Top 10 Greatest Audiophile Speakers (under $3,500) - Blu-ray Forum

Johnny Vinyl · 06-17-2009, 12:16 AM

This was posted by Steve Gutenberg (don't get me started) on his CNET blog a few days ago. These are the speakers he said stood out in his reviewing career. Here we go.

1. Magnepan MG1.6/QR ($1,895)
2. Zu Audio Druid Mk IV ($3,400)
3. Anthony Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1 ($3,290)
4. Thiel CS 1.6 ($2,390)
5. Totem Arro ($1,350)
6. Definitive Technology Mythos STS Super Towers (2,998)
7. Dynaudio DM 2/8 ($975)
8. Aperion Audio Intimus 6T ($1,390)
9. Klipsch RB-81 ($798)
10. Energy Take Classic 5.1 ($600)

I have really no idea why he included a 5.1 system in this list, but that's Steve...

Here is the link with pics and comments as to why he included them.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10...l;txt#comments

John

rded · 06-17-2009, 12:32 AM

Thanks John. Of all the Brands The only one I have not heard or seen(may it be the same exact speaker or other line) in person is the Zu audio. Hmmm intersesting...

BTW do you really trust Steve Gutterberg?

CasualKiller · 06-17-2009, 12:38 AM

Gave his "blog" a once over and all I can really say at the moment is.. yeah I don't think so Steve.

Johnny Vinyl · 06-17-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rded

Thanks John. Of all the Brands The only one I have not heard or seen(may it be the same exact speaker or other line) in person is the Zu audio. Hmmm intersesting...

BTW do you really trust Steve Gutterberg?

LOL...NO...that why I said "don't get me started" in brackets after his name. The man is so wishy-washy...I have little or no faith in his reviews or opinons, and I've let him know that in many a post. LOl

John

ssmith3046 · 06-17-2009, 12:39 AM

Guttenberg is a waste of time in my opinion.

Johnny Vinyl · 06-17-2009, 12:42 AM

I agree...I don't know how he maintains his status aa a "reviewer"...I really don.t

I thought it was interesting to post however.

John

rded · 06-17-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

LOL...NO...that why I said "don't get me started" in brackets after his name. The man is so wishy-washy...I have little or no faith in his reviews or opinons, and I've let him know that in many a post. LOl

John

I got that 1st time around but just wanted to add sarcasm. I'd have to say he's kind of right on some speakers like Thiel, the Maggies, although I'm not a real fan of the Anthony Gallos but they're good, your beloved Totems, and the Dyns. The others....I dunno. I'll get stoned by the Def Tech lovers here but oh well....The Super Towers are too bass heavy for my taste. Remember I like linear speakers.

Johnny Vinyl · 06-17-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rded

I got that 1st time around but just wanted to add sarcasm. I'd have to say he's kind of right on some speakers like Thiel, the Maggies, although I'm not a real fan of the Anthony Gallos but they're good, your beloved Totems, and the Dyns. The others....I dunno. I'll get stoned by the Def Tech lovers here but oh well....The SUper Towers are too bass heavy for my taste. Remember I like linear speakers.

There is no question that some of the speakers he listed are right there in terms of bang for the buck, quality and the like, but it's his opinion...if it were mine I wouldn't have included the Klipsch (sorry guys), the Zu (has anyone ever even heard or seen them anywhere?) and the Energy 5.1 system (what's up with that?)

John

SlmShdy1 · 06-17-2009, 12:49 AM

The Take Classic set is #10? Are you kidding me? I've listened to the set and there is a lot of clipping at high volumes.

Hey, that's not the same Steve Guttenberg I was thinking of.

rded · 06-17-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

There is no question that some of the speakers he listed are right there in terms of bang for the buck, quality and the like, but it's his opinion...if it were mine I wouldn't have included the Klipsch (sorry guys), the Zu (has anyone ever even heard or seen them anywhere?) and the Energy 5.1 system (what's up with that?)

John

Exactly!!! Oh well.....

Twitch9 · 06-17-2009, 12:57 AM

How does the Paradigm studio line not get on that list, some speakers just don't make sense on that list.

Johnny Vinyl · 06-17-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

The Take Classic set is #10? Are you kidding me? I've listened to the set and there is a lot of clipping at high volumes.

Hey, that's not the same Steve Guttenberg I was thinking of.

If I were wearing those thick spectacles I wouldn't be able to hear a thing either! LOL

John

rded · 06-17-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twitch9

How does the Paradigm studio line not get on that list, some speakers just don't make sense on that list.

Why is it that B$W did not make the list either???

Johnny Vinyl · 06-17-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rded

Why is it that B$W did not make the list either???

Or Vienna's or JM/Focal Lab or Vandersteen's or ML's and the list goes on!

John

rded · 06-17-2009, 01:06 AM

You know what surprises me most is that both Dynaudio and Totem are in there and the UGLY TRUTH is that nobody really discusses these speakers in this thread.

Twitch9 · 06-17-2009, 01:14 AM

I disagree with you on Totem, i think for music they are one of the best sounding speaker i have ever heard in this price range, i think it's just a lesser know speaker and harder to find.

CasualKiller · 06-17-2009, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twitch9

I disagree with you on Totem, i think for music they are one of the best sounding speaker i have ever heard in this price range, i think it's just a lesser know speaker and harder to find.

