5-10 K - Joseph Audio Pulsar2 Graphene; 10-20 K - Joseph Audio Perspective2 Graphene; 30-50K - Joseph Audio Pearl3
Best, Jim Smith
Best, Jim Smith
Speaker recommendation thread (Organised by tiers of price)
The aim of this thread is to create a list of speakers that people enjoy and recommend and to organise the speakers into a list based on their MSRP. Please recommend speakers that you have personally heard or own and enjoy. I will add the names of the users who recommend a speaker next to the speaker name (and if someone already recommended the speaker you had in mind please feel free to recommend it again because I will add your name as well).
Please feel free to include gear that was used to listen to your recommendation and some impressions (although you do not have to).
This list may be useful to new buyers to get a general sense of popular models to help guide what to audition during the purchase process.
[Under $1000]
[$1000-$5000]
[$5001-$10,000]
[$10,001-$20,000]
[$20,001-$30,000]
Pardigm Persona 9H @smodtactical
[$30,001-$50,000]
[$50,001-$70,000]
Magico M2 @smodtactical
[$70,001-$100,000]
[$100,001-$200,000]
[Over $200,000]
Please feel free to include gear that was used to listen to your recommendation and some impressions (although you do not have to).
This list may be useful to new buyers to get a general sense of popular models to help guide what to audition during the purchase process.
[Under $1000]
[$1000-$5000]
[$5001-$10,000]
[$10,001-$20,000]
[$20,001-$30,000]
Pardigm Persona 9H @smodtactical
[$30,001-$50,000]
[$50,001-$70,000]
Magico M2 @smodtactical
[$70,001-$100,000]
[$100,001-$200,000]
[Over $200,000]
89 responses Add your response
Thanks guys, keep it going: [Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 Omega Super 3i Monitors: @melvinjames Large advents: @helomech Magnepan MMGi: @2psyop ADS L810 L730 1290: @bstbomber JBL 4311 L36 L100: @bstbomber JBL LSR308: @mdrums [$1000-$5000] Tekton Pendragons: @technick Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Quad Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess Emerald physiscs KCII: @tweak1 Paradigm Prestige 15B, 75F, 85F, 95F: @mtdining Revel Performa 3 M106: @plinytheelder Revel Concerta2 F36: @mdrums Watkins Stereo Generation 4: @lightin Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend: @jmarini2 Sonus Faber Sonetto V: @lradder7 Usher Dancer Mini Two: @Shakira Kef LS50: @cheche9 Magnepan 1.7i: @tom8999 ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy Axiom LFR1100: @slimpikins5 Tannoy Revolution XT8F: @msa426 Focal Aria 926: @msa426 Spatial Audio M4 Triode Masters: @Helomech [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Harbeth super HL5: @cheche9 Monitor audio PL100II: @rsgottlieb Bryston Model T: @slimpikins5 Pure Audio Design Trio 15 Voxativ: @stoney40 [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Sabrina: @mtdining Kaya 45: @mtdining Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy, @mtdining Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Dynaudio Contour 60: @wanderingmoo Lenehand Audio ML5: @rixthetrick Focal Electra 1038 BE2: @janmnov [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 Avantgarde Trios: @lubachl [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy, @mtdining Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen Wilson Max II: @larryh111 Focal Scala Utopia V2: @janmnov [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions Wilson Alexxia 2: @mtdining[$70,001-$100,000][$100,001-$200,000]Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy, @mtdining[Over $200,000]Kharma (which model?): @audiotroyWilson WAMM: @mtdining |
[$5001-$10,000] Pure Audio Design Trio 15 Voxativ A speaker that has achieved the distinction of being my search ender. Associated ancillaries Bakoon DAC 21 Antipodes DX3 Bakoon Amp 13R or Bakoon Amp 12R (both amps special qualities are marvelously revealed by this special pair of speakers) This system as constituted feels like a great achievement in sonic excellance. |
For the under $5K category and a steal at these price points: 1. Tannoy Revolution XT8F (On sale now damaged / factory boxes, White Gloss only $1699 @ Upscale Audio) Reg. $2699 and a steal at that price point) 2. Focal Aria 926 (with Faux Walnut Wrap) $2350. These are $3300 speakers with black gloss and real walnut, but some places you can find the faux walnut wrap and they still look good and you save $1K. I have both these speakers in different rooms. Love them both for different reasons. The Tannoys go louder and have deeper bass an slightly better imaging, one could say the Focals are a tad more refined. Both are musical and non fatiguing. The Tannoys for $1699 are an unbelievable value, the fit and finish look like $10K speakers. You would not be disapointed with either speaker. |
