The final list blends cult favorites, modern tech, and some total shockers.
Most audiophiles think great speakers require trust funds and dedicated listening rooms. But when we polled the audiophile community and received over thousands of responses about the greatest speakers ever made, vintage models and relatively affordable classics dominated the list.
These 25 speakers earned their spots through decades of passionate listening, not price tags alone.
- 1. Klipschorns
- 2. Infinity IRS V
- 3. B&W Nautilus
- 4. ADS L810
- 5. Pioneer HPM-100
- 6. JBL L100
- 7. Klipsch La Scala
- 8. Altec Voice of the Theater A7
- 9. Quad ESL-57
- 11. Cerwin Vega AT-15
- 12. Original Large Advent
- 14. Dynaco A25
- 15. Vandersteen 2Ce Signature
- 16. Wharfedale Lintons
- 17. Tannoy Westminster Royal SE
- 18. AR (Acoustic Research) AR-3a
- 19. Paradigm Persona
- 20. Realistic Minimus 7
- 21. Dahlquist DQ-10
- 22. Ohm F
- 23. KEF LS3/5a
- 24. Wilson Watt Puppy
- 25. Altec Model 19
- Controversial Pick: Bose 901
- 1. Klipschorns
- 2. Infinity IRS V
- 3. B&W Nautilus
- 4. ADS L810
- 5. Pioneer HPM-100
- 6. JBL L100
- 7. Klipsch La Scala
- 8. Altec Voice of the Theater A7
- 9. Quad ESL-57
- 11. Cerwin Vega AT-15
- 12. Original Large Advent
- 14. Dynaco A25
- 15. Vandersteen 2Ce Signature
- 16. Wharfedale Lintons
- 17. Tannoy Westminster Royal SE
- 18. AR (Acoustic Research) AR-3a
- 19. Paradigm Persona
- 20. Realistic Minimus 7
- 21. Dahlquist DQ-10
- 22. Ohm F
- 23. KEF LS3/5a
- 24. Wilson Watt Puppy
- 25. Altec Model 19
- Controversial Pick: Bose 901
1. Klipschorns
Paul Klipsch had a clever idea back in 1946: why not use the corners of your room as part of the speaker? That’s how the Klipschorn was born.
With a fully horn-loaded design and a folded bass horn that fires into the corners, it pulls off a massive sound with just a few watts of power, which only a few others can.
Today’s version, the Klipschorn AK6, stays true to that vision while adding modern upgrades like a sealed back, better components, and a cleaner design. You’ll still need to place them snug in the corners for best results, but once you do, the sound feels fast, dynamic, and huge.
These are also the longest continuously produced speakers in history.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way, fully horn-loaded corner speaker
- Drivers: 15″ woofer (folded horn), horn midrange, horn tweeter
- Sensitivity: 105 dB/W
- Frequency Response: 33 Hz – 20 kHz ±4 dB
- Price: around $14,998/pair (2025)
2. Infinity IRS V
The Infinity IRS V was one of the most extreme speaker systems ever built. Each setup came with four massive towers weighing over 1,500 pounds combined. Inside were 12 servo-controlled woofers, 72 EMIT ribbon tweeters, and 24 EMIM planar midrange drivers.
So, it was not surprising how it filled entire rooms with sound and detail that few other systems could match.
When it launched in 1985, it cost $65,000, which was an enormous sum at the time. Today, it’s considered a rare collector’s piece and is still seen as one of the most ambitious speaker designs ever made.
Key Specs:
- Design: Four-tower system with servo-controlled woofers
- Drivers: 12 woofers, 24 EMIM midrange, 72 EMIT tweeters
- Sensitivity: 87 dB
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 45 kHz
- Price: $65,000/pair (1985 MSRP)
3. B&W Nautilus
John Bowers wanted to fix the way speaker boxes color sound. So, his solution looked nothing like a box. Instead, the Nautilus uses long, tapered tubes behind each driver to absorb unwanted energy, so only clean sound comes out. It looks like sculpture, but sounds like studio gear.
The Nautilus came out in 1993 at around $60,000 a pair. They’re still built today in small batches, by hand, in the UK, and are now priced at $110,000 a pair.
Despite all that, they still impress. Reviewers talk about imaging so precise, you can almost picture where each instrument was placed.
Key Specs:
- Design: Four-way active with tapered tube enclosures
- Drivers: 12″ bass, 4″ mid-bass, 2″ mid, 1″ tweeter
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Frequency Response: 10 Hz – 25 kHz (-6 dB)
- Price: $110,000/pair (2025)
4. ADS L810
While most American speakers in the ‘70s aimed for power, the ADS L810 focused on accuracy. It used German-made drivers and a sealed-box design to deliver smooth, balanced sound that still holds up today.
Vintage fans often say these feel more like studio monitors than home speakers, and that’s not just hype.
