Speakers to hang on to for LIFE

I can't believe Sonus Faber Amati, Extrema, Guarneri Homage, Electa Amator, and Minima Amator haven't been nominated. In addition to good sound, they are masterpiece of modern art and deserved to be in every collectors' hands.

Any made LS3/5A. No others can match in terms of mid range sweetness, at the price range.

What a wonderful question! Also a great reminder that it is not about the equipment, it is about the music. With that said, I could be happy with any of the following;

Avantgarde's (any model)
Quad ESL's (any model)
Thiel CS-1's
Magnapan MG 1's or 2's
LS3/5A's

All of these have very different characteristics, but they all do an excellent job of what they were designed to do.

B&W Nautilus 805s...and here's why:

This response takes this topic in a slightly different direction. Most of the responses are in the vein of "I really, really like speaker X and can't see myself upgrading." I see this topic really asking the question "What speaker would you never get rid of?" There is a difference.

Is the Nautilus 805 the *best* sounding speaker out there? Of course not. However, I will *never* get rid of my (4) Nautilus 805s because I will *always* have a use for them.

What audio enthusiast doesn't have a use for a great sounding, great looking monitor / bookshelf sized speaker? Even if they are not part of my primary system, they would be great in a den, a living room, bedroom, or even an office. They will work in a one-bedroom apartment as well as they would integrate into a room of a 12,000 sq ft mansion.

It's tough to deny the beauty and craftsmanship of the Nautilus 805s (especially in natural cherry). If you can help the wife get past the "microphone" on the top, you can probably integrate these speakers into the decor of most any room.

Some may not care for the signature B&W sound, but these speakers are undeniablly respectable. The measure well (as long as you are not a dog) and are nearly time aligned. They aren't too picky about placement, but given sufficient breathing room, can "disappear" into the music.

They are easy to drive, and work with high-powered solid state amps as well as tube setups (probably not SET, but I've never tried it). The 805s rolloff nicely such that integration with a sub (especially a REL Strata III) is a breeze.

My next speaker will probably be the Vandersteen 3A sigs + (2) 2Wq subs. However, I won't feel the same loyalty to that setup as I do for my 805 / Strata III combo. Why? One word - flexibility.

I look forward to my next upgrade, but I will not be selling my 805s to do so. For they are speakers I will hold onto for life.

I was going to bring up the flexibility and elegance of my N805s, but Nrenter pretty much covered everything I had to say, right down to the natural cherry preference.

I think I'll always have a use for these speakers. In a few years they'll be "out of style". After that, they'll be forever "classics".

N.E.A.R Speaker's for myself.I have modified sets,but some manufactures I have talked to still use them for some of their reference speaker's which is quite amazing considering they have been out of production for a few years.
That being a drawback and the the crossover's should be brought up to date with new components.

Both the M15's and M50's are great speaker's that I will probably hang onto till my last days unless I hit the lottery and can buy another system for one of my mansion's.

There are other speaker system's that are better of course,but not for the $$ and to my ears.

Kharma Ceramique 1 , have had them in my system for last 4 years. I have heard many other dynamic speakers but these are the best period, they're keepers. The other 2 speakers that I would keep for ever are the Soundlabs and the Avantgarde.

I will hang onto my Proac Super Tabs.. I've had these for maybe 15 yrs. This was some of the best 500 I ever spent. I'm looking for speakers right now and I will find another use for the proacs. I recently upgraded to CJ tube gear and they sound great. I'm also using a velodyne sub with them but it is had to get attached to a sub.

It funny, I just purchased some speakers (Snell K.5mkII)for HT and have been swapping back and forth. They are both great in there own way but have a different flavor. The Snell are merlot with the Proacs are a pinot noir.. I like the taste of both.. Now to find a nice cab..

Interesting post. I support two of the points made here, first older speakers probably cannot beat the (best of the) newer speakers, and second, the "best" manufacturers (designers) seem to come out with the designs having the most longevity. I owned ADS L810's for 17 years and wish I hadn't sold them. They were designed (I believe) by Michael Kelly of Aerial fame. I currently have Alon V MkII's (an open baffle MF/HF-enclosed LF design) and really enjoy the detailed, open, yet dynamic sound. Since the basic sound quality is what I like, I plan to keep them and upgrade drivers with Alnico magnet models from Alon. These were designed by Carl Marchisotto, who also designed the Dahlquist DQ20's (mentioned several times on this post), and continues to gain fame with his new Exotica Grand Reference ($125,000)and Lotus Elite Signatures, both also open baffle designs, with lineage to the DQ20's. I know less about the ProAcs, but weren't these mostly designed by the same guy (a Stewart Tyler?). Also Isreal Blume-Coincident and Alan Yun-Silverline, and others. Some guys just know what they are doing.

