Dream speaker to retire with.

[john & Jake the dog]

Hi,
In order to maybe help me in my choice, could members say what their dream speaker would be if they were choosing their "final" speaker.

[pre65]

As you have found already, the choice of "dream amp" will also be a thing to consider.

To be honest, something like the Frugal Horn 3, or one of the other speakers that Colin Topps could make for you, might be ideal.Contact him and arrange an audition.

You owe it to yourself to hear a wide range of different speakers, a visit to the "Fest" we hold at Owston (north of Doncaster) would be ideal.

My current favourites are the open baffles I exhibited at the last Owston. They attracted a lot of positive comments from other participants, and have an 18" bass with a Fostex 127 full range.They would work very well with your current EL84 amp.

Others of note could be the Saburo like Dave the bass built, or a pair of the big Tannoys if you have deep pockets.



In the end, there is no best speaker, only what's best for you.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by john & Jake the dog

Hi,
In order to maybe help me in my choice, could members say what their dream speaker would be if they were choosing their "final" speaker.

Wow that sounds a bit final and long-term. I like to think I'll need at least 20 more pairs before popping off In reality of course there is no dream speaker for all folk without we include a dream amp as Philip says and a dream source and a dream room and dream 'ear 'oles...

Back on earth, having been through sealed boxes, reflex, electrostatics and TLs I'm back to £100 secondhand reflex boxes which really do the job for me. So much is recording and room dependant ime.

[Shane]

It would be that one that cost twenty quid and is about 6" high, and manages to send shivers down my spine and create holographic images in the sitting room despite the fact that that my wife relocated it to that little table behind the telly. Can't remember what it was called now...

[pre65]

Originally Posted by Shane

It would be that one that cost twenty quid and is about 6" high, and manages to send shivers down my spine and create holographic images in the sitting room despite the fact that that my wife relocated it to that little table behind the telly. Can't remember what it was called now...

Bose ?

[Toppsy]

Well for the ultimate speakers was a set of Quad 63's on original quad stands and supported with a pair Fostex T90A supertweeters. Oddly enough though the tweeters have the effect of not only redressing the upper FR limits of the Quads but they also appear to reinforce the bass.

The only downside is you need a amp that is designed to work well with the rather benign load of the quads. Something like this




And in today's money they don't come cheap. Fortunately I have both and love them. However, if I was go replace he 63's it would be with a pair the latest and largest QUAD ESLs.

[justin brown]

Just out of interest, have you been on one thing audio's web site recently? They are currently selling a pair of 'ultimate '63s'. Full data spec is given with the photo. Looks very tasty.

[bikerhifinut]

I splashed out on a used pair of KUDOS Cardea1's at christmas, Made in Stockton on tees!
You could have a listen at Hi Fi sound on Castlegate Quay, Simon probably still has another used set.

[Phil Y]

If I was going for a final speaker I would try to hear as many candidates as I could, but of what I have heard so far I think it would go for big Tannoys as well.
Not perfect but they do a lot of things really well and you have no load/efficiency problems to worry about.

Phil.

[Ali Tait]

Agree with Colin, I'd go for the biggest Quads.