Best 2way Speakers you have owned

[Ronnie T]

I still own some and others have moved on. Signet SL280's, Camber 3.0ti's, Mission Cyrus 781, EPI M60, EPI 140c, Vienna Acoustics Haydn's, Jamo c603, Jamo 407a, Canton Plus S, Morel MLP 203, Kef RDM 2, Spendor 2020, ESS PS-420, KLH Model 23(they're huge)and Sound Dynamics 6S. Only can't find pics.of Cantons and Signets. If anyone has questions about any of these models feel free to ask.

 

[Route 66]

For me, it's the two I currently own, a pair of Harbeth P3ESR XD and a pair of Audience Clairaudient 1+1 V5. I'm in love with both of them.

 

[tgmartin]

Odd set of KLH 23s with mismatched tweets in the first pic. Do you notice much of a difference between the assumed real 5, 12, 23 type on the left and the 24, 26 type on the right? I say "assumed" because I guess it could be a 6, 17, 20 type. Nearly impossible to tell from the front unless you can see the "M-12" impression in the basket.
I wondered what that 24, 26 type would sound like with a larger woofer.
EDIT: Actually, rather than a 22/24/26 tweeter, it looks like a Model 5 Mid Range sometimes referred to as a "12.5" driver. It was also used as Full Range in Models 11, 14, 19 and others.

 

[spicer]

Altec 19s.

 

[tadawson]

EV Sentry V

 

[tgmartin]

I don't know that they're the BEST but I still love Dynaco A25s. Like an old pair of Levis 501s ...

 

[grindstone]

@Ronnie T if you feel like it, talk some more. Maybe you had several of these pairs simultaneously and took notes? Not trolling, just Interested in your impressions. Shootouts, in your own house, basically. Probably most of us here at AK did similar at various times.

How have your hearing/preferences evolved by owning them, how they differed -- in whatever detail you can make time / effort to post. Please add non-functional/sidebar domestic-approval-stuff, what size room, what material...whatever you feel like posting. For the record, none of these are anything remotely similar to areas of personal focus -- not a slam, I just sort of start at 95dB/W baseline these years 2-pi space.

But you can get smooth and coherent-ish and a lot of Other Things. Are those enough, do you seek more/other? What's missing and what's exemplary?

 

[Apreggiator]

Dualconcentrics are not everyone's cuppa and there are prettier models from the same manufacturer, but the best 2 way I've owned is the Tannoy 609. Much prefer them over the 611 I've also had. The 609's have a (nice) wide soundstage, and great presence across the frequency range for any kind of music. They had to make way for a 3-way sibling in the end.

 

[Apreggiator]

I still own some and others have moved on. Signet SL280's, Camber 3.0ti's, Mission Cyrus 781, EPI M60, EPI 140c, Vienna Acoustics Haydn's, Jamo c603, Jamo 407a, Canton Plus S, Morel MLP 203, Kef RDM 2, Spendor 2020, ESS PS-420, KLH Model 23(they're huge)and Sound Dynamics 6S. Only can't find pics.of Cantons and Signets. If anyone has questions about any of these models feel free to ask.

Which are your favorites?

 

[knotscott]

Merlin 2B, Sterling Acoustics ST-20, Energy Pro 22, Mission 770

 

[tgmartin]

Hey, RonnieT! I was asking about the KLH Model 23s in your first photo line-up and still very curious about the Model 24, 26 tweeter in the right hand cabinet. This tweeter has an open back, not sealed like the one on the left. Intended use in 24 and 26 has a sealed "can" or "cup" installed in the cabinet behind the tweeter isolating it and keeping air pressure from the woofer from pushing on it. Was anything like that done in your install? I've always wanted a pair of 23s ...
EDIT: Again, rather than a 22/24/26 tweeter, it looks like a Model 5 Mid or 11/14/19 Full Range. The basket on these is also open back so same thing about air pressure ... The Model 5 had separate internal boxes for these drivers.

