I’d forgotten about ES11s, I would have to add them as well. Very communicative midrange.
Everyone should hear Isobariks at least once in their lifetime. My DBL’s are out of action due to re-foaming the bass units, so I have my original Briks attached to my 500. The shear sense of scale they can achieve is just breathtaking. I’m use to hearing them with 135’s but a 500 takes them to another level. Listening last night every track was a musical adventure. Yes, DBL’s do a lot of things better but Briks really can communicate the musical content very very well. Simply wow!
For me it’s my current speakers Kudos 505. Bigger is not always better and the ability to place them almost anywhere and they still sound extraordinary is an important requirement for me. Terrific tonal quality, soundstage is more then I ever expected, they make me react physically to the sound, just very “realistic” in their presentation.
I had two great moments with speakers :
1 - The first time was a long time ago with JMR Concorde powered by Naim 500 series electronics and especially the CD555.
It was really amazing!
2 - The second time was when I heard the Magico M2 for the first time.
I thought to myself when I heard them: this just can’t be!!!
The first time I listened to active (with 135 power amps) Linn Isobariks was a true “wow” moment.
I’d never heard anything like it.
My NBL’s were another “wow” moment and continue to be.
I only heard DBL’s once but found them a bit overwhelming, I suspect less than optimal setting/setup or placement or room treatment but they didn’t do it for me at the time.
The next “wow” moment was Kudos Titan 808 speakers on the end of Naim Statement. Wow.
I don’t go out of my way to hear different speakers, but the 505’s would certainly be on my -very- shortlist if I did.
I just remembered the first time I heard Linn Kans.
The track played was “We Close Our Eyes (Total overhand mix)” which is the Uk 12” mix, and I could not believe the dynamics, clarity and excitement and sheer joy, plus, where was that deep bass coming from?
I was gobsmacked and bought a pair soon after to go on the end of my 72 and 140.
Simply put it was the ATC SCM40 speakers at Bristol HiFi Show. They have this instant display of music out of nowhere and the bass was simply on the money subterranean. They do things which I missed in hearing more expensive ported speakers and they bring this live feeling to the hearing space…
Good point, as my two wow moments were a record player built into a tape deck from the 80s playing the U2 War album where the drums sounded incredible. The other moment was listening to When the levee breaks for the first time at full blast in a pub. I’m sure both systems wouldn’t cut it for long sessions, and I was probably initially impressed due to the loudness. When I get in the car, it sounds great for the first 30 mins. However, I want to turn it off by the journey’s end due to listening fatigue. Whilst my system, I can listen for hours at a time and don’t want to stop.
Good Evening All,
Those who have observed any of my posts elsewhere will know I’m a great believer in Linn Isobariks, including the modified pair I now run.
Very recently I had a wow moment when I demo’d a single stereo amplifier and had to drag a pair of Sara9’s, I bought some time ago, into the Hi-Fi Room and had listened to “properly” and it was definitely a “wow” moment. It was partly down to the amplifier but one of my immediate reactions is that these speakers had no reason to sound that good.
Regards
Richard
Last year I went to a hi-fi fair where I heard all kinds of speakers and systems, but where one in particular did leave an impression. It was a Steinway Lyngdorf Model O with matching subs and electronics. After hearing it I thought, this kind of system would be all I’d ever need. And I was surprised when I found out about the price, and that it wasn’t outlandish. Expensive to be clear, but not even close to 6 figures. The complete package just seemed right, beautiful to look at, reasonable size, and most importantly just terrific SQ. End game, way out of reach for me, but maybe one day…
I guess the memories and impressions at the fair also helped to shortly after audition the speaker I would ultimately get. Had heard the Dynaudio C20s there and went to the dealer to have an own session with them as reference (also out of reach), the Heritage Special and Special 40s. The HS definitely left a wow impression and I literally had tears in my eyes in some of the tracks. I think there is hardly a better way to find out whether you’ve found what you were looking for. And when you just keep on wanting to listen to just one more track…
Boring answer since I try not to listen/demo speakers I can’t afford but for me it’s the Spendor D7.2. I was shocked/wowed when I demoed them against the SCM40’s. I just assumed I’d go for the 40’s but the bass was out of balance. It overshadowed the more honest mids/highs.
The Spendors also wowed me on how bad they sounded the first 3-4 months. I had serious buyers remorse until they finally broke-in.
My current speakers Dynaudio Contour s3.4 have been with me about 4 years now and they are my end game speakers they do need a fair bit of power, took me a couple of years to find the right set up and also needed some Isoacoustic Gaia II feet to cure a bit of boom caused by my suspended wooden floor but they are just lovely now.
Lovely. Used up all the Likes at 20, but count me in that column. sc
When I listened to the original Sonus Faber Amati, driven by Audio Research electronics, I knew that these were the speakers I wanted to marry! Alas I never actually did. They are, of course, old ladies now - but I still would!
My wow speakers these days would be MBL 101E
When I first heard these in 2006 (I think it was) paired with an LP-12 (no idea what specs) into a Naim 552/500 I was absolutely smitten. I started my Naim journey that day with a 202/200 and haven’t looked back. Never acquired those speakers but would love to pick up someday to have a listen in my own home.
Linn Kan in the early 80s started the journey for me. In the late 80s a dealer demo of the rare Swedish speaker Respons Grand D blew me away. Linn Akurate 242 was demoed and Instantly bought and had for may years. Kaiser Kawero at a hifi show was also amazing. Lately a friend demoed his YG Sonia which was also extraordinary when it comes to dynamics and transparency (with Gryphon electronics).