In the $10K range: Bryston Model T signature; simply outstanding if you have a larger space to place them in. For a similar sound profile, but with less dynamic output and half the price: Axiom LFR1100. They look almost identical to the Bryston's as Axiom builds the Bryston's for them, but they are using smaller woofer drivers and are better suited for smaller spaces. |
@keegiam yup I am happy to do multiple lists. I don't see this list growing as making it more useless... its simply initial data collection. Eventually what will emerge are more popular options where some speakers have several votes and emerge as favorites. Again this doesn't mean they are 'better' simply that they may be worth listening to yourself. Perhaps as you say we can do a list in the future of the speakers with most recommendations per category. [Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 Omega Super 3i Monitors: @melvinjames Large advents: @helomech Magnepan MMGi: @2psyop ADS L810 L730 1290: @bstbomber JBL 4311 L36 L100: @bstbomber JBL LSR308: @mdrums [$1000-$5000] Tekton Pendragons: @technick Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Quad Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess Emerald physiscs KCII: @tweak1 Paradigm Prestige 15B, 75F, 85F, 95F: @mtdining Revel Performa 3 M106: @plinytheelder Revel Concerta2 F36: @mdrums Watkins Stereo Generation 4: @lightin Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend: @jmarini2 Sonus Faber Sonetto V: @lradder7 Usher Dancer Mini Two: @Shakira Kef LS50: @cheche9 Magnepan 1.7i: @tom8999 ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Harbeth super HL5: @cheche9 Monitor audio PL100II: @rsgottlieb [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Sabrina: @mtdining Kaya 45: @mtdining Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy, @mtdining Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Dynaudio Contour 60: @wanderingmoo Lenehand Audio ML5: @rixthetrick [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 Avantgarde Trios: @lubachl [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy, @mtdining Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen Wilson Max II: @larryh111 [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions Wilson Alexxia 2: @mtdining [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy, @mtdining [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?): @audiotroy Wilson WAMM: @mtdining |
@Smod: The list is growing rapidly as predicted by a few posters. As it does its value may be waning, since if it only takes one mention to make the list. Perhaps there should be a similar list that includes only those speakers mentioned (or confirmed) by a certain number of members... maybe 5 or 10. Multiple lists could be maintained (I'm generous with your time, aren't I?), but they would carry different weights. Just a thought, because I do think there's a valuable purpose here. |
Wilson MAXX II speakers in my system which includes Audio Research Ref 6 pre, Audio Research 610T amp, Bergmen Turntable, Audio Research Phono pre, Morrow Elite interconnects, MIT speaker cables. Sound is a rich experience every time I light it up. So much thought went into the design of the Wilsons to reveal the quality of every other piece in the audio chain. |
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@Iradder well said [Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 Omega Super 3i Monitors: @melvinjames Large advents: @helomech Magnepan MMGi: @2psyop ADS L810 L730 1290: @bstbomber JBL 4311 L36 L100: @bstbomber JBL LSR308: @mdrums [$1000-$5000] Tekton Pendragons: @technick Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Quad Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess Emerald physiscs KCII: @tweak1 Paradigm Prestige 15B, 75F, 85F, 95F: @mtdining Revel Performa 3 M106: @plinytheelder Revel Concerta2 F36: @mdrums Watkins Stereo Generation 4: @lightin Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend: @jmarini2 Sonus Faber Sonetto V: @lradder7 Usher Dancer Mini Two: @Shakira Kef LS50: @cheche9 [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Harbeth super HL5: @cheche9 Monitor audio PL100II: @rsgottlieb [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Sabrina: @mtdining Kaya 45: @mtdining Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy, @mtdining Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Dynaudio Contour 60: @wanderingmoo Lenehand Audio ML5: @rixthetrick [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 Avantgarde Trios: @lubachl [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy, @mtdining Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions Wilson Alexxia 2: @mtdining [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy, @mtdining [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?): @audiotroy Wilson WAMM: @mtdining |
