Speaker Class Ratings

[callas01]

This is from this months Stereophile Mag. There are Different categories of speakers A- Full Range, A-Restricted Extreme LF, etc.....

Class A speaker are sufficiently idiosyncratic and differ enough from one another that porspective customer should read the original reviews.

Class A and B Full Range -the system must be full range, bass extension to 20 hz, It must be capable of reaching realistic SPL w/o Strain.

Classes A, B, C Restricted Extreme Low Frequency -for speakers that do not reach the last few hz but are state of the art in every other way. Must reach to at least 40 hz

Class D & E -Entry level speakers that can put together in a manner that is musically satisfying and a true high end system.

A-full range

Areial Acoustics Model 20T V2 $32,000/pr
Dynaudio Confidence C4 $19K /pr
Kef Reference 207/2 $20k/pr
Revel Ultima Salon 2 $22k/pr
Revel Ultima Studio 2 $16k/pr
Snell illusion $50k/pr
Sonus Faber Cermona Elipsa $20,800/pr
Vandersteen Model Seven $45,995 /pr
Verity Sarastro II $40k /pr
Wilson Audio Specialties MAZZ Series 3 $68k /pr
YG Acoustics Anat Reference II Professional $107k /pr

A Restricted LF

Acoustic Energy AE1 MKIII SE $4000
Avalon Acoustics Indra $19,995
Acantgarde Uno Nano $16.500
Chario Academy Sovran $16,370
DeVore Didelity Silverback Reference $16,800
Dynaudio Sapphire $16500
Dynaudio Confindence C1 $7000-8400
Esoteric MG-20 $8200
Hansen Audio The Prince V2 $39000
Harbeth M40.1 $13000
Kef Reference 201/2 $6000
Klipsch Palladium P39F $20000
Magico V3 $27000
Merlin Music Systems VSM-MXe $11500
Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 $8000
Pioneer S-1EX $9000
PSB Synchrony One $5000
Quad ESL-989 $8900
Sonus Faber Guarneri memnto $15000
Thiel CS3.7 $12900
Usher Audio Technology Be-718 $2795
Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation $20995
Verity Audio Leonore $15995
Vienna Acoustic Klimt The Kiss $15000
Wilson Audio Specialties Sophia 2 $16700

B-full range

Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE $7600
BC Acoustique Act A3 $7000
Burmester B25 $11995
Dali Helicon 400 MK2 $7000
Definitive Tech Mythos STS Supertowers $2998
DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Nine $6500
Jamo Reference R 907 $9998
Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v.5 $1998
ProAc Response D28 $6000
PSB Imagine T $2000
Revel Concerta F12 $1500
Totem Acoustic Mani-2 Signature $4895-5825
Triangle Antal Ex $2895
Vandersteen Quatro Wood $10700
Vandersteen Quatro $7450
Vandersteen 2ce Signature II $2195
Verity Audio Rienzi $8795
Zu essence $3600

B-Restricted LF

Aerial Acoustic Model 5B $2200
American Acoustic Development Silver Reference -1 $1750
ATC SCM 40 $4250
ATC SCM 11 $1850
Avalon Acoustics NP 2.0 Evolution $1995
Dynaudio Excite X12 $1200
Epos M16i $1999
Harbeth Compact 7ES-3 $3495
Joseph Audio RM7XL SE $2500
Linn Majik 109 $1590
Opera Mezza $1595
PMC DB1i $1929
Sonics by Joachim gerbard Amima $2600
Spendor SA1 $2195
Totem Model 1 Signature $2295

C-full range

Aperion Intimus 6T $1390
PSB Image T6 $1199
Silverline Audio Technology Prelude $1200
Sonist Concerto 3 $3495
Totem Acoustic Forest $3495

