Bought my Wharfedale Vanguards in 1991 and still have them and they still work to this day - although they need to have the contour controls cleaned up as they are scratchy sounding now. They could and still can really pelt - 8 ohm mostly 10 ohm 95dB sensitive 40hz-23khz and can handle 175 watts RMS - can hit close to 120dB which is kinda bonkers. But they had a pro version used for bands - that version had rugged handles - they were the latest version of the now-classic E-70. The bigger E-90 version was used in bigger locations. Earlier E Series (e-70 second from right) They're a fun speaker especially good at rock and dance music. But quite respectable for classical and jazz. Hand-made in Yorkshire. You can find these for around $350 and they retailed in 1991 for $2,200US. There is a company that is dedicated to restoring the Wharfedale E series. Home - wharfedale-e-series-speakers-specialists If you can find a pair of these or the E90 - I like them more than Klipsch.
Nice, because they definitely have that typical warm and laid back British sound - a good balance with the rest of my equipment, which is quite forward and agile. Plenty of bass, actually too much for the small room they're in. They're a bit boomy at around 100Hz, but that's okay. I recently bought them with growth in mind, so they'll get the bigger room they deserve in the near future. When toe-in is done well, you'll get plenty of midrange and especially high frequency clarity. At 30kg they're quite heavy IMO, so toe-in experimentation is a drag... but well worth the effort once you've done it right. That's because the AMT tweeters are quite directional:
Mission 760 (sold) Mission / Cyrus 780 Mission 773 Rega RS5 (sold) Tannoy Legacy Eatons (last of the ones built in UK)
Original Castle Richmond 3i manufactured in Skipton, Yorkshire. Exceptionally heavy for their diminutive size and built like a brick shed with a quality veneer. Being monitor sized they lack bass and scale, but there ain't much else missing for the price.... excellent mid range, vocals, imaging and soundstage.
Currently using AVI ADM 9RSS active speakers. An old product listing below:- TheDigitalMusicExperts.com | AVI ADM9RSS | AVI ADM9T | AVI ADM9.1T | AVI ADM 9T | AVI ADM 9.1T | Active Digital Monitor | Active Loudspeakers with Built in Preamp & Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) | Exclusive US Online Dealer
I have a few pairs of speakers made in England, all newer models: KEF Reference 1 B&W 805 D3 Harbeth P3ESR I also own LS50s, which I think can be counted as British. Despite a strong similarity to the LS50, I think only the Harbeths have the stereotypical "British" sound. I am happy as can be with all of them.
Currently using Kudos X2 - brilliant little speakers. These replaced Harbeth P3ESR. AN-Es before that (in previous house), which replaced ProAc D2. ProAc 14o mk2 before them (in another previous house), which replaced Castle Howards. On reflection, all British. All great in their own way too, and not so much an upgrade path as a suitability and taste one.
Currently: Quad ESL 57, the late Wayne Piquet restored. Proac Tablette 10. Have owned Spendor sp 1/2 e’s which I loved. Harbeth HL5 30th anniversary- never really liked enough. Earlier had the Celstion 6 back in the late 80’s.
I have B&W DM640s... bought in the 90s, in the attic nowadays. Loved them for many years. Had to downsize, tho.
KEF 104/2 Replaced by Spendor S100. Which I've loved for decades. This past year I've added and SVS SB 2000 subwoofer to the Spendors and all I'll say is they've made a great speaker sound better!
B&W Nautilus 804- Made in England, got them new back in 1999. Still going strong in my main sound system. They really shine at their best when combined with tube gear upstream. Wharfedale Diamond III- I’ve a pair of these small great sounding in my vintage sound system in my summer cottage. They do sound bigger than they are to these ears.
Those stands are original Linn Kan II stands. I found them in an audio junk store. I had several pairs of Linn Kans to go with them at some point, but let them go.
I bought a demo pair of Spendor SP3/1R2's from Analogue Seduction in England a few years ago for an extremely attractive price, and had them shipped across the sea. Assuming I don't end up with a larger listening room down the road, I do not expect to upgrade or change my speakers later on.
I've been using the tiny AVI Neutron IV speakers for about 10 years now:- The Neutron IV variant was the last of the Made In England versions. Fantastic Scanspeak tweeters. A really good alternative if you want LS3/5a type sound on a budget.
