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

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.

@big_greg ,

Yes, 'Punches above it's weight' is as bad as 'Giant killer'.

Nonsense, all. A good piece of gear is a good piece of gear regardless of price.

I am solidly with Avanti1960; the top of my list would be BMR Philharmonic speakers.  I have their Monitors which are by far my favorite speakers in my 50 years of having good gear, and dozens of speakers far more expensive.  Fritz is about the nicest guy in the business and he too makes great speakers, for sure. 

Lets talk ’best in class’ speakers... VMPS tower II SE were my point of reference for a lot of years. No longer made, no longer available anywhere. Rest in peace Brian Cheney, you were a gift to the audio world and I had the rare and blessed experience of appreciating your creativity up close and personal. His larger subwoofers were the business. Good enough that NASA purchased a couple of them for high spl testing at 20 Hz and they delivered for them and for me. All of it gone now...Not much on the market today even comes close let alone matches the performance I had. My problem going forward, replacing these speakers with ones that will awe me like they did. My lack of access to vendors who will audition their speakers is a serious problem. It seems no one in VA gives a crap about audio, other than me.