Thanks Steve. Very nice collection and sharing of experiences. I love the Dynaudio Heritage Special and listening to them for 6 months now. Could not agree more with your findings about this speaker.
I've been enjoying my DynAudio Special 40's. Wish I could have them out in the room though. They're on bookshelves with a back wall near. Running twin RELs T/5i to fill out the low end. Love the unique cabinet look of the on edge birch ply in gray.
What an excellent collection of standmount speakers! I liked this video because it included older models, speakers from different countries, real-world speakers, not ultra-expensive stuff, different technologies or approaches to sound. I liked that there was an active design from Genelec in the list. As always, I also liked the background wall behind the reviewer.
You know I went to a Hi-Fi store and there were sometimes used, preowned stuff for sale, trade-ins. So one time they had this harman/kardon 430 'Twin-Powered' and wow, it was just the most addictive sound ever, ever, ever. But looking back it had a sound very similar to a harman/kardon 330c, just awesome for the power. So the 430 was too heavy to carry but one time I got a deal on this A 402 that I have and it had the same power button, a red you know, illuminated tube. So the A 402 I got was not as good as 430 but after many years and a lot of work, it's far better and today I can hear sound from the speakers and listen to you know, some other part of the recording up above me on the ceiling, you know it's the sound stage from just two speakers out front. I never knew the A 402 was as good as it is now and it still has all original components and you know, it's better than SONY V-FET you know?
I only had one pair of stand mount speakers in my life and it was a long long time ago. I had a set of Bose 301's and i loved them. I have upgraded many times since then and now have a pair of Heresy IV.
Your first is an MTM which is what I have now (Triad LCR). I have it on a 100hz high pass and bi-amp 4 Marantz 15" woofers 100hz low pass (Emotiva and Marantz).
Thanks for this excellent collection, Steve. 6 months ago I bought stand mount speakers to replace my Gauder floor standig speakers: the Swedish brand Marten, model Parker Duo. I enjoyed every Minute with these outstanding speakers. They are amazing and I will keep them for many years to come.
I've been using Proac Tablette 50's for over 10 years and still love the sound. It's so detailed. I would have thought proac tablette may have made your list
My personal favorite stand mount speakers are the original B&W Matrix 805. I bought them back in the earl y 90's and they've been my main speakers since.
I have a pair of those Harbeths and they are well into the room and about 3-4 feet from the listening position and you're spot on, the depth of field is amazing
The ProAc Tablette 10 go pretty low for the size. In my room 47Hz was the lowest note I could easily hear. But a subwoofer wouldn't do harm if the crossover is not set too high.
Though my system had been down, I have had Linn Kans for over 20 years. Last week I managed to bring my system back to life after 6 years. Old Linn did have Keilidh active speakers. New Rega amp needed passive speakers, so paired it with the Kans. Everyone who has heard the Kans is stunned by how excellent those little speakers sound. Now I’m thinking about Zu speakers, though I will be keeping these.
You know Linn as of the Linn Sondek? They used an old AR, American turntable for their LP12 and their Linn Kahns were ... more of the same cobbled-together scrap, the Kahns were made from some moldy old cabinets bought from the sale of the Chartwell factory, just a heap of these you know Ls3/5A cabinets lying in among some other trash and an old toilet seat. But Linn had great engineers and were based in Scotland for maximum profits. But Zu are not where you go after Linn. That would be like you know, not the right choice for your trained ear.
Yeah but you know, the SL700 have cobex woofers, it's a very cheap plastic and you know for natural sound, most prefer paper. I mean that goes back to the EMI (records) DLS 529, a speaker that came from the old Empire Britain, before they had to join Europe as the poor man's kit builder. The Sinclair C5 car followed a range of Audio from the same designer but it was sold to Alan Sugar of AMSTRAD. Britain became you know a really poor country after we called in their debts in the 1950s. So the SL-700 was designed by Alan Boothroyd M Des RCA, FSCD, FRSA of Boothroyd Stuart and yeah, the SL-700 you know were toned for Meridian amplifiers. No surprises there but you know we can tell who is posting on here from England. Very few American products imported into Britain.
Thank you Steve for another great show, my favorite stand mounts are the ones I own today - the Audiovector A1 Arrete. From your great list I would like to try the Dynaudio Heritage and the Harbeth (M30.2 xd).
My most musical stand mount speaker >> Epos ES11. It played acoustic instruments so, so, so sweetly, that it left you almost crying. It was not an expensive one, was not special looking in any way - but the clarinet, the viola, the cello that emanated from the tweeter and the no-crossover woofer, oh man. Have never forgotten....it was hooked up to my "baby-Krell-looking" amp, the Monarchy Audio SR-70 class A amp. ( I've owned Gallo speakers, ProAc Tablettes, Dahlquist DQ-10s, my electrostatic Dayton-Wright XG-10s, ...yet the Epos ES11 came across as having given me my most musical experiences not in a concert hall!
