It’s the time of year for saving money!
Performance 81
Longevity/Relevance 14
Value 14
Aesthetics 15
Lust 17
Total Score 141
These British electrostatic speakers basically defined the category for many audiophiles. Top speaker engineers are known to own Quad ESL 63s as part of their personal reference systems. Their warm sound and longevity have made them one of the most sought-after speakers ever.
Performance 84
Longevity/Relevance 16
Value 14
Aesthetics 10
Lust 18
Total Score 143
The Meyer Sound X10 is one of the best audiophile loudspeakers that no audiophile has ever heard. This powered, pro audio speaker has more dynamics than any speaker on the list and will make people rethink what a speaker can do. Top studios use these speakers as do people like Stevie Wonder and Hans Zimmer.
Performance 83
Longevity/Relevance 13
Value 15
Aesthetics 19
Lust 14
Total Score 144
These limited edition speakers from “the other speaker company from Utah” provide a big-tower sound with impressive bass, highly respectable audiophile sound and amazing wood finishes, all at a good price.
Performance 83
Longevity/Relevance 18
Value 20
Aesthetics 12
Lust 13
Total Score 146
Talk about a speaker company that reinvented itself. Without its Internet direct business model – we don’t think they would have made the list, but the increased value of a lower price point helped these speakers quite a bit.
Performance 84
Longevity/Relevance 16
Value 14
Aesthetics 20
Lust 15
Total Score 149
What a well-balanced loudspeaker system. The Avalon Acoustics ISIS does everything well. In many ways their overall performance reminds us of a Mercedes in that they don’t blow you away with performance alone but the whole package.
Performance 79
Longevity/Relevance 18
Value 19
Aesthetics 17
Lust 17
Total Score 150
The THIEL CS 3.7 is arguably the best loudspeaker the late Jim Thiel ever designed, which is no doubt how they’ve managed to capture the number 20 spot on our list as well as the hearts of many audiophiles the world over. THIEL CS 3.7 speakers can be hard to drive without a powerful amp but in their sonic window – they sound pretty sweet.
Performance 83
Longevity/Relevance 20
Value 21
Aesthetics 14
Lust 13
Total Score 151
Sandy Gross’ best speaker design/product at Definitive Technology is without question the BP7000 Super Towers. While their lower price and somewhat drab look don’t scream audiophile – their sound absolutely does – especially in the bass where BP7000s rock in ways many higher price speakers on this list can’t compete with. The BP7000 and the rest of the Super Tower lineup are truly some of the best values in all of high-end audio.
Performance 86
Longevity/Relevance 16
Value 10
Aesthetics 19
Lust 22
Total Score 153
Talk about a dramatic loudspeaker: the German-made MBL 101s are just that, dramatic and a bit over the top. Their omni-directional performance makes for an audio experience that is unlike anything else you will hear in the ultra high-end class of speakers. And when it comes to “Lust Factor” this is why we created the category. You just WANT MBL 101s. Badly.
Performance 81
Longevity/Relevance 21
Value 22
Aesthetics 12
Lust 18
Total Score 154
The Magnepan 3.7 is the latest version of one of the longest running speakers in audiophile history. In the zone, with the right music and enough power, the Magnepan 3.7s make for a compelling musical experience, one that continually captivates audiophiles in ways few other speakers have.
Performance 83
Longevity/Relevance 20
Value 23
Aesthetics 13
Lust 16
Total Score 155
Harman gets a lot of ink for their Revel Ultima Salon line of speakers; however their “butter zone” in their product lineup is in the Performa F52 speakers. With full range performance, excellent cabinetry and top of the line drivers, these speakers bring 90 plus percent of the high-end audiophile experience to the table for a fraction of the price.
Performance 89
Longevity/Relevance 16
Value 22
Aesthetics 19
Lust 18
Total Score 156
Real speakers do best when playing real music and over the years Dynaudio has proven that point. With a high lust factor, these slender speakers whisper sweet nothings into your ears in ways that make you not just want them –but also need them.
Performance 83
Longevity/Relevance 18
Value 15
Aesthetics 22
Lust 20
Total Score 158
These Italian speakers are one of many in the Sonus Faber line that bring absolutely stunning craftsmanship to the table while never forgetting audiophile performance. So many other speakers do one or the other but rarely does a company get both elements so right. For imaging, these small speakers must be considered some of the very best speakers available.
Performance 91
Longevity/Relevance 16
Value 15
Aesthetics 17
Lust 19
Total Score 158
One of the newest players in the high end game, Magico speakers are built internally in ways that make an Audi S8 look flimsy. They are about as heavy as a Wilson Alexandria with a footprint more like a WATT Puppy. Sonically, these speakers are at the top of the heap. Their look isn’t offensive but they don’t have the sex appeal of other speakers in their category. Overall, you ears will thank you for a session with the Magico Q5s. They are one of the very best speakers money can buy today.
Performance 87
Longevity/Relevance 17
Value 16
Aesthetics 19
Lust 20
Total Score 159
Talk about speakers ahead of their time – Meridian’s DSP8000s are pretty much an audiophile system inside a speaker cabinet, as they include amps, DACs and more. Custom colors to match your Ferrari, the popsicles in your freezer or anything your heart desires makes wives understand why you need $40,000 imported speakers. Integration with products like Meridian’s Sooloos music server, Meridian’s long-standing 861 preamp and other products yield a high value grade. Ask any audiophile about DSP 8000s and they will tell you that you can’t go wrong.
