct, they switched the amps and the Lohengrin’s woofers were driven by 80W ML-1.
Romy the Cat
You said: "...The midrange transparency and openness of Lohengrin are still inferior to Quad ESL-57. It is quite evident!!!..."But you haven't listened to the final version of the Lohengrin (which is quite different from the CES2001 prototype) neither I have listened to the ESL-57... so...
I don't know where I can listen to the ESL-57, but I would like to.
Regards,
Pat
I strongly suggest you to listen Quad ESL-57.
ESL-57 is Much much better than ESL-63.
The first thing I noticed in CES2001 is the bass of Lohengrin.
LAMM Audio amplifiers cannot control it fully. It is out of control.
(Pictures on the exhibition).I have no intention to hurt anyone.
The midrange transparency and openness of Lohengrin are still
inferior to Quad ESL-57. It is quite evident!!!I know both Per Skaaning of Audio Technology and Burno of Verity Audio.
I considered mid/bass from Audio Technology are the best in the world not long ago.... but if you asked me the same question. The answer will be totally different. I have something special in mind right now.Lohengrin is a excellent speaker definitely but not "my cup of tea".
I entered a complaint about Upscale Audio, and it never appeared. Do you think that, because they are a sponsor, ...?
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