 

[Roadrash]

By far the best two way I've ever owned are the Sonab OA-12.

 

[KeithTr]

I still own some and others have moved on. Signet SL280's, Camber 3.0ti's, Mission Cyrus 781, EPI M60, EPI 140c, Vienna Acoustics Haydn's, Jamo c603, Jamo 407a, Canton Plus S, Morel MLP 203, Kef RDM 2, Spendor 2020, ESS PS-420, KLH Model 23(they're huge)and Sound Dynamics 6S. Only can't find pics.of Cantons and Signets. If anyone has questions about any of these models feel free to ask.

Got to be the KLH Model 6 pair I purchased as a teen in the early 1970s. Recapped, repaired, refinished, restored. I've had other 2-ways, but the 6s are by far my sentimental favorite. My current main favorite are custom 2-way open baffles I built loosely based on the Duet design, but all original from measurements to crossover.

 

[Ronnie T]

Odd set of KLH 23s with mismatched tweets in the first pic. Do you notice much of a difference between the assumed real 5, 12, 23 type on the left and the 24, 26 type on the right? I say "assumed" because I guess it could be a 6, 17, 20 type. Nearly impossible to tell from the front unless you can see the "M-12" impression in the basket.
I wondered what that 24, 26 type would sound like with a larger woofer.

I assumed they are the same except the one has the metal screen. They look the same. It's damped with some kind I adhesive and the metal grill. Not much difference of at all. Soundstage sounds even. Highs/mids sound even. I'm actually selling them. Woofers have been treated. Caps may have been changed in the past. Tweeter control still works flawlessly. They sound great. Better then anyone would expect with the old school tweeters. Warm and musical. Killer lows. Fantastic jazz speakers and Classic rock. I'm in Delaware. Got.them priced to sell. I will inspect closer on the tweeters.

 

[Ronnie T]

Which are your favorites?

Shew it's hard to pick a favorite. Good/great quality speakers are just that all great. The vintage speakers have a nice natural sound. The EPI M60 in a probably my favorite if I had to pick right now. The ESS, Morels, Spendors, and Kefs I haven't had enough time with yet. I think the Morels are probably the best speaker I've owned to date. Just the drivers in them can't be beat. Phenomenal drivers. Speakers are so subjective though. I'm trying to only keep 5 at a time at the most so I'm trying to think the heard a little. Been on a mission to own better and better speakers and I'm getting there. Probably going to sell the klh model 23's, kef rdm 2 depending how they test, Clements Response ii's, Jamo c809s(already for.sale), and possibly the Spendors. I haven't even got.a chance to test them for 10min. I'm also purchasing a 2nd pair of the Morel MLP 203's which I can't believe I found 2 pair in the same day as rare as they are. The brothers from Morel were at odds at that time and one was releasing stuff with Israel made on the back and one was releasing them like mine with Brookline, MA made on the back. They don't even have serial #'s. I don't think they made many pair. Especially the 203. The 403 are even better being a 3 way with the big midrange. Has to be one of the best speakers ever made.

 

[RaulSeixas60]

1) Dynaudio Confidence Three
2) ALTEC Model Nineteen

 

[SaturationPt]

Ranked:
1) JBL 4367
2) ESS AMT Monitor
3) ALTEC Model Nineteen

 

[kmagnuss]

I haven't owned many 2 ways... but New Large Advents with BSC were/are the best that I have owned.
Polk Monitor 10A would come in second (for me).

 

[trinhsman]

I know I’ve posted these before. Started out as Snell E II’s. Fast forward to custom Baltic birch cabinets made to exact dimensions. Swapping out Snell drivers to Audio Note drivers. Finally a custom crossover matched to the original E II specs built by AK member and crossover savant @GordonW.
How do they sound? I’d put them up against anything in the 5,000 dollar range.

 

[onanysunday]

Even though they're active and not passive speakers, Sonus faber Duetto.