Performance 88
Longevity/Relevance 17
Value 17
Aesthetics 18
Lust 20
Total Score 160
Harman’s tremendous design resources plus the passion of Kevin Voecks makes for one of the very best audiophile speakers money can by. Unlike many other audiophile brands Revel has kept their prices stable by outsourcing their cabinets to China; however their cutting edge drivers and insightful design make for one hell of a compelling loudspeaker experience.
Performance 90
Longevity/Relevance 15
Value 12
Aesthetics 23
Lust 21
Total Score 161
This game-changing design set the bar for more than a decade of trickle-down speaker designs for Bowers & Wilkins, including speakers that are ranked even higher on this list. Sonically, the Nautilus makes as much of an audio statement as it does a visual one.
Performance 80
Longevity/Relevance 19
Value 20
Aesthetics 20
Lust 23
Total Score 162
The MartinLogan CLS is the speaker that made the company back in the days when Gayle Sanders was cutting his teeth. This pure electrostatic speaker has no sissy woofer or hybrid design – this is the real deal Holyfield for pure audiophiles who can’t get enough of the electrostatic sound. While the CLS isn’t made any more, it enjoyed a long run with MartinLogan and fanboys still pay big money for nicely conditioned old pairs. MartinLogan can also restore an old pair to modern performance thus making them even more lustworthy even to this day.
Performance 89
Longevity/Relevance 18
Value 17
Aesthetics 21
Lust 20
Total Score 165
Germany’s largest loudspeaker company, Canton, rocks peoples’ worlds with their Reference 3.2 DC. Like the Avalon earlier on the list, the Canton 3.2 DC is an extremely well balanced speaker and its ratings on this list show that. Excellent audio performance should be expected from a speaker coming in at number eight on the list but they do all of the little things too, including beautiful finishes, strong value and high relevancy.
Performance 87
Longevity/Relevance 22
Value 24
Aesthetics 18
Lust 16
Total Score 166
When it comes to audiophile grade floorstanding loudspeakers, names like Revel, Wilson Audio and Bowers & Wilkins are often dropped – but at one third the price, the Paradigm Reference Signature S8s hang right in there with the 800s and WATT Puppies of the world. While the S8s might not pack the “audiophile mystique” of speakers costing three times the price – they have the performance. For those looking for no-holds-barred performance from a slim, gorgeous speaker that won’t ruin your IRA – take a serious look at the Paradigm S8s.
Performance 91
Longevity/Relevance 18
Value 16
Aesthetics 21
Lust 20
Total Score 166
Oh yes we did. We put an in-wall speaker system on the list. Wisdom Audio deserves it as they are making a serious run at the likes of Wilson Audio, Bowers & Wilkins and others with their line of in-wall speakers. No speaker on this list is better on WAF (wife acceptance factor) than the Wisdom Audio Sage Series. We know a few dealers that would make the argument that there might not be a better sounding speaker on the list – period.
Performance 97
Longevity/Relevance 12
Value 13
Aesthetics 22
Lust 25
Total Score 169
Wilson Audio is the darling of audiophile speakers and their MAXX speakers get special attention as they woo tube lovers with their high sensitivity. The move from MAXX 2s to MAXX 3s was an ugly one that drove the price up and ended the physical upgrade path but with that said, if you have the room and the budget, Wilson Audio MAXX speakers are a true experience. How do you do better than a WATT Puppy or Sasha W/P? The answer is easy – buy a pair of Wilson MAXX.
Performance 100
Longevity/Relevance 12
Value 11
Aesthetics 22
Lust 25
Total Score 170
Wilson’s current flagship speaker is the Alexandria 2 and is a statement in every sense of the word, for no other speaker on our list scored 100 for performance. The ability to adjust and tweak these custom finished monolithic speakers makes them the ultimate goal for any audiophile (note, the 25 for lust). We would have gone higher if we could.
Performance 95
Longevity/Relevance 18
Value 15
Aesthetics 21
Lust 22
Total Score 171
Possibly the most aesthetically pleasing speaker on the list, the French-made Grand Utopias are nothing short of breathtaking when it comes to audiophile speakers. Professional mastering labs use these reference level speakers on the best recordings made today, while audiophiles dream of the day when a speaker such as this will grace their listening rooms. These speakers are beyond good … They are truly special.
Performance 90
Longevity/Relevance 21
Value 19
Aesthetics 21
Lust 21
Total Score 172
No speaker may have done better with relevance and longevity than Bowers & Wilkins’ 800 Series. For more than two decades this speaker has been the reference for studios like Abbey Road as well as a staple for audiophile reviewers and music enthusiasts alike. We talked about balance earlier on the list but no speaker does it better than the Bowers & Wilkins 800s. Overall, you simply cannot go wrong with these speakers.
Performance 91
Longevity/Relevance 21
Value 21
Aesthetics 21
Lust 21
Total Score 175
And the winner is… The Wilson Audio WATT Puppy (now called the Sasha W/P). While the price has nearly tripled since its launch in the late 1980s, this Wilson Audio icon has undoubtedly become the face of high-end loudspeakers within the audiophile community. Their custom finishes are stunning. Their compact footprint makes them as relevant in luxury homes as they are in audiophile listening rooms. They can easily and convincingly pull double duty as home theater speakers too. The biggest reason the Wilson Audio Sasha W/P (WATT Puppy) speakers came in at number one on the AudiophileReview.com list is because dollar for dollar in the world of expensive speakers – you just can’t do better even if you can spend more.
The editors of AudiophileReview.com recently sat down for a classic debate over what are truly the best, ultimate level loudspeakers of all-time. Everyone has their cross to bear in an argument like this. Some love electrostats. Others love hulking tower loudspeakers. Some remember game-changing speakers from the past while others gravitate towards the latest, cutting edge speaker technology. In the end one speaker had to win.