I purchased the Buchardt S400 MKII's this past January and I paired them with the Marantz Model 40n. All I can say is wow. I auditioned about 7 different sets of speakers ranging from 1k to 5k and none of them compared. Although I will give a shout out to the Elac Uni-fi Reference in combination with this Marantz. Flawless and a close second to the Buchardt's. Great review!
These are all great choices. I especially like how Steve compared many of them to the LS-35a, which at least all us old guys are familiar with, as a reference. I have some nominations for honorable mentions: 1- When I heard the LS-35a I was really inspired by the soundstage, and frustrated by its limitations. I ended up taking the inspiration and frustration and buying the *B&W DM-12,* which I still use as the front speakers for my home theater. I bought them from a store in London; with shipping to the States, they were a little over $400 ($700, I think, in U.S. stores at the time). 2- *Celestion SL-6* family. Pick your favorite. I sold the original SL-6 in '84; I think they were $1000. Straight-up revolutionary, at the time. 3- Here's a literally _shocking_ nom; you literally _have_ to hear these: *Realistic Minimus 7.* This was Radio Shack's "house brand". In the mid-70s, they went on sale every summer for $50 a pair. I got them in white, black, and silver. My daughter uses a pair with a Bose woofer/amp for her apartment home theater. I have a pair on my desk at work, and I gave a pair to a young audiophile friend, who literally can't believe how good they sound, even with a mid-grade amp. 1" dome tweeter, 4" woofer in a cast aluminum cabinet. They put up a _very_ solid soundstage in near-field or mid-field configurations, and next to a reinforcing surface (table or back wall) will play rock and roll at ridiculous SPLs, and if you listen at moderate levels, you won't even miss a sub. By the widest possible margin, the best speaker for the money I've ever heard. My boss is _very_ impressed with the pair on my desk, and he has Von Schweikerts at home. Full disclosure: this is coming from a clown with a main system powered by the Magnepan MG-IIIa, bi-amped.
I almost felt a twinge of guilt after reading your post, since I had dropped off a pair of lightly-used Minimums 7s at Goodwill a few months ago. I thought they were great back in the day and gifted my mom with them. They were sold out all over the US around Christmas time back in the 80s, but I found a pair at a Radio Shack in the tiny town of Thomas Oklahoma (I was traveling past there on business). After my mom passed, I acquired them and was able to A-B them with more modern speakers in a similar size range. Man, technology has really, really progressed.
Have a pair of SCM 11 v2's (with a small REL sub) which i really, really admire - but it's not a love affair yet (they do drums for days though!). Wondering if maybe the 7's would be a better choice for my nearfield setup ...
I have my old L520 and use them nearly every day. I know modern speakers offer more "transparency and detail" (maybe) but I just love the sound of the ADS L520, no subwoofer required.
My absolute favorites among all I've owned: Triangle Magellan Duetto SW2 now owns! And Dynaudio special 25, Audiovector r1 arreté also had some quality!
Steve, what about the recent TAD speakers? I believe you enjoyed those enough to include them on this list? I realize they are a much more expensive speaker, that some reviewer‘s even consider not to be in the stand mount speaker category because of their low frequency extension Capability
The best stand mount speakers that I have personally owned were the Revel M126Be. These have been followed by the floor standing F226Be. Both of these can currently be found online with significant discounts.
I have the RSL CG25 MONITOR speakers. A speaker tuned with Compression Guide becomes transparent like a pane of glass. Sound channels through it unencumbered by the impurities of the speaker itself. The process liberates sound from the boundaries of the speaker, allowing it to spread freely into open space.
I have the SVS Prime Wireless Pro speakers, and they never cease to amaze - dynamic, exciting but balanced and seemingly transparent. I'd love to see them on the next Top Ten.
My top 10 list of stand mount speakers is very different from your Steve. In no particular order- - Borresen 01-SSE - Magico Mini 2 - Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage - Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 graphene - Wilson Benesch Endeavour 3Zero - QLN Signature - Dutch & Dutch 8c - Marten Parker Duo Diamond Edition - Acora Acoustics SRB - Falcon LS3/5a Golden Madrone 50th Anniversary Limited Edition As a sidebar, my 'under the radar' nomination goes to the Audio Solutions Virtuoso B, whilst my vote for best value high end stand mounts goes to the Marten Oscar Duo
Really enjoyed my Bowers and Wilkins PM-1’s on the dedicated stands for the last 9 years . Discontinued now but beautifully made and should last a long time
Steve, Harbeth are the bomb. They also have a classic line and a revised classic line that are more lively and dynamic and not so stodgy. Of all you mentioned the Harbeth would be my very first choice.
My favorite Stand Mount ones are German company Ecouton Audiolabor LQL50 (Year 1992). Amazing... So many layers of deep dark bass, gentle silky tone tweeter, midrange pulled a bit backwards (sound wise)... Unbelievable speakers TO MY EARS of course. Requires a strong amplifier.
