Top 5... £500+ SPEAKERS

There's nothing technical about this top 5 listing and I fully realise that there are loads that could have been here that aren't... but these are speakers that I've bought, sometimes owned and sold over the years. They are all, in my humble opinion, great units within their price range. My strongest advice is that if you like your existing speakers but are looking to upgrade, first look further up the model range from your manufacturer before heading elsewhere. 

1. Martin Logan Electrostatic

I think you either 'get' electrostatic speakers, or you don't... and I most definitely do! Pictured here are some Aeries I models that are older and more affordable within the range. I ran these for some considerable time and loved them. Positioning is one of the things to consider, and outside of what can be a very narrow listening position, the sound is greatly compromised, so these are perhaps not for more casual listening. If you want to get the best from them, sit in one position and don't do anything else! At the economy end of the range, I reckon the Aeries I is a sweet spot, while I'm now using ESL X speakers at home, which are a whole new level... sublime. Expect to pay... £700 for a good pair of Aeries I. £2700 for ESL X  

2. ATC SCM40

ATC needs little introduction, and the SCM 40 comes up second hand reasonably regularly in S1 form or, as shown here, in S2 guise. You'll need a bit of space to house them, but these floor standers sound terrific and are a worthy upgrade if this is a first move into 'serious' speakers! Expect to pay... £1000 for S1 examples and £2500 for S2s.  

3. PMC Twenty5 21A

PMC could have appeared in this list for a number of its models, but these Twenty5 21As are a wonderful stand mount speaker that really delivers. Good looking deep cabinets help to deliver a full sound that works a treat. Expect to pay... £1500 

4. LS3/5A - various!

If you are a fan of super compact standmount speakers, then the BBC spec LS3/5A generally stands above all others. Various companies had and have the licence to make them and they are all worth consideration. There are some extraordinary prices being achieved by early examples, but you don't need to spend that to understand what all the fuss is about. Here are some Rogers LS3/5A speakers which are at the more affordable end. Expect to pay... from £800  

5. ProAc Tablette 8

I seem to have a love/hate relationship with ProAc speakers, liking some and not keen on others! The Tablette range definitely hits the spot. All seem popular and these Tablette 8s are particularly worth hunting down. Expect to pay... £800

Back to the Top 5 home page