The Rules
We agreed to a format for voting that takes a “Sabremetric” (the Bill James-created science behind baseball and inspiration for the book Moneyball) look at the topic so that we would vote with more accuracy than judging upon pure emotion, passion and reputation.
We created five weighted categories to judge speakers including:
Performance 100 total points max
Longevity/Relevance 25 points max
Value 25 points max
Aesthetics 25 points max
Lust Factor 25 points max
Total 200 points maximum
* Ties are settled by highest score in Performance, Longevity-Relevance, Value, Aesthetics and Lust Factor (in that order).
Performance is easy to understand. The highest performing speakers would get the highest grade of 100 points. Longevity/Relevance is a topic about how meaningful a speaker is in the marketplace and how long it has been a relevant speaker for those seeking top-level audiophile speaker performance. Some speakers have been around for years but are getting a bit long in the tooth, whereas others had/have a long run but are still highly relevant, thus earning a higher grade. Others have specific applications that make them uniquely relevant.
Value is a funny topic when you talk about speakers costing $5,000 and above; however some speakers are a better deal than others. Some speakers that perform very well also cost more than the GDP of a small nation. Some speakers hold their value when others drop 50 plus percent the day you buy them. The better the value for the speaker the better the grade in this category.
Aesthetics is a key vote as anybody who tells you speakers are all about sound and not about design have no idea what they are talking about. At these prices you deserve to get it all; however some of the speakers on this list are just plain ugly. Others are fantastically designed, finished and appointed and those speakers are the ones who get the highest grade for this category.
Lust is the most ambiguous category and likely the biggest wild card. There was more than one occasion when a speaker got medium to poor grades across the board. But when it came to the question of “How badly do you want to own this speaker?” its score suddenly changed. Other speakers could do well in every category but when it came to lust – there was just nothing there. In many ways, this was the most fun category.
We created a basic list of speakers at $5,000 and above for consideration and put the list out for external recommendations. We ended up with 45 qualified contenders that in many ways represent the elite best loudspeakers ever made. Then we voted, argued and then voted again. And again. This was the process we used in order to come to our final, 25 Best Expensive Audiophile Speakers of All Time list.
The Winners
Ever speaker on this list is a winner. They are excellent at one or more elements, thus have a place in audiophile history – but only one speaker can win and you will have to count down the 25 best speakers in our slide show to see who wins. Then you can see the runners-up after that.
We encourage you to be part of our experiment in several ways:
• Download our spreadsheet here (link) and vote like us and use Facebook to post the results in the comments below.
• Vote on each slide on a scale of 1 to 10 as to how good a pick you think each speaker is.
• Comment on the overall list, the voting, your list of winners, and speakers you think should be on the list that weren’t considered and more.
The goal here wasn’t to pick a single winner (though we did) but to engage you, the reader, to really get down to thinking about what are the best expensive speakers of all time. It’s a fascinating debate when you get involved and you are invited to be part of the discussion right here on AudiophileReview.com.
focal greatest speakers ever then cat rooms then mcintosh just to let you know all high end modern speakers are tuned off of “the spirit of sound room” built tunned and owned by focal so if u really want perfect sound go to focal key being if you can afford it
Focal is an outstanding speaker. I see that multiple Wilson’s are on the list and they use Focal speakers in theirs 😉 I would imagine then that on that thinking, one would at least have a couple more of the Utopia series in their then also. Both great cans though.
*Excuse any grammatical errors as I speak it well but can’t write it to save my life……. 🙂
Focal makes some of the world’s best pro-audio speakers and monitors…the Bird series efficiently brings out the sound of each instrument played with awesome clarity, probably even better than its Dome series. Glad Focal made to top 3.
focals are bright and annoying,,, listen marten speakers for example…
no kef 207/2 they should be side by side with b&w 800s, maybe better
Silly! I have own both Wilson and Utopia, boring speakers in my taste.
I like ProAc Studio Tower with Shindo WE 300B SE. Rocking F.A.T 🙂
Where is the PROAC love!?!
No Coincident Speaker Technology Pure Reference? No Verity Audio Lohengrin?
Seriously? No mention of John Dunlavy? A PhD physicist who designed some of the most -measurably- perfect speakers ever made. More professional mastering rooms -still- use Dunlavy’s speakers than any others (aka Duntech in an earlier reincarnation).
Performance: find me a better -testing- speaker today (waterfall, impulse, linearity, etc..). Dunlavy’s SC4a remains a reference.
Longevity: in use by more mastering professionals than any other.
Value: The most popular mastering models are the SC5 and Soverigns, which today sell used for around $5,000-$10,000 pair.
Aesthetics: Nice hardwoods, finished well (admittedly not as shiny as some others). Heavy suckers.
Lust: Many mastering pros I know would greatly prefer an SC4a -today- over many of
other speakers in your line-up (Paradigm,Wisdom, Performa, Quad, etc.)
dunlavy should apologize to filipines for spying
John Dunlavy died some time ago. I think you’ve confused him with someone else. He was a professor of physics at University of Colorado. And made what remain some of the finest speakers every designed.
He was my mentor at CU many moons ago. Brilliant man.
I went to U of C way back in the 60’s. Its profs were sharp and most importantly, knew how to teach. There were no clinkers.
Surprised I didn’t see any NOLA or Tannoy. But that’s just me. Maybe I missed them.
A 21/25 on Aesthetics for the Grande EM is the greatest underrating made in history of man.
