Speakers from last century that you love

[TLEDDY]

Those stats are certainly highly regarded!

You are correct! What I fail to understand is that why, despite being in current production, they are never listed in either Stereophile nor Absolute Sound Best Speaker recaps. Absolute Sound (wherein their professional violinist and scientist opined the 10e were the best he had ever heard!) does not list them at all!

Grumpy octogenerian,

Tillman

 

[MattHooper]

You are correct! What I fail to understand is that why, despite being in current production, they are never listed in either Stereophile nor Absolute Sound Best Speaker recaps. Absolute Sound (wherein their professional violinist and scientist opined the 10e were the best he had ever heard!) does not list them at all!

Grumpy octogenerian,

Tillman

I always liked reading Robert E Greene’s reviews in the Absolute Sound. He always emphasized “ what makes this particular speaker interesting, different, or some sort of advance, and why it is worth scrutinizing in this review.” And then he provided interesting technical explications. (Certainly more technical than most of the TAS staff)

Here’s his review of a Sanders Model 10e speaker:

He starts off with:

The Sanders Model 10e is the culmination of decades of work by designer Roger Sanders towards perfecting hybrid electrostatic design. And a culmination it is, indeed. This is one of the best speakers ever made. Forget that the price of it is modest by contemporary standards for speakers aspiring to be as good as possible. Within its design brief of producing a relatively narrow radiation pattern that emphasizes direct sound, the Sanders 10e’s are as close to perfection as any speaker system I have ever encountered, outside of installations where room and speakers were purpose-built as a unit. For domestic purposes, you can spend a great deal more money, but I do not think that you can buy a better speaker if this type of radiation pattern is your sonic goal.

Sanders Model 10e Hybrid Electrostatic Loudspeaker

The Sanders Model 10e is the culmination of decades of work by designer Roger Sanders towards perfecting hybrid electrostatic design. And a culmination it

www.theabsolutesound.com

 

[TLEDDY]

Since most will not read Dr. Greenes´ entire review, I quote his conclusion!

“But if you wanted to call the Sanders 10e the best speaker ever, you could definitely make a case. Within the category of speakers that emphasize facsimile reproduction of the direct arrival, the Sanders system can surely claim to be the equal of any and far superior to most. And when you consider that even if you buy two Sanders Magtech amplifiers—one comes along as part of the $17,000 package—the total cost exclusive of source components is $22,500, and that you can adjust the speaker to suit your room and your tastes, this system seems to me to be not only a wonder but also a bargain.”

Bold emphasis mine…

Tillman

 

[Mart68]

Here's a few old cheapies that I loved:

KEF Coda III



Wharfdale Diamond IV (whatever happened to using Roman numerals for speaker versions anyway?)



JPW AP3 (The 'A' stood for 'Active' despite the fact that they were a passive speaker, however you could make them active with some unfeasibly complex procedure - which no-one ever did).

 

[Purité Audio]

Meridian M2 my first proper speakers, for me so proportionally,aesthetically correct, in 1981 they just seemed like the future.



Keith

 

[Purité Audio]

Perhaps not quite so aesthetically pleasing my next pair Meridian M10s my original pair were in Yew as were my M2s, just gorgeous, nothing I have owned since has recaptured that excitement ohh to be young again.

Keith

 

[Purité Audio]

Meridian M1s were the first pair of Meridians I heard at Howard Popecks house, they sounded fantastic but really expensive at the time.
Years later I bought this pair, bit tatty and in the 80’s ubiquitous ‘black ash’ finish.
Every pair of M1s I have seen have been quite different,

Keith

 

[Redver]

Another Shout Out for the ESL 57's had mine for 8 years

 

[MattHooper]

Another Shout Out for the ESL 57's had mine for 8 years

View attachment 488357

I am very simple: I see ESL 57s, I upvote.

(especially in bronze)

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

You are correct! What I fail to understand is that why, despite being in current production, they are never listed in either Stereophile nor Absolute Sound Best Speaker recaps. Absolute Sound (wherein their professional violinist and scientist opined the 10e were the best he had ever heard!) does not list them at all!

Grumpy octogenerian,

Tillman

I am a very very happy owner of the Sanders 10e
If you listen to the interview that me and two other "Sad Bastards" did with Roger a while back you may understand why most hifi publications don't like him (hint, he is very measurement focused and very direct in his criticisms)

Interview here
Spotify
or
Apple