They’re three-way speakers with dual 8″ woofers, a dome midrange, and a soft-dome tweeter. The build quality was solid, and properly kept pairs are still going strong. And, the ADS name came from Braun’s U.S. operations, which helps explain the clean sound and minimal design.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way acoustic suspension (sealed box)
- Drivers: Two 8″ woofers, 2″ dome midrange, 1″ dome tweeter
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 25 kHz
- Price: $700/pair (late 1970s)
5. Pioneer HPM-100
The HPM-100 was Pioneer’s way of showing it could compete with the American heavyweights. They brought in Bart Locanthi, who had worked at JBL, and he brought some serious engineering with him. The HPM-100 packed a 12″ carbon-fiber woofer, a 4″ midrange, 1.8″ cone tweeter, and a super tweeter, all in a strong, bookshelf-sized cabinet.
These speakers could take a beating and still sound great. They were loud, clean, and surprisingly refined for the price. That’s why rock fans loved them, and modders still like to tweak their crossovers for even better performance.
Key Specs:
- Design: Four-way bass reflex
- Drivers: 12″ carbon-fiber woofer, 4″ cone mid, 1.8″ cone tweeter, super tweeter
- Sensitivity: 92.5 dB
- Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 25 kHz
- Price: $400 each (1976)
6. JBL L100
Back in the ’70s, the JBL L100 made a statement just by being loud, bold, and built to rock. Its colorful foam grilles, available in orange, blue, or brown, became almost as iconic as the sound.
These speakers brought studio-grade punch into living rooms and defined the “West Coast sound” with a forward, energetic tuning that paired well with rock and pop.
They sold over 300,000 pairs for a reason: people kept coming back for that lively, in-your-face sound that made every track feel more alive.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way with front-mounted controls
- Drivers: 12″ woofer, 5″ midrange, 1.4″ phenolic ring tweeter (LE25)
- Sensitivity: 91 dB
- Frequency Response: 45 Hz – 15 kHz
- Price: $273 each (1970)
7. Klipsch La Scala
Paul Klipsch originally made the La Scala for public speaking events, where volume and clarity mattered more than finesse. Turns out, they also made music feel larger than life. With a fully horn-loaded design and sensitivity over 105 dB, they deliver big sound, even with low-watt tube amps.
They’re not subtle, and they’re definitely not small, but they give you the kind of live energy that makes you forget you’re listening to speakers.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way fully horn-loaded
- Drivers: 15″ woofer, horn midrange, horn tweeter
- Sensitivity: 105 dB
- Frequency Response: 53 Hz – 17 kHz
- Price: $2,598 each (current AL5)
8. Altec Voice of the Theater A7
The Altec Voice of the Theater A7 (also known as Altec Lansing A7) was technically designed for movie theaters, instead living rooms. But, that didn’t stop audio lovers from dragging them home. With huge drivers and a horn-loaded midrange, the A7 delivers vocals and dynamics that sound like you’re sitting front row at a live show.
Yes, you need space and patience to optimize placement. Still, they also bring an effortless sense of scale that smaller speakers just can’t match.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-way horn-loaded
- Drivers: 15″ woofer, 1.4″ compression driver with sectoral horn
- Sensitivity: 103-105 dB (real-world)
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 15 kHz (conservative spec)
- Price: ~$500-$700 each (1970s)
9. Quad ESL-57
The Quad ESL-57 looks like a flat panel, but it helped redefine what clarity in audio could sound like. Its electrostatic design uses a thin membrane to move air with incredible accuracy. That midrange? It’s what people still talk about today.
You won’t get deep bass or high volume, but when it comes to vocal realism, it’s tough to find anything more convincing.
Key Specs:
- Design: Full-range electrostatic panel
- Drivers: Single electrostatic membrane
- Sensitivity: 82-83 dB
- Frequency Response: ~45 Hz to 15-18 kHz
- Price: £33 each (1957)
10. Magnepan Tympani
The Magnepan Tympani takes up a lot of space, but in return, it fills the room with a wide and detailed soundstage. With large planar magnetic panels and, in later versions, ribbon tweeters, it delivers a level of openness and transparency that makes traditional speakers seem small.
Yes, they demanded powerful amplifiers and careful placement, but the reward was a wall of sound that made conventional box speakers seem quaint. Magnepan’s outsized vision created a listening experience that left traditional designs behind.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-panel planar magnetic dipole
- Drivers: Planar magnetic panels, ribbon tweeters (later models)
- Sensitivity: 83 dB
- Frequency Response: 32 Hz to 20 kHz
- Price: $1,995/pair (Tympani IVa)
11. Cerwin Vega AT-15
Not everyone listens to chamber music at moderate volumes. Cerwin Vega understood this, so it built speakers for people who wanted to feel the bass in their chest.
It’s not known for finesse, but when you’re playing music that thrives on chest-thumping bass, it gets the job done in a big way.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way bass reflex
- Drivers: 15″ woofer, 6″ midrange, 1″ tweeter
- Sensitivity: 97-99 dB (real-world)
- Frequency Response: ~29 Hz to 20 kHz
- Price: $700/pair (1984)
12. Original Large Advent
The Original Large Advent made high-quality sound more accessible. With a big woofer in a sealed box and a simple tweeter setup, it delivered bass down to 32 Hz and a smooth overall balance that worked beautifully with vinyl.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was honest. That’s why more than a million pairs found their way into homes.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-way acoustic suspension
- Drivers: 10″ woofer, 2″ cone tweeter
- Sensitivity: 87-88 dB
- Frequency Response: 32 Hz to 15 kHz
- Price: $100-120 each (1969)
13. Yamaha NS-1000M
The NS‑1000M came out in 1974 and immediately stood out for using beryllium dome drivers. Most speakers at the time used paper or cloth domes, so this was a big deal. Yamaha put a lot of effort into the engineering, and it paid off.