C-Restricted LF

Amphion Helium2 $1500
ASW Genius 100 $1695
Aurum Cantus V2M $1890
Chario Premium 1000 $1015
Dali Ikon 2 $1350
Eminent Technology LFT-16 $950
Denon SC-CX303 $1200
Era Designs 4 $700
Focal Chorus 807V $1095
Infinity Primus P162 $318
Monitor Audio GS-10 $1600
Onix Refernece 1 MkII $1200
Paradigm Reference Studio 20 $1198
Pioneer SA4SPT-PM Pure Male Speaker $598
PSB Imagine B $1000
Renaissance Audio MLP403.5 $1090
Silverline Audio Minnet $600
Triangle Esprit Comete Ex $1295
Triangle Titus Ex $995

D
Audioengine 2 $199
Mordaunt Short Carnival 2 $300
Paradigm Atom V.5 $318
Polk RTi A1 $350
PSB Alpha B1 $279


Deletions

B&W 802D
Canton Vento Reference 1 DC
Focal Electra 1037
Monitor Audio RS6
All replaced by new models.

Sequerra Metronome 77 Mk6
Sonics by Joachim gerhard Allegra
Significantly revised, mandating a re-auditioning

JBL Studio L880
Klipsch Hertiage LaScala II
NHT Classic Three
Opera Quinta
Quad ESL-2805
Teresonic Integrun
Antal Ex
Usher Audio Tech S-520
All not auditioned in too long a time to be sure of ratings

Wilson Benesch Arc
Because of doubts about availablity in the US

[erict]

Originally Posted by callas01

This is from this months Stereophile Mag. There are Different categories of speakers A- Full Range, A-Restricted Extreme LF, etc.....

A-full range

Areial Acoustics Model 20T V2 $32,000/pr
Dynaudio Confidence C4 $19K /pr
Kef Reference 207/2 $20k/pr
Revel Ultima Salon 2 $22k/pr
Revel Ultima Studio 2 $16k/pr
Snell illusion $50k/pr
Sonus Faber Cermona Elipsa $20,800/pr
Vandersteen Model Seven $45,995 /pr
Verity Sarastro II $40k /pr
Wilson Audio Specialties MAZZ Series 3 $68k /pr
YG Acoustics Anat Reference II Professional $107k /pr

A Restricted LF

Acoustic Energy AE1 MKIII SE $4000
Avalon Acoustics Indra $19,995
Acantgarde Uno Nano $16.500
Chario Academy Sovran $16,370
DeVore Didelity Silverback Reference $16,800
Dynaudio Sapphire $16500
Dynaudio Confindence C1 $7000-8400
Esoteric MG-20 $8200
Hansen Audio The Prince V2 $39000
Harbeth M40.1 $13000
Kef Reference 201/2 $6000
Klipsch Palladium P39F $20000
Magico V3 $27000
Merlin Music Systems VSM-MXe $11500
Monitor Audio Platinum PL200 $8000
Pioneer S-1EX $9000
PSB Synchrony One $5000
Quad ESL-989 $8900
Sonus Faber Guarneri memnto $15000
Thiel CS3.7 $12900
Usher Audio Technology Be-718 $2795
Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation $20995
Verity Audio Leonore $15995
Vienna Acoustic Klimt The Kiss $15000
Wilson Audio Specialties Sophia 2 $16700

B-full range

Audio Note AN-E/SPe HE $7600
BC Acoustique Act A3 $7000
Burmester B25 $11995
Dali Helicon 400 MK2 $7000
Definitive Tech Mythos STS Supertowers $2998
DeVore Fidelity Gibbon Nine $6500
Jamo Reference R 907 $9998
Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v.5 $1998
ProAc Response D28 $6000
PSB Imagine T $2000
Revel Concerta F12 $1500
Totem Acoustic Mani-2 Signature $4895-5825
Triangle Antal Ex $2895
Vandersteen Quatro Wood $10700
Vandersteen Quatro $7450
Vandersteen 2ce Signature II $2195
Verity Audio Rienzi $8795
Zu essence $3600

B-Restricted LF

Aerial Acoustic Model 5B $2200
American Acoustic Development Silver Reference -1 $1750
ATC SCM 40 $4250
ATC SCM 11 $1850
Avalon Acoustics NP 2.0 Evolution $1995
Dynaudio Excite X12 $1200
Epos M16i $1999
Harbeth Compact 7ES-3 $3495
Joseph Audio RM7XL SE $2500
Linn Majik 109 $1590
Opera Mezza $1595
PMC DB1i $1929
Sonics by Joachim gerbard Amima $2600
Spendor SA1 $2195
Totem Model 1 Signature $2295