I recently moved my Martin Logan SL3s to make room for a pair of Sonas Faber Cremona. WOW! They are staying right where they are. Well, except for the small repositioning during the upcoming Sumiko speaker setup. I have heard the Amati & although the Cremona are not Amati, they are astounding. I will have these for a long, long time.

While older designs may not be able to beat the best of today's speakers, who can afford them? Having said that, I'd put my eighteen year old Apogee Scintillas up against all comers, new or old. I should add, Ken Kessler, the reviewer, does just that.

I have Apogee Centaur Major for the last 14 years. I would admit that after I listen Schntillas I fallen in love with Apogees, but at the time could not afford them, including very demanding amplifiers, so I settled for my speakers. I would not change them unless I can get Scintillas, which is doubtfull. But in my system, Stereo/HT set up there are the best in my opinion.

I have had Altec-19,s since 1976. There are better sounding speakers made,but these have always been a pleasure to listen to.

Nrenter 3/8/03, hits it right on. I do plan on purchasing more speakers in my audio quest but I will do not plan on giving up my N805's. Either loved or not I cannot believe the performance of these small units. I believe they are one of the most versitile speakers around in almost any room. I do believe if you spend some time on placement and stands they will more often give you what you want with little comprimise. Yes, they won't rock your house down at 120db, but I'm really happy at 95 with good solid bass, not perfect bass but impressive nontheless. I will keep my Cherry 805's.

I have owned two pair of speakers in my life. The first pair were MacIntosh ML1's bought in 1973. I used the Macs until I bought a pair of B&W 801 Matrix II about 10 years ago. I just keep thinking I am going to upgrade my speakers, but I find better components instead. When I settle into the new component, I seem to rediscover the magic of my speakers again. This process seems to happen over and over again. So I guess you can say I have built a system around my speakers which I can't seem to upgrade.

Aerial 10Ts are a VERY good speaker, even 10 years old.

Original Quad ESL's if you can find them. Easily driven by low powered tubes. Best midrange ever! Aural heaven on earth!

I have had my Apogee Duetta Signatures since '87, I think. I even paid a ridiculous amount for bi-cabled Transparent Audio speaker cables to bring out the best in the Duettas. They lack the lowest bass, but I still get a satisfying buzz from my music when I listen to my Apogees.

I have owned Acoustic Energy 2 speakers(AE-2's) for the past 14 years. The decision was between thiel 3.5's and the AE-2's and the AE-2's one out. I purchased them with my then girl friend. She bought one, I bought the other if you can believe that. Yes were married now so the speakers where never "seperated". They have truely been a wonderful part of our lives. Currently, I am finally considering making a change. No, not a change in wives, speakers. Considerations are Merlin VSM's, Spendor....Its always fun. Happy listening fellow audiogoner's

I have had the same speakers since 1983. A pair of Dick Sequerra's Met7's with a Met8W. I paid $450 bucks for the set used. I know the Met7s have been improved on several times and I always consider upgrading or trying something new. But I am really satisfied with the imaging and neutral qualities (especially midrange) of these. With decent amplification, the Met8W really fills out the bottom nicely. Sure, the Met7s are inefficient (87db) and drop off a bit off axis, but from my favorite listening chair, they always put a smile on my face. If I really looked, I could probalby find something I like better, but I doubt it would be as good a bargain. And if I did get something else, I don't think I would let go of these.

I have had my Mirage M3 speakers for 14 years now and can't find anything better in my room for staging, depth, and fullness. The rest of the speakers sound like I am taking a shower, while the Mirages submerge me entirely in a liquidy abyss. I have Classe power that seems to compliment them the best. I have added the i tweeters and re-ran the wires with Kimber PBJ soldered directly to the drivers and boards with pure silver solder. If they ever come out with anything better, I will surely try. Z

My Dynaudio 1.3se's.
They are going in to the Bird's eye maple casket that I am purchasing.

I just got my dream speakers.A modified set of NEAR M50's.They have newly made Metal drivers with outboard XO's that allows me to upgrade the components without having to take the speakers apart.

The Wiring is 47Labs OTA Cryo'd.I also have a set of Modified M15's that are being reworkes and I need to get the XO's to the M50's finalized as far as what values might work best then get the Caps for the M15's which I shall use for my rear speakers in my HT system.

The last touch is to get a modified set of NEAR M10's which I shall be using as my CC speaker to round out the system.

These shall be the only speakers in the world.No others that I am aware of anyways.

This will be the last system I will ever own I think.Really is great to have a one of a kind type of speaker system.Now if I can get the right amps that I do not need to sell a house to drive them.

I can't agree with SteveAllen and some other posters that newer = better technology = more accurate reproduction.