I have the Kef LS50 meta and my son has the Genelec G3 following your reviews. Yes the Kefs pair well with tubes Willsenton R800i Class A rolled and Rel T5X sub. & Denafrips Pontus 2 with DDC. Def sounds better with ISO Gaias n original stands. Very neutral spkr. It’s quite sensitive to positioning so you need to experiment. But when you get it right , it’s very enjoyable.
My all time favourite would have to be the Sonus Faber Guarneri (first edition). Just such a beautiful looking and equally sounding speaker. It just keeps it real and does justice to the music and the listener.
I like Max's coffee table. I don't even use a coffee table because the bass likes to hang out there and it hurts my brain (listening fatigue). I never though about building a coffee table with a slats design. It's should act like a diffuser and it looks great, which might work for me. Thank you Max for your picture.
that is exactly what it does! i reccomend builr it by a carpenter! mine was expensive but is actually a bit cheap of a quality (veneers) i reccomend as reference the vitra benches or charlotte periands refollo for cassina 🤝😊
@@gordthor5351 you would love the speakers to then! pharoah trenner & friedl new version. built in austria by „lenz komponiert möbel“ really good natural feel italian oak veneers, execution to the point! packaged without a single use of plastik. it was covered in sheeps wool blankets even.
My three most memorable bookshelves, all of which I still own; Tannoy 605 (Sixes) on their dedicated stands. Singular vintage. Dynaudio Emit 10 Bookshelf Speakers Omega Speaker Systems Super 3i Monitors Bespoke w/a Front Baffle of Reclaimed Barnwood Even with only a modest income, good eq. can be had. Only the Emit 10s were bought preowned.
I’ve got some Buchardt S300 Mk2’s, I do think the Buchardts offer an awful lot for their price point. I’m a huge fan, and Mads is such a lovely and passionate guy, so helpful, he was emailing me on Christmas Day as I prepared to purchase.
@cmessi big sound for a bookshelf, I guess they're a bit larger than a lot of bookshelves, go down to 35Hz which was what attracted me, so sub is less of a requirement. Warm sound, good with any recording, more a jack of all trades than ultra resolving
I briefly owned the latest p3esr and frankly felt that nostalgia accounted for at least 50% of the asking price. I think that reviews seriously downplay its significant limitations.
Those Epos ES14s look a bit like my old Mordaunt-Short MS30s, and I strongly suspect they are closely related given that Mordaunt-Short owned Epos at that time. I remember opening them up and noticing the lack of crossover components.
On the Harbeth soundstage, would that not be the case with any good bookshelf speaker when they are pulled 4’ from any front wall and you sit just 3’ away in the listening chair?
My favourite stand mount speaker of all time was the Rogers Studio 1. It is a British speaker made in England. It includes a bextrene bass- mid. driver. A Celestion tweeter, and a KEF super tweeter. Power handling was 300 watts continuous into 8 ohms. A very neutral sounding speaker that produced all types of music effortlessly.
Hi Steve I consider myself a student of yours. Great videos with knowledge. I am on my journey but I already feel like an audiophile.😊 I request you to please review the BIC AMERICA VENTURI dv62si bookshelf speakers. Love the vibe that u spread.
I am on your fringes…but in your mix, Steve…I own a pair of DynAudio Contour 20s in white which I find to be INCREDIBLE both visually and sonically!…The craftsmanship WOWs me…..I also own the immediate predecessor to The Golden Ear BRX..a pair of "sockless" 😬 Golden Ear AON 3s. I believe its the same ribbon tweeter, a mid-bass woofer with wave guide and they have 2 passive radiators, as well! They seem to do everything that you describe about The BRXs! 😀👍🏼
Great video with some awesome choices. Two that stand out for me are the Dynaudio C1 and also the much less known Artemis Eos (long time out of business). The Artemis featured an Accuton Ceramic tweeter and Eton Woofer. I bought these from a dealer many years ago in Mt. Kisco, NY. I also still have an original pair of Eggleston Works Andras that I purchased from Sound by Singer in NY many years ago and were delivered to my home in Litchfield, CT.
I'd been umming & awwing considering Epos14's off n' on. Then I saw this vid.......well now! A pair came up for sale about 20 miles away from me (England) & I got them. Thanks for the prompting Steve. 😉
Back in the 1980's 90's I had a pair ofB&W DM6,they were great bought them from hawthorne stereo in seattle along with a genesis stealth amp together they sounded divine.
My current four favorites by class: Best bang-for-buck: Elac Unifi UB52. Very good imaging, dispersion, bass and neutrality for about $500 Best small stand mount: Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2EX. Excellent all arounder for about $1600. Luscious bass, extremely natural sounding mid/highs using RAAL tweeter. Very good imaging. Best punch above weight: Philharmic BMR Monitor: A RAAL-based amazing and beautiful speaker. Fantastic bass, mids, highs. Great imaging and depth. Crazy cabinet work. Around $1900. Like half a full range speaker. Punches way above its class. Dunlavy SM-1: Studio monitor. Used to be around $1000 back in the 90s. Probably the best imaging I've ever heard. You could hear individuals whistling in outdoor concerts.
