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Modern Speakers vs Vintage?

I love the idea of using modern technology to design all new crossovers for vintage 70s speakers. New crossovers that replace some of the 70s era primitive designs rife with phase issues, overly bright voicing, etc.
 
The term "vintage" inherently implies something of lasting appeal. Few people will consider a 40-year old bottle of Boones Farm a "vintage wine," and most people who look at stereos from the 70s that were considered junk when they were new will just call them old junk now.
 
MaxP said:
Boston’s are real sleepers. It shocks me that they don’t actually command more. I have owned various Boston’s since the early ‘80s and they deliver quite nicely. I have an expensive pair of Silverlines that have nothing over my A200s.
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I never heard a pair I liked. All the new BA's I listened to new in the early 2000's we're abysmal next to B&W, Paradigm, and Focal. I don't know if they had a sound with more presence and less cabinet in the past, but if their stuff from the early 2000's was anything like their stuff from the 80's and 90's, I can't imagine being impressed. Those I did hear had a weak top end and imaging so weak they sounded like 2 individual boxes making the sound. I had a pair of ESS at the time and I've always had high expectations for a tweeter. I soon after listened to a pair of Focal Cobalts and that sound impressed me so much I'd wanted a pair ever since. So when I realized I had like $10,000 in my checking account I bought a pair of 936's and took a 2 week vacation to Florida. By then I'd already bought my AMT1's and restored them along with 2 Marantz receivers. I have all the old stuff in my bedroom and all the new stuff is in my listening room. I like the old stuff for what it is, but that Focal/Pass system is on a whole different level.
 
I don’t consider Bostons from the early 2000s to be “old stuff.” So have you ever heard A200s, A400s or even A70s? We’re talking about two entirely different lines from two different eras.
 
MaxP said:
I don’t consider Bostons from the early 2000s to be “old stuff.” So have you ever heard A200s, A400s or even A70s? We’re talking about two entirely different lines from two different eras.
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I'm pretty sure I've heard A70's. We're talking speakers that epitomize New England sound and I've never thought that was a good sound.
 
ReactiveLoad said:
I'm pretty sure I've heard A70's. We're talking speakers that epitomize New England sound and I've never thought that was a good sound.
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I’m pretty sure that having maybe heard A70s is not enough to draw a conclusion about the so-called East Coast sound and definitely not about Boston Acoustics. Painting with a broad brush.
 
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ReactiveLoad said:
I'm pretty sure I've heard A70's. We're talking speakers that epitomize New England sound and I've never thought that was a good sound.
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In that case, there were probably never any speakers from that part of the country that you would like.
 
MaxP said:
Im pretty sure that having maybe heard A70s is not enough to draw a conclusion about the so-called East Coast sound and definitely not about Boston Acoustics. Painting with a broad brush.
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Well, I think it's logical to assume that BA stopped making the speakers they made in the 80's in favor of what put them out of business because somebody thought it was better. Sure businesses got out of business for poor management and other reasons, but not too many stop making things that sell to make things that don't for no good reason. It's great you think you got a deal. I'm just explaining why they don't go for more. Regional sounding speakers are very much out of style.

gkimeng said:
In that case, there were probably never any speakers from that part of the country that you would like.
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I don't like regional sounding speakers in general, or those which favor genres. They simply don't suite my purposes or philosophy.
 
This is beginning to smell like the Bose 901 threads where 98% of the haters have never actually listened to the speakers in question.
 
botrytis said:
The cabinets in the Boston Acoustics A series are fairly flimsy and you can feel them vibrate. I know someone who put some supports to prevent that and they did sound better. The do have a nice dome tweeter though.
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This is very true, especially the floor standers. Those baffles sure have some area to them!
 
Everybodys hearing is different therefore it stands to reason that speaker choice is a very personal thing.Ive had the same Axiom ax-5 speakers since 1994 and have yet to come across any pair that I would replace them with. I did have to replace the mids 8 years ago but they were under a full lifetime warranty which was honored no questions asked.New,id like to hear a modest priced pair of focals.For real vintage my garage system powers mirage and dynaco a10,s.Oh,almost forgot the new axiom m80,s speakers would be on my new list for sure.
 
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I just skipped through the crap to ask - No discussion of sealed vs ported speaker boxes? I personally think that's were the difference lies between vintage and new. I have recently picked up Advent Legacy Is and BA A60s. I like them both, but I like the sound of my Martin Logans better with the better voice separation and non muddy bass.
 
Great thread. I'm looking for a new set of speakers (used) for max 2.500 euro (3000 usd) so have to make this same choice. Infinity made GREAT speakers, but some seem to have almost appreciated in price, it's crazy.

I also wonder about DSP. It's much easier compared to the past to flatten the response curve.

Finally, I really hate the sonos hype. The sound is terrible, and people seem to be so proud of them, spending huge money. Not many people are into hifi it seems. I do use the box, outside, like a radio, not for hifi.

And that's my final question, is hifi past his prime, do people still care about good sound or do they want a bluetooth box which is practical?
 
@Belgian sound

And that's my final question, is hifi past his prime, do people still care about good sound or do they want a bluetooth box which is practical?

No
Yes
Some do. They tend to not frequent sites like this one.
:D
 
belgiansound said:
Great thread. I'm looking for a new set of speakers (used) for max 2.500 euro (3000 usd) so have to make this same choice. Infinity made GREAT speakers, but some seem to have almost appreciated in price, it's crazy.

I also wonder about DSP. It's much easier compared to the past to flatten the response curve.

Finally, I really hate the sonos hype. The sound is terrible, and people seem to be so proud of them, spending huge money. Not many people are into hifi it seems. I do use the box, outside, like a radio, not for hifi.

And that's my final question, is hifi past his prime, do people still care about good sound or do they want a bluetooth box which is practical?
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For 2500 Euro and with interest in DSP, I believe some of the older Meridian active speakers can be had for under that amount
 
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