What about McIntosh XRT2K’s. Last time I heard them, they were amazing.
So Bose didn’t make the list?
bose is great in india
lol or infinity???
Once upon a time maybe but certainly not these days. Back in the 80’s they were sensational.
I’m surprised the 901’s didn’t at least get an honorable mention
Back in the late 70’s, when I was a teen, 901’s were my first speakers. They did what they did well, for a kid starting to listen.
I remember the other speaker I thought had a unique sound, were a pair of Maggie’s. I was 18 or 19, didn’t know squat.
My taste became more refined, but I enjoyed every minute of listening to my 901’s, with a Technics turntable, and a JVC receiver. It’s the enjoyment that counts.
Have you ever heard Bose 901’s with high quality equipment and set up correctly? I believe everyone thinks they have found the ultimate sound and that is O.K.
I am sure they would sound great with the proper feeding. I wish Bose had upgraded the components involved, and brought out a ‘signature’ version. The foam surrounds on my drivers, dried out and crumbled, and I gave them to a friend. Many other designs have used dipole, and other variations from other designers. I just wonder if that approach would still hold up, but it would be fun if Bose did it. I’d be first inline to listen.
I am not sure which version of Bose 901’s you had, but they had a trade-in program for that problem and I received a new pair for half the price after they had discovered the problem with the surrounds on the drivers. I have two sets of their Bose 901 VI and have not seen this problem.
Hmm, I think the IV or V. My friend got the drivers replaced for free, he just had to schlep up to the factory, so they did the right thing.
Or Monitor audio HTC KEF JBL Boston Acustics etc etc etc.
Agreed with Monitors and KEFs new reference line is unreal. The sound of their LS50 x 1000!!!! Where are JM Labs/Focal???Les not forget who pays their salaries!!!
Snell, Allison. All hail the east coast sound!
It’s out of Bose’s league.
No chance – a lot of people have an inflated opinion of Bose. In the 70’s and maybe 80’s they could have chosen to continue on the audiophile route but instead chose to manufacture tiny little efficient speakers that have no chance of relaying the full audio spectrum. All in the pursuit of $ instead of great sound. Great for what they are but not audiophile.
He was kidding.
Bose is very overpriced and overrated..except for their noise canceling headphones…those are really great!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/131cf88db3a9d4ea16503370c6996292f8d4e2e4d436319210680d1af9e11d52.jpg I have owned Bose 901’s for over 35 years now and would not own anything else. I value everyone’s opinion, but I also have ears and I know great sound when I hear it. Just my opinion.
You probably also like beats headphones.
Thank you very much for responding.
Thoose are a different Bose… The speakers he is talking about is why Bose is known today. Unfortunately they don’t make speakers like that anymore. That is why they are a joke.
Is the technology lost? I was a little harsh on Fred because I can’t stand the number of people that think Bose and sonos are the top echolon of performers, but if Bose used to be different then I apologize
Bose made some innovative speakers at first. That model on the stand with nine drivers sounded totally realistic.
I know this is old but paying $50,000.00 for speakers does not make them great.Putting someone down for their taste is adolescent at best. Bose 901s are quality audiophile speakers. I’m a musician and an audiophile and know I can get amazing sound quality without selling my house.
I would rather own a pair of BOZAK and they were not that hot.
You can get some homes in North and East St. Louis for the least expensive pair of speakers on this list. Lots are only $1.00 if you promise to mow the yards and keep the trash and weeds out. It’s all relative.
I totally agree with you.
Presently, they don’t even tell you the specs!!!
I am not into headphones.
Pinpoint imaging and a neutral-to-source presentation are clearly not on your list of priorities.
Glad you like those 901’s, which are still made today (lots of people will be surprised)
Thank you for your opinion.
Seriously you wrote Bose? LOL!
Yes I wrote them a couple of times concerning them stopping the production of the Bose 901 speakers and not having the live demos like they had in the past. I go to a lot of the so call hi-end shows and I really believe if Bose had the live demos again they would still be making the 901’s.
That’s some funny shit right there! Bose just barely missed the list but got bumped by Panasonic.
Sig 8’s……In replacing my Infinity Composition Overture 3’s, I came across the Paradigm Signature 8v3 after auditioning way too many speakers to count or list. Simply superb and the absolute best bang for your $. While the O3’s aren’t on this list they are amazing speakers in their own right and only moving to another set up. Great speakers till HK killed the brand after buying them. The Paradigm Sig 8’s are a fraction of what some of these cost and I’d buy two more before plopping down the money for the double their price competition. My 5.1 Paradigm system is still far less than the double the price pair and smokes the competition hands down. The sound is full and tight , top to bottom. Unless you enjoy tossing your money down a hole or have the short man complex, this is the deal of decades.
Paradigm rules are far as bang for the buck,n 9se the original studio monitor most excellent .
Speaking of Infinity – I’m shocked that the Infinity Prelude MTS wasn’t up here either. One of the flattest speakers ever measured.
K-horn should have received a higher score in Longevity (60+ years and still being manufactured – no other speaker can say that).
we feel real horny
HE HE
These silly little tower speakers with 5 inch “woofers”, are ridiculous. They sound like music coming out of a transistor radio after a few minutes. To get bass, you need some big boys, like a 15″ speaker, or a separate subwoofer.
depends on the method of bass loading or design. Small light cones are better for transient response. The average room will usually have enough ‘room gain’ to fill in the lower octaves. Some speaker designers use what is called a 2.5, using 2 identical small woofers. The top one does mid/bass and the lower one fills in the missing lower bass. Works v well. Another method is a transmission line, which is effectively a folded acoustic ‘pipe’ inside the box. Designed/tuned properly it can add an extra octave of bass response.
