Top Ten Speakers of the 20th Century - Haven Poll

[Jay C]

The biggest deal-breaker for me would be I would have to get much more powerful amplifiers to drive the speakers to the levels that I would require, however, I would like to hear them at some point.

My experience with the Meadowlark Shearwaters-
I'm a simple guy, CDP into an integrated amp. I hope that doesn't diminish your opinions of my upcoming comments.
Originally I had a Cary CD-303 CDP into a Cary SLI-80 int. amp , in a tile-floored cement block room about 20x20. (Not the best size or structure. I should have gotten more shag rugs! - Ah, hindsight). But the Shearwaters, pulled out from the wall, kicked it.
Now I'm in a bigger room, ~ 30x20, (crazy as it sounds but it's actually even a bit bigger). Anyway, I'm using a Primaluna Prologue Integrated amp, 36 watts (with EL34s, which I prefer). Unfortunately, I can't let my stereo take over the room, (- GF..., as much as I'd rather listen to music than watch stuff on the big TV...) So the whole thing is placed well, basically in one corner, speakers spread around 8 ft apart, way out from the back wall - and side, with an open doorway to another room as a bass trap (and first reflection preventer) on one side and some cushy couch furniture and the rest of the huge room on the other side. I think it's the best set-up I can have in this place at this time.
But I hear ya. While these speakers are pretty efficient, I sometimes think back to the Cary amp. It ran the power tubes much more aggressively.
I currently listen in the sweet spot in a chair around 8 ft away, of course with a little table next to me for my wine glass which doesn't seem to add any bad deflections to the sound.
I can't comment on lower wattage amps though.
You should really hear the speakers somewhere with an amp that you're comfortable with.
J

 

[fiddlefye]

I'm going to throw the MM de Capos into the ring as well. They've been in production nearly four decades now, just keep getting better and better and I think have been pretty influential in terms of design.

 

[Audionut]

How about Winston Churchill Or JFK?

 

[Thermionics]

My experience with the Meadowlark Shearwaters-
I'm a simple guy, CDP into an integrated amp. I hope that doesn't diminish your opinions of my upcoming comments.
Originally I had a Cary CD-303 CDP into a Cary SLI-80 int. amp , in a tile-floored cement block room about 20x20. (Not the best size or structure. I should have gotten more shag rugs! - Ah, hindsight). But the Shearwaters, pulled out from the wall, kicked it.
Now I'm in a bigger room, ~ 30x20, (crazy as it sounds but it's actually even a bit bigger). Anyway, I'm using a Primaluna Prologue Integrated amp, 36 watts (with EL34s, which I prefer). Unfortunately, I can't let my stereo take over the room, (- GF..., as much as I'd rather listen to music than watch stuff on the big TV...) So the whole thing is placed well, basically in one corner, speakers spread around 8 ft apart, way out from the back wall - and side, with an open doorway to another room as a bass trap (and first reflection preventer) on one side and some cushy couch furniture and the rest of the huge room on the other side. I think it's the best set-up I can have in this place at this time.
But I hear ya. While these speakers are pretty efficient, I sometimes think back to the Cary amp. It ran the power tubes much more aggressively.
I currently listen in the sweet spot in a chair around 8 ft away, of course with a little table next to me for my wine glass which doesn't seem to add any bad deflections to the sound.
I can't comment on lower wattage amps though.
You should really hear the speakers somewhere with an amp that you're comfortable with.
J

My go-to upstairs is a pair of 12WPC triode-strapped EL34 Williamson monoblocks driving 101dB@1W/m Altecs. I think the most powerful amp I have is an Adcom GCA-510 integrated which is used in my home office. I'm definitely a bit underpowered for something that's 88dB@1W/m, so probably not ideal for my purposes.

That being said, I'd still like to hear the Shearwaters.

 

[fiddlefye]

My go-to upstairs is a pair of 12WPC triode-strapped EL34 Williamson monoblocks driving 101dB@1W/m Altecs. I think the most powerful amp I have is an Adcom GCA-510 integrated which is used in my home office. I'm definitely a bit underpowered for something that's 88dB@1W/m, so probably not ideal for my purposes.