Who said they sounded bad?

rded · 06-17-2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twitch9

I disagree with you on Totem, i think for music they are one of the best sounding speaker i have ever heard in this price range, i think it's just a lesser know speaker and harder to find.

Aggggh!!!Caramba!! That's what I meant! Dynaudio and Totem are world class speakers but nobody really talks about them in this thread. SO I am surprised that as dense as Gutterberg is, he was actually right on the money regarding the 2.

Johnny Vinyl · 06-17-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rded

You know what surprises me most is that both Dynaudio and Totem are in there and the UGLY TRUTH is that nobody really discusses these speakers in this thread.

Yeah, that actually surprised the hell out of me..., but I think he included them because of the positive reviews over the years by many other more qualified (IMO) reviewers and maybe not even his own experience with them. Gotta take these blogs with a grain of salt, you know.

If my Totems (the Sttaf's, not the Arros) and the Dynaudio's had the dealer network they'd be in many more setups. They are both very, very underrated and unrecoginized by our forum...a shame.

John

btf1980 · 06-17-2009, 01:21 AM

I had the privilege of hearing Zu Druids a few years ago driven by Cary electronics at a former coworkers loft, and they were impressive. Very airy sound. They are the kind of speakers than fans of electrostatics would enjoy. The sound just enveloped the space. It's a little shy with bass though.

06-17-2009, 12:39 AM	#5
ssmith3046 Active Member Member since:Dec 2008 Blu-ray reviews: 9	Worthless Guttenberg is a waste of time in my opinion.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Empire's The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time List	Movies	J_UNTITLED	40	09-29-2009 03:06 PM
Top Receivers $300-$500?	Receivers	Goldensuitcase	16	08-18-2009 01:14 AM
2008 Top Of The Line Sony 55 inch KDL-55XBR8 Can Be Purchased For Under $3,500	LCD TVs	HDTV1080P	2	07-09-2009 08:04 AM
Looking for decent speakers on a $2,500 budget	Speakers	Lapse of Reason	29	09-14-2008 07:04 PM
Top 10 Greatest Games of All Time!	PS3	animepunk2103	105	11-29-2007 12:06 AM

06-17-2009, 12:16 AM	#1
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Top 10 Greatest Audiophile Speakers (under $3,500) This was posted by Steve Gutenberg (don't get me started) on his CNET blog a few days ago. These are the speakers he said stood out in his reviewing career. Here we go. 1. Magnepan MG1.6/QR ($1,895) 2. Zu Audio Druid Mk IV ($3,400) 3. Anthony Gallo Acoustics Reference 3.1 ($3,290) 4. Thiel CS 1.6 ($2,390) 5. Totem Arro ($1,350) 6. Definitive Technology Mythos STS Super Towers (2,998) 7. Dynaudio DM 2/8 ($975) 8. Aperion Audio Intimus 6T ($1,390) 9. Klipsch RB-81 ($798) 10. Energy Take Classic 5.1 ($600) I have really no idea why he included a 5.1 system in this list, but that's Steve... Here is the link with pics and comments as to why he included them. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10...l;txt#comments John

06-17-2009, 12:32 AM	#2
rded Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2008 Location:555 Naim Street Blu-ray collection:254 Trading Score:1	Thanks John. Of all the Brands The only one I have not heard or seen(may it be the same exact speaker or other line) in person is the Zu audio. Hmmm intersesting... BTW do you really trust Steve Gutterberg?

06-17-2009, 12:38 AM	#3
CasualKiller Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Brooks Alberta Blu-ray collection:54 Trading Score:15	Gave his "blog" a once over and all I can really say at the moment is.. yeah I don't think so Steve.

06-17-2009, 12:42 AM	#6
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	I agree...I don't know how he maintains his status aa a "reviewer"...I really don.t I thought it was interesting to post however. John

06-17-2009, 12:49 AM	#9
SlmShdy1 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Honolulu, HI PlayStation® PSN: SlmShdy1 Home Theater Gallery:39 Blu-ray collection:292	The Take Classic set is #10? Are you kidding me? I've listened to the set and there is a lot of clipping at high volumes. Hey, that's not the same Steve Guttenberg I was thinking of.

06-17-2009, 12:57 AM	#11
Twitch9 Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Canada Home Theater Gallery:83 Blu-ray collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:16 Trading Score:2	How does the Paradigm studio line not get on that list, some speakers just don't make sense on that list.

06-17-2009, 01:06 AM	#15
rded Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Aug 2008 Location:555 Naim Street Blu-ray collection:254 Trading Score:1	You know what surprises me most is that both Dynaudio and Totem are in there and the UGLY TRUTH is that nobody really discusses these speakers in this thread.

06-17-2009, 01:14 AM	#16
Twitch9 Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Canada Home Theater Gallery:83 Blu-ray collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:16 Trading Score:2	I disagree with you on Totem, i think for music they are one of the best sounding speaker i have ever heard in this price range, i think it's just a lesser know speaker and harder to find.

06-17-2009, 01:21 AM	#20
btf1980 Special Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2007 Location:NYC Home Theater Gallery:97 Trading Score:14	I had the privilege of hearing Zu Druids a few years ago driven by Cary electronics at a former coworkers loft, and they were impressive. Very airy sound. They are the kind of speakers than fans of electrostatics would enjoy. The sound just enveloped the space. It's a little shy with bass though.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals