Result of name your top 5 speakers
 

Fellow AA's, and here is the result of the Top 5 speaker choices, presented as top 10.

48 companies were represented, which is a lot more than I expected. It just shows how wide our choice and preference is. 165 votes were counted in total.

2 top 10's are listed, first by count only, and then by weight assuming that your fist choice was your main preference and using higher weightings accordingly

TOP 10 BY Count (Where the count is the same, ranking is determined by position in the top 5)

1. Sonus Faber, 18 Votes

2. Wilson Audio, 11 Votes

3. Magico, 11 Votes

4. Magnepan, 8 Votes

5. Focal, 8 Votes

6. TAD, 7 Votes

7. KEF, 7 Votes

8. Rockport, 7 Votes

9. Vandersteen, 7 Votes

10. B&W, 7 Votes


Top 10 by Weight, and weighted score, e.g. Number 1 choice is given a higher weight

1. Sonus Faber, 4

2. Wilson Audio, 2.45

3. Magico, 2.4

4. TAD, 1.8

5. Magnepan, 1.55

6. MBL, 1.55

7. Focal, 1.35

8. KEF, 1.3

9. PMC, 1.3,

10. Rockport, 1.25


Sonus Faber, Wilson and Magico are our top 3 most popular Speakers on AA, with Sonus Faber way ahead.

KEF is an unexpected surprise in the top 10.

Interesting results.....not too surprised about Sonus Faber being number one.....although I'm still a little surprised that there wasn't more love for Aerial Acoustics or Revel.

- Buck

Something to keep in mind is that our choices are also influenced by what we have had a chance to hear. There are some here who have heard pretty much every speaker ever made while others may be limited to what their local dealers happen to carry.

I am surprised that Wilson and Magico are so popular. Personally, neither of those brands do it for me. I am also surprised that B&W didn't score much higher. It just goes to show how important it is for us to go to audio shows and judge with our own ears.

Full Result

Rank Count Brand
1 18 Sonus Faber
2 11 Magico
3 11 Wilson Audio
4 8 Focal
5 8 Magnepan
6 7 B&W
7 7 KEF
8 7 Rockport Technologies
9 7 TAD
10 7 Vandersteen
11 6 MBL
12 5 PMC
13 5 Revel
14 5 Vivid
15 4 Dynaudio
16 4 Raidho
17 4 YG Acoustics
18 3 Verity
19 2 Aerial Acoustics
20 2 ATC loudspeakers
21 2 Avantgarde
22 2 Dali
23 2 Macintosh
24 2 Martin Logan
25 2 Monitor Audio
26 2 Paradigm
27 1 Acoustic Zen
28 1 Apogee
29 1 Audionote
30 1 Avalon Acoustics
31 1 Bryston
32 1 Evolution Acoustics
33 1 Harbeth
34 1 Infinity
35 1 Joseph Audio
36 1 Kaiser Kawero
37 1 Klipsch
38 1 Legacy Audio
39 1 Linn
40 1 Marten
41 1 Muraudio
42 1 Pipedreams
43 1 Reference 3A
44 1 Sansui (Vintage)
45 1 Tannoy
46 1 Thiel
47 1 Tidal
48 1 Totem

Thanks goodness Bose didn't make the list...lol. When I ask the average person what they think the greatest speaker ever made was, that is almost always their answer and I facepalm.

:yes:

That's the secret question Ivan asks everyone before allowing them to join, that's why :D

Marc.......He asked you that question, too? :laughin:

Interesting. I really love Sonus Faber. Like Wilson very much, same for Magnepan, Focal, Vandersteen, Dynaudio and others. Have never had a chance to listen to Magico.

I have had the opportunity to audition Wilson, Maggie 3.7, Sonus Faber Olympica 3, and Vandy 5a all vs a Von Schweikert VR-5 SE. In each case, I preferred the Von Schweikert. And VS didn't get a single vote in the poll! I liked all of these speakers, each had wonderful strengths.

Very interesting, but a bit surprised Harbeth weren't ranked hire... hope to own some SF's one day.
Mac

Agreed, along with many other terrific UK speaker brands such as Spendor and ProAc. ProAc especially has some amazing sounding speakers with absolutely beautiful finishes.

So true. I wasn't aware of Tidal speakers before 3 years ago, but now they rank #1 to me. I'm quite confident that if all 165 poll participants (I missed it, which is why Tidal got only 1 vote) had a chance beforehand to listen to Tidal speakers as much as their favorites, Tidal would have made the top 5 easily. I love my Martin Logan Spires, but should I come into a significant amount of money, Tidal is my first choice.

