This is my current system. Recent upgrade is the Sonus Faber Amati anniversario speaker, replacing the Wilson Benesch ACT one. I make up my mind after reading Martin Colloms's review and this also turns out to be a great speaker!
I am from HongKong. Here in our city, living space is a precious commodity. Most people are living in flats with only a small living room. So most audiophiles here have their preferences towards slim and modern looking speakers with a small footprint. Audiophiles here do like to change gears quite often so 2nd hand value is also an important consideration.
Varieties of Hi-End speaker choice is actually quite limited. Common brands include Wilson, MBL, Avalon, JM lab, B&W, Sonus Faber, Verity Audio, Wilson Benesch and Dynaudio. Traditional brands have Tannoy, Thiel, ProAc, JBL, Elac, PMC and ATC. But fewer people are buying them now. Some new comers are emerging like Magico mini, Rockport, Vivid Audio, Eventus, Kharma and Eggleston works.
We have lots of HiFi gatherings and home visits from time to time. I'm lucky enough to have listened to all of the above brands from my ~500 home visit sessions during the past ten years. Previously owned speakers include Focus Audio, B&W, Dynaudio, Elac, JM lab and Wilson Benesch.
I moved to a larger flat two years' ago and the 6 inch bass driver of the wilson benesch ACT 1 is getting quite exhausted to fill up the 400sq ft area. Have considered a few other choices like Wilson watt8, B&W 800D, JM lab Alto and Scala utopia, Wilson benesch chimera, Magico Mini and Vivid audio K1. Finally decided buying the Sonus Faber Amati anniversario :)
