goodolpg
Just an old fart trying to help.
I used to have the ADS 810's and thought they were decent, I then found some 910's and the 810's quickly left. A stacked pair of DQ-10's replaced the 910's. I had a pair of Yamaha NS-1000's and I'd say the 910's and the NS-1000's would be comparable with each having their own strengths and weaknesses. (Yamaha's high's and the 910's low's both impressive) Pricing would be comparable, the Yamahas go a bit more but both are pretty tough to find. I don't think you said which ADS's you had.
likebike23
Addicted Member
I just picked up a pair of Dahlquist M-905's and they sound great. I have ADS L520's that I really like and I think they are similar overall in their sound. The Dahlquists just seem a little smoother on the highs, tighter in the bass, and a little less boxy. If you like the ADS sound, I think you'll like these.
Krosya
Well-Known Member
Thank you to all who contributed answers to my question. I know some people just like to make fun, but I'm glad that most people take this seriously.
I dont plan to replace my ADS speakers, I like both sets - L710 and L10. But I also like to try different speakers as well, so was wondering what other speakers people that have had and like ADS tried and liked as much or more. It is interesting to hear what some replaced their ADS with and why.
While I myself have several sets of different speakers, I seem to use ADS more than most. I'm also a big fan of the Mirage speakers and while they dont sound the same, I very often listen to SM 2.5 model of Mirage - I think they are the ones that would come close to my ADS in a sense that they sound good with most music. But I'd say my AR25 would also be a good choice if I didnt have ADS. I'm really glad that at least at this point I dont have to choose one over the other, but rather enjoy them all.
Hope to hear more opinions on this subject, so I know what to be on a lookout for.
I dont plan to replace my ADS speakers, I like both sets - L710 and L10. But I also like to try different speakers as well, so was wondering what other speakers people that have had and like ADS tried and liked as much or more. It is interesting to hear what some replaced their ADS with and why.
While I myself have several sets of different speakers, I seem to use ADS more than most. I'm also a big fan of the Mirage speakers and while they dont sound the same, I very often listen to SM 2.5 model of Mirage - I think they are the ones that would come close to my ADS in a sense that they sound good with most music. But I'd say my AR25 would also be a good choice if I didnt have ADS. I'm really glad that at least at this point I dont have to choose one over the other, but rather enjoy them all.
Hope to hear more opinions on this subject, so I know what to be on a lookout for.
soundmotor
super modified
You know, I can see that working. Seems like it would be in the family with the green tea ones.
soundmotor
super modified
Here, you want serious? KEF 104/2, major competitor of the L1290 and sold alongside it within distribution at the time and close enough in retail to be comparable. Our reps used to complain about them because in an A/B demo it was no guarantee that the L1290s would win. If you want to get outside of the ADS camp and step up in performance from what you already have look at towers such as the KEF. I could give you 20 more recs and all would be marginally useful based on the original query -
I wonder if there is anything better in the same price range - new or vintage? I know many people here were lucky enough to be able to compare multiple speakers, so I hope to get some opinions. I know, for some kinds of music there may be some obvious choices, but what about speakers that do well or better with most any type of music?
bshorey
Super Member
<snip>
One speaker in that range and vintage that really impressed me was the Infinity RS 1.5. It has a Watkins dual voice coil woofer and an EMIT tweeter, and really blew me away with how well it did with pretty much anything I threw at it. I only passed them along because I've got a pair of RS 2.5's, but I still think I should have kept them and found a place for them somewhere.
bs
One speaker in that range and vintage that really impressed me was the Infinity RS 1.5. It has a Watkins dual voice coil woofer and an EMIT tweeter, and really blew me away with how well it did with pretty much anything I threw at it. I only passed them along because I've got a pair of RS 2.5's, but I still think I should have kept them and found a place for them somewhere.
bs
yesshows77
Well-Known Member
In my local circle of audiophiles, we have had a few vintage bookshelf speaker showdowns and no matter what brand/model we try to compare, the same ones keep winning the battles...Polk Monitor 7's and 10's, ADS L710's and L810's and Boston Acoustics A70's and A100's. We have compared many vintage models from Advent, KLH, AR, Cizek, KEF, Grafyx, Pioneer (HPM), Dahlquist, Dynaco, Infinity, EPI, RTR and others, yet each time those Polk/ADS/BA models have proved themselves to have the most pleasing sound on a variety of music. I have been a long time fan of ADS speakers and owned more than a few models. I am always looking for other ADS models to try, but for me the L710/L810 were their best non-floorstanding efforts.
