Your Loudspeaker history

[panditji]

Browsing the PinK Fish media forum and came across this interesting thread...Would be good to know the loudspeaker journey of the members and their feedback on their speakers and what they might upgrade to the future if needed:

Below is my journey:

1) Woodstocks - Dad's audiophile speakers bought in 1989 and replaced with a larger pair in 1995 (still have them as he refuses to sell them)

2) Bose 301 - (2003 - 2006) My first purchase and got them from the US which made them sound even better as they were imported....good rocking speakers and a super upgrade from the woodstocks

3) Quad 11Ls (2006 -present) - Super speakers for their price and play jazz exceptionally well although lacks bass

4) Harbeth Compact 7ES3 (2011 - till i win a lottery) Exceptionally musical speakers doing everything right for the kind of music I listen to... Can even play dance music well ....lovely mid range and highs...the bass is tight and enough for a decent sized room...People who like listening to music would love these speakers....

Look forward to others sharing their experiences...

regards
Rahul Pandit

 

[Bluu]

1. First proper speaker system: Missions (2007-2011). Bought them from Malaysia on my honeymoon. They are now with two HFV members. Fantastic value for money but more inclined towards movies than music.

2. Odyssey Syren Extreme (Apr 2011-present): I squarely blame odyssey, reignofchaos and sandeepmohan for spoiling me with these exceptional speakers. I had been planning a much simpler (and significantly less expensive) setup. However, these speakers are truly amazing for the money I paid for them. Will probably never sell them.

3. Future: No idea. Will most likely be another niche brand like Odyssey.

 

[murali_n]

1) Cosmic Covox 3500 -1988 to 1999
2) Panasonic Component system + speakers 1999-2005
3) Torvin TP-5 (2005-07)
4) DIY Bolton 3-way 2007
4) FS from Craftel (with Peerless 8-inch woofers) 2007-11
5) Mordaunt Short Aviano-2 BS (from 2011)
6) Upgrade ?

 

[rohitt]

bose series 100 freestyle speakers
bose am7
bose am5
bose 201 series 4
bose 301 series 2
vose am 10 series 4

 

[Flash]

Jamo active bookshelves - Dad's purchase late 80's (dont remember the model number were eventually thrown out by my mom took up too much room
replaced with larger Fisher Monitors again bought by dad when he came down to India on a Holiday ...... Again given away after 2 odd years
Yamaha booksehelves - '' used for 3 odd years early 90's '' ''
Teac Components early 90's gave it to a deserving friend a year ago
Pioneer Cs 303 large bookshelves, ... mid 90's still going strong
Altec Lansing 641 for the PC... 2007
Wharfedale diamonds 9.6..... 2011

I know I am still forgetting a few loudspeakers from the past

 

[soundofmusic]

1. DIY Bolton
2. Technics ( forgot the Model Number)
3. Kenwood ( Forgot the Model Number)
4. Bose 501 ( very good speakers and sold it for a song)
5. Bose 301 and 201
6. Bose AM5 ( One of the worst speakers I had with me)
7. Jamo Concert 8 ( My first decent speakers--period)
8. Quad 21L
9.Quad 22L ( still have them)
10. Dynaudio Audience 52 ( Regret selling this speakers)
11. Dali Ikon 6 ( Purchased recently--Still have them)
12. B&W 805N ( Purchased recently and my current speaker)

In between there were few JBL's and Mission, which I owned for few months.

 

[reignofchaos]

Altec Lansing MX5021
Jamo S408 (Exchanged these within a week - they were a step down from the altec)
Jamo E855
Jamo E700 (Very very nice little bookshelf)
Usher Be-718 (Fantastic speaker)
???

 

[panditji]

The Jamo E855 was a lovely speaker.....Why did you sell those and buy bookshelves?

Altec Lansing MX5021
Jamo S408 (Exchanged these within a week - they were a step down from the altec)
Jamo E855
Jamo E700 (Very very nice little bookshelf)
Usher Be-718 (Fantastic speaker)
???

 

[reignofchaos]

The Jamo E855 was a lovely speaker.....Why did you sell those and buy bookshelves?

The bookshelf was temporary until I got the Usher. I still have them as my bedroom speaker.

 

[Viki]

1. Phillips HiQ (still have them, used as Zone 2)
2. Sony V33W (now my surround rears)
3. Yamaha NS 555 (now surrounds)
4. Yamaha NS 777 (sold)
5. ProAc Studio 140 arrived this week, Yay!

Next: nothing, at least thats what I told the wife to get sanction for ProAcs.

Viki

 

[prem]

Acoustic Research AR3
Scott
Tannoy Gold Monitor
PSB Mini Strata
Cadence Amaya
Audio Artistry Beethoven
Martin Logan
Rethm Second
Rethm Saadhana

 

[square_wave]

Diy with Bolton 1995 It all started here !