Speaker technology has not changed that much since the 1920s. Manufacturing processes and materials may have, but even then it doesn't mean that a given manufacturer applies these new techniques.

My case may not be representative, but it may be instructive. I was heavily into audio in the early and mid- 1970s. Ended up with Tannoy Monitor Golds in big plywood boxes, Crown and SAE amplification and unremarkable turntable and cartridge.

Then spent many years moving around and travelling a lot and made do with nothing more than a clock radio. In the late 1990s, my finances started to improve and I decided to put together a decent system once again. Spent a lot of hours visiting various high end shops and found that the cost of good audio equipment had increased astronomically. Anyway, listened to a lot of $10-30K systems.

Eventually spent about $10K on 10 to 25 year old used equipment: Altecs from 1982 (604-8K), Tannoys from 1993 (System 15 DMT II), turntable from late 1970s (SP-10 MK II),
amplifiers from 1989 (Meitner PA-6i, MTR-101), etc.

Since then, I've heard a lot of systems in shops, at friends' houses, etc., but haven't heard anything remotely close to what I paid that, for me anyway, comes close to the musical enjoyment I get with my "old" technology. Plus I've converted several friends to high sensitivity coaxial horn-loaded speakers. Can you imagine dumping $25K Wilsons in favour of old coaxes that cost $2K including new cabinets?

It's a weird business. Main thing, though, is to enjoy the hobby and, especially, the music!

I've had the Acoustic Research AR Hi-Res center(AR2C) * mains(AR1) * surrounds(AR15-purchased from Malhance) for less than six months, but I can assure you that I have every intention on keeping this set for as long as they last. Man I love these speakers!

Mcne, like you, I'm a big fan of Dynaudio. Especially bird eyes maple, I ordered that for my Dynaudio Contour 1.8MKII too and absolutely loved it. I am into this hobby to locate for components that I can hold on and enjoy for a long time. Goal is to eventually get surround for HT with my Dyn (all bird eyes maple), higher on the list though is to save up for a Syrah preamp. Danes don't lie, I really like that motto. I know this is one investment that I do not regret eventhough it exceeded my initial budget by 100% :). I believe I will do well on the Syrah preamp. Haven't have much luck with the amplifier (started with the Denon 3802..... and now the stock SLA-1 .. yikes!!). So the amp and CD player are my continual search. This is just my story, all the best.

Hands down...JBL L100. I purchased mine new in 1977 and they still work and look like new. The drivers are "bullet proof" and will without-a-doubt out-live me. The woofers used accordian surrounds that will never need reconing...a big plus. The magnets on the drivers are huge and handle anything I throw at em. The walnut cabinets are timeless and I rub them down a couple times a year with Old Gold polish and the finish looks beautiful. I currently have a Proton D1200 Dual Mono Power Amp run through a Nakamichi CA-7A Pre Amp that pushes upwards of 500 watts and the 100's never blink. And for the purists...no they are not the most accurate speakers out there....but I don't give a damn...CSN, Hendrix, The Who, etc... never intended the music they made to be "accurate". I am currently listening to Todd Rundgrens's Something/Anything? on CD and the 100,s reproduce it to perfection. I read somewhere that if produced today, the 100's would cost approx. $4,000.00. A true bargain.

