Quote Originally Posted by Worf101
Up until recently my systems were as follows.:


System 1: Main living room HT hookup...

Receiver - Onkyo 898
Mains - Ohm Walsh F's (Ver. 2)
Center - Klipsch KLF-C7
Rears - Ohm Walsh 2's
Sub - Hsu VTF-3
DVD - Denon 3700
CD - Yammie 675
VCR - JVC something or other
Cables - Rat Shack etc...
TV - 13 year old Mitsubishi 35" CRT mankiller

System 2: Bedroom system

Receiver - Onkyo 797
Mains - Platinum Audio PT-801's
Rears - Generic BIC crap
DVD - Yamaha 920
Center - BIC DLR-53
Sub - Hsu VTF-2
TV- Samsung 32" HDTV CRT

As you can see all my mains are vintage or orphan makes. I recently was forced to rotate out my beloved Walsh F's and work in a more visually pleasing slim line in order to keep peace with the woman sharing my domicile. I wasn't happy. I've a lot of old Epicures, Ohm's, Allisons etc... that I work in and out as mains. I think sometimes while not "better" older speakers have more "character" or coloration and as such appeal to some folks more than the current brand of "me too" cookie cutter towers.

Da Worfster

You're right about the character or coloration factor. Nothing seems to stand out with the new speakers until you get to the 1000.00 range (with a few exceptions - The paradigm mini monitors are very nice). The walsh's must sound very open. I've never had the opprotunity to hear a pair but I've looked at the design features, seems that they would provide alot of air. If I hear a "new" speaker and I really like it - be sure that I will own it someday but it must pass the dimminishing returns test first. I've gone to music "salons" and listened to high dollar speakers just to say that I've heard it before. This is a hobby for me and my sons. Sometimes we'll just take a trip to listen to speakers we can't afford -yet! One of the best I've heard was the B&W Nautilus 802 powered by Rotel monoblocks.
Real nice.