I am a big ADS fan (910s are the primary pair) but I also enjoy my Magnepans (MG-IIb and MG-IIc), and occasionally my Dahlquist DQ-10s. Each have different strengths and weaknesses. I see a lot of old Maggies for little money with bad tweeters, but they are pretty easily fixed.
SuperLead100
"These go to 11"
Ouch, that sounds painful. Maybe we should take a poll?
...I usually check my work before I poast...
SuperLead100
"These go to 11"
I had a pair of 10a's and really liked them; agree they did everything well. They can be had for little money as well.
yesshows77
Well-Known Member
The Polk Monitors and Boston Acoustics A series usually go for less coin than the ADS bookshelf models. Of the three, ADS seems to have the best build quality and cabinets, not to mention crossover parts. The Polk Monitor series is simply amazing as to how good a simple bookshelf speaker can sound. I have these three brands stacked along one wall of my listening space and always enjoy comparing them to one another. Of my floor standing speakers, I think my favorites are my Boston Acoustics A400's. I got them from a local AKer who was downsizing and had just picked up a pair of ADS L1290's. While I have various floor standing speakers (IMF, RTR, DQ-10's, etc.), I seem to get more listening enjoyment out of stacking vintage bookshelf speakers. The relatively low cost of obtaining them compared to the awesome sound stage they can provide is quite addictive.
Krosya
Well-Known Member
I had Polk Monitor 7 and they didnt come anywhere close to ADS L710 for me. For some reason Polks I have tried so far just didnt do it for me. Not to say they are bad speakers - just not what I liked a lot. I even much prefer Realistic/Optimus Nova 8b to Polks 7.
MJB1959
Super Member
ADS are a good vintage speaker without a doubt, that is not to say they are the last word in speaker design, I have quite a few pair now, 7 to be exact. However many great companies have come and gone, some that still remain, I still have some non ADS speakers that I love. Going with the Ice Cream reference, there is a flavor for everyone, and sometimes it nice to try a few different flavors, just to know that it's ok if there are others that are as good.
That said:
Yes from Wisconsin, Americas Dairy Capital, it's the Ice Cream that will make you fat, as you cannot stop eating it.
That said:
Yes from Wisconsin, Americas Dairy Capital, it's the Ice Cream that will make you fat, as you cannot stop eating it.
darkblue94
The Devil made me do it.
I can top that. Here on the west coast there is a small ice cream company SALT & STRAW that puts all kinds of weird things into their ice cream. This month one of the flavors includes real pig's blood and another has dark chocolate covered crickets and coconut toffee-brittle meal worms.
I've had one of their oddball flavors before, it included sea anemone and it was really good. They have locations in Portland,Oregon and San Francisco and Los Angeles. They are quite popular and always have a line out the door and on the sidewalk.
sum of sand
Active Member
Id like to find a pair of ADS
I have a "similar" Avid set thats
Build-wise kind of on the order of ADS 980 which were one of their best models being used by telarc and other labels telarc would eventually buy up
But theyre not likely anywhere near as good/enjoyable even if individual drivers are well built and cabinets hefty, which they certainly are.
Dont care for them.
Epi100
Great. Midrange hole, small. Obviously a less expensive speaker
Boston A200
Dont really love them. Forward midrange.
Went to TimeFrame 600
Like em very much. Love em
Went to TimeWindows
Great. Love em more. Used in HT
Went to DQ10
Dont listen to anything else in stereo
I have a "similar" Avid set thats
Build-wise kind of on the order of ADS 980 which were one of their best models being used by telarc and other labels telarc would eventually buy up
But theyre not likely anywhere near as good/enjoyable even if individual drivers are well built and cabinets hefty, which they certainly are.
Dont care for them.
Epi100
Great. Midrange hole, small. Obviously a less expensive speaker
Boston A200
Dont really love them. Forward midrange.
Went to TimeFrame 600
Like em very much. Love em
Went to TimeWindows
Great. Love em more. Used in HT
Went to DQ10
Dont listen to anything else in stereo
yesshows77
Well-Known Member
Of ADS models, I currently own L500's, L570/2's, L710's and L810's and have previously owned M12/90's, L620's and (decades ago) L400's. My local buddy who hosted the speaker shootouts owns L710's, L730's, L810's, Braun L810's, L980's, L910's and L1530's. While the L1530's are amazing, he likes the L710's and L810's best of the bookshelf models.
Krosya
Well-Known Member
I always wanted to try these. But I have never even seen them in real world - I dont know anyone locally that has these, nor have I ever seen them for sale. Maybe one day.