Favorite Two Way Speakers

**Mike** · May 15, 2016, 07:53 AM

http://www.soundstageaccess.com/inde...y-loudspeakers

**Zero** · May 15, 2016, 09:43 AM

Was with him until he claimed that the KEFLS50 is untouchable for the price.

**Randy Myers** · May 15, 2016, 10:23 AM

I thought the article was a very good read. $20k for a two way... ouch... but sure they are great. I 100% agree with him on the LS50s. Absolutely love mine! Pair with a little REL sub... very nice combo...

**Mike** · May 15, 2016, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Zero

Was with him until he claimed that the KEFLS50 is untouchable for the price.

Interesting...not a fan?

I've heard them demoed many times. Could never figure out what the fuss was about (sorry Randy). The $599 ELAC's spank them. When you have manufacturers standing up at an Andrew Jones demo with a room full of people and saying, "Andrew my friend, when can I get a pair?" - you know they are good for $599!

As for KEF, I like the Blade 2's with Parasound JC1's!!!! With the Bel Canto stack, they sounded less than desirable.

As for the Magico S1 mk2's...I absolute love them. Again, something magical about a great two way. I've had more positive comments after listening sessions about the S1 mk2's than any speaker in recent history.

Mike

**Randy Myers** · May 15, 2016, 11:10 AM

Not a worry Mike... when any piece of equipment gets as much press as the LS50's there are bound to be a lot of people coming down on both sides, so to speak. I have heard LS50's not sound their best (really bad room acoustics) at a recent club meeting. And I have heard them sounding pretty dam good! I think I would be hard press to find a speaker in their price range that I would like better in my room situation.

I know the ELAC have some very nice reviews (TAS loved them). TAS also gives the LS50 an Editor's Choice award. If I had the opportunity to listen to them against my LS50's I would take it. Unfortunately that is not possible...

I know the Blade 2's were displayed with W4S at RMAF and the combo was very well received. EJ liked the sound with KEF so much that he purchased a pair of Reference 3's to use in his demos. These should be with him at Newport. I had an opportunity to listen to them in W4S test sound room and they are fantastic!

I would love the Magico, however $20k in not in the cards now. And honestly, if I were able to go that level I believe I would pick up a pair of KEF References and call it a day. I guess I am just loyal when I find something I really like. KEF grabbed me back in the 1980's and won me over

....

**Zero** · May 15, 2016, 01:50 PM

Just wanted to chime in a clarify a few things:

To be perfectly clear, I have zero issues with the KEF LS50's. What I *do* have problem with is the reviewer claiming that there is nothing else in the entire world that can 'touch' the LS50 at the $1,500 USD price-point. Subjectivity aside, that statement is so ridiculous that it nearly boggles my mind. Maybe I simply expect more from the guys and gals who take it upon themselves to serve as a hi-fi scribe.

As for the Magicos.. I recall telling Mike that the S1's were, by far, my favorite Magico speaker within the lineup. I haven't heard the new and improved S1's, but I have no doubts that some inappropriate things would happen if I were left alone in a room with em'.

**Mivera Audio** · May 15, 2016, 02:01 PM

I have a client with those and he loves them. I think they would be very hard to beat for a 2 way floor stander.

mauidan · May 15, 2016, 05:03 PM

Volent V2s on custom stand:

**KeithR** · May 15, 2016, 08:29 PM

The Dynaudio C1 has always been a fantastic 2-way with bass that's hard to believe for the category.

**jdandy** · May 16, 2016, 12:03 PM

The best 2-way speaker I ever owned was the Sonus faber Guarneri Memento. Remarkable speakers and true magicians at the disappearing act. When I added the Bryston 10B Sub active crossover and a pair of McIntosh XLS112 powered subwoofers the combination was fabulous. I would still own that set up if the SF Amati Anniversario's had not presented themselves at a great price.

**Mike** · May 16, 2016, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by Double-D

The best 2-way speaker I ever owned was the Sonus faber Guarneri Memento. Remarkable speakers and true magicians at the disappearing act. When I added the Bryston 10B Sub active crossover and a pair of McIntosh XLS112 powered subwoofers the combination was fabulous. I would still own that set up if the SF Amati Anniversario's had not presented themselves at a great price.

I bet they were wonderful sounding with the 275!

**a.wayne** · May 16, 2016, 12:23 PM

I was a big fan of the Electa amators ...

http://www.stereophile.com/standloud...47s4L4G4Px2.97

**jdandy** · May 16, 2016, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I bet they were wonderful sounding with the 275!

Mike.......I actually drove the GM's with two MC275's in mono. You just can't see the other amp on the bottom shelf of the rack but you can see the bridging jumpers on the top amp (black and blue Kimber). By using the Bryston 10B Sub active crossover and the XLS112 subwoofers I was able to free the Guarneri Memento's from trying to reproduce the lowest octave. This improved the lower midrange clarity and dynamics on the GM's and gave me the deep robust bass the GM's weren't able to deliver. I am not saying the Guarneri Memento's don't have decent bass because they do, but they begin to roll off at about 45Hz fairly rapidly and the subs picked up the bottom very nicely. The Sonus faber Guarneri Memento's literally disappear when reproducing music. They are astonishingly good 2-way speakers.

