[DS-21]

Current production: KEF Q900. Admirably consistent midrange directivity, smooth design axis response, fairly cheap, dynamic, though admittedly let down a bit by the cabinet quality and could definitely use a notch-filter to better control midrange cone breakup. (Whaddya expect with such bleeding-edge drive units and a sub $2k price?)

Of all time: Tannoy Saturn S10. I never understood why these never caught on in the US. Yes, they were big and the cabinets not the last word in craftsmanship. But a 10" Dual Concentric and a 10" helper woofer with a well-designed crossover for just over $2k USD at full retail (ca. 2001, admittedly, and not adjusted for inflation), and an overall very pleasing voicing, they were a huge bargain. Had I not known I was about to move to Europe when I heard them, I'd have bought them. And I'd likely still own them.

[DaveNote]

I'm with JLM - "giant killers" makes me think of tiny & cheap - so a short list of commercial products would include in no particular order EPI 50, small Advent, little Tangents (can't remember the model#), Spica SC50i (well, not so relatively cheap at the time), and certainly not least Dynaco/SEAS  A25s  ($80 ea when first introduced in '69 - cheaper than some of the stands on which they might have be placed) 

of course some of us DIYers would say "anything I build" 

Were they Tangent TM3s? Two-way. Have Kef drivers. Very bright high end. We still have a pair.

Dave

[cujobob]

The highest value speakers I've ever heard were Gedlee Abbeys...they were running just over 3 grand a couple of years ago but now the price has shot up. Even still, I'd say they're a bargain. I've had a lot of other good speakers in my home, but they just feel like a major step up from anything else.

I've also always loved all of Danny's GR Research line which I feel outclasses most B&M brands' offerings in the non-insane price category. The Neo 2X (which later became the N2X) came out a few years ago and really competed with some very pricey monitors...the kit and cabinets from PE were only around $500ish. Currently, the RAAL ribbons are being found in some ~$2,000 speakers, but until then, I don't think there was a lot besting the N2X without spending over $3,000 and perhaps a lot more.

[Rclark]

 How easy are those Gedlee's to build? I'm placing them at number 5 on my next speaker list, and they are up there with stiff competition. these will be my living room mains for tv, general purpose, non listening room.

 As of now it's:

 Soundfield Monitor 1 (the more I think about their qualities, the more I think this is the winner)
 Vapor Breeze
 Tekton Lore S or Katzmeow (could very well go to number 1 choice)
 ...new GR?
 ...Gedlee's

 As you can see, it will not be easy to pick. All giant killers.

[cujobob]

How easy are those Gedlee's to build? I'm placing them at number 5 on my next speaker list, and they are up there with stiff competition. these will be my living room mains for tv, general purpose, non listening room.

 As of now it's:

 Soundfield Monitor 1 (the more I think about their qualities, the more I think this is the winner)
 Vapor Breeze
 Tekton Lore S or Katzmeow (could very well go to number 1 choice)
 ...new GR?
 ...Gedlee's

 As you can see, it will not be easy to pick.

The Gedlees should be pretty easy to build... a few members on AC have done it and it didn't take long. All of those speakers have intrigued me in your list. The Soundfield monitors...maybe if they used Danny's servo woofs in the future, but I don't really like the idea of a plate amp in a monitor for some reason. Vapor speakers are some I do drool over, but I'm not sure they'd be an upgrade over my Abbeys. Gedlees can image in any room and have a level of coherency that is just incredible. Being 95db sensitive and capable of huge SPL doesn't hurt either.

[Rclark]

 Oooh. The idea of a Soundfield variant with Gr servo 8's sounds mighty appealing     However, from people I trust, probably the absolute ultimate is the Gedlee.

[Rclark]

The highest value speakers I've ever heard were Gedlee Abbeys...they were running just over 3 grand a couple of years ago but now the price has shot up. Even still, I'd say they're a bargain. I've had a lot of other good speakers in my home, but they just feel like a major step up from anything else.

I've also always loved all of Danny's GR Research line which I feel outclasses most B&M brands' offerings in the non-insane price category. The Neo 2X (which later became the N2X) came out a few years ago and really competed with some very pricey monitors...the kit and cabinets from PE were only around $500ish. Currently, the RAAL ribbons are being found in some ~$2,000 speakers, but until then, I don't think there was a lot besting the N2X without spending over $3,000 and perhaps a lot more.

 I have the demo N1X's here right now, and have for some time. I agree, mostly. That tweeter is spectacular. They are excellent speakers. My Magnestand MMG's are much much better, in most areas, and in the areas that count most, but the N1X's are SUPERB. That's why I place GR on the list.

[sharpsuxx]

The vapor breeze is my giant killer of choice.  I have heard lots of good stuff over the years.  I think the key to good giant killers I legitimate engineering, the breeze does a very good job of doing what it does very well rather than trying to do everything and doing it poorly.  Its all about a good balance of cost, quality, and compromise.  I am nutty though so I am getting the cirrus.

I think Danny's stuff is pretty amazing value too when you compare it to b&m stuff.  Plus the fun of building it yourself.  The n2x however isn't quite as refined as I would like it to be.

[cujobob]

I have the demo N1X's here right now, and have for some time. I agree, mostly. That tweeter is spectacular. They are excellent speakers. My Magnestand MMG's are much much better, in most areas, and in the areas that count most, but the N1X's are SUPERB. That's why I place GR on the list.

I don't really have a room to support Maggies, but have often considered picking up the 1.6 since they're going for under a grand now. The N1X/N2X aren't perfect, but in smaller rooms or just where smaller speakers are needed, they're so hard to beat for the price. The MMGs are a very different speaker that won't give you the specificity of the N1X but will do some other things well.

I'm really looking forward to the new line of drivers Danny will be using..his woofer has been around a long time, so really hoping this will put his new stuff at the top.

[Rclark]

Yeah my speakers are a different beast from the stock MMG. They perform quite well. I don't get the low bass the N1X gives but in every other respect the quality of bass is vastly superior in the modded MMG, and for what it does give you, the spl is quite adequate with my current amp. I expect to see the full bass performance of the speaker when I have Ncore's up and running. If you want realism, lifelike bass instruments.... planars. Find the room for them, it's worth it. The N1X has a marvelous tweeter and low bass extension, but not the same league otherwise.

 I am also looking forward to the new GR. Might make the Gedlee a moot point.