Best shirt of 2023! 😍

I have the ZU DW6 with the upgrades based on your recommendation. I love them couldn’t be happier.

Seeing your colourful shirt ,I too get confidence to wear colour! Now listening your full video 😊

Great stuff! Love learning from you about good hifi. Thanks!

Glad to see that Zu made it to your list. I'm still in love with my Zu, Soul Supremes (with cherry wood finish, drool) which I bought based on your review. Thanks Steve!

Best shirt of the year by far! Love ya Steve. What a great year. Good run down

Thank you Steve. Merry Christmas

Thank you for this video. I am in the process of build a new stereo system, after 30 years. The new system is replacing the system I sold off in the early 2000’s. The old system was based on Vanderstein 2C's (I loved those speakers) bought in the late ‘80s. That makes your video that much more meaningful to me. Sadly, my budget for the new system can’t afford new Vandersteins, but ZU DWX seem very interesting and in my budget. I like the full range driver design; it should time and phase align the sound naturally. Thank you for your insight.

That has got to be the maddest piece of clothing I have ever seen you wear to date. Bravo Steve. Bravo...

A friend and I traveled to Cincinnati to visit around 5 high end stereo shops. We listened to everything from magnepan, focal, paradigm among others. One store had the Golden ears which both of discussed, that at the end of the day, the Golden ears were the ones that really stuck with us. I hope to one day be able to afford a pair. Glad to see they were on the list.

Great video Steve. As you know, all of us at HiFi-Loft love the X3.

Andrew, if you read this, your audio setup is gorgeous. Elegant, inviting, and relaxing.

Steve Thank you for posting.

Based on your review, I ordered a pair of the ET LFT8 a month ago. Expected delivery is mid-Jan; can't wait! Thanks, Steve!

I’ve always been impressed with the audio products from Scandinavia. Always with a style and sound quality that just sticks with you long after your initial experience. Now to be honest I’ve always been lacking the capital to own some of these true audio jewels but that doesn’t stop me from rendering a personal opinion on some exceptional audio products from exceptional companies. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all Audiophiles and Audiophiliacs world wide.

Thanks Steve you do a great job in describing all the various different equipment & speakers that are available. As for me, this hobby is in many ways like men's watches, there are a lot of great watches below $1K and a lot of great watches costing $5K, $20K , and $50K +++++.

It was a very interesting year for me I had a bookshelf speaker actually astound me. I had read about the Wharfedale Litton anniversary 2 way and a pair used came up on eBay for a price I felt I could afford to lose on if I did not like them, was I shocked. Tremendous sound out of a little box. All my vintage speakers have nothing less than a 12" driver so I love these little gems. Steve I am older than you and following you for many years keep up the great