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Best midrange ever? Worst?!

Heil AMT in a 3 way system

IMHO the AMT Heil, when mated with a mid bass/midrange driver has both the most detailed, AND tonally accurate )these are mutually exclusive) midrange response I have heard over the years, and the imaging is outstanding.
At least with the stock AMT3 crossover configuration, the Eminence Alpha 6A seems to be the best driver suited for this job-unless you have the stock driver of course, but after extensive listening, I think the Alpha may have a 1/2 a step up over the stock 6" driver. Clean and clear sound, and a very smooth response in the range used by the AMT3 crossover, and a bargain price wise.
My second choice would be the Audax PR170MO, in a more tradition 3 way high efficiency system, with the proper crossover design.
I would also have to add Magnepan's, when properly driven by the right equipment, they are right up there with AMT Heils IMHO.
Although their limited sweet spot, and imaging qualities make them more difficult to get a handle on, as well as their relatively low efficiency.
 
IMHO panels..its a tough call...Martin Logans or Sanders. If I were to pick a cone...think Orion ie: Seas W22.:thmbsp:
 
JBL L36, just about any 15 in. vintage Tannoy, large, dual-cone (so-called)full-range speakers with "whizzers."
 
Best midrange I have heard is in my DIY four way active amplified stereo system. It is a combination between a pair of Eminence Delta PRO 12A Midbass and a pair of Altec 811B horns with Eminence PSD2002S-8 compression drivers. I chose the Altec horns based on the advice of a forum member, but cannot remember if it was here or on the Antique Radio forums.
 
JohnVF said:
The Harbeth SHL-5 has surpassed the Quad 63s here, by a bit. So I'm changing my answer!
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REALLY? Wow... How's the bass on those things? What might you compare it to? Trying to get an idea here. Those look like great speakers. I like the bigger enclosure.
 
Gang-Twanger said:
REALLY? Wow... How's the bass on those things? What might you compare it to? Trying to get an idea here. Those look like great speakers. I like the bigger enclosure.
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The bass is more dynamic than the ESLs and maybe a bit lower, but all in all, they're not from entirely different camps. The bass on the ESLs is really quick, I don't have a problem with it either. Images just seem a bit more palpable in the midrange on the Harbeths. It took some playing around with different amps, though. I haven't heard the Monitor 40.1s but would love to. I imagine that they'd be another leap ahead but I really like these. I'm very happy that I made the switch from Compact 7s.
 
Of what I've heard:

Best: Quad ESL-57- still own

Worst: ESS AMTs and a few other ESS. I have owned 3 pairs of 2 way ESS. All kinda disappointing.

Don't get me wrong, the Heil does a lot of things right. Like high frequencies. I am not picking on ESS stuff but I always noticed a big hole in the midrange with most of their 2 way models. Granted ESS made a loudspeaker utilizing the ESL-57, Kef ovals and RTR estat tweets. They were a pretty neat company with some cool ideas. I just couldn't wrap myself around a lot of their more common 2 ways for very long.
 
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JohnVF said:
The bass is more dynamic than the ESLs and maybe a bit lower, but all in all, they're not from entirely different camps. The bass on the ESLs is really quick, I don't have a problem with it either. Images just seem a bit more palpable in the midrange on the Harbeths. It took some playing around with different amps, though. I haven't heard the Monitor 40.1s but would love to. I imagine that they'd be another leap ahead but I really like these. I'm very happy that I made the switch from Compact 7s.
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Yeah, they seem like they would be a nice step up from the Compact 7's, especially in the mids.
 
hatrack71 said:
Of what I've heard:

Best: Quad ESL-57- still own

Worst: ESS AMTs and a few other ESS. I have owned 3 pairs of 2 way ESS. All kinda disappointing.

Don't get me wrong, the Heil does a lot of things right. Like high frequencies. I am not picking on ESS stuff but I always noticed a big hole in the midrange with most of their 2 way models. Granted ESS made a loudspeaker utilizing the ESL-57, Kef ovals and RTR estat tweets. They were a pretty neat company with some cool ideas. I just couldn't wrap myself around a lot of their more common 2 ways for very long.
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You need to hear a pair of AMT3's......
 
best midrange ive heard that was seamless between the other 2 drivers was in my 81 cornwalls.For a horn it didn't come on too strong.
A bid more sedate than the ones in the cornerhorn, even though the same driver
 
After getting a couple of 3 way speaker pairs for the first time, it was interesting to hear how it improved the sonics in comparison to several of the favorite 2 ways.
The AR3a midrange provides the most lifelike reproduction of the human voice of any speaker I've been able to hear. I think the midrange driver is truly amazing in those speakers. People just sound like they're in the room here instead of on the recording.
 
nclh77 said:
Say what you will, the Bose 901's are nothing but midrange drivers and they are hard to beat.
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.....I agree, but 901's are mighty picky eaters and one pair will generally not please you....I'd take this further, but naaah.....
 
luddite said:
After getting a couple of 3 way speaker pairs for the first time, it was interesting to hear how it improved the sonics in comparison to several of the favorite 2 ways.
The AR3a midrange provides the most lifelike reproduction of the human voice of any speaker I've been able to hear. I think the midrange driver is truly amazing in those speakers. People just sound like they're in the room here instead of on the recording.
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Not too sure about life-like reproduction of human voice in a room but I do say the 3a has some magical mid range.
 
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