Pioneer 12 inch woofer coffin box

Sansui 12 inch woofer boomy floorstander - Have memories of many loud parties with this one !

Bose 301, 401 (very short periods) Okay sound

Wharfedale 8.4

Acoustic Portrait MS 301 -My first real loudspeaker

DIY bookshelf (AP) with scanspeak drivers

Blumenhofer Fun 17

 

[arj]

Technics(Matshushita)- 4 years
Sony - 3 years
Paradigm Atom - 2 years
Bose AM3-6 months
Klipsch RF3-3 years
JMR Twin - 2 years
Merlin TSM -3 years

 

[sidvee]

Cerwin vega dx3 - 94 - where it all started
NHT super one/super zero + NHT sub -96
DCM Time Frame v8.0 -97
Kef q15 - 98
kef q35 - 99
Magneplanar MMG - 01
B&W 705 -03
B&W N805 - 06
B&W CM1 - 06
Paradigm Studio 20v3 - 07
Dynaudio Focus 110 - 07
Usher Be718 - 08
Harbeth Shl5 - 11
In addition I also had 5.1 setups of Atlantic technology, M&K & B&W 600 series.
The B&W N805's are the longest lasting of this list and I plan to keep them indefinitely and also plan to acquire a NHT super zero that I want to keep for ever.
Cheers
Sid

 

[panditji]

1. Phillips HiQ (still have them, used as Zone 2)
2. Sony V33W (now my surround rears)
3. Yamaha NS 555 (now surrounds)
4. Yamaha NS 777 (sold)
5. ProAc Studio 140 arrived this week, Yay!

Next: nothing, at least thats what I told the wife to get sanction for ProAcs.

Viki

Super speakers are the ProAcs 140 ...did you get the Mk2 version or the older version? Which amplifier are you using with the 140s?

 

[panditji]

Acoustic Research AR3
Scott
Tannoy Gold Monitor
PSB Mini Strata
Cadence Amaya
Audio Artistry Beethoven
Martin Logan
Rethm Second
Rethm Saadhana

Wow.... have read so much about the Rethm speakers in the last 3 years but unfortunately have not been able to hear them as yet... Prem would you know anyone in Delhi who owns any pair of Rethm speakers and if that person is willing to let us hear them ????

 

[panditji]

Technics(Matshushita)- 4 years
Sony - 3 years
Paradigm Atom - 2 years
Bose AM3-6 months
Klipsch RF3-3 years
JMR Twin - 2 years
Merlin TSM -3 years

Arjun, I first read about the JMR speakers from you on the forum...Did get a chance to hear them last year at HK and they just blew me away when we listened to smooth jazz on them... superb speakers for jazz and vocals but unfortunately not all rounders.... would that be the reason why you moved to the Merlins????

 

[panditji]

Cerwin vega dx3 - 94 - where it all started
NHT super one/super zero + NHT sub -96
DCM Time Frame v8.0 -97
Kef q15 - 98
kef q35 - 99
Magneplanar MMG - 01
B&W 705 -03
B&W N805 - 06
B&W CM1 - 06
Paradigm Studio 20v3 - 07
Dynaudio Focus 110 - 07
Usher Be718 - 08
Harbeth Shl5 - 11
In addition I also had 5.1 setups of Atlantic technology, M&K & B&W 600 series.
The B&W N805's are the longest lasting of this list and I plan to keep them indefinitely and also plan to acquire a NHT super zero that I want to keep for ever.
Cheers
Sid

Sid, let me know when you get bored of the Harbeths..... But please do not get bored for the next 2 years as I need to start saving money again and will need time...

 

[gvenu]

DIY - Bolton drivers in clay pot
DIY - Philips full range bookshelf
DIY - Bolton & Philips bookshelf
DIY - Bolton bookshelf
Acoustic Portrait MTM Floor standers - Vifa drivers
Acoustic Portrait Floor standers (one mid bass/tweeter) - Scanspeak drivers
Acoustic Portrait MTM Floor standers - Scanspeak drivers

- No more speaker upgrade planned!

 

[sidvee]

Sid, let me know when you get bored of the Harbeths..... But please do not get bored for the next 2 years as I need to start saving money again and will need time...

:lol: Hilarious Panditji! - Actually over the past few weeks of listening I am beginning to think that the Shl5's are easily the best I have heard, and it pains me to say this, the B&W N805 has not only met its match but has finally been bettered.
So I think that the Harbeth will be my reference for some time to come (unless of-course some of those Euro lottery mails that I keep getting are really true hyeah.
Cheers
Sid