It uses a 12-inch woofer, an 88 mm (3.5 inch) beryllium dome midrange, and a 30 mm (1.2 inch) beryllium dome tweeter. The cabinet is sealed, and the sound is fast, clear, and very balanced. These speakers were used in Japanese studios and gained a strong following with audiophiles.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way sealed
- Drivers: 12″ woofer, 3.5″ beryllium dome mid, 1.2″ beryllium dome tweeter
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz
- Price: $1,600/pair (late 1970s)
14. Dynaco A25
The Dynaco A25 sold over a million units and became one of the most popular budget speakers of the 1970s. It used a 10-inch SEAS woofer, a 1.5-inch dome tweeter, and something called an aperiodic port. That port helped control airflow without the boominess of a typical bass reflex design.
It was simple, affordable, and had a smooth sound that worked well for all kinds of music.
Many units were sold as kits or assembled from parts, which helped keep the price down. The design became a go-to recommendation for people starting out with hi-fi.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-way with aperiodic port
- Drivers: 10″ SEAS woofer, Scan-speak dome tweeter
- Sensitivity: 86 dB
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 18 kHz
- Price: $79.95 each (1969)
15. Vandersteen 2Ce Signature
Richard Vandersteen launched the first version of this speaker back in 1977. Since then, it’s gone through several updates, with the 2Ce Signature standing out as the most refined version. It still uses a time- and phase-aligned design that keeps everything sounding locked in and coherent.
Each cabinet holds a 10-inch woofer, a 4.5-inch midrange, a 1-inch dome tweeter, and an 8-inch rear-firing acoustic coupler. The speaker’s strength lies in how well it disappears in the room. Many owners say it gives them a clear and full soundstage without costing as much as many other high-end options.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way with passive radiator
- Drivers: 10″ woofer, 4.5″ mid, 1″ dome tweeter, rear-facing 8″ coupler
- Sensitivity: 86 dB
- Frequency Response: 29 Hz – 29 kHz ±3 dB
- Price: $3,279/pair (U.S.), around €5,590 to €6,995/pair (Europe)
16. Wharfedale Lintons
Wharfedale brought the Linton name back with this heritage model. It mixes classic looks with modern materials and construction. The result is a bookshelf-sized speaker that plays big and sounds warm and rich.
It uses an 8-inch woofer, a 5-inch midrange, and a 1-inch dome tweeter. The cabinet is large for a bookshelf speaker and helps deliver strong low-end. Many packages include custom-matched stands that hold both the speakers and your vinyl records.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way bass reflex
- Drivers: 8″ woofer, 5″ midrange, 1″ dome tweeter
- Sensitivity: 90 dB
- Frequency Response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz
- Price: $1,198/pair (without stands), $1,498/pair (with stands)
17. Tannoy Westminster Royal SE
This speaker is huge, both in size and in sound. The Westminster Royal SE uses a 15-inch dual concentric driver in a giant cabinet that weighs over 300 pounds per speaker. It’s designed to work best in large rooms where it has space to breathe.
Plus, the cabinets are also hand-built and finished in real wood veneer.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-way horn-loaded with dual concentric driver
- Drivers: 15″ dual concentric
- Sensitivity: 99 dB
- Frequency Response: 18 Hz – 27 kHz
- Price: £54,995/pair (UK), about $65,000 depending on exchange rate
18. AR (Acoustic Research) AR-3a
The AR‑3a came out in 1967 as a follow-up to the original AR‑3. It used acoustic suspension to get clean bass from a compact box. The design included a 12-inch woofer, a 1.5-inch dome midrange, and a 0.75-inch dome tweeter.
This speaker became a favorite in homes and labs. It helped make AR one of the top names in American audio. In fact, vintage pairs are still in demand and often show up in collector circles.
Key Specs:
- Design: Three-way sealed
- Drivers: 12″ woofer, 1.5″ dome mid, 0.75″ dome tweeter
- Sensitivity: 86 dB
- Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 20 kHz
- Price: $250/pair (1967)
19. Paradigm Persona
Paradigm’s Persona 9H uses beryllium for both the tweeter and midrange, which helps keep the sound clear and fast. It also includes four built-in woofers, each powered by its own 700-watt amp, and uses ARC room correction to smooth out bass in any space.
This speaker is active in the low end and passive in the highs and mids. It delivers clean detail and deep bass without sounding sharp or cold. It’s one of the few modern flagships that blends old-school craftsmanship with real engineering features.
