Result of name your top 5 speakers

[4N6]

Originally Posted by Macspur

Very interesting, but a bit surprised Harbeth weren't ranked higher...

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.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by greekgod

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.

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.

[audiolover]

Originally Posted by Douglas

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.

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.

[bigblue]

Originally Posted by greekgod

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.

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

[bart]

Originally Posted by bigblue

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

You're a wise man!!

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

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.

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.

[audiolover]

Originally Posted by Bombadil

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.

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.

[kingm88]

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

[audiolover]

Originally Posted by kingm88

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.

[phishphan]

Originally Posted by audiolover82

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.

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