**Mike** · May 16, 2016, 01:18 PM

I actually owned a pair, and I agree! The old master built some incredible speakers. Not sure I'm a big fan of the new SF sound. Franco knew how to build a great speaker.

**jdandy** · May 16, 2016, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I actually owned a pair, and I agree! The old master built some incredible speakers. Not sure I'm a big fan of the new SF sound. Franco knew how to build a great speaker.

I agree with you about Franco Serblin's contributions to creating the speakers he made famous. The new Sonus faber direction is exactly why I did not consider the SF Futura as a viable upgrade to my Amati Anniversario's. The Sonus faber Amati Anniversario's are spectacular.

I don't want to hi-jack the topic since we are actually addressing the best 2-way speakers.

**jdandy** · May 16, 2016, 03:13 PM

Here is another 2-way speaker that is unbelievably good, especially when you consider its price. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers designed by Andrew Jones. They feature a 4" mid-bass driver in a ported cabinet and a 1" soft dome tweeter. The cabinet's side panels are tapered to the rear where the port is installed along with a decent pair of threaded metal terminal posts that will accept spade terminals or bare wire. Each speaker weighs just over 9 lbs.

I have a pair of the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers in my workshop and they are impressive. The bottom end is rich in texture despite its inability to reproduce frequencies much below about 48Hz. The transition between the mid-bass driver and the soft dome tweeter is very smooth and the mid range and above is exciting and clean. I added a Dayton 10" powered subwoofer and adjusting its crossover to 50Hz filled in the bottom octave in a pleasant manner that extends the overall performance to near full range. Even though the SP-BS22-LR's are rated 85dB/1w/1m with a 6 ohms impedance, my NAD 710 receiver in the shop is able to drive them effortlessly to an enjoyable volume level with power to spare. The real shocker is these small speakers are only $129.00 a pair. They perform well beyond that price point. I consider these speakers an excellent purchase, a tremendous value at a ridiculously low price. My vintage shop sound system has never sounded better.

**bzr** · May 16, 2016, 04:41 PM

Dan, top right shelf, what amp are they for? I totally agree with you about a properly integrated stand-mount & sub system, there is something "just right"about it.

**jdandy** · May 16, 2016, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by bzr

Dan, top right shelf, what amp are they for? I totally agree with you about a properly integrated stand-mount & sub system, there is something "just right"about it.

Kev.......I am drawing a blank. Which photo are you referring to? If you are asking about the MC275 amps, each is set up for mono operation at 150 watts per channel and each amp is dedicated to either the left or right channel Guarneri Memento.

**bzr** · May 16, 2016, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Double-D

Here is another 2-way speaker that is unbelievably good, especially when you consider its price. The Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers designed by Andrew Jones. They feature a 4" mid-bass driver in a ported cabinet and a 1" soft dome tweeter. The cabinet's side panels are tapered to the rear where the port is installed along with a decent pair of threaded metal terminal posts that will accept spade terminals or bare wire. Each speaker weighs just over 9 lbs.

I have a pair of the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR speakers in my workshop and they are impressive. The bottom end is rich in texture despite its inability to reproduce frequencies much below about 48Hz. The transition between the mid-bass driver and the soft dome tweeter is very smooth and the mid range and above is exciting and clean. I added a Dayton 10" powered subwoofer and adjusting its crossover to 50Hz filled in the bottom octave in a pleasant manner that extends the overall performance to near full range. Even though the SP-BS22-LR's are rated 85dB/1w/1m with a 6 ohms impedance, my NAD 710 receiver in the shop is able to drive them effortlessly to an enjoyable volume level with power to spare. The real shocker is these small speakers are only $129.00 a pair. They perform well beyond that price point. I consider these speakers an excellent purchase, a tremendous value at a ridiculously low price. My vintage shop sound system has never sounded better.

**jdandy** · May 16, 2016, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by bzr

Kev.......Doh! I get it now. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

**jdandy** · May 17, 2016, 12:05 AM

These two way speakers were part of my first high-end sound system back in 1968. The Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater speakers were ugly but my pair of McIntosh MC30 mono tube amps could make these speakers rock the house, literally. They were 16 ohm speakers with a 104dB sensitivity. That old San Francisco Victorian house with high ceilings and large rooms was perfect for the big Altec's. There was eight of us living in that house at the time and that sound system was constantly playing.

This is a stock photo. My Altec's had green horns and compression drivers.