Met 7's. These got me through all of the drought periods waiting for my new "main speakers" to arrive. Got them in the late 70's and still have them in my office powered by a Yamaha CR 420.
What a great list. Did any Andrew Jones models make honorable mentions? I have pair of the BS U5s and really like them. As you said they do require some umph from an amplifier. I'm using an Emotiva UPA-2 to drive them.
Two speakers I love. I have a pair of Magnapan MMGi (purchased three months before the LRS came out) in my living room. The one thing I love is the soundstage. I close my eyes and am transported to the music hall. No other speaker I have heard can do this. The second are my desktop speakers, the Harbeth P3 ESR SE. The music is right in front of me and I can listen to them all day.
You could do a review of the Dynavoice Challenger S-5 speakers! They are very cheap but praised in many places! They have good indicators and a very compact design! Front and surround speakers. Model: S-5 Power Handling (RMS): 75 W Power handling (Max): 100 W Woofer: 5.25 inch Tweeter: 1" Super Audio Frequency Range: 55 - 32,000 Hz Sensitivity: 87 dB Crossover Frequencies: 3700 Hz Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
For my self Pro-Ac one Sc in my system for over 20 years and still love it!!
Thanks Steve. Very nice collection and sharing of experiences. I love the Dynaudio Heritage Special and listening to them for 6 months now. Could not agree more with your findings about this speaker.
Awesome video ❤ great to have some quality content for us Audiophiles on youtube.
thank you steve for picking my system! love your channel! such a sympathic guy you are! best greets from berlin ❤ max
superb looking and I would imagine superb sounding 😊
@@NawMan357 thank you! i am happy and so are my friends when theyre around! 😊
How do you spell your integrated amps name? Beautiful looking.
@@jamescease4280 its a leben cs600x, they built beautiful tube amps! u just need high efficiency speakers. 🤝😊
Beuatiful system mate :-)!
I've been enjoying my DynAudio Special 40's. Wish I could have them out in the room though. They're on bookshelves with a back wall near. Running twin RELs T/5i to fill out the low end. Love the unique cabinet look of the on edge birch ply in gray.
I met the designer of those epos, he used to live in Watford, here in the uk, he now lives in France, he's a lovely guy.
I love the way that you have remained so passionate about your likes!
What an excellent collection of standmount speakers! I liked this video because it included older models, speakers from different countries, real-world speakers, not ultra-expensive stuff, different technologies or approaches to sound. I liked that there was an active design from Genelec in the list. As always, I also liked the background wall behind the reviewer.
You know I went to a Hi-Fi store and there were sometimes used, preowned stuff for sale, trade-ins. So one time they had this harman/kardon 430 'Twin-Powered' and wow, it was just the most addictive sound ever, ever, ever. But looking back it had a sound very similar to a harman/kardon 330c, just awesome for the power. So the 430 was too heavy to carry but one time I got a deal on this A 402 that I have and it had the same power button, a red you know, illuminated tube. So the A 402 I got was not as good as 430 but after many years and a lot of work, it's far better and today I can hear sound from the speakers and listen to you know, some other part of the recording up above me on the ceiling, you know it's the sound stage from just two speakers out front. I never knew the A 402 was as good as it is now and it still has all original components and you know, it's better than SONY V-FET you know?
All time best viewer’s system for me! It really resonates with my taste. Records only, tubes, excellent!
thank you very much! that is exactly my thinking. i have no problem looking left and right, but itll always come back to tubes and analog 💕🤝
I only had one pair of stand mount speakers in my life and it was a long long time ago. I had a set of Bose 301's and i loved them. I have upgraded many times since then and now have a pair of Heresy IV.
I recommended the Bose 301 to my retired schoolteacher neighbor years ago. She's 84 now and still rocking them.
Your first is an MTM which is what I have now (Triad LCR). I have it on a 100hz high pass and bi-amp 4 Marantz 15" woofers 100hz low pass (Emotiva and Marantz).
The Epos speakers were really very good. A bit picky with the front end, but when they worked, they really worked.
Totem Acoustics Model 1, my fav all time stand mount
Thanks for this excellent collection, Steve. 6 months ago I bought stand mount speakers to replace my Gauder floor standig speakers: the Swedish brand Marten, model Parker Duo. I enjoyed every Minute with these outstanding speakers. They are amazing and I will keep them for many years to come.
Marten are amazing and underrated
Thanks for recommending the OG RP600M's Steve...and thanks for being responsible for me falling down the rabbit hole
I've been using Proac Tablette 50's for over 10 years and still love the sound. It's so detailed. I would have thought proac tablette may have made your list
I knew Steve liked the Buchardts S400MkII but not this much! Glad to see a speaker I own in this list. Great sound, great fun and great price
My personal favorite stand mount speakers are the original B&W Matrix 805. I bought them back in the earl y 90's and they've been my main speakers since.
I’ve had mine for 27 years. Incredible speakers that reveal every nuance.