Key Specs:
- Design: Four-way hybrid (active bass, passive mids/highs)
- Drivers: 4 x 8.5″ powered woofers, 7″ beryllium mid, 1″ beryllium tweeter
- Sensitivity: 96 dB
- Frequency Response: 19 Hz – 45 kHz ±2 dB
- Price: $35,000/pair (approx.)
20. Realistic Minimus 7
The Minimus 7 was a small metal speaker from Radio Shack that punched above its weight. Standing only at 7 inches tall, it became popular as a desktop or small-room speaker thanks to its clear midrange and decent imaging. While its bass was limited, listeners appreciated how natural vocals sounded, especially at moderate volumes.
At a price of just $40-60 per pair, it quickly became a favorite for budget-conscious hobbyists. Many modified the crossover to improve performance, which helped grow its cult following.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-way sealed box
- Drivers: 4″ woofer, 1″ soft dome tweeter
- Sensitivity: ~86 dB
- Frequency Response: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
- Price: $40-60/pair (1980s-90s)
21. Dahlquist DQ-10
Jon Dahlquist wanted the coherence of electrostatics without their limitations. And, his solution looked like modern art, with five drivers mounted on different planes to achieve perfect time alignment.
Audiophiles deemed the the Dahlquist DQ-10 as “near the very top of their price class” for imaging that seemed to extend beyond the speakers. Power-hungry and placement-fussy, yes, but the payoff: imaging and realism far beyond their price tag.
Key Specs:
- Design: Five-way open baffle, time-aligned
- Drivers: 10″ woofer, 5″ mid-bass, 2″ upper-mid, 1″ dome tweeter, piezo super tweeter
- Sensitivity: 86 dB
- Frequency Response: 35 Hz – 21 kHz
- Price: $490 each (1973)
22. Ohm F
The Ohm F used a very different driver called the Walsh driver. Instead of pushing air in one direction, it created sound in all directions.
This meant listeners didn’t have to sit in a sweet spot, as the sound filled the whole room naturally.
It delivered a wide, immersive experience that many people had never heard before. While it wasn’t easy to power and had some reliability concerns over time, the Ohm F showed what was possible with creative design.
Key Specs:
- Design: Single driver omnidirectional
- Drivers: 18″ full-range Walsh cone
- Sensitivity: 88 dB
- Frequency Response: 37 Hz – 19 kHz
- Price: $695/pair (1972)
23. KEF LS3/5a
The BBC needed monitors for cramped broadcast vans. What they got became a legend. Despite measuring just 12 inches tall, the LS3/5a became famous for their lifelike midrange and consistent performance from pair to pair.
In fact, decades later, their midrange magic is still the benchmark for compact monitors.
Their 15-ohm impedance made them harder to drive, but they rewarded careful setup with engaging, natural sound.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-way sealed box
- Drivers: 5″ KEF B110 woofer, 1″ KEF T27 tweeter
- Sensitivity: 82 dB
- Frequency Response: 70 Hz – 20 kHz
- Price: $400-500/pair (original)
24. Wilson Watt Puppy
The Watt started out as a monitor for recording engineers, but once it was paired with the Puppy bass module, it grew into one of the most respected high-end speaker systems of its time. Its modular design let Wilson optimize bass and treble separately, while alignment adjustments helped fine-tune integration.
Each new version brought better bass, sharper detail, and more open imaging. Over the years, it helped define what a modern high-end speaker could look and sound like.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-piece modular system
- Drivers: Varies by version; typically 2 woofers, 1 midrange, 1 tweeter
- Sensitivity: 92 dB
- Frequency Response: 22 Hz – 22 kHz (varies by generation)
- Price: $8,000 (early) to $30,000+ (later versions)
25. Altec Model 19
The Model 19 brought Altec’s studio background into home listening. It used a large 15-inch woofer and a Tangerine-series compression driver in a two-way horn design. The sensitivity was high, so tube amp owners especially loved it.
Many fans still use them today, sometimes with upgraded crossovers or bracing. They delivered a big, bold sound with crisp highs and strong presence, especially in larger rooms.
Key Specs:
- Design: Two-way horn system
- Drivers: 15″ woofer, Tangerine 802-8G compression driver
- Sensitivity: 100 dB
- Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 20 kHz
- Price: $990/pair (1976)
Controversial Pick: Bose 901
Introduced in 1968, the Bose 901 used nine identical full-range drivers and Bose’s “Direct/Reflecting” idea: one driver fires forward while eight fire backward to bounce sound off the wall. That created a wide, room-filling presentation that fans still love for its “live” feel and huge sweet spot.
The catch (and the fuel for the jokes): the 901 needs its dedicated active equalizer in the signal path. Without it, the speakers sound thin, as Bose’s own manual warns you’ll get weak highs and lows if the EQ isn’t in circuit.
Placement is picky, too. Bose tells owners to keep the rear “V” about 8–18 inches from the wall for proper balance. Critics say all that processing and wall-bounce trades focus and imaging precision for size, which is why the 901 became both a best-seller and a punchline (“no highs, no lows…”).
The Bose 901 is the most argued-about speaker on this list, and maybe in hi-fi.
Production ran for roughly five decades across six main series before the 901 was finally discontinued in the mid-2010s. That run, plus the split reputation, explains why it showed up a lot in our survey, with strong recommendations and eye-rolls in equal measure.
