The main claim of buyers of most modern acoustic systems is that the main attention during development is paid to the technical aspects of reproduction – low non-linear distortion, high overload capacity and linearity of the frequency response.
The result is beautiful speakers that play loud and clear, but leave the listener completely indifferent to the emotional content of the recordings.
Many manufacturers heard the complaints of consumers and revived the classic designs of the 1970s and 80s at a new technological level. We have collected in the material ten speaker models of different price ranges, which are addressed to those of the listeners who care not about the appearance, but the musically accurate and emotional presentation of the recorded material.
10. Magnat Transpulse 1000
Pros – inexpensive three-way speakers of classical design with excellent dynamics
Cons – a bit lacking in sophistication
Conclusion: Entry ticket to the world of big sound
Magnat Transpuls 1000 – like a 1970s catalog 3-way model, notable for its large 10-inch paper woofer, as well as a horn with an inch dome tweeter. The mid frequencies are sounded by a separate driver with a paper cone with a diameter of 13.5 cm. The crossover is tuned to frequencies of 3.8 kHz and 750 Hz, a 2nd order filter works between the tweeter and the midrange driver, and a 3rd order filter between the woofer and midrange speaker . The model has a high sensitivity of 92.5 dB, while the speakers are able to “digest” the input power up to 300 watts. The classic look is complemented by original dust grilles and a metallic brand logo. The height of each speaker is 79 cm, tilting the cabinet back by 5 degrees allows you to direct the radiation exactly to the head area of a seated listener. One speaker weighs 20 kilograms.
9. Eltax Monitor PWR 1959
Pros – Lots of sound at a modest price, 15 inches of good bass usually costs a lot more
Cons – except for large dimensions – nothing
Conclusion: A chance to get big classic three-stripes for ridiculous money
French vintage design loudspeakers feature two identical inch tweeters housed in shallow horns. Between them is a 6″ cellulose fiber cone midrange driver, and below is a 15″ paper cone woofer. The latter works in a phase-inverted acoustic design, two large ports are displayed on the front panel. The declared operating range of the model extends from 30 Hz to 22 kHz, the nominal resistance is 8 ohms, and the minimum is at the level of 5 ohms. The speakers are characterized by high sensitivity, reaching 96 dB, which promises an easy load for the amplifier. The weight of one speaker is 34 kilograms.
8. Elipson Heritage XLS 15
Pros – a real explosion from the past, dynamics and bass are on top
Cons – you need a good powerful amplifier
Conclusion: One of the rare cases of new development based on recipes from the golden era of audio
These classic design speakers were developed and released to the market in 2020. A special vintage flair is given to the speakers by plates with a graph of the amplitude-frequency response on the front panel of the case, as well as acoustic sensitivity controls in the mid-frequency and high-frequency ranges. A dome transducer with a diameter of 55 mm is responsible for the mids, then an inch silk tweeter comes into play. The bass-reflex hole is brought to the front of the speakers, so that they can be safely pushed up to the wall without fear for the quality of the bass reproduced by a 12-inch speaker with a white cellulose cone. The crossover frequencies are set to 700 Hz and 5000 Hz, the nominal impedance of the model is 6 ohms with a sensitivity of 92 dB. Each column weighs 28 kilograms.
7. Mission 770
Pros – Proven and successful design from the 1970s with minor improvements
Cons – white front panel, you need a good powerful amplifier
Conclusion: Classic English monitor with extended frequency range
An updated version of the classic 770 speaker model, first seen in 1978. The new version differs from the original in the use of a redesigned main driver, equipped with a 200 mm polypropylene cone with an improved composition and a reinforced magnet system. The acoustic design remains the same – the phase inverter port is located on the front panel. The tweeter with a 28 mm microfiber dome, loaded on a closed volume, is responsible for the high-frequency range. The crossover filter (crossover frequency is set to 2900 Hz) has also been improved to take into account new calculation and computer simulation technologies. The body has become more durable and inert, its walls are made of two-layer fiberboard with a damping pad. External panels are finished with natural wood veneer. System sensitivity is 88 dB, nominal resistance – 8 ohms with a minimum of 6 ohms. Each speaker weighs 19.2 kg, not including the specially designed stands included. Mission 770s are manufactured at the IAG factory in England.
