Some of the best sounding speakers in the last 25 years ?

Soundideas · « **on:** 10 Aug 2005, 02:56 am »

I was looking over on the audiogon forum and came across these threads on this speaker...LSA model 2 $2000.00 ! from www.dkdesigngroup.com ...... http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1118548305&openflup&10&4#10 and http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1105848801&openusid&zzLrsky&4&5

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Aug 2005, 04:03 am »

So, is there ANYONE ELSE except the designer ranting over his speakers? Talking about being humble or honest about assessing speakers. Guess I can say that the speakers I have designed are the most efficient and effortless sounding translucers that I have ever heard in the last 20+ years. Anyone can take me seriously, right?

Soundideas · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Aug 2005, 04:49 am »

They are two members over at the audiogon forum that said that they heard these LSA model 2 speakers.... member 84audio..... http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1105848801&openflup&33&4#33 and member Theaudiotweak.... http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1105848801&openflup&36&4#36

audioengr · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Aug 2005, 05:23 pm »

KEF reference 104/2's

The design is 20 years old now and I still cannot find anthing that images as well. With the mods I installed they were described as "killer speakers" by the press at CES.

Too expensive to mod for other customers, besides, I dont like modding speakers. They take up too much room and get damaged in shipping....

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 07:45 pm »

By FAR and away the best reproduction from a 2-channel system that I've ever heard came from the Avantgarde Trio and also the Duo Horns with single ended tube units. I've heard everything from the Infinity Reference Standards of twenty years ago, all the big Wilsons, B&W, KEF, Dunlavys, Apogee, big self-powered Meridians, Magnepan, Martin Logan, Vandersteen, Von Swindlers, etc., etc.

Honestly, nothing really comes close to the dynamics, immediacy, transparency, whatever else you can think of. They are the most "live", you are there, loudspeakers that I've experienced in 43 years. Also, with well over 100dB efficiency, anything over 3 watts will light them up. You'll never look at cones, domes and boxes the same way again. You'll wonder why they can sell the sh*t for as much as some of them get, frankly.

I would also like to hear the bigger Acapellas with their ION plasma arc tweeters.

Occam · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 08:52 pm »

I agree with Audioengineer that the Kef 104/2 are superb speakers. I had a non-audiophile friend pick up a pair 7 yrs ago for $600, which he is quite content with for his jazz listening. I do disagree about the imaging. While quite nice in that area, my Alon IVs, which I've been listening to for over 13yrs are IMO significantly better in imaging and soundstaging. Something about that dipole midrange......

orthobiz · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 09:41 pm »

Still using my Dahlquist DQ-10's. REL B2 subwoofer helps.

biz

PhilNYC · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Aug 2005, 09:50 pm »

For me, the best I've ever heard were speakers from Rockport Technologies...they demoed the Antares ($42K/pair) at CES earlier this year, and despite the poor conditions of a bad hotel room, they knocked my socks off. And they aren't even the top of the line from Rockport.

Asides from that, I've got some biases for the speakers I own myself...

Rickie K · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Aug 2005, 12:07 am »

The best speakers i've heard were avantgarde unos or duos. They were set up with all bAT electronics although I've been told that they actually sound better with a SET amplifier and a good source cd player with a tube output stage.
I've listened to BMW 801's two but the avantgardes put the musicians in the room with you. Brought tears to my eyes even more tears when I found out that I could never afford it.

powerbench · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Aug 2005, 12:15 am »

again it all depends on the gear, the KEFs were overall one of the best.

JoshK · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Aug 2005, 01:51 am »

Quote from: PhilNYC

For me, the best I've ever heard were speakers from Rockport Technologies...they demoed the Antares ($42K/pair) at CES earlier this year, and despite the poor conditions of a bad hotel room, they knocked my socks off. And they aren't even the top of the line from Rockport.

Asides from that, I've got some biases for the speakers I own myself...

I would hope so. Why else would one own one's own speakers if one didn't think they were the bomb? I guess apart from money, no reason.

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Aug 2005, 02:26 am »

I would go with Vandersteen 5A's.

These pretty much do everything right and nothing wrong (except costing almost $20k).

They are very well balanced top to bottom, have a built in powered sub so that you can use tube amps for mids/highs, image like heck, and can keep your toes tapping for hour after hour.

On top of the great musical abilities, the 5A's sport furniture grade cabinets and a relatively small footprint.

George

maxwalrath · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Aug 2005, 02:39 am »

off the subject a little, but the best sound I've ever heard was the spectral/MIT/avalon combo that was big about 10 years ago at a show in NYC. The room was trated like crazy, and the total system price was about $45k....

PhilNYC · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Aug 2005, 12:07 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

I would hope so. Why else would one own one's own speakers if one didn't think they were the bomb? I guess apart from money, no reason.

Hey, I'm just trying to abide by the site rules about dealers posting about their own equipment...

Val · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Aug 2005, 01:25 pm »

Just a thought: am I the only one to think those Acapella tweeters are badly placed?

toobluvr · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Aug 2005, 02:49 am »

I gotta agree with George on this one.......Vandy 5!

While I have certainly not heard anywhere near all the possible contenders, of all the speakers I have heard in over 10 years in this hobby, the Vandy 5 has been my absolute favorite.

And yes, they are pricey, but it did not take hideously expensive associated gear to make them sing and sound just killer! I'd say each piece of gear averaged about 3-4k dollars list: Quicksilver v4 amps, Klyne pre, Cary cdp, Basis tt setup.

John Ashman · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Aug 2005, 03:55 am »

FWIW, "Soundideas" appears to be simply promoting these LSA speakers and is on Audio Asylum doing the very same thing. His connection to LSA? I don't know, but there obviously is one. He could be the designer himself, so I don't know how much I'd indulge this thread.

Soundideas · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Aug 2005, 03:36 pm »

Quote from: John Ashman

FWIW, "Soundideas" appears to be simply promoting these LSA speakers and is on Audio Asylum doing the very same thing. His connection to LSA? I don't know, but there obviously is one. He could be the designer himself, so I don't know how much I'd indulge this thread.

''I'm not connected with this company in any way'' I'm looking for new speakers and wanted to get some feedback on these LSA speakers and other speakers.........

hi5harry · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Aug 2005, 06:50 pm »

Vandersteen 5a's get my vote also. The bass can be tuned to any room, mid powered tube amps sound great with them, and upgrades will use the same cabinet. Maybe not the best speaker, but the best speaker you can buy for 10K used, that will stand the test of time

John Ashman · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Aug 2005, 07:53 pm »

Quote from: Soundideas

'I'm not connected with this company in any way'' I'm looking for new speakers and wanted to get some feedback on these LSA speakers and other speakers.........

Well, they're seemingly not out yet, so the only people that have heard them and seem to be promoting must be friends with the designer. No one here has heard them, I imagine, so why not call the company? The thing that makes me suspicious is that the designer appears to be an extraordinary self-promoter and extremely arrogant. There's not much new in speakers, outside of digital crossover and correction, so it's hard to claim that you're "the one" who finally "nailed it" and have people take you seriously. It's one thing to build a good product at a good value, but sheesh. What's the hang up with LSA, if you're not connected? Lots of good speaker designs right here on AC that are actually available and designed by decent people.