Yeah, then your music is a bit lacking in bottom arena damage. And that,s ok, but there’s no way room gain will make up what a decent sub can fill in. Again, taste is taste, and I’m not knocking yours, but subs have a more than necessary place in most systems.
subs have a place there when you are using speakers that don’t match the room or using amplifiers limiting the fronts from going as deep as they can (like 95% of all surround amps).
ofc there is always those who think anything less than a pair of Cervin Vega HP215 and 4 SVS PC-13 subs in a room on 40m^3 is lacking in the bottom area… but that is mostly because they need to overcompensate to hear the lower part over the damage they have done to their ears.
My hearing is fine and I will never have another 2 speaker setup again. Once I introduced a sub to my system there was no turning back (and i’ve owned numerous speakers) and a decent sub virtually always adds depth and texture to the lows that 2 speaker setups simply can’t.
Seriously how could you have missed ATC 150? ATC were the late Gordon Holt’s favorite (of Stereophile fame).
Genesis 5.3 didnt get a mention..
Dynaco A-35’s hooked to a great little quad receiver…Lafayette LR-5000 Full SQ Wavematching Logic…..
Regarding the Thiel CS 3.7 Speakers. Jim Thiel’s favorite speaker until his passing was the CS 6’s. I had a chance to compare both at a local Stereo/ Home Theater store. Well I can see why Jim still used the CS 6’s.
god who wants to own a dead man creation
I wouldn’t mind owning Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Or Wagner’s autograph score for Parsifal.
or how about the Mona Lisa?
Like John Lennon, Dave Brubeck or Beethoven’s records?
A pair of Quested studio monitors make the B&W’s sound like a schoolboys toy.Where do these audiophile guys come from?
you might as well buy a real bmw instead of a b&w. idiots
Because you like the way a speaker sounds, does not mean it is the most accurate or best speaker for what you are using it for. If it is for listening, your choice should be far different than a speaker for mixing, mastering or producing music.
Extremely timely review for me, even at 2 years old. The best questions are whether great speakers ever change, and how low in price one can go to get sound that is comparable, not whether they look good (really?), or whether they have any appeal. Who cares? But this would require a pure sound comparison which none of us have the time or resources to do. Too bad. It would be great to find a review that contemporaneously tested all speakers. I am on a bit of an odyssey for that one. Wish me luck.
Sit in a 22′ x 24′ room with a pair of Klipshorns in the corners driven by an 8B or ST-70 and decent preamp/source in late evening with no lamps lit. The room disappears, the image is 33% wider than the outside walls and as deep as the recorded venue. The dynamics are astounding and you are there. The only reason I mention it is the cost to enjoyment ratio. A used setup will put you back $3K. It will not honk and you can save $30K.
Klipsch is fantastic in other ways to…
take the ugly, big, black and cheap box called the KG5.5
connect it to an “not state of the art” tube amp like an Music Angel 300B, or an old transistor amp like Electrocompaniet ECI-2 and listen to it…
yes… it is stuff far better out there but then you get all those non-audiophile friends of yours to listen to it, and none would say it sounds bad… in fact i have had none complain on the sound on those compare to the Meridian DSP system upstairs that i hear from most people that is “boring and no fun in the sound”…
find Klipsch being something that have a sound that most people can in some way enjoy, and that is a little fascinating
The 1st time I heard Klipshorns, I felt I was in the presence of a live band. They weren’t even in the corners as the owner had a small house and no room. They are awesome speakers, for sure.
Avantgarde Acoustics Trio Horn Speakers… At least one spherical horn speaker should be mentioned on this list because of the specific sound characteristics they have. Meyer Sound at least represents the horn genre in this list. Avantgarde’s sound truly exceptional and is a top 10.
No one who’s ever heard a properly-set-up pair of Beveridge 2SW1’s would agree with this list. For that matter, how about the Rodgers LS35A’s? Both of these speakers should be part of this list. IMHO.
Agreed regarding the Beverage. A forgotten classic of rare transparency but one with problems and limitations that rule it out for most audiophiles.
spendor made a tremendous pair of speakers as well.
All the best audio systems have been designed and built to meet the acoustical demands on the room,the driver alone can only make so much of a difference so just saying a brand of speaker makes it the best is a bunch of bull.
Any reason for the text to be black on black anybody?
balance perhaps ?
proac response d2 should be in the list
You have left out INFINITY IRS V . PLEASE I am sure it was Some how over looked.
Should we count speaker systems as big as the Space Shuttle? Kidding, the IRS-V are major classics, before Infinity went rogue…
There’s an infinity system on the list
..laughable list
You “audiophiles” always ignore the true value – powered studio monitors from companies like Genelec, JBL, etc, that will outperform your ugly, over-priced boxes in every way. Take a look at the technology in the Genelec 8260A – 430W tri-amplification (forget those expensive amps and cables), wave-guide cabinet, anti-diffraction cabinet, room correction built-in, digital input option, coaxial drivers, all proprietary drivers, +- 1db 28-21khz 113 db output, die-cast aluminum cabinet. They are not huge and will not fall over and kill someone. They are expensive at 12k a pair, but they are not over-priced.
Those are studio monitors not home speakers. Besides, 28hz isn’t really that deep, i would expect deeper bass for 12G
Prefect speakers from Contrast-Audio http://www.contrast.com.ua/
Why mention the Vandersteen 5 and not the 7?
Many good speakers on this list. I have a pair Quad ESL 63, real classics. But I also own Anthony Gallo reference 3.1 and A. Gallo ref. 3.5, and new price aprox. 3000 and 6000 USD. I really see them as bargains regarding price/sound and design/WAF. Even my wife is very happy with them. They are quite small in size and don’t need a large room, but they can fill a large one if they have to! Both models are out of production, but I consider them to be “modern classic’s”.
ESS AMT-1 The original without the passive radiator. Sound as clear as light.
Glad to see the Klipschorn at least made the list.. As stated in the comments,
“as do many who love the “live” sound from their audiophile systems.”
Isn’t that what being an audiophile is all about?
Owned mine for 33 years until I had to sell them do to downsizing my residence after retirement to FL. Now replaced with a MUCH smaller 5.1 Klipsch HT System
good point. No wonder they’re still being sold 60 years later
Wilson audio looks like SHIT.
And the Klipsch heritage series (Heresy-Cornwall-La Scala and Klipschorn) sounds ALL better than these ridicolously overpriced UGLY speakers.
The only good price/value of the bunch is the B&W 800 series (it’s also the best looking speaker of this bunch)
Aw come on, hey I still love my Heresys for certain types of music. I’ve had mine for over 30 years.The EV T-350 horn can reproduce some instruments (like cymbals, and keyboards) in a way that still puts a huge smile on my face. That being said however, my Wilson Sasha II are a whole different listening experience. As far as looks? Wife initially thought they looked look professional dehumidifiers, then fell in love with the sound.
Your right on target there Marco, for inner detail, dynamics, and soundstageing only a few other very expensive modern horns can match the Klipsch Heritage series
hello! i am locking for information on this speaker, do you know anything about them
i bought them secondhand in norway. they are made by Brinkman omni directional speaker from Wales
The information I can give you is sell them bastards RIGHT NOW as they are beyond ugly as Thelma’s grandmother after a night of drinking and whoring around.
Did I miss the ATC speakers or the Yamaha NS1000? I guess that accuracy can be taken to extremes.
No mention of Infinity IRS’s…are you kidding? Also no mention of the Magnaplanar Tympani 1-D’s A three panel one piece design that made vocals (especially female) sound live in a way other speaker I have heard can recreate…
There was an Infinity system on the list
No Dynaudio = no valid list.
Dynaudio was on the list. Read it again.
Really, not a single pair from Harbeth ?
The Sandersound (Innersound) electrostatic panel is measurably and audibly the most nearly perfect transducer on the planet. It’s linear in response, coherent, astonishingly uncoloured, fast as lightening with a measured distortion orders of magnitude lower than the cone dome drivers on Wilson, magic. Focal, Dunlavy etc. (harmonic distortion measurements is something almost nobody does anymore). It’s open window transparency and ability to convey low level detail without irritation exceeds any speaker on this list. The Quad isn’t too far behind but falters because there are three things blocking it’s naked stator causing subtle veiling and HF roll off. The thin plastic dust cover, the metal screen and the fabric grill choke a potential transparency that might approach the Sanders.
The Sanders transducer deserves one solid criticism however. The sound radiation is directional as flash light. There are limited dispersion speakers like Quad, ML, etc. But Sanders takes beaming to new extremes. Apparently that’s the way he likes it. But I don’t. I prefer my speakers to sonically interact with the room to achieve a psycho-acoustic effect of a room presence, but that’s me. I just don’t want sit still when I listen and I don’t want my speakers to sound like electrostatic headphones which the Sanders do, unfortunately. Despite this idiosyncrasy, after a good listening session with the Sanders one is left with the impression that every every form of audible distortion has vanished and every veil has finally lifted. Reproduced sound has finally reached the pinnacle of transparency and cleanliness. A speaker that impresses the brain but the not so much the heart; which is too bad. Maybe some day Roger Sanders will come to his senses and make a wide dispersion electrostatic panel as good as his directional one if that is at all possible. But if Low distortion high resolution means anything to you at all then you have to hear the Sandersound electrostatic before you consider your next speakers.
Agreed, I own a pair of pre-Innersound panels from Roger, still going strong after all these years, and you are right that an electrostat absolutely wipes the floor with ANY other type of speaker there is distortion-wise (and imaging), period, not even close.
I built a set of curved (ML style), and while wider in dispersion than traditional flat panels, not all they’re cracked up to be..image gets smeared..
Currently building a set (because none commercially available) of wide dispersion panels that are flat, but have almost as wide a coverage area as a cone and dome type speaker, best of both worlds.
You obviously know your stuff, good write-up, cheers.
I have a pair of ML Source 2007″s in pristine condition except the panels went, if you’d like something as a 80 pound wooden platform for your panels let me know. The subs, power supplies, and x-overs still work fine. Scottorlowe@verizon.net
I wonder where the Tekton Pendragons would fall on this scale? Any input? I have considered buying a pair at least to check out. I have heard good things about the speakers.
A lot of hype surrounding the Dragons, are they really worth it? They’re sin-ugly at any rate.
To me Mirage M1s should be on the list. I’ve had them for over 20 years and have never heard speakers that are better, including several on this list, and I’ve been to many audiophile retailers, shows and exhibitions. I think the ultimate test is what your ears, your room, and your choice of music tell you what is the best, and we all have slightly different ears, rooms and different taste in music.
My friend has my old Mirage M1s which I sold to him more than 20 years ago and he also has GoldenEar Triton 2 speakers. As fond as I am of the Mirage M1 speakers, the Triton 2 speakers are better. They have a much superior tweeter and a more cohesive soundstage, which already was good in the Mirages. More often than not, dealer demos and show exhibitions just sound mediocre to dreadful and is not a very good indication of the potential of the speakers. I once purchased a set of very expensive reference flagship speakers that sounded horrible at the dealer showroom. They were very well reviewed and I knew they could be made to sound much better. I was in fact the first purchaser of said loudspeaker in Canada. Time marches on and extremely good speakers are being made at very affordable prices.