That being said, I'd still like to hear the Shearwaters.

I grew up listening to a Williamson - mono, no "blocks" about it. My father built it back in the 40s...

 

[Thermionics]

I grew up listening to a Williamson - mono, no "blocks" about it. My father built it back in the 40s...

These are the W4-AM monoblocks that Dave Gillespie helped me (via email / AK PMs) rebuild / restore. They're amazing amps.

 

[Richard Austen]

Audio Note E baby (J and K as runner-ups). ~40 years and counting

 

[prime minister]

My go-to upstairs is a pair of 12WPC triode-strapped EL34 Williamson monoblocks driving 101dB@1W/m Altecs. I think the most powerful amp I have is an Adcom GCA-510 integrated which is used in my home office. I'm definitely a bit underpowered for something that's 88dB@1W/m, so probably not ideal for my purposes.

That being said, I'd still like to hear the Shearwaters.

I’ve ran them with 16 tube watts a side. Sounded lovely.

 

[Zen Cafe]

JMTC YMMV...based only on personal taste and adequate listening time (lots I haven't heard)...based on cost in three price categories..based on sound not how classic a speaker is.

Cost no Object..
MBL 101s, Vandersteen Model 7 w/ subs, Westlake BBSM 10, Infinity IRS etc.

Possible to own..
Vandersteen Signature 3A, VonSchweikert VR5SE (or current iteration?), QLM (forgot the model), Klipschorns

Very possible to own..
a/d/s 910, ESS rock monitors, KLH 5s

 

[prime minister]

To clarify, when I ran the Shearwaters with tubes, and low watt ones at that, the lovely highs and mids were fully present. There was also a decent amount of bass. You’d not think anything was missing, if you only heard them this way. What moving to a bigger, more powerful amp gets you is a step up in dynamics, and you gain the unreal amount of bass that these beasts can produce. The two best combinations were the Exposure stack, and even better, the 50 watt per channel KT90 powered Graaf. It’s perfection.

 

[Thermionics]

To clarify, when I ran the Shearwaters with tubes, and low watt ones at that, the lovely highs and mids were fully present. There was also a decent amount of bass. You’d not think anything was missing, if you only heard them this way. What moving to a bigger, more powerful gets you is a step up in dynamics, and you gain the unreal amount of bass that these beasts can produce. The two best combinations were the Exposure stack, and even better, the 50 watt per channel KT90 powered Graaf. It’s perfection.

I ran the math, and that would allow for ~ 97dB peaks at max power on the Williamsons. Still not gonna kick the Altecs to the curb (they tick all the right boxes), but am still going to watch for an opportunity to audition some Shearwaters so I know what I'm missing.

 

[prime minister]

I ran the math, and that would allow for ~ 97dB peaks at max power on the Williamsons. Still not gonna kick the Altecs to the curb (they tick all the right boxes), but am still going to watch for an opportunity to audition some Shearwaters so I know what I'm missing.

The nice nice thing about the Shearwaters is that they are a pretty easy load. No funky things happening with weird impedence drops or anything. So a lot of tube amps that you don’t think would work with them, seem pretty content.

 

[Thermionics]

The nice nice thing about the Shearwaters is that they are a pretty easy load. No funky things happening with weird impedence drops or anything. So a lot of tube amps that you don’t think would work with them, seem pretty content.

Good point. My concern is that sometimes (with the kind of music I listen to), 97dB isn't quite loud enough. One can't play hardcore punk, for example, at low volumes.

 

[Deli]

I think you should buy them, try them, then give them to me. We’ll both be happy. 🤡

 

[mhardy6647]

Those meadowlark sound amazing. The description almost reminded me of (not from the 20th century, or is it? I am not too sure) Winslow Burhoe's Slient speakers.

They even look a little Burhoe-y, in fact!

 

[GaryB]

I'm going to throw the MM de Capos into the ring as well.

I'm a fan of speakers that play nice with low power single ended amps, so the Ref 3A mm de capos fit the bill. I'd add the Proac Response 2 to the mix as also fitting that description.

 

[Drugolf]

Altec A7? Pretty influential. Maybe go with the Model 19.

