I had Vandersteen 4s in the mid-'80s w/all tube preamp & amps (SS on the subs only) and that remains the best sound I've yet heard from big-time speakers. That is to say, I've certainly heard way more expensive gear, and sometimes the sound was amazing--but I can't really say it was more satisfying than those Vandies, perfectly scaled to my room at the time.
It has been all smaller 2-ways + sub in home office since moving to this house in the '90s. And the best of those speakers that I've yet heard is the ATC SCM12 Pro. Those are passive studio monitors w/a 6" bass/mid. Amazing sound--accurate, detailed, but humane & musical. In these ATCs I clearly hear the higher resolution & refinement of audio as designs have evolved in recent years.
It has been all smaller 2-ways + sub in home office since moving to this house in the '90s. And the best of those speakers that I've yet heard is the ATC SCM12 Pro. Those are passive studio monitors w/a 6" bass/mid. Amazing sound--accurate, detailed, but humane & musical. In these ATCs I clearly hear the higher resolution & refinement of audio as designs have evolved in recent years.