C-full range

Aperion Intimus 6T $1390
PSB Image T6 $1199
Silverline Audio Technology Prelude $1200
Sonist Concerto 3 $3495
Totem Acoustic Forest $3495

C-Restricted LF

Amphion Helium2 $1500
ASW Genius 100 $1695
Aurum Cantus V2M $1890
Chario Premium 1000 $1015
Dali Ikon 2 $1350
Eminent Technology LFT-16 $950
Denon SC-CX303 $1200
Era Designs 4 $700
Focal Chorus 807V $1095
Infinity Primus P162 $318
Monitor Audio GS-10 $1600
Onix Refernece 1 MkII $1200
Paradigm Reference Studio 20 $1198
Pioneer SA4SPT-PM Pure Male Speaker $598
PSB Imagine B $1000
Renaissance Audio MLP403.5 $1090
Silverline Audio Minnet $600
Triangle Esprit Comete Ex $1295
Triangle Titus Ex $995

D
Audioengine 2 $199

the rest I will get to later.

What do the different categories stand for?

[JasonR]

Nice! My RS6's were class B in the April 2008 issue.

[ChadFL]

So they ignored B&W?

[callas01]

refresh your screen

[callas01]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

So they ignored B&W?

I was tired of typing, Ill get to it tomorrow, if B&W are not on the list at all then it could be that they didn't review them this year, or that they are not very good speakers

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by callas01

I was tired of typing, Ill get to it tomorrow, if B&W are not on the list at all then it could be that they didn't review them this year, or that they are not very good speakers

I'd imagine the former rather than the latter.

[callas01]

my guess is that because B$W hasn't released anything new as of last year, there was nothing to review, I am sure the new Diamond Series will get a review this year...

[Big Daddy]

As a longtime and continuous subscriber to the Stereophile Magazine (since mid 1980's), I don't pay any attention to these ratings. I only subscribe to the magazine for its entertainment value as many of their articles and claims are outrageous and ridiculously funny.

Don't sweat it, if your speakers are not listed and don't gloat, if they are listed. They have a habit of mysteriously selecting certain products and totally ignoring some other outstanding products. Stereophile is full of goo.

[rded]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

So they ignored B&W?

I knew it was only a matter of time 'till someone would make
the above comment. They ommited the sole B$W speaker- the 802D because it is being replaced by a new model.

[rded]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

As a longtime and continuous subscriber to the Stereophile Magazine (since mid 1980's), I don't pay any attention to these ratings. I only subscribe to the magazine for its entertainment value as many of their articles and claims are outrageous and ridiculously funny.

Don't sweat it, if your speakers are not listed and don't gloat, if they are listed. They have a habit of mysteriously selecting certain products and totally ignoring some other outstanding products. Stereophile is full of goo.

I actually applaud Stereophile for posting such a list on a semi-annual/annual basis. Despite much criticism and complaints from the audiophile community as to where their favorite speaker and or brand stands, they continue to publish such a list without being swayed by external factors. It takes balls to
do such a thing.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

As a longtime and continuous subscriber to the Stereophile Magazine (since mid 1980's), I don't pay any attention to these ratings. I only subscribe to the magazine for its entertainment value as many of their articles and claims are outrageous and ridiculously funny.

Don't sweat it, if your speakers are not listed and don't gloat, if they are listed. They have a habit of mysteriously selecting certain products and totally ignoring some other outstanding products. Stereophile is full of goo.

Thank You , Mine weren't on the list

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by rded

I actually applaud Stereophile for posting such a list on a semi-annual/annual basis. Despite much criticism and complaints from the audiophile community as to where their favorite speaker and or brand stands, they continue to publish such a list without being swayed by external factors. It takes balls to
do such a thing.