Key Specs:
- Design: Direct/Reflecting system with required active equalizer (Series VI)
- Drivers: Nine 4.5″ full-range drivers per cabinet (1 forward, 8 rear); 89% reflected / 11% direct sound (Series VI)
- Sensitivity: Not published; EQ reduces effective sensitivity—Bose recommends 10–450 W/ch amps (Series VI)
- Frequency Response: Not specified conventionally; voiced via the included EQ and highly room-dependent
- Price: $476/pair (early 1970s); ~US$1,400/pair for Series VI before discontinuation (mid-2010s), now used-market only
Janszen speakers………
I own a pair of infinity IRS V and how can apogee not make the list ? I also own a pair of apogee diva too
Absolutely. A pioneer in electrostatic speakers. Also missing are the KLH electrostatics, a marvelous sound when driven by a Marantz 8b.
My additions to this list:
ML CLS IIz, no subs. Driven by a Forsell Statement. Amazing.
Alon Phalanx with room to breathe. A wonderfully musical speaker and beautiful to look at.
ESP Concert Grands in the right room for them. Stunning…
Ariel 10 T’s, huge bang for buck with clean power and room to breath.
Disappointed that the JBL Summit L-300’s are not on this list, but the Realistic Minimus 7’s are? WTF?
Lol
Match them with a great sub and it killer sat system. Great bang for your buck..
Not picked by the writers. These were voted on by responders. I suppose they disagreed, but evidently collectively..
The Realistic Minimus 7 was a cheap copy of the German Canton Plus S which sounded 10 times better than the Minimus 7
The Pioneer HPM-100 was a very colored speaker to be in this list, the most natural balanced JBL I have ever heard is the L-112 which belongs on this list, I heard the L-300 once, good sounding a bit colored, I also had L-220 colored, I preferred the L-112 of all JBL’s
Gotta remember how cheap they were.. had a friend on a zero budget. Used old pioneer amp with some minimus 7 and a couple of sealed inexpensive home hifi cabinet speakers with 8 inch underneath doing some bass.. actually sounded quite civilized.. maybe shouldn’t be on this list but nice that somebody remembered them cause they were great tiny speakers.
Sonus Faber??
I had the A7-500s and could not make it work in even the biggest rooms of my house. I even tried damping the horns with t shirts I also just have away a pair of OLA Advents because I didn’t like them. Both had new crossover caps and refoams. Now the Quad 57s always sounded great and I have had those for over 25 years
Would have been interesting to see what his opinion was on base 901 considering how many were sold
AR 10pi- Best speaker ever for my ear.
What about Bose 901’s?
Haha
Just try it, you love the sound
They shake my house blasting Queensryche for decades now….
still own 4 of these
I’m very fond of my Thiel floor speakers. They retailed for about $15,000/pair. They’re coherent speakers. They do require a powerful amp.
Thiel 3.6 should have been on that list.
Bonjour , j’aurais apprécier avoir votre évaluations des enceintes Polk audio SDA 2A
The last person you should ask about what “sounds good” is an audiophile. It like asking a deadhead what their favorite song is.
I would have included the EPI 100 speakers.
Yep
My EPI 180s still going strong after 45 year, two woofer refoamings and lots of Black Sabbath later.
Yes, Epi made some great speakers..I owned the 70 and 120…both excellent
Agree my first good speakers from my freshman college year were EPIs. When I was looking the salesperson looked at the albums I had brought to demo speakers he went you need to go into this room. Totally different looking speakers than they normally sold to college students. The EPIs where the best I heard and were in my price range. I just finished rebuilding them at 50 years old and set them up in my youngest daughters house where they still sound amazing and will survive for a few more decades. I found them very supportable even at their age.
I’m surprised there isn’t a KLH model in there.
Particularly the 5’s which we have. They are legendary to anyone that’s seeks accurate uncolored sound reproduction.
How come none of the Martin Logan speakers made this list? I believe while they me at not be the inventor of the electrostatic speaker they certainly have pushed the boundaries almost to perfection over the years. In addition they have made the technology available to the average enthusiast across many price points.
I totally agree I have the Martin Logan full range electrostatic CLS 2A’S with dual SVS SB 4000 sealed subs with Mark Levinson 380s pre 37 transport 36 dac with a Class A Krell KSA 300S driving them the sound is to die for and you can’t beat the midrange can’t be beat imo.
Bonjour, j’ai possédé des Wharfedale, Marantz, Pioneer (HPM100), Technics, Kef 105/2, et actuellement des Martin Logan, que je trouve de loin supérieures aux précédentes. Leur seul défaut est leur caractère directionnel, mais avec ma pièce de 8 x 4, cela ne pose aucun problème. j’ai beaucoup aimé à l’époque les Technics SB10 avec woofer et médium plat en nid d’abeille, je me laisserais bien tenté si j’en trouve en bon état à prix raisonnable, cela dit je reste quand même assez impressionné par la qualité et volume de son sorti de mes Marshall ( Kilburn et Wolburn ) par rapport à leur taille
I would have included the KLIPSCH Cornwall to this list. But it hard to take any speaker off this list as well and KLIPSCH already has two.
