Best Ever Audiophile Speakers, for REAL!

Of the hundreds and hundreds I've heard, these are the most memorable!

#bestspeakers #KEF #Klipsch

Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan

[SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

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

[nickuncagedpodcast]

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

[MrJohnBos]

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

[michaelgrabowski]

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

[telemarktumalo]

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

[yyams]

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

Great things, I'll inherit them one day, though I'd rather have my 100 year old grandfather.

[hireality]

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

[terrywoodyyc]

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

[pumpkins]

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

[Mrchky]

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

[stillastillsfan]

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

[jsg]

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

[pnichols]

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

[kevinfestner]

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

[Jeffiekins]

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

[dennisheadley]

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

[selfscience]

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

[wythetrumpet]

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

[amse]

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

[garypulsican]

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