6. Klipsch Heresy IV
Pros – Legendary model with a more modern sound setup that successfully copes with any genre
Cons – demanding on the selection of the “right” amplifier
Conclusion: The opportunity to buy classic speakers with an open and emotional sound, not afraid to play loud
Klipsch Heresy IV – the last generation of the famous speakers, which first saw the light in 1948. The high frequencies in them are reproduced by the proprietary K-107-TI inch tweeter with a titanium diaphragm, working in a horn design. It is equipped with a three-beam splitter, which serves to correct the radiation directivity in the horn and provides a uniform radiation pattern. The mid-range horn driver is a K-702 compression driver with a 44.5 mm polyamide diaphragm. The low-frequency foundation is provided by a classic 12-inch cone driver with a rigid suspension, made of a cellulose fiber composite. Unlike the classic versions, here a phase inverter with a Tractrix profile port was chosen as the acoustic design. Despite an exceptionally high sensitivity of 99 dB,
5. JBL L100 Classic 75th Anniversary Edition
Pros – A modern take on classic 3-way monitors with dynamic and delicious sound
Cons – it is better to install on branded racks
Conclusion: A great way to get classic signature sound in new speakers
JBL L100 Classic was designed by Chris Hagen, the same engineer who created the classic JBL L100T3 in 1988. The cabinet of the monitors is finished with walnut veneer, except for the front and back panels. Quadrex foam safety nets are available in three different colors – black, orange or blue. A new JT025Ti2 titanium dome tweeter is responsible for high frequencies, it is loaded on a small waveguide with an acoustic lens. Just below it sits a JM125PC midrange driver with a 5″ paper cone. Bass is delivered by a 12″ JW300PW-8 woofer loaded with a bass reflex. In the upper left part of the front panel there are controls for the level of output at high and medium frequencies. Separately, you can purchase special metal stands of the original form for orienting the radiation to a seated listener.
4. Lowther Almira
Pros – modern implementation of the design on full-range speakers with good bass
Cons – design for an amateur
Conclusion: A new look at broadband radiation from a revived English firm
Floor-standing high-sensitivity speakers are built on branded DX3 full-range speakers with a diameter of 225 mm. They use a paper cone, polyurethane foam suspension and a neodymium magnet system. To create the necessary sound pressure on the bass, the speaker is loaded onto a Voight quarter-wave horn 2.3 meters long. The difference from the classic designs of the company is the use of a super tweeter with a diameter of 20 mm with a conical waveguide, which is connected through a single capacitor, providing a decay of 6 dB per octave, and enters into operation at a frequency of 8 kHz. The loudspeaker cabinets are designed in such a way as to exclude the presence of parallel surfaces in them, and are finished with fine wood veneer. The sensitivity of the system is 98 dB, the nominal impedance is 8 ohms.
3. Klipsch Jubilee
Pros – the embodiment of the ideal horn system, as the founder of the company saw it
Cons – form factor and price
Conclusion: A rare example of an uncompromising implementation of the classical approach to speaker design today
The combination of a classic design, which was conceived but not implemented by Paul Wilbur Klipsch, with modern materials and technologies. The 2-way circuit features an incredible high frequency horn driver capable of operating from 340Hz to 20,000Hz! It has a 7″ titanium diaphragm with an axiperiodic profile covering most of the range. The bass is delivered by a 12″ composite cone driver, which is loaded onto a rolled-up horn, complete with a bass reflex. With a total system sensitivity of 105 dB, it also has the ability to be actively turned on using the included electronic crossover with DSP, which adjusts the phase and time delay for each driver. The Klipsch Jubilee is capable of generating up to 125 dB SPL in active mode. The total weight of the system is 185 kilograms.
2. Voxativ Ampeggio X
Pros – a truly lively and emotional sound that does not leave you indifferent
Cons – not cheap, fans of electronic genres are asked not to worry
Conclusion: Acoustics for those who love music, not sounds
An updated version of the model that made the Berlin firm world-famous. The new generation is different in that it can install any broadband bias driver produced by the company. The classic return horn loading provides good low frequency response. The cabinets are made in a grand piano factory, so of course all surfaces are finished with the highest quality piano lacquer. Each column weighs 55 kilograms. The main star of the systems are the broadband drivers with wood cones, whose sensitivity can reach 110 dB. It is better not to approach the model with mediocre amplifiers, but with high-quality single-cycle amplifiers, the sound is truly magical.
1. Wolf Von Langa Audio Frame London
Pros – amazing dynamics and naturalness of sound, full involvement in music
Cons – missing design, you will have to carefully select the amplifier
Conclusion: One of the best options for music lovers who are ready to forgive any utilitarian appearance for the sake of music
One of the best creations of the German developer Wolf von Lang, which includes two independent modules in an open acoustic design. The first one is built on a wideband bias driver, the second includes two 15-inch woofers on a rigid suspension, built according to the recipes of the legendary Altec. The declared frequency range is extremely honest – from 35 to 16,000 Hz, however, in terms of liveliness of performance and dynamics, such a system knows few equals. The weight of one speaker assembly is 84 kg, the total sensitivity is 95 dB. The high-pass and low-pass sections of the crossover filter are separated from each other, which allows you to properly organize passive bi-amping.
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