They miss JBL – L 110 in the 80’s one of the most presence sound in his era.
I have a pair.
My pair of AR 28’s outperformed my JBL 100’s at about 1/3 the price. Couldn’t play as loudly but the vocals were better and overall sound was clearer. The 100’s initial very pronounced foward sound and mid-bass punch, while initially appealing, was fatiguing after any extended listening. Fine for a bar maybe.
What list is considered complete if you don’t include Bose 901’s ?
I would add the Mirage OM-6 Omni-Polar speaker to the list. They were still better than the OM-5’s that replaced them in terms of dispersion and sound stage.
Piekrītu. Lietoju Mirage om-6 jau desmit gadus un izskatās ka no viņām nešķiršos, ir bijuši daudz dažādas akustikas.
MIrage OM definitely deserves to be here – but it was a survey – perhaps it is not as well known.
Hard for me to believe Bose 901 speakers did not make the list. One of the best speakers ever for load rock music! I know many audiophile people were not fans. But they had their fans at parties and dance venues!
Bose 901 serie 6 is simply one of it’s kind.
Still have them
Nothing from Linn?
No mention of Isobarik’s.
You cant be serious.
Few to add… Maybe not the best, but classics worth considering:
Acoustic Energy AE1
Epos ES14
ProAc Tablette/Response SC
Rega Ela
Harbeth HLP3
Jordan/Bandor metal full range
Sonus Faber Electra Amator
Royd Minstrel
Sonus faber electa amator should be it rhis list
The Minstrel speakers are brilliant. They adapt to any amp. I had the Rosewood finished model which looked better than the black ones. I have 72 years experience of listening to music and Royd Minstrels are the best value for money speakers that were ever made.
Akudorik’s, the hidden gem of Linn speakers. Not a mention either
As an Ohm F owner since 1979, I can say there’s few quite like them. Very musical, almost instrumental. The music surrounds you with bass frequencies delivered most effortlessly. They do require high amplifier power, however. Paired with appropriate electronics they are very satisfying to listen and absorb music.
Had a pair myself bought in 79 or 80. Powered them with a Phase Linear 700. My friends always came over to listen to music. They were awesome! Sold them to a high school frien who still has them. I miss them. At that time, I bought a pair of Snell Type A’s.
Wow great list,brings back a lot of memories ,I a think the orig AR9s should be on the list. I am currently rebuilding mine (New foam,upgraded crossover components and cabinet bracing.
Agree, I have a pair of the AR9Lsi I plan on refoaming someday si.
Guess our world hasn’t heard enough from DALI.
No bose 901’s? This list sucks.
No, Bose 901’s suck.
Left out the ESS AMD 1B
And Koss CLS II
Yes definitely
Absolutely agree about the ESS Labs AMT-1b. I was selling audio equipment at a place called Harvey’s Warehouse in the late 1970s, and that speaker was the one I dreamed about.
I can’t believe it either…best speakers and no ESS Heil amt’s on the list. One of the best sounding speakers ever. Some good speakers on the list and some quirky ones. Their ESS HD definition series speakers were really good also. They had horn tweeters and a horn midrange, great for jazz music. The klipsch speakers listed were great. I am trying to rebuild a set of the ESS heil amt’s.
Altec Valencia 846A and the other 16ohm home models from that era are outstanding (need updated crossover and cabinet bracing).
Bose 901 Continentals were unsurprisingly missing. They were the sealed box variety. They covered the entire room full of music. V
I,ve got Bose 901 serie 6.
Sound like a live concert.
Still the best yet,truly lovet bose
I own ADS L1230 Professional Monitors (larger model of earlier mentioned ADS L810). I agree whole heartedly with this list.
For once no one got carried away with the off the wall esoteric speakers most people will never hear anyway. Well done
Turn UP Those Cerwin Vegas and blow the roof off! 🤣
I still have my L810’s. Great speakers. I worked my way up from smaller ADS till I got them. I almost got the tri-amped ones but never got there.
Another Bob here.
I have the L 810’s as well. Bought mine in 1979. Love them still. You can pay more. You can get louder. But for the kinds of music I love to listen to, nothing else did it. And they get plenty loud while remaining clean. You do need a good amplifier though. The DQ10 was a great speaker, but it needed a sub.
It would be nice to have pictures of all the speakers.
Apologies for the publishing error. Will be adding them ASAP.
Sonus Faber Cremona
What about QUAD ESL63?? Still in production afyer more than 50years. Most accurate low distortion speaker ever.
Was surprised the Klipsch Forte series didn’t
Make the list.🤔
I have to agree. The Forte’s were one of my favorites between 1989 when I purchased a pair, until around 2001 or 2002 when the upgrade bug bit me once again.
Excellent now if all the speakers available in the studio for sale
Kef 107.2 reference???
My suggestion is the 104.2
No mention of 2 speakers.
Ess rock monitor 3
Infinity RSB 11
I had the minimus 7’s back in 79 till 82 then got the Cerwin vega AT15’s . My 42 watt JVC AX2 pushed the minimus 7’s but didn’t have the power for the Cerwin vega AT15’s. I sold the AT 15’s to my older brother who had the Realistic STA 2100 tuner amp. Only then did the AT15,s come alive they are to this day the only speakers that made it hard to breathe when the volume was up! Those speakers did the rounds to a few friends then got back to my other brother they and the minimus 7,s will allwas be fond memorys when hifi was everything
My pick are Technics SB-10 most precise thing this side of a tympani D.
J’adore, mais dommage souvent la membrane est abimé sur le marché de l’occasion
Celestion Ditton 33?
Quite the omission!
Sorry to see that the Definitive Tech BP10 was not included.
Rather surprised you left out the big Bozacks, but more surprised by not including the Bose 902’s , surely one of the best sounding and cutting edge speakers of all time! Interested in why you left them out.
Rather surprised you left out the big Bozacks, but more surprised by not including the Bose 902’s , surely one of the best sounding and cutting edge speakers of all time! Interested in why you left them out.
901’s
What about Martin Logan hybrid planer/ base reflex? They still offer superior detail in midrange and highs with solid base. Mine are 30 years old but still sound tight.
J’ai entendu pour la 1er fois des Martin Logan dans un salon de la Hifi, je me suis directement mis à la recherche en occasion, j’en ai trouvé assez rapidement et en suis très satisfaits
Hardly the greatest. If you are going to include speakers like the JBL L100 which is just one step up from Cerwin Vegas as they are just meant to play loud rock, especially when there are far better JBLs produced, then you would have to include the ESS Monitor or AMT-1b with their Great Heil Air Motion Transformer, which is now being copied by everyone for their ethereal highs. At nearly $5000 and a rabid following for those who know, this one should have been on this list. It just shows you picked popular, well known speakers instead of the best. What a joke.
The McIntosh XRT-22s should have been in the list, and at least the top 5
Can’t believe you left out Duntech Sovereigns, which were the most accurate speakers ever (in their time). Still highly sought after and bring a hefty price if you can find any.
Did you forgot BOSE 901
Pas de Cabasse ???
I picked up my Vandersteens off the side of the road. Took them home rebuilt them cosmetically. They are absolutely the best speakers I have ever owned..
If I ever win the lottery (I play maybe twice a year) I’d have a ball tracking down vintage equipment. I have a couple of these speakers on this list. Maybe someday.
Good article but shame you provided photos just for few of the speakers. 😑
We apologize for the publishing error. We will be adding them soon.
Missing ESS monitors
Sound dynamics 10’s should be on this list
I count myself very lucky to have spent extensive time with 17 out the 25 on the list, mostly after doing some repair or restoration on them in my speaker repair shop. I grew up with Klipsch Heresys and Klipschorns in the house so I got spoiled for great sound at a very young age. A couple of notable absences – attributable to the fact that they are from obscure brands that didn’t get mass distribution: The Nestorovic Labs System 12 and the Speakerlab S50, also designed by Mile Nestorovic.
what? no Bozak, Celestion and Speakerlabs???
I accidentally threw away my 215 and 3/4 inch base. Reflex Wolfer’s in my Pioneer. HPM150I purchased a 1977. Do you have any connections to anybody? That might have a set of these so that I can get my speakers back up and running with all of my vinyl records and my Pioneer. Stereo system, any information would be helpful. I’m in Minnesota, thank you.
Not enough pics
We agree. We will be adding more pictures.
And you ignored Japan’s greatest line that’ll beat all of the above: Diatones after the DRMs
The one and only brand that will ever be considered the best are Hartley speakers. The drivers were good enough for Woodstock, they’re good enough for any setup
Polk sda srs signature series kicks total bass ass over all listed speakers listed
No Miller&Kreisel? Shameful.
Any of the loudspeakers Harbeth made should have been on the list especially the HL Compact 7ES – 3 XD2s. They are probably one of the best loudspeakers on sale today.
I have way too many of the speakers on this list 😁
How is Barack Obama not on this list???!?
Because anything that comes out of that speaker is bullshit…
LMAO
I’m not surprised my Genesis 210 didn’t make the cut. I bought them in ’82 and have reconed them twice and they still sound amazing. Also surprised Bose didn’t make the list.
I absolutely love my a/d/s/ L1530 Professional Studio Monitirs!
Specifications
Type: 3 way, 4 driver loudspeaker system
Frequency Response: 25Hz to 20kHz
Power Handling: 150W
Recommended Amplifier: 10 to 300W
Crossover Frequency: 450, 4000Hz
Impedance: 6Ω
Sensitivity: 95dB
Bass: 2 x 10″ cone
Midrange: 1 x 2″ dome
Tweeter: 1 x 1″ soft dome
Grille: black stretch cloth
Finish: natural walnut veneer
Dimensions: 50-5/8 x 23-1/4 x 12-1/8 inches
Hard to believe Polk isn’t on this list. The Monitor 7 or 10 are both worthy inclusions.
Rockwood??
I love my JBL250ti speakers; me thinks they’re far superior to B&W 801/2 series.
JBL Studio 290???
Wish I could throw mine into the hat for this, a pair of morduant short paradigm 2, big tube shaped floor standers wrapped in deep red leather with bottom firing woofers and a grille at the top for the tweeter. They’re from the 70s I believe and they still sound pretty damn good.
However from what I’m told they were made for an audio show or something but never actually released so they’re one of a kind
And Altec 605 A ??
IMF TLS80 is probably too rare for consideration, but they are near the top of any vintage speaker list. Who could not like a pair of DCM Time Windows? My first pair were Dynaco A25s. They were just accurate enough to turn me into a golden eared nut. All you Bose folks must consider all the variations err series produced to make the 901 cheaper and more profitable. Tale any box speaker on the list and turn it backwards to get the Bose effect.
This is a list of favorites mostly from over 50 years ago. I have heard 23 of them, and owned 9 at various times. Only 4 of these are the equal or better of my BMR Philharmonic Monitors ($2k/pr).
This list is incomplete without the Klipsch KLF-30s.
Sonab never seems to make these lists but should. Love my OA-14s. Purchased them in 1978 and rebuilt them in the early 2000s. Still sound great. Have the spatial sound of Bose but with much better highs and lows.
My Kef Carina ii’s have always been special for me. They’re about 40yo now and are waiting for a recapping. The cones and surrounds are still perfect. I have 7 Kef speakers, all bought used, in my surround system. When I add the Carina ii’s as the front pair, I’m hoping for perfection.
I am currently using the Dalquist DK 10’s with a 1973 JVC 4VR5445 Quad amp in a Biamp mode. I hung them about 8 foot off the ground with a bout a 30-degree tilt. I have a vintage Yamaha turntable with an Audio Techniques Shibata cartridge. The highs are incredible crystal clear. The mid range is impressive too. These speakers need power to perform at their best. I added a Klipse sub and I can rock the house!
I also have 4 Bose 901’s with the equalizer setting on a shelf in my garage all needing reconned, this was an issue with the speaker surrounds material disintegration. Maybe one day I’ll have them fixed.
Now my garage I have a set of JBL L100 speakers that I can rock the whole alley with! I’m using a Yamaha AV amp on those and go nicely together. I love vintage audio gear. They just don’t make it that way anymore unless you get into the high-end stuff like McIntosh.
This reads mostly like a popularity contest rather than a best of list once you get past the first few speakers. There are some great ones mixed in but too many average speakers made the list and too many real performers were left off.
Your assessment was spot on, not one mention of the KLH Model Nine electrostat
Kef LS50?
how about Technics SB-1000, SB-501 ?
The Bose 901 is still the most deliberately misunderstood and unfairly maligned product in the history of hi-fi, made by the most deliberately misunderstood and unfairly maligned company in the history of hi-fi.
Should the B&W 801’s be on the list? I should think so.
I sold my K horns to a guy who had 901s When he came back to pick them up with some doubts about the his perches I put on some ut bad driven by my marantz 2238 B he could not pay the balance quick enough stating way better than the bose 901s I Later I bought 2 mor pairs of the k horns and a pair of the la scaals for the barn Love the concert like sound when you get them singing
focal?
ESS AMT1A & B?
JBL L-212, JBL Paragon, and Pioneer HPM-1500
I have owned a pair of Tympany 1d speakers for almost 50 years. I had them refurbished about 20 years ago at the factory in Minnesota. They still sound incredible and I would never give them up.
Hard to comprehend how JBL’s L300 or Everest didnt make this list. The person doing the selection must have limited knowledge of audio gear.
I have owned several of the speakers on this list as well as the complete Mark Levinson reference system shown in several of the photos. I understand and agree with a number of the listed selections, but there is a glaring omission I can’t help but point out. Not a single Revel speaker appears on this list. I currently own Salon II’s and again, comparing them to several speakers on this list I have owned, they are vastly superior speakers. The list suffers from familiarity over actual performance.
First, the most impressive system I have ever heard used a pair of Apogee Acoustics Grands! Nothing has compared ever! Going back further in time, the Rectilinear III was an outstanding traditional box, phenomenal for its time! Honorable mention goes to the Snell A and the large Acoustat electrostatics.
Polk 10B Monitor still playing concert level audio since 1986
The original large Advent (1969-1975) made the list; but the better New Advent (1976-1981) should have. New Advent had the same bass as the original; but a much improved tweeter with ferro-fluid and a simpler crossover design. However, if you had the room size, the Stacked Double Advent using the original large Advents was to die for and made Audiophile’s list of the five best speakers available regardless of size or price.
Accustat electrostatics, Mirage M1, B&W DM6(pregnant penguins), Kef 104 Bose 901 seriesII( Sound better than latrr versions a d no foam sspeaker surround). Stacked Advents(4 Large Advents with a big amp). Kef 105. I miss the 70’s , quality products and no Fool Trump or MAGA IDIOTS!
IMF studio monitors; not on the list?
Original NHT SuperZero???
PSB Stratus Gold? Paul Barton should definitely be on this list
KEF 104/2 belongs on this list !