I had Polk Monitor 10 for ten years. That was my third upgrade. Now I upgraded to B&W Matrix 802s3. Probably keep them for the next 10 years. Just trying to upgrade the home theater to all Matrix speakers. Then Just upgrade the 'tronics. Click on system for the rest.

~~~~Had folded horns, jbl's, Infinity RS2, RS1, and RS1b. It's a tie between the RS1 and the RS1b. They will do what you ask as they disappear from the room. Detailed, authoritive bottom end, and the highs always show you a new part of the music you had not noticed before. Never get tired of listening to them. Always magical! Everyone who hears them for the first time gets the same look on their face. Mouth open, eyes bugged out, head tilted to the side in amazement, motioning with their arms in various directions. When they finally speak it's "Whoa, where did you get, WOW this is, did you hear that, ... They never fail to take me on a new adventure.

Just The Facts
BY

I am still using a pair of JBL L-50's that I purchased used in about 1979. I think they were 5 years old when I bought them. I have been totally satisfied with them and my old (1978) Onkyo reciever until about a year ago when I began thinking about an upgrade. Obviously I am not an upgrade nut, but I think something about those speakers made me hold off much longer than I should have. I just didn't see the need to get anything else. After doing some reading and listening the last year I can see how far behind I have fallen in the audio world and I am excited about upgrading. I will however miss those old JBL's, that have survived 6 moves and four states with me, when I finally let them go. I wont have the room to keep them- so they will go, but they should get an award for their years of service. MB

Hang on to for life, that could be a long haul.I tend to keep the speakers that I can't recoupe my money from unless I sell them cheap. Makes them easier to keep and use in another area and with great benefit.
Room is my only issue I have found revisting a speaker I thought was not great actually sounded better with other front ends that came into my ownership.So they became "new"
over and over.
Your point was more about a set of loudspeakers in the same system long term ,I can see that,so far Every speaker I have had and have sound different.This quandry makes me like most of them for one reason or another.What I will add is that many people are into the hobby for hobbies sake but not so much for music.Let me say guilty as charged(hand up waving).To really get to know audio and music We have must ease up on the hobby aspect and tilt toward more listening sessions.
See if you subtract the time you use to afford,research,
shop,compare,break-in,system tweak,then our time here is short,really.People tend to get the most bang from thier 1st autos,more memories adventures,excitement with later aquisitions becoming more expensive and more statement then
practical,emotion and wallet playing a larger role.
Every speaker tends to have its own sound,I like many out there,can't own them all so your point is very valid.
Some take longer to figure it that way I suppose.
I put one old small set under eaves of house they have lasted several years there so far saved me laying out $ for new outdoor ones.Others run in less used systems but which carry certain strengths.

I have a pair of Polk Monitor 10B's that I bought in 1984. Still like them. I also have 3 sets of PSB speakers- the Stratus Bronze, the Century 600i, and the Image 2B. I love the quality and value of PSB and will buy again.

Wison Audio Watt Puppy 7

Wvick,
How about the "8", which should be released in about 2 years.

Richard

I'll let you know in 2 years:-)

Wvick, I hope your life is longer than 2 years :-)

Me 2, but what does that have to do with anything?

I've owned the original Newform Research R8-2-30's from Sep/93. Several times I've threathened to sell them but I've resisted the urge. There are handsomer speakers but these things just make music. Stereokarter, I hear what you"re saying. Regards.

Avid 103 and Proac Super Tablettes
I have lurked in this forum and audioasylum for about 8 months. But had to respond to this thread. I own a pair of Avid 103's purchased in 1974 from a dealer in Connecticut and Super Tablettes since 1987. The Avid's I lent to my son and he used them for about 3 years. I now have them back. No there not great but not bad either. The Proac's are light on base but image wonderfully.
Recently I purchased B&W N805's, which really opened my eyes to what I may have been missing. I love these speakers. The main reason for these speakers is I wanted to buy from a company that will be around for a long time (this is important to me). Some companies are here today and gone tomorrow, they may be good, but I feel no conection with them.
Vinny

Dynaudio Confidence 3's - even if I venture into bigger or different speakers some day, I imagine that I will keep these and use them somewhere in my house. They are really an incredible, full sound in a relatively small package.

Saw spica tc-60 on sale(AA was it?)now you can own those a life time and if audio expenditures cause a divorce,they can be carried in-hand.

Apogee Scintilla, biwired in 1 ohm configuration, obliged
me since '88/89 to continuously improve all the other components and cables. And what a rewarding journey it was! As JA said in his review at the time, these speakers
were ahead of their times and waiting for the electronics to get up to the chalenge. They were also called the speakers for the most adventurous type out there - Indiana
Jones like. I second that. If you realy want to get involved with your gear grab a pair for the giveaway prices that they are occasionaly offered nowadays...and start the journey.

Thanks for the company, John.

You Guy's might think this is funny but still have my original Advent loudspeakers since '75. I had many others also, But these are keepers for life

Genesis 201's ...

I bought a pair of EPI tower speakers in 1974...Those ugly speakers have traveled with me for almost 30 years from one end of the country to the other....They have experienced dorm room parties...house parties....and all kinds of music from Robin Trower and Mott the Hoople (remember them?)..to Pat Metheny to Steely Dan to....well.....My point is these speakers are like family....and I could never rid myself of them.....and by the way...they still sound great...My recollection is they cost about $94.....for the pair!!!

Apogee Duetta Signatures for 15+ years. I have been upgrading everything else (well, even the Duettas if you count adding an active crossover and bi-amping) and they just keep sounding better and better. Even small changes are very noticeable. I still think in terms of what I can do to improve how they sound rather than what might replace them. I do think they are better with classical and jazz than some rock but my better produced rock sounds great, too. It might be argued that I have spent more trying to meet their requirements than I would if I replaced them with more efficient speakers, but it is still fun trying to see how good they can be. I do tend to hold on to things. I also still have my Polk 7M's (almost 20 years) which I have used in smaller rooms.

I have a Spectral/Avalon 2C3D system and a Martin Logan home theater system but with the right material my 18 year old Celestion SL600 speakers can still raise the hair on my neck - I cannot imagine getting rid of them.

Allison Series 9 & 8 speakers very musical and worth grabbing if you ever see them.........