I bought a pair of B&W Matrix 2's back in 95 and they are still sound great.
hot damn that viewer system is gorgeous!!!!
I have a pair of those Harbeths and they are well into the room and about 3-4 feet from the listening position and you're spot on, the depth of field is amazing
Do you have them with a subwoofer? I'm looking into the Harbeths or the Proac Tablette 10s.
The ProAc Tablette 10 go pretty low for the size.
In my room 47Hz was the lowest note I could easily hear.
But a subwoofer wouldn't do harm if the crossover is not set too high.
@@Drackleyrvai have a kef kc-62 dialled in at 50hz or thereabouts.
Monitor Audio Silver 100s. Had a pair of Icon Acoustics Lumen for long time and loved them.
Dynaudio Confidence C1s for me. Also the Wilson Benesch Discovery 3Zero were quite an eye opener recently.
I am 70 and owned LS35A's in the mid 1970's. It is hard for me to believe that almost 50 years later, they are still being talked about.
F, I got a short time ago, Sound Artist LS35A's very pleased with them. No problems ordering, no taxes. Best, D.
Your work in Short Circuit and Three Men and a Baby was epic. Great to see you making a comeback!
My favorite is still the Buchardt S400 MKII and the floorstanding speakers Aperion Grand Tower ❤️
I had Epos e11. Still remembered the sound and loved them.
For the tone and balance of sound, ADS L710 were and still are my favorites.
@@keplermission McIntosh MC2155 for the amp. Very wide soundstage with an excellent center.
ADS 710, KLH17, EPI100, B&O RL60, KEF103.2, KEF LS50 Metas, Large Advent, Klipsch 600m and 600m II
Though my system had been down, I have had Linn Kans for over 20 years. Last week I managed to bring my system back to life after 6 years. Old Linn did have Keilidh active speakers. New Rega amp needed passive speakers, so paired it with the Kans. Everyone who has heard the Kans is stunned by how excellent those little speakers sound. Now I’m thinking about Zu speakers, though I will be keeping these.
You know Linn as of the Linn Sondek? They used an old AR, American turntable for their LP12 and their Linn Kahns were ... more of the same cobbled-together scrap, the Kahns were made from some moldy old cabinets bought from the sale of the Chartwell factory, just a heap of these you know Ls3/5A cabinets lying in among some other trash and an old toilet seat. But Linn had great engineers and were based in Scotland for maximum profits. But Zu are not where you go after Linn. That would be like you know, not the right choice for your trained ear.
@@keplermission thanks for your insight
GoldenEar BRX are amazing, image like crazy!
Being a mini-monitor guy, I have tried and owned scores over decades. My all time favorite ( I recently restored a pair) is the Celestion SL700.
Yeah but you know, the SL700 have cobex woofers, it's a very cheap plastic and you know for natural sound, most prefer paper. I mean that goes back to the EMI (records) DLS 529, a speaker that came from the old Empire Britain, before they had to join Europe as the poor man's kit builder. The Sinclair C5 car followed a range of Audio from the same designer but it was sold to Alan Sugar of AMSTRAD. Britain became you know a really poor country after we called in their debts in the 1950s. So the SL-700 was designed by Alan Boothroyd M Des RCA, FSCD, FRSA of Boothroyd Stuart and yeah, the SL-700 you know were toned for Meridian amplifiers. No surprises there but you know we can tell who is posting on here from England. Very few American products imported into Britain.
One my favorite videos I have seen from this channel, great list of speakers with many different options.
the best standpoint i have ever heard (owned) Harbeth M30.2 ... wish i still had them
Loving my Devore Fidelity Gibbon 3XL standmounts. Also have a pair of Klipsch RP600M that truly got me into hifi with low powered class A amps.
Thank you Steve for another great show, my favorite stand mounts are the ones I own today - the Audiovector A1 Arrete. From your great list I would like to try the Dynaudio Heritage and the Harbeth (M30.2 xd).
Two of my favorites are LS50 Metas and Revel M20. Just ordered a pair of B&W Formation Duos, and I look forward to seeing how they stack up.
My most musical stand mount speaker >> Epos ES11. It played acoustic instruments so, so, so sweetly, that it left you almost crying. It was not an expensive one, was not special looking in any way - but the clarinet, the viola, the cello that emanated from the tweeter and the no-crossover woofer, oh man. Have never forgotten....it was hooked up to my "baby-Krell-looking" amp, the Monarchy Audio SR-70 class A amp. ( I've owned Gallo speakers, ProAc Tablettes, Dahlquist DQ-10s, my electrostatic Dayton-Wright XG-10s, ...yet the Epos ES11 came across as having given me my most musical experiences not in a concert hall!
My favorite Stand mount speaker are my Graham Audio LS 5/9, if possible to have an other pair it would be QLN Signature.
I purchased the Buchardt S400 MKII's this past January and I paired them with the Marantz Model 40n. All I can say is wow. I auditioned about 7 different sets of speakers ranging from 1k to 5k and none of them compared. Although I will give a shout out to the Elac Uni-fi Reference in combination with this Marantz. Flawless and a close second to the Buchardt's. Great review!