I completely disagree. These lists are very subjective and give the average reader the wrong impression. It somehow creates the illusion that the speakers that are listed are superior and the ones that are excluded are inferior. In reality, advertisement, personal relationships, and other unkown factors play a big role. I am sure you may be aware of the dispute between Bob Carver (a genius in my opinion) and the Stereophile Magazine and the subsequent court problems.

I am against all top 10 or top 100 lists such as the "Top Universities", "Top Movies", "Top Actors", "Top Speakers", "Top Amplifier", etc. etc. etc. They are usually prepared by people and organizations who have an agenda and want to satisfy their own ego and their sense of self importance. Most of these products and services that are ranked depend so much on personal taste and perspective that any list prepared by others is meaningless and useless. I can prepare a list of top speakers that may be competely different than yours. That does not mean that I or you are correct. Furthermore, rankings such as A, B, C, .., create the impression in people in the United States that A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, ... That creates the additional problem of making data that at best is ORDINAL (e.g., I prefer speaker blue to speaker green) to INTERVAL or RATIO data (e.g., I prefer speaker X to speaker Y by 3.6 units) and then calculate statistics such as average, standard deviation, and confidence intervals.

Rankings and associating numerical values to subjective things such as speakers, subwoofers, and most home theater equipment is stupid. Over the years, I have owned many different type of audio equipment such as speakers and visited many audio/video shows and dealers. In all honesty, I cannot even associate numerical values to the speakers or subwoofers that I curently own. I even have trouble deciding which pair I prefer the most. My thinking varies from day to day.

[rded]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I completely disagree. These lists are very subjective and give the average reader the wrong impression......

That's why Stereophile has more that one editor and or contributor.... The list is just not created by one person, but the whole staff has his/her say on things and a lot of times they even disagree as to which speaker gets what rating. Again it takes balls to publish such a list. Like, love it, hate it, it's really up to you. It's just funny how you view a magazine as "full of goo" yet you've continued to subscribe to it for close to 30 years now By doing so you patronize that which you abhor...

[prerich]

Originally Posted by rded

That's why Stereophile has more that one editor and or contributor.... The list is just not created by one person, but the whole staff has his/her say on things and a lot of times they even disagree as to which speaker gets what rating. Again it takes balls to publish such a list. Like, love it, hate it, it's really up to you. It's just funny how you view a magazine as "full of goo" yet you've continued to subscribe to it for close to 30 years now

Hey!!!!! Goo is entertaining!!!!! Remember that stuff that came in the mini-plastic trash can in the 70's called "Slime"? It was goo - and entertaining !!!! Some of the worst movies are the most entertaining.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by rded

It's just funny how you view a magazine as "full of goo" yet you've continued to subscribe to it for close to 30 years now By doing so you patronize that which you abhor...

I am pretty bored in the bathroom. I need something to read.

Originally Posted by prerich

Hey!!!!! Goo is entertaining!!!!! Remember that stuff that came in the mini-plastic trash can in the 70's called "Slime"? It was goo - and entertaining !!!! Some of the worst movies are the most entertaining.

I agree. My number 1 movies of all time is Cheech and Chong's Corsican Brothers. It is a far better movie that Cicizen Kane. I have seen it a dozen times and they continue to make me laugh. I am eagerly waiting its release on Blu. It is a definite buy for me.

[rded]

Originally Posted by prerich

Hey!!!!! Goo is entertaining!!!!! Remember that stuff that came in the mini-plastic trash can in the 70's called "Slime"? It was goo - and entertaining !!!! Some of the worst movies are the most entertaining.

Hi Rich,

I am afraid I was not around in the 70's or was too young to even go to
theaters

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by rded

Hi Rich,

I am afraid I was not around in the 70's or was too young to even go to
theaters

That is why you don't appreciate goo.

[rded]

"Boring" is the reason why I stopped subscribing to Sound and Vison Mag. For magazine whose name sake starts with "sound" they surely review such a minescule amount of audio products. I understand there is no such thing as the perfect magazine...that's why I choose and pick my reading material.

[rded]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

That is why you don't appreciate goo.

Scary movie and Madea is today's incarnation of goo and FWIW I have not see any of those films