I’d like to own a bunch of these!!!
not able to access list
Has nobody heard Lecson HL1 speakers? They make any amplifier and turntable or eventransistor radio become hi-fi!
The best thing about Wilson speakers is the countless updates, revisions and improvements each model requires. Go ask Gateway, Sterling Sound or Masterdisk how many recordings come out mastered on old Duntech Sovereign equipment and why they have ignored all the brands on this list.
Nothing by Rey Audio? They are the king of large horn systems transcending the best of JBL, Klipsch, Tannoy, Westlake etc. Their ability to capture the scale, balance, immediacy and subtlety of live music is unmatched in my opinion. Those who have heard them will never forget the experience. In a live vs recorded comparison using a live band or orchestra Rey Audio’s rm-7v may well defeat every speaker on this list.
Hansa Bergen….those speakers are absolute garbage – ugly. Are you sure it is not a barbecue?!
Hey If you want to rid yourself of them call me first!!!
AAD 2001 main monitors and 7001 monitors. Have not heard the 7001s but have a pair of 2001s . They are on the speakers to “lust for” page of sterophile or one of the audiophile sites. that page has speakers approaching 6 digits in cost. I have listened to speakers 4x their cost to try to find something on par. Hasn’t happened yet. 1st listened to them at quest for sound outside of philly , a true high end shop , i was floored and had to have them some 10yrs ago. Never looked back and have not been able to better them.
I guess this site is getting kick backs from Wilson Audio… 😉
Or you know, maybe they’re just really good speakers
I’m not saying that they’re not good speakers… but 4 out of the top 5?… of all time? Really??? It’s blatant! lol
Not only are the results totally out of synch with every similar assessment ever published, they also exclude many of the most highly regarded companies in the field.
I can’t believe you couldn’t find room for any AR’s in your list? the old AR90’s perhaps?
Carver Amazing Silvers, no love? One of my all time high end favs, Still looking for a decent set on eBay
Paradigm Reference Signature S1 v.2 (for example)
sounds a lot better than every one herewith listed
IMO
Yep the Paradigm Ref/Signature ranges are fantastic sounding and great values!
I’m surprised no Magico’s or GoldenEar’s made the list
Rey Audio.The king of the horns.
Ive got some nice Technics you can listen to.
what about steinway lyngdorf
The one thing I know about sound is that it takes a lot of listening to many speakers and equipment to know when you have found what you think is close to real. I can say that I have spent the time and will continue to spend that time until the day I die.
Where are my All Time Favorite Radio Shack speakers?
Oh Wait…I’m thinking Shake Shack…not Radio Shack !!! lol
I’ve been building speaker systems as an amateur for many years and I have found two things to be true; 1. All speakers are the same laws of physics in different packaging. 2. When you go in to take a test demo of a set, you have already formed an opinion before hearing the first note. Your selection would most likely not be the same if your first impression was sound before sight.
No Dunlavy, especially SC V ?
I am surprised that none of Martin-Logan’s electrostatic speakers are not on the list. I got their low-end Electromotion ESLs and they would give the Quads a run for the money.
my sherwood bookshelves and cambridge amp with playstation one cost less than $200..now i know how much cash i have saved…
They did leave out a ton of respected Speaker makers….No mention of the Magnapan Tympani series…especially the Tympani 1Ds??? At least they got Infinity’s big system in there. I had the next system down …. RS-1A’s . The tweeters would blow before their fuses would….once they fixed that they were great!
I also had a pair of Bose 901’s….great for what they could do way back then…I listened to two staked pairs and they were so marvelous at loud they could play cleanly!
I would have to say the JBL L100s, (BBC) Rodgers monitors, ’70’s BIC Venturi, classic Wharfdale certainly deserve mention.
The JBL Studio-590 is one of the best sounding speakers I’ve ever listened to! I have some audiophile collections of speakers that I compared with the JBL Studio 590 man I guess I’ve got to have the JBL-S-590! The JBL high end speakers are not really much appreciated here in the US but Asia (Japan) and EU they’re big time and costly to have and for the information of everybody JBL is the biggest speakers manufacturer in the world! You see them in the concerts halls and theaters around the world….
No Mention of any Tannoy speakers???
what about the Kingdom Royal???
I have a pair of 901’s (Series V) for sale. Walnut cabinets near mint – with stands and equalizer. Re-edged one unit’s drivers and have the kit to do the other when needed. I loved these guys back in the day, so sad to see the negative attacks on this iconic speaker. I haven’t used them for nearly two decades, but tried them after the re-edge (obviously) and they still sound as they did out of the box. Of course you folks that know 901’s know that placement, and all other environmental factors, may play havoc with your perception of their performance. Alas, in my home, they are like grandpa’s “treasures” that nobody understands…oh, well.
There is a reason why 3 of the top 10 speakers are systems made by Wilson Audio. I prefer the Grand Slams over the Watt Puppies but that being said after hearing Wilson speakers you will realize why Skywalker Ranch and other audio studios use them. They are very expensive but the clarity and spacial placement is what you pay the big bucks for. Wilson Audio has no competitor. There is nothing more clear. The spacial dimension of sound that you can discreetly hear is truly remarkable. You can close your eyes and hear where all the instruments are placed in your mix. Listening to them is a religious experience. They are truly the best.
Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but your opinion should be based on actual facts, not what you believe.
questionable list imho but i don’t think anyone car argue the WATT/Puppies (and their progeny) are clearly in the Top 3 of all-time. i haven’t heard 75% of these speakers but i did hear the Wilsons back in the day (’96 or so as 5.1’s???) and i’ll never forget the experience. huge room with jeff rowland front-end and the sound was AMAZING. just huge and visceral. i concur that they are the No. 1 all time audiophile design. can’t really argue for or against the other designs as i’ve not heard most of them in a long time but i would say my person top five would include the Linn Keltik Aktiv (holy crap they sounded good as an active systems), B&W 801 S3, Energy Veritas and Martin-Logan Prodigies.
The photo shown is of the Egglestonworks Andra II, which I own, not the Andra, which was considerably different in execution, especially on the bass end.
Where’s the Kef blades
I always try to attribute a lot of credibility to these reviews. But one of my favorite brands. Hansen makes the Hansen King which I have heard at CES and had to be one of the best sounding speakers I’ve ever heard. Yet you give it’s big brother only a score of 73. I’m confused by this. The grand master is way over priced for a speaker and yeah I would never buy a set unless I won some super lotto. But it does make me wonder about the rankings of other speakers here.
I remember in the 70 to 80.im 57years old. Had a girlfriend working in a hi. Do. Store hi end.. I will never forget a pair of tower speakers. That was shown to me.. They were infinity speakers. 6speakers powered and a sub built into the bottom side. Standing in front of them was like the band playing in front of you..
Forget all the new technology. Subs.
This was like going to see a band and having the best seats.
If I ever win lotto. I will be hunting only those speakers.
I miss seeing bands. Real music. And a real sound from a speaker. To me the rest is crap
Please keep in mind that everyone has the right to their own opinion and we all should at least respect that.
For the smaller size, the relatively low
cost and the utter simplicity, the original Energy Pro Dot 22 monitors
should have gotten at least a mention of sorts.
Have you guys had the chance to listen to JBL Studio 590? It’s a killer!!!! I’ve got a friend bragging his B&W that cost like a car but when I listened to it, it’s ok! but not as versatile like JBL S-590….Just my opinion!
I have listen to just about everything. I have been into systems since the early seventies. I go to a lot of the so call hi-end shows just to see and hear what is out there.
Specifically JBL Studio 590 which is JBL current model the drivers now a days are absolutely different from the 70’s. Try to find a dealer and ask for a demo.
You never answered any of my questions?
I did Fred!
I would like to jump in and join the rather heated debate about Bose speakers. The first time I ever heard of Bose was in the 1960’s when the Beach Boys performed at Green’s Playhouse in Glasgow (Scotland). They were and still are a VOCAL band and they had 8 Bose 301 bass bins on either side of at the bottom of the stage and goodness knows how many 801’s piled high on the stage. There were 3000 people in the hall and the sound was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I have loved and used Bose ever since. I am a gigging musician, now 70 years of age and still use Bose albeit the L1 Model 2’s. (My old system of 2×301’s and 6×801’s with 5.5 kilowatts worth of amps became too heavy for me). I now use a stereo set up with 2 L1 towers and 8 B1 bass bins. Whether I’m playing solo or with the five piece band I still use the full system with 2 extra bass amps to drive the extra B1’s, I have had many compliments about the sound I get over the years so I must be doing something right. And that goes for Mr Bose as well.
You know what I know. Bose speaks for themselves.
System Audio Pandion 5’s should be on the list…
Some of the Vintage stuff which didn’t make it SHOULD probably be considered on another list….
Like the KLH9 or the original Magnepan Timpani.
I would also suggest that if you could demean yourselves to get below the 4 and 5 digit level?
I’d consider the Original Large Advent to be a ground breaker in several regards.
As predictors of the future? AR3a should be considered and whatever model the Braun Triamp was made under.
The last? 100 watts total per speaker 50/35/15 and an amazing presentation. I was a broke late-teen when I heard those and have never forgotten….
I heard the Grand Utopia at a show under VERY sub optimal conditions and was completely UnImpressed.
k- HORN or not a top speaker do to the room required and poor performance base and the poor image.
Early JBL were on top the SR7s their monitor speakers all better than Klipsch products. However time has pasted all the 60’s and 70 designs by.
The Bose 901 was just a bunch of cheap small speaker that need a wall to reflect and big amp.
A decent speaker Rectilinear, the Macintosh speakers and the JBL depending on the speakers.
That the TAD https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f501b8ff88e11bc218b549ec38b518c4286a4d2557dafffe5188253f743a231c.jpg Model 1 didn’t make this list is…astonishing.
NHT may not have made the best speakers, even at their height (Although, I’d take the 3.3 over anything else), but they certainly were the pioneers of the thin tower with the side loaded woofer, and their Focused Image Geometry is still the best imaging you’ll ever find in a loudspeaker.
Not sure if this is of all time? Double Advents for about $800 were rated pretty high, as well as JBL Century 100’s and AR. Klipsch under appreciated here, numerous other models missed, and 901’s should have made top 25. Sure, not by todays standards, but of all time? Seems like the Seventies, and Sixties, the glory days of Audio, when you could find a locally owned shop in every good sized town were forgotten. Probably young staff, add some old guys that have their memory, maybe not their hearing.
http://www.node-audio.com
Marten speakers are for me one of the best, and they are not on your list….
all sucks
There are some fine products included, but RBH, Definitive Tech, Von Schweikert, Revels (at least one pair), and Cantons must be personal choices because there is no other reason for their being included in a group of this stature.