Which speakers are liked ? (if any)

I would like to know which speakers are liked by posters on this board.

Apart from the latest Quads ESL's, some feint praise for some ATC, praise for Naim by Naim 'trekies', I don't think I have read a thread that any speaker receives praise from more than a few posters. I have read plenty where they speakers slagged off.

Is this to be expected because speakers are probably the most variable item, being at the 'end of the chain' so to speak. Or is there a make that the majority actually like?

 

i like jm lab

 

I like Dynaudio Contour s5.4

 

I like BIG speakers. Tannoys (the DCs), JBL, ATCs, Dynaudio and others. However, I thinks it's all down to personal preferences. If you can get an amp and speakers to gel, you have potentially a great system, there is no absolute right or wrong with speakers or I suppose with HiFi in general.

 

The collective wisdom here is that for a speaker to be any good it must be

- a single driver/no crossover system
- physically small, for good dispersion
- have a bass driver of at least 15"
- have a Townshend super tweeter
- made in the UK
- made in the US
- electrostatic
- horn loaded
- actively driven
- digitally corrected, but not so you'd actually hear it
- supported by loads of Mana, which in turn must be located on superballs.

You see, this forum really knows what it wants.

 

Good summary Markus.

 

Hey, what happened to the transmission-line meadowlark mafia?

 

Generally people have said lots of good things about several makes, if i remember correctly. Dynaudio for example, a brand that I got lots of good feedback on (and they aren't either UK nor US based!).

I put my vote on Sonus Faber. I know some people dislike their looks, but the sound (most important thing imho) is sublime (I would perhaps except the latest concerto series as not being as good as the former ones).

my 2p.
Jack

 

We are discussing speakers Isaac. .

 

Let's hear it for LS3/5As and for active Linn Keilidhs - and for Quad electrostatics if I could afford them.

 

as speakers have such an impact on the presentation of the music and these things are so subjective it's difficult to state more than a personal preference. i like b&w speakers, older small missions are ok.
transmission lines are the best in the world ever - at least i hope so.
cheers


julian

 

I like my Rega Ela's. Also like the lower range B&W (the higher ones arent to my tastes, TBH) and I also quite liked my old Mission bookshelfs.

 

yes, my recommendation too. The B&W 601s were my first decent speakers and they were very good indeed.

Jack

 

I like proacs, sure they have a distinct sound, Stuart Tyler manages to make them all no matter the size and drive units have a very similar balance, and the sound is SOOO addictive, there are others equal or better, but the proacs are just so nice at what they do. AND I have had some tablette's, 3 or 4 generations, and they indeed get better with each incarnation, something you can't say about all newer things. In this case, its right.
I like any really that are quality, missions again seem to get things right, b/w. the drive units set the basic quality, the crossover how cleverly they fit together.

 

I think it fair to say that most of the major brands make good speakers (and a few bad ones).

At the end of the day it comes down to synergy with sources and amps. A speaker which is brilliant in one system may be poor in another.

I would say don't get hung up on the manufacturer. Listen until you find a sound you like and never mind who makes it.

 

I'll go along with everything techno suggests. In addition you also need to take into account the room the speaker will work with and the music types likely to be played.

 

Personally I've been converted to transmission lines. From all accounts they are very, VERY difficult to get right, hence they aren't readily mass produced like the reliable reflex design. I heard a prototype pair several months back and I'm currently awaiting my finished, custom pair. I haven't heard any other speaker design which is so competent with all types of music.

 

spewndor

I have a pair of Spendor S3/5se's being used with a Sub,I think they are a great improvement over the original BBC monitor's. They easily fill my 12' X 18.5' room, don't be put off by the low efficiency, they are easily driven by medium wattage amps. I use a Cary Rocket 88 tube amp,wonderful.

Naim CD3.5 - Naim pre 32.5, Naim flatcap 2 - Rocket 88 - Spendor S3/5se
Inouye PLC, DIY Belden speaker and ic cables - ACI Titan sub

Bob

 

Sorry about the spelling of Spendor, spewndor does not sound right

Bob

 

Great to see more models "coming out of the woodwork so to speak".

Nice to see calls for Proac (my favourite small speaker), also for Transmission lines. I have had a pair for years, I would not part with them for anything. Kessler described them as the only speaker above the LS3/5A and below the Apogee Stage, that he would pay money for. But what does he know, I didn't even like him until his recent stand on cables.