Do you have a speaker that’s not a big name maker but punches above its weight? Why?


I have a Gato Fm6. My reference for last 10 years. Sounds amazing. Designer used to work for Gamut. Amazing clarity. Great open midrange and vapor like treble that’s detailed , transparent and vapor like!  What are others? 

calvinj

@fastricky I'll never part with my Shahinian Obelisks, I've yet to encounter a speaker I like as much.

Agreed, I love mine. But they can be challenging to place in a room, challenging to drive perfectly. And I recently relocated to a 100-year old small house, really a cottage. The Obs just don't work well here.

 

I am very pleased with my Elipson Prestige Facet 24F's. Paired with 1 (currently) SVS subwoofer in a 21' x 27' room they produce a wonderful soundstage and wonderful dynamics. I thought I would miss my previous speakers (Celestion Ditton 25) but since buying these I have not looked back. My friend owns a high end audio shop and I have listened to many loudspeakers (Audiovector, Dali, Maggies etc.) and these can (almost) compete with them.

@br3098 Agreed, I love mine. But they can be challenging to place in a room, challenging to drive perfectly. And I recently relocated to a 100-year old small house, really a cottage. The Obs just don't work well here.

A few mods are key to really making the OBs sing in my experience - ditch the casters and have good footers installed. Also have the footers set so that the speaker is tilted up a bit, it adds more bass/mids to the sound. And yes placement is key. 

Over the years I've owned and in every case gifted some really great speakers.  Bozak Concert Grands, KLH Concept Ones, Ditton 66s, Snell Type As and Type Cs.  Current fav is another sleeper.  Sony, yes Sony SS AR2s.  In another system a pair of B&W 802 Diamonds also qualify.

I don't see Gershman Acoustics mentioned in this thread.  If you attend audio shows, then you have probably heard of them, as they are often one of the busiest rooms. 

I really don't like the whole "punches above its weight" metaphor, as it is often not the case.  I have the Studio XdB speakers and they have extended clean bass that you might not think possible from a standmount of their size.  In that sense, they "punch above their weight".

They are extremely easy to listen to (perhaps too "warm" for some) while still being very detailed.  They image and "disappear" and create a huge soundstage.  I have tried a number of other speakers against them in my listening space, and the Gersmans always beat the competition.