**Mike** · May 17, 2016, 07:17 AM

http://www.cnet.com/products/elac-uni-fi-ub5/

**FlexibleAudio** · May 17, 2016, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Double-D

These two way speakers were part of my first high-end sound system back in 1968. The Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater speakers were ugly but my pair of McIntosh MC30 mono tube amps could make these speakers rock the house, literally. They were 16 ohm speakers with a 104dB sensitivity. That old San Francisco Victorian house with high ceilings and large rooms was perfect for the big Altec's. There was eight of us living in that house at the time and that sound system was constantly playing.

This is a stock photo. My Altec's had green horns and compression drivers.

Holy crap living in the shadows of the Summer of love. Forget the speakers, everything was two-way then. Wish I was there!!!!!!

**Randy Myers** · May 17, 2016, 11:17 AM

Holy crap... my ears are bleeding just looking at the picture....

Originally Posted by Double-D

These two way speakers were part of my first high-end sound system back in 1968. The Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater speakers were ugly but my pair of McIntosh MC30 mono tube amps could make these speakers rock the house, literally. They were 16 ohm speakers with a 104dB sensitivity. That old San Francisco Victorian house with high ceilings and large rooms was perfect for the big Altec's. There was eight of us living in that house at the time and that sound system was constantly playing.

This is a stock photo. My Altec's had green horns and compression drivers.

**Elberoth** · May 17, 2016, 02:58 PM

My fav 2-ways, in no particular order:

ATC SCM-11
Harbeth P3ESR
Raidho D-1
Sonus Faber Electa Amator mk I
Sonus Faber Guarnieri Homage
Blumenhofer FS-3
ProAc Studio 100
ProAc Response 2 & 2.5
EPOS ES-14

Never developed a liking for the KEF LS50.

**cyclopse** · May 17, 2016, 03:26 PM

Don't forget Raidho C1.1 or D1/D1.1.

**jdandy** · May 17, 2016, 03:27 PM

The large Advent speakers were a decent 2-way. I had a pair of them, then bought a second pair to stack on top of the original pair and wired in parallel. I remember the sound as being darn good.

**jdandy** · May 17, 2016, 03:38 PM

Another pair of two way speakers I owned were Altec Lansing Valencia speakers. Quite similar to the Altec Lansing Voice of the Theater but in a good looking furniture grade cabinet. I owned these for eight years and drove them with my original McIntosh MA230 integrated amplifier. Sold them in 1981 and still miss them.

**MikeCh** · May 17, 2016, 04:10 PM

A couple of my favorites are...

Canton Vento Ref 9DC: (still have these)

B&W 805 Matrix: (unbelievable bass and impact for their size and need lots of power to hear them best)

**Randy Myers** · May 17, 2016, 04:40 PM

My favorite 2-ways.... had a pair of these for years!!!! KEF Reference 104aB.

**Randy Myers** · May 17, 2016, 04:43 PM

And of course

....

**Zero** · May 17, 2016, 04:45 PM

I'm pretty fond of these two (relatively) affordable two-ways!

**Randy Myers** · May 17, 2016, 04:50 PM

I had some of these Advents for a while. Pretty darn good!

Originally Posted by Double-D

The large Advent speakers were a decent 2-way. I had a pair of them, then bought a second pair to stack on top of the original pair and wired in parallel. I remember the sound as being darn good.

**Paul** · May 17, 2016, 04:54 PM

Love my Rogers LS3/5a

And DeVore O/96

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**MikeCh** · May 17, 2016, 04:57 PM

Paul, you reminded me....a pair of Rogers LS2's that I re-veneered in African Mahogany and then sold (like a dummy). Man they were sweet:

**Randy Myers** · May 17, 2016, 05:03 PM

Ahh.... the Rogers, one of several using the KEF drivers...

I read that KEF has said that they decided to make their 50th anniversary model a studio monitor in homage to the LS3/5a.... (the LS50)...

I noticed someone selling both Rogers and Chartwell versions, claiming virtually brand new condition for $5500... for either....

Originally Posted by Paul

Love my Rogers LS3/5a

**Randy Myers** · May 26, 2016, 01:34 AM

Ok, I have another one to add.... I am borrowing these from a friend (he may not get them back)

Music Culture RL21 by Wolfgang Meletzky, the original designer and owner of MBL... after he sold MBL he started Music Culture....

So far pretty amazing sounding speakers....

**joeinid** · May 26, 2016, 01:50 AM

Very cool Randy. I love the looks. Their website shows some awesome looking gear. I bet it sounds great too.

**Randy Myers** · May 26, 2016, 01:59 AM

They are already growing on me.... dam Wolfgang knows his stuff...

**Jim Smith** · May 26, 2016, 11:25 AM

Tannoy Canterburys:

**MDP** · May 26, 2016, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Tannoy Canterburys:

And it sounds even better than it looks...........

**bzr** · May 26, 2016, 04:55 PM

Then it must sound sensational!!

Thread: Favorite Two Way Speakers

Favorite Two Way Speakers

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