I'll also give a shout out to Joseph Audio, Raidho, Harbeth, and MBL among the speakers that did not make the top 10 in total votes.

I also suprised KEF made into top 10 list. I think it has to do with their new reference and Blade line. Generally from Europe, its sonus faber, focal, B&W, Harbeth, Dynaudio get most of the attention. For some reason KEF, monitor audio and Dali don't get much love.

That is one of the main reasons I regularly fly down to the High End Show in Munich every year. It is a great opportunity to "educate" my ears and widen the audio horizon by listening to a multitude of brands. By doing so it I find it a bit easier to know what to look/listen for and to feel a bit more confident that one has made the right choice - for now :D

You're a wise man!! :D

I also have the Von Schweikert VR-5 HSE (Hovland Special Edition) They are about 11 or 12 years old and I seem to feel the need for an upgrade. Since getting my Mac MC452 they sound so fantastic I don't know if I can part with them.

I think it's because VS doesn't advertise like other mentioned brands. Their dealer network is small. Same goes for Evolution acoustics and genesis loudspeakers.

Suprised 'ProAc's' arn't even on the list.

I think Proac is not well represented in the US. Their dealer network is small. At one point they didn't even have distributor.

The Kef Reference line is fantastic. The blades sound even better, but they're so damn ugly. Both are far more power hungry then advertised. My Ref 5's didn't really shine until I got Bryston 28b3s

Vandersteen 5s

PSB T3

Several folks already commented about some of the well respected UK speakers missing - I agree.
I am also surprised that DeVore or some other high sensitivity and highly regarded speakers were not mentioned given the number of Shindo and other tube afficionados.
Audio Physic is also pretty decent to say the least and Quad old or current, not to mention the fairly unknown Soltanus Acoustics which (to my ears) easily beats the Quads. Perhaps Merlin deserved a mention as does Thiel

Well not every speaker can look as good as the Muon. :D

http://www.cinenowinternational.com/...00/001/954.jpg

Nothing for PROAC ? wow -

Proac Response D100

For the money I haven't heard anything yet that comes close.

It did take two Analog Domain M75P amplifiers in bridged mono mode to completely unshackle these unsung heroes.

Tekton Design Ulfberht PMD Monitors? :music:

Bayz Audio Counterpoint :respect:

Wilson Audio Specialties

B&w 802 d3

New here. I inherited my dad's JBL 300s and his Mc system. Forgive my ignorance and lack of listening experience but are JBLs really not considered good speakers? All I inherited are 70's vintage.


Jack.

Not too surprising. Just too small of a sampling in too small of a pool.

And then there is this: - We are living in the Golden Age of audio and there are so many incredibly good speakers to choose from.

True dat! :thumbsup:

Jack... I’m a JBL fan from way back too. I currently own a minty pair of L300’s. As much as I really love them, they can’t compete with some of today’s high end offerings.

Trust me, they are simply out gunned. :sigh:

Okey-dokey, just for giggles, here's my list, NOT listed in any order

1. Pretty much any Dynaudio from Focus 140 and higher and/or later....
2. Harbeth 30.1/30.2s
3. TAD CR-1
4. Magico M2
5. DeVore 093

There's a beautiful pair of Dynaudio Sapphires on the 'gon right now. I always wanted to hear a pair of those limited editions.....for the used price those would be one hell of a value and the look spectacular too! :thumbsup:

- Buck

Yes, they would. And the Sapphires were particularly beautifully finished.

{1}Graham Audio LS5/5 Holy Grail ?.
{2}Graham Audio LS5/9F
{3}Graham Audio LS6
{4}Graham Audio LS5/9
{5}Graham Audio LS3/5

Glad SF is getting the love, so here's my list;

1. B&W 706s2
2. SF Sonetto 1 (very close)
3. Focal near entry level f/stand; a bit reedy and musky.
4. Can't remember. Monitor Audio?
5. Eeer, well I 'aint buyin' 'em.

Not very comprehensive. I have to travel a fair bit to hear the SF Sonetto 2, but I feel this will probably be ideal if I go the Naim route, and shouldn't merge too much with the warmth of my Ruark r5, or I might look for that completely different sound signature with the 706 s2; B&W are popular in blighty as they wake you up.