Starting to DJ

Some speakers remain in the memory of several generations and sometimes are firmly embedded in history and become symbols of their era. It is such speakers I described in my series of articles, “Best Vintage Speakers.” In this article, I’ll talk about the Technics vintage speakers, which were compared to bestsellers like JBL, Klipsch, Pioneer, … Read more

Sony usually gets that bad rep when discussing vintage speakers, or to say it better, lack of interest. To most folks, Sony is more synonymous with its mass-market Walkman and PlayStation products than high-end and innovatively engineered loudspeakers.  But, being the giant it was (and still is), Sony still had the resources to dip its … Read more

Altec Lansing was dominant in the USA in cinemas and studios, and homes with “higher requirements” from the 40s until the late 70s.  Then it went down in connection with purchases from various technology/investment companies, and engineers fled to other companies like JBL, EV, and others. Any day of the week, older Altec Lansing beats … Read more

I have bought and sold all kinds of speakers over the years since I was in the DJ business, and I know a lot about sound. I noticed that vintage Cerwin Vega is a brand that rarely receives positive reviews. What is it regarding that brand? Is it their West Coast Sound heritage? Is it … Read more

The under-appreciation of Kenwood audio equipment has long bewildered me. Kenwood manufactured some of the best speakers out there, although they are rare. You will hear many so-called audiophiles call Kenwood speakers “Kabuki nonsense.” However, if you like listening to good music more than talking about it, you will be impressed with some of its … Read more

I’ve always loved the look and sound of the older Klipsch speakers, but I didn’t have enough space for the big ones like LaScala or Cornwall. The company has gone from the original unique high-end audio product market to a more home theater-oriented market, and its traditional sound fits well for home theater use. I … Read more

For the past 12 years, I’ve been doing audio upgrades in houses of wealthy hometown residents and venues. Let it be a small home studio, theater, or concert hall, and I’ve seen them all. Pioneer is certainly a brand to consider if you’re in the market for a quality sound system. Their creations offer superior … Read more

I have never much cared for most elements of the classic JBL sound: boomy midbass, shallow soundstage, obscure imaging, absence of deep bass or really high highs, and (frequently) piercingly sharp middle highs. But I have always respected their midrange performance.  Whether it was their professional or consumer series, JBL’s speakers always had a punchiness … Read more