 

[kirk57]

In the same vein as the Dynaco A-25 I'd nominate the Advent and Smaller Advent, as these low-cost speakers allowed so may people to get really good sound at home, using amps and receivers that people could afford.

 

[gilmorneau]

Great 20th century speakers I have owned and loved, or still do (in no particular order):

RCA LC-1A. Just beautiful. Try 'em with transformer coupled Push-Pull 2A3 and go straight to heaven. Sadly, not all samples age well.
RCA MI-4410/MI-4411. 8" full range. Crazy rare, fragile as hell, but completely amazing. In a side-by-side A/B they gave no ground to 755A's.
Western Electric 755A. Legendary--for good reason. I had mine in original WECo-built 2 cu.ft. cabinets, which is the way to go.
Lowther PM6A. Only the old ones with folded-over main cone perimeter and ticonal magnets are worthy IMO. Vintage standard Acousta cabinets. Beguiling with proper amplification and the right music in the right room.
Lansing Iconic. Better than any version of the 604/605.
Quad ESL 57. Get the Quad II amps for them and forget about all the fads. They'll need to throw these into my grave with me when I die.
Klipschorn. These don't sound anywhere near as nice to me as some others on this list, but they have remarkable dynamics. Their flaws can be tolerated with proper amplification and some tweaking.
Altec Voice of the Theater. These are best in larger rooms IME. Not all versions created equal, and I can't recommend any of the ones with cast 811 or 511 horns. I favor the A5, with 515, 288 and 1505 horns, tweaked to taste; or that rare bird, the 800 system, with 803A, 802B, and tar-filled H-808 horns. And for sure, add the "wings".
Western Electric 757A. The only speaker in this post that I never owned. Sure sounded good at RMAF, though.
I did have some KS-12027 horns here for a while, and while they were initially enticing, after a while I couldn't shake the feeling that they were putting on a special effects show.
Tannoy Red. These sounded good, but I never really had proper cabinets for them. I expect they have more potential than I was able to exploit. Silvers should be at least as good, if not better. Golds and newer don't interest me.
Western Electric 753C. Real good sound, and damn, they're soooo pretty!

 

[Audionut]

Great 20th century speakers I have owned and loved, or still do (in no particular order):

RCA LC-1A. Just beautiful. Try 'em with transformer coupled Push-Pull 2A3 and go straight to heaven. Sadly, not all samples age well.
RCA MI-4410/MI-4411. 8" full range. Crazy rare, fragile as hell, but completely amazing. In a side-by-side A/B they gave no ground to 755A's.
Western Electric 755A. Legendary--for good reason. I had mine in original WECo-built 2 cu.ft. cabinets, which is the way to go.
Lowther PM6A. Only the old ones with folded-over main cone perimeter and ticonal magnets are worthy IMO. Vintage standard Acousta cabinets. Beguiling with proper amplification and the right music in the right room.
Lansing Iconic. Better than any version of the 604/605.
Quad ESL 57. Get the Quad II amps for them and forget about all the fads. They'll need to throw these into my grave with me when I die.
Klipschorn. These don't sound anywhere near as nice to me as some others on this list, but they have remarkable dynamics. Their flaws can be tolerated with proper amplification and some tweaking.
Altec Voice of the Theater. These are best in larger rooms IME. Not all versions created equal, and I can't recommend any of the ones with cast 811 or 511 horns. I favor the A5, with 515, 288 and 1505 horns, tweaked to taste; or that rare bird, the 800 system, with 803A, 802B, and tar-filled H-808 horns. And for sure, add the "wings".
Western Electric 757A. The only speaker in this post that I never owned. Sure sounded good at RMAF, though.
I did have some KS-12027 horns here for a while, and while they were initially enticing, after a while I couldn't shake the feeling that they were putting on a special effects show.
Tannoy Red. These sounded good, but I never really had proper cabinets for them. I expect they have more potential than I was able to exploit. Silvers should be at least as good, if not better. Golds and newer don't interest me.
Western Electric 753C. Real good sound, and damn, they're soooo pretty!

Ooff! Reads like Murderers’ row! You sir have lived a good audio life.