I'd take the thoroughly British ATC100 and 50 in second and third placeWell there's one opinion, need another 99 now to get a definitive answer for the quiz
The JBLs are pretty special tho, and your not even an American flying the flag for their country
epos es11 for me, magical speakers in the right circumstances. Get better and better with electronics and they are and were within reach to the everyman, out performing even some way more desirable names. Plus a pure joy to enjoy music. Hands down winner for me (not in ultimate performance obviously because of whats there), at least a well deserved place on that list for sure.I'd take the thoroughly British ATC100 and 50 in second and third place
Possibly the ATC are better speakers than the JBL but the JBL are still great speakers and they're just more fun.
I've almost always used much bigger speakers, even when I've had no money.
Never had any real interest in little two-ways.
AE1 was quite smooth toned when sat on their massive stands I remember, but that little metal cone was wild at breakup (8kHz) and they did seem system-fussy. A very interesting design I recall
The mid domes can be refoamed I believe and I think a replacement is or was available -I'd still have them but sourcing the foam for the midrange driver was more than I wanted to take on.They were excellent sounding loudspeakers, and surprisingly easy to drive, as well.
This is the worse-looking of the pair (missing a chunk of the front molding). The other one was nigh-on perfect.
www.falconacoustics.co.uk
They're so dull though (and I knew Robin well enough to tell that to his face
Actually, 'safe up top' is arguably the term to use. The ES14 by this time, had evolved ionto a highly characterful speaker (the Stereophile review tells it all in gory glory) but they were SO good at communicating the musical message and I adored mine... I replaced them with original ATC 20s which solved one problem and maybe brought about one or two others (lack of bass extension and extreme insensitivity).
www.dali-speakers.com
KEF Coda 7? Yes I have.
There’s a Kef Coda on that list, but an ancient oneKEF Coda 7? Yes I have.
Bought them last year for $35 from a person who had given up his Hifi interest and just wanted to get rid of the speakers he had collected over the years. I bought several from him, only for a symbolic sum, $9 a pair of speakers. I filled up my Volvo with as many of these as I could fit:
View attachment 518631
(photo from the seller's ad)
Now I have sold some of them, except for a couple that broke (to the recycling station), plus I gave some away to the neighbors in the summer cottage area.
In any case, the Kef Coda 7, quite ok, even really nice I would say.
That considering the price (when they were new).
Kef Coda 7 is a more enjoyable speaker than the Tannoy M2. I base that on subjective experiences. The M2 is, ...hum..in a way boring, rather turgid Tannoy Mercury M2 , as you said.
M2 measures, in my room with WiiM RoomFit, ok. It us not "speakers that measure straight are boring" as trumpeted sometimes. It's something else.
As used cheap extra speakers for the basement, bedroom and so on, I can absolutely recommend the Kef Coda 7. Provided that the ferrofluid in their tweeter has not dried out.
I really liked the Kef Coda 7’s actually. I was blown away when I first heard those, the clarity and vocal from such a tiny speaker was amazing I thought, and great bass too. They really had me exploring music and thinking wow this sounds great on these.
That reminds me - a HiFi Choice easy best buy and I remember a real game changer for a year or so in a very hard-fought price range - the next M-S model up, the MS-20
What did you design?Disagree rabidly - but that's probably 'cause I didn't design any of them
Some, well, a few, great speakers in the list though.
I do remember them well, never owned a set, and they took tech from the higher end performance line if I'm not wrong. Nice speakers, I just preferred the vocal on the ms, more organic (realistic) sounding I thought. Not very scientific explanation and just an effect I'm sure but I liked the effect.
As to budget 'speakers, in the 1980s there were several I liked:-There’s a Kef Coda on that list, but an ancient one
I then later heard the 8’s. We had a demonstration in the then Audio Excellence in Cardiff where they were in the mix, and its funny as a mate and I listened to those and AE100’s side by side. I thought the 100’s sounded naff in comparison flat and dull, the Coda 8’s were like the 7’s but better more of everything and were what I thought, was more hi-fi. The strange thing is my mate preferred the overall sound of the AE100’s and bought those that day. I quite liked the AE100 in isolation as well, but side by side that day, the Codas were the clear winner for me.
Had some experience with a friend that owned the 9’s as well. Again like the smaller ones in presentation but with that down firing bass which would fill the room with its different approach to bass. I was really impressed on initial listening.
All the coda never really had the longevity of enjoyment with me though, it was more an impressive thing but just wanted to move on in time for that next box swap. But as you say a great little speaker really, and so light and small it’s amazing the sound that came out of them. Still fun I imagine, and as you say for the money and construction way more than the sum of its parts!
And I still love the design and look of them. Cool photo DanT, definitely the best looking in that pile. M2 were way too safe sounding in comparison, R2 were slightly better but very much the same vibe.
However, for me the Mordaunt Short MS10i was my king in the budget sector for many years! And I still think they are great. These are basically a miniature budget epos es11, a very similar vibe anyway. And until recently were always my budget pick, until I discovered the Klipsch R41, and that for me just edges it, but I like both of their different presentations.