What speakers you auditioned?
These are all great choices. I especially like how Steve compared many of them to the LS-35a, which at least all us old guys are familiar with, as a reference. I have some nominations for honorable mentions:
1- When I heard the LS-35a I was really inspired by the soundstage, and frustrated by its limitations. I ended up taking the inspiration and frustration and buying the *B&W DM-12,* which I still use as the front speakers for my home theater. I bought them from a store in London; with shipping to the States, they were a little over $400 ($700, I think, in U.S. stores at the time).
2- *Celestion SL-6* family. Pick your favorite. I sold the original SL-6 in '84; I think they were $1000. Straight-up revolutionary, at the time.
3- Here's a literally _shocking_ nom; you literally _have_ to hear these: *Realistic Minimus 7.* This was Radio Shack's "house brand". In the mid-70s, they went on sale every summer for $50 a pair. I got them in white, black, and silver. My daughter uses a pair with a Bose woofer/amp for her apartment home theater. I have a pair on my desk at work, and I gave a pair to a young audiophile friend, who literally can't believe how good they sound, even with a mid-grade amp. 1" dome tweeter, 4" woofer in a cast aluminum cabinet. They put up a _very_ solid soundstage in near-field or mid-field configurations, and next to a reinforcing surface (table or back wall) will play rock and roll at ridiculous SPLs, and if you listen at moderate levels, you won't even miss a sub. By the widest possible margin, the best speaker for the money I've ever heard. My boss is _very_ impressed with the pair on my desk, and he has Von Schweikerts at home.
Full disclosure: this is coming from a clown with a main system powered by the Magnepan MG-IIIa, bi-amped.
I have the Linn Kans and a pair of Falcons. I'd add the Spica TC-50 (which I've had) as a legend. Oh and the original Audio Physic Steps.
I almost felt a twinge of guilt after reading your post, since I had dropped off a pair of lightly-used Minimums 7s at Goodwill a few months ago. I thought they were great back in the day and gifted my mom with them. They were sold out all over the US around Christmas time back in the 80s, but I found a pair at a Radio Shack in the tiny town of Thomas Oklahoma (I was traveling past there on business). After my mom passed, I acquired them and was able to A-B them with more modern speakers in a similar size range. Man, technology has really, really progressed.
My all time fav: ATC SCM 7 v1
Have a pair of SCM 11 v2's (with a small REL sub) which i really, really admire - but it's not a love affair yet (they do drums for days though!). Wondering if maybe the 7's would be a better choice for my nearfield setup ...
@@Martian128Genelec
ADS L710’s, large bookshelf speakers. Really clear and totally unfatiguing. Great for classical, acoustic and they can rock.
I still have Mt ADS 710..they are still surprisingly a very good speaker..too bad they didn't stay in the mainstay but a very good speaker..Bravo!!!!
Me too! Still have mine from 1979.
I have my old L520 and use them nearly every day. I know modern speakers offer more "transparency and detail" (maybe) but I just love the sound of the ADS L520, no subwoofer required.
My absolute favorites among all I've owned: Triangle Magellan Duetto SW2 now owns! And Dynaudio special 25, Audiovector r1 arreté also had some quality!
Steve, what about the recent TAD speakers? I believe you enjoyed those enough to include them on this list? I realize they are a much more expensive speaker, that some reviewer‘s even consider not to be in the stand mount speaker category because of their low frequency extension Capability
SVS Prime Bookshelf speakers hit every sweet spot I wanted
I don’t know about top or best but my personal favorite bookshelf speaker is the Harbeth P3ESR.
The best stand mount speakers that I have personally owned were the Revel M126Be. These have been followed by the floor standing F226Be. Both of these can currently be found online with significant discounts.
I've loved the KEF Ref 101, for years, I love that t27 tweeter.
Dynaudio Heritage Special . Dutch & Dutch 8c if going active
I have the RSL CG25 MONITOR speakers. A speaker tuned with Compression Guide becomes transparent like a pane of glass. Sound channels through it unencumbered by the impurities of the speaker itself. The process liberates sound from the boundaries of the speaker, allowing it to spread freely into open space.
One of my all-time favourites, bit of an outside choice...but the KEF 103.2's, was the first speaker that really wowed me way back when.
Great video !!!
Merlin TSM 's for me,love them...
I think Steve's reviews are really good. They are accurate, I bought the b&w 705 s2 and thought they were exactly as reviewed. Couldn't be happier.
I have the SVS Prime Wireless Pro speakers, and they never cease to amaze - dynamic, exciting but balanced and seemingly transparent. I'd love to see them on the next Top Ten.