mijostyn I have found your comment of price and sound quality to be very much true. |
For $1000 each I nominate Revel Concerta2 F36.... the top floor stander in there Concerta2 series. I also have a 3rd bedroom converted with couch for a listening room i'm doing on a low cost budget for fun.. I just picked up JBL LSR308P which is there pro audio powered studio monitors 8" woofer and Wave Guide tweeter. OMG these are incredible even if they cost 2-3x's the price |
Haven't read every post, but seems no mention of Monitor Audio. I got the PL100II (list 5750) for half price here. Sound superb, and better than others I auditioned at full price at the time. Heard Paradigm 3h recently--that's a damn good speaker as well. The other ones I quite liked when searching around as the Aerial 5t: bright, clear responsive. Outperfomred Kef one and totem element fire--to my ears, at least. I have one of the audioengine desktop/computer sets--that's very good for just over 500. I had the Focal set and found it way overpriced--which I found with their bigger speakers as well. To each his/her own. |
USD $10,000 - 20,000 Lenehand Audio ML5, with full Duelund capacitors, Pathaudio resistors, Seas (with modified 4mm polished solid copper baffle) exotic tweeters, and proprietary sprung feet. 4mm sprung steel lined enclousure with 2" thick acoustic foam baffle. Hand made in Australia, and weigh nearly 180Lbs each. If you have Bose speakers, do not watch the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0axyHJYobk Hitler loses his Lenehan speakers. {for those with a sense of humor, at least as good as your hearing ;-) |
My favorite for overall best speaker for the money is a used pair of Avantgarde Trios. Average price used in mint condition is around $20K. There is a reason this speaker has been around relatively unchanged for the past 25 years. Most speakers on this list are in a perpetual state of upgrades and if they had gotten it right the first time around they would not be on the upgrade up-sell Merry-go-round. Also, folks who favor a particular speaker should comment on why the speaker stands above the rest. Briefly, what makes the Trios stand out (IMO) is: large wave launch so you do not need to play them at high volumes to get the dynamics right, super easy to drive with relatively inexpensive electronics thanks to 110 db efficiency and lastly they do not need to be in a big room (despite their relatively large size) to sound good because near-field listening is excellent. I'll leave it at that for now, but the magic is in how they seem get everything right and how, after 10 years of ownership I have no desire to part with them. |
[Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 Omega Super 3i Monitors: @melvinjames Large advents: @helomech [$1000-$5000] Tekton Pendragons: @technick Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Quad Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess Emerald physiscs KCII: @tweak1 Paradigm Prestige 15B, 75F, 85F, 95F: @mtdining Revel Performa 3 M106: @plinytheelder Watkins Stereo Generation 4: @lightin Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend: @jmarini2 Sonus Faber Sonetto V: @lradder7 [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Sabrina: @mtdining Kaya 45: @mtdining Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy, @mtdining Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions Dynaudio Contour 60: @wanderingmoo [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy, @mtdining Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions Wilson Alexxia 2: @mtdining [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy, @mtdining [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?): @audiotroy Wilson WAMM: @mtdining |
I will only respond to what I've owned. With that, I've owned; Focal Chorus 710's B&W 702's (Original Series) Sonus Faber Venere 2.5's And Now, Sonus Faber Sonetto V's. I have enjoyed all of them, but have progressed upward as money allows. In the $1K to $5K category, you just can't imagine how good the Sonetto V's are. SF has built an addition to their Italian Factory just to produce the Sonettos. They have modeled the tweeter after the Olympica's tweeter, have reconstructed the midrange from the Venere line, and have built an entirely new woofer of aluminum. The highs are remarkable with the damped design from trusted, tried and true more costly models, the midrange is unbelievable with male and particularly female voices, and the base response is incredible with the fast response aluminum drivers and the downward firing port. My brother-in-law owns Vandersteen Treos and he loves the Sonettos. The Sonetto V's compare easily to considerably more costly speakers, and for the money, simply can't be beat. They are an outstanding value for the money. Highly recommended in $1K to $5K range. |
As much as I respect this idea, I don't think it's useful for any real-world applications. If I've learned anything concrete in all my years as an audiophile, it's that we all hear differently. We all have different rooms and partnering gear, so speaker recommendations based solely on a price range are useless, mostly. Even the pro reviewer lists (Stereophile) are generally useless IME. There is a wide range of performance among the same "class" of speakers. For example, the "class B" Stirling Broadcast LS3/6 far surpasses the class B Monitor Audio Silver 8s in resolution, imaging, and overall musicality - so much so that I would have placed them at least two classes apart (I've owned both), even with my most modest partnering gear. I recently preferred an old pair of New Large Advents to a brand-new pair of popular and highly-regarded $3K speakers (and by a wide margin). Similar Advents can be bought for $250 - $400 on fleaBay, so I guess you can add those to both the [under $1000] and [$1000 - $5000] lists. |
@blindjim great suggestion... maybe we make this thread a yearly one and each year we do a fresh list we ask the question, which speakers from prior list should stay on? Anything thats not voted over will be deleted. But as you know there are also older speakers that are long time favorites (like Salon 2) so the nice thing about just doing the list as is... you will be able to see all the people who like a certain speaker with all their names next to it... that kind of helps highlight certain speakers as crowd favorites. |
not having read the complete thread, one should be aware that right after digital tech, speaker tech moves along rather quickly. meaning each year there will be new contestants, or new itterations of whatever past models as many are revised often. I suggest annual, or keeper speaker lists, segregated by price and or type, i.e., monitors, high eff, floor standing, active, etc. I do get the thinking behind developing this topic, but to do it justice so those seeking particular types don't have tos lug through a littany of unrelated versions, more segregation is needed. as such, each thread will then take care of itself. well, for a year or so, or until a posted itteration see's its update orexclusion. from the line Threads on Keeper speakers or desert island sorts however will remain endlessly without need for constant management. in fact, as subjective as is this hobby and given its wealth og applications and varied arrangements, threads on 'forever' speakers is as good a place to look for new ideas speakerwise, as any more specific supposed ongoing all inclusive posting. |
[Under $1000] Dali Oberon series: @audiotroy Kef Q 550: @audiotroy Kef Q 750: @audiotroy Quad S1: @audiotroy Audioengine 2: @kacomess Buchart S400: @mrdon Mark Audio Sota CestiB: @dseltz Wharfedale diamond 225: @audioguy85 Omega Super 3i Monitors: @melvinjames [$1000-$5000] Tekton Pendragons: @technick Quad S4: @audiotroy Quad S5: @audiotroy Quad Z3: @audiotroy Qaud Z4: @audiotroy Kef R 5: @audiotroy Kef R 7: @audiotroy Revel F208: @hemi04 Dynaudio Special 40: @bwaterme, @manorsessions Harbeth C7es3: @biscorbit Magnepan LRS: @kacomess Vandersteen 2C: @kacomess Emerald physiscs KCII: @tweak1 Paradigm Prestige 15B, 75F, 85F, 95F: @mtdining Revel Performa 3 M106: @plinytheelder Watkins Stereo Generation 4: @lightin [$5001-$10,000] Golden Ear Tritron 1R: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 6: @audiotroy Dali Rubicon 8: @audiotroy Legacy Signatures: @audiotroy Paradigm Persona 3F: @audiotroy Kef Ref 1: @audiotroy ATC SCM 19: @audiotroy SCM 40: @audiotroy Dynaudio C1 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$10,001-$20,000] Pardigm Persona 5F: @audiotroy Kef Reference 3: @audiotroy Kef Reference 5: @audiotroy Dali Epicon 8: @audiotroy Wilson Sabrina: @mtdining Kaya 45: @mtdining Wilson Yvette: @audiotroy, @mtdining Rethm Saadhana: @dseltz Dynaudio C4 Confidence Platinum: @manorsessions [$20,001-$30,000] Legacy Aeris: @audiotroy Kef Blades: @audiotroy Sonus Faber Amati: @pfank12 [$30,001-$50,000] Pardigm Persona 9H: @smodtactical, @audiotroy Vimberg (model?): @audiotroy Wilson DAW: @audiotroy, @mtdining Egglestonworks Vigniti: @liamowen [$50,001-$70,000] Magico M2: @smodtactical Dynaudio Evidence Platinum: @manorsessions Wilson Alexxia 2: @mtdining [$70,001-$100,000] [$100,001-$200,000] Wilson Alexia: @audiotroy, @mtdining [Over $200,000] Kharma (which model?): @audiotroy Wilson WAMM: @mtdining |