My top 10 list of stand mount speakers is very different from your Steve. In no particular order-
- Borresen 01-SSE
- Magico Mini 2
- Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage
- Joseph Audio Pulsar 2 graphene
- Wilson Benesch Endeavour 3Zero
- QLN Signature
- Dutch & Dutch 8c
- Marten Parker Duo Diamond Edition
- Acora Acoustics SRB
- Falcon LS3/5a Golden Madrone 50th Anniversary Limited Edition
As a sidebar, my 'under the radar' nomination goes to the Audio Solutions Virtuoso B, whilst my vote for best value high end stand mounts goes to the Marten Oscar Duo
Really enjoyed my Bowers and Wilkins PM-1’s on the dedicated stands for the last 9 years . Discontinued now but beautifully made and should last a long time
Best I've heard are the Dutch and Dutch 8c. Steve, I'll bet you'd love them!
Steve, Harbeth are the bomb.
They also have a classic line and a revised classic line that are more lively and dynamic and not so stodgy.
Of all you mentioned the Harbeth would be my very first choice.
- Vintage Sonus Faber Electa's- just purchased
- Origional NHT Super Zeros- both listened to near-field
That was an amazing viewer system of the day!!
loudspeaker stand vs hanging speaker what will be the difference, How does it affect if I want to hang the speaker from a hanging steel cable?
My favorite Stand Mount ones are German company Ecouton Audiolabor LQL50 (Year 1992). Amazing... So many layers of deep dark bass, gentle silky tone tweeter, midrange pulled a bit backwards (sound wise)... Unbelievable speakers TO MY EARS of course. Requires a strong amplifier.
I have the Kef LS50 meta and my son has the Genelec G3 following your reviews. Yes the Kefs pair well with tubes Willsenton R800i Class A rolled and Rel T5X sub. & Denafrips Pontus 2 with DDC. Def sounds better with ISO Gaias n original stands. Very neutral spkr. It’s quite sensitive to positioning so you need to experiment. But when you get it right , it’s very enjoyable.
May Favorit is the LS 50 Meta - they play at my home and i love the sound ♥️♥️♥️
Sonus Faber Extrema. In terms of both looks & performance.
Heart warming to see so many UK speakers in this list, btw.
Yes. The Extrema (original) is also my favorite.
My all time favourite would have to be the Sonus Faber Guarneri (first edition). Just such a beautiful looking and equally sounding speaker. It just keeps it real and does justice to the music and the listener.
The Venus Blanca 2’s with three way ribbon tweeters and mid soft dome by penguin labs. The matching sub was a special truffle design.
I like Max's coffee table. I don't even use a coffee table because the bass likes to hang out there and it hurts my brain (listening fatigue). I never though about building a coffee table with a slats design. It's should act like a diffuser and it looks great, which might work for me. Thank you Max for your picture.
that is exactly what it does! i reccomend builr it by a carpenter! mine was expensive but is actually a bit cheap of a quality (veneers) i reccomend as reference the vitra benches or charlotte periands refollo for cassina 🤝😊
@@mxmmlsk Thanks. I am a master carpenter and a perfectionist. I can make it very high quality, for a rather low price.
@@gordthor5351 built me charlotte periands refolo bench please in oiled oak 💕🤝😂 mega! what a job!
@@gordthor5351 you would love the speakers to then! pharoah trenner & friedl new version. built in austria by „lenz komponiert möbel“ really good natural feel italian oak veneers, execution to the point! packaged without
a single use of plastik. it was covered in sheeps wool blankets even.
My three most memorable bookshelves, all of which I still own;
Tannoy 605 (Sixes) on their dedicated stands. Singular vintage.
Dynaudio Emit 10 Bookshelf Speakers
Omega Speaker Systems Super 3i Monitors
Bespoke w/a Front Baffle of Reclaimed Barnwood
Even with only a modest income, good eq. can be had. Only the Emit 10s were bought preowned.
I’ve got some Buchardt S300 Mk2’s, I do think the Buchardts offer an awful lot for their price point. I’m a huge fan, and Mads is such a lovely and passionate guy, so helpful, he was emailing me on Christmas Day as I prepared to purchase.
Can you describe the sound?
@cmessi big sound for a bookshelf, I guess they're a bit larger than a lot of bookshelves, go down to 35Hz which was what attracted me, so sub is less of a requirement. Warm sound, good with any recording, more a jack of all trades than ultra resolving
I still own and love a pair of Linns. Great bass but very hungry for power.
My favorite standmount is the one I have now: Gato-Audio FM-8.
could you make video on the top tn crazy expensive stand-mount speaker category, ty.
My vote for the Dynaudio heritage special fantastic speaker🔊🤘
And they can get "buy in" from a spouse because they look so good.
Sonically this is an addictive sounding speakers, they draw you in to the music like nothing else I have heard.
Great speakers
Mirage 290i’s. So smooth and easy to listen to. Amazing highs.
I briefly owned the latest p3esr and frankly felt that nostalgia accounted for at least 50% of the asking price. I think that reviews seriously downplay its significant limitations.
Yeah i tested many BBC Monitors. I fehlt Rust only Sterlings give enought bang for my buck.
Those Epos ES14s look a bit like my old Mordaunt-Short MS30s, and I strongly suspect they are closely related given that Mordaunt-Short owned Epos at that time. I remember opening them up and noticing the lack of crossover components.
On the Harbeth soundstage, would that not be the case with any good bookshelf speaker when they are pulled 4’ from any front wall and you sit just 3’ away in the listening chair?
Great collection of fine speakers...
My favourite stand mount speaker of all time was the Rogers Studio 1. It is a British speaker made in England. It includes a bextrene bass- mid. driver. A Celestion tweeter, and a KEF super tweeter. Power handling was 300 watts continuous into 8 ohms. A very neutral sounding speaker that produced all types of music effortlessly.
Hi Steve I consider myself a student of yours. Great videos with knowledge. I am on my journey but I already feel like an audiophile.😊 I request you to please review the BIC AMERICA VENTURI dv62si bookshelf speakers. Love the vibe that u spread.
I am on your fringes…but in your mix, Steve…I own a pair of DynAudio Contour 20s in white which I find to be INCREDIBLE both visually and sonically!…The craftsmanship WOWs me…..I also own the immediate predecessor to The Golden Ear BRX..a pair of "sockless" 😬 Golden Ear AON 3s. I believe its the same ribbon tweeter, a mid-bass woofer with wave guide and they have 2 passive radiators, as well! They seem to do everything that you describe about The BRXs! 😀👍🏼
Great video with some awesome choices. Two that stand out for me are the Dynaudio C1 and also the much less known Artemis Eos (long time out of business). The Artemis featured an Accuton Ceramic tweeter and Eton Woofer. I bought these from a dealer many years ago in Mt. Kisco, NY. I also still have an original pair of Eggleston Works Andras that I purchased from Sound by Singer in NY many years ago and were delivered to my home in Litchfield, CT.
I'd been umming & awwing considering Epos14's off n' on. Then I saw this vid.......well now! A pair came up for sale about 20 miles away from me (England) & I got them. Thanks for the prompting Steve. 😉
I have the ADS L710 & Klipsch RP 600M
Between those 2....which do you prefer?
Buchardt S400 Mk2
Totem Mani
Totem Model One
B&W CDM 1
Elac UBR62
Musician Knight 1
Triangle Comete 40th Anniversary
Polk Reserve R200
Golden Ear BRX
Thiel SCS4
my favorite of all time is bose acoustimust standmount spakers man! its sound AMAZING!
Back in the 1980's 90's I had a pair ofB&W DM6,they were great bought them from hawthorne stereo in seattle along with a genesis stealth amp together they sounded divine.
Great list of speakers! You should also look in to Cabasse 🤗
My current four favorites by class:
Best bang-for-buck: Elac Unifi UB52. Very good imaging, dispersion, bass and neutrality for about $500
Best small stand mount: Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2EX. Excellent all arounder for about $1600. Luscious bass, extremely natural sounding mid/highs using RAAL tweeter. Very good imaging.
Best punch above weight: Philharmic BMR Monitor: A RAAL-based amazing and beautiful speaker. Fantastic bass, mids, highs. Great imaging and depth. Crazy cabinet work. Around $1900. Like half a full range speaker. Punches way above its class.
Dunlavy SM-1: Studio monitor. Used to be around $1000 back in the 90s. Probably the best imaging I've ever heard. You could hear individuals whistling in outdoor concerts.
What happened to TAD, B&W 805, and other high end stand mount speakers?
I have the similar Epos ES11, which is also terrific, magical especially with female vocals like Ella Fitzgerald
I have a pair of Quad S2s and it is a recommended Stereophile Class B. This is in my opinion a best buy in all of audio.
Great review. Would the Graham Chartwell Ls6 make it to the honorable list? Thanks
They should. They're the best...😉
Yea I’ve read liked those speakers when I’ve heard them.
Do you have two or three reciever/amp recommandation for the LS 50 Meta??
Met 7's. These got me through all of the drought periods waiting for my new "main speakers" to arrive. Got them in the late 70's and still have them in my office powered by a Yamaha CR 420.
What a great list. Did any Andrew Jones models make honorable mentions? I have pair of the BS U5s and really like them. As you said they do require some umph from an amplifier. I'm using an Emotiva UPA-2 to drive them.
A hard find but worth the listen… Ryan S610. Simply stunning!
Two speakers I love. I have a pair of Magnapan MMGi (purchased three months before the LRS came out) in my living room. The one thing I love is the soundstage. I close my eyes and am transported to the music hall. No other speaker I have heard can do this. The second are my desktop speakers, the Harbeth P3 ESR SE. The music is right in front of me and I can listen to them all day.
You could do a review of the Dynavoice Challenger S-5 speakers! They are very cheap but praised in many places! They have good indicators and a very compact design! Front and surround speakers.
Model: S-5
Power Handling (RMS): 75 W
Power handling (Max): 100 W
Woofer: 5.25 inch
Tweeter: 1" Super Audio
Frequency Range: 55 - 32,000 Hz
Sensitivity: 87 dB
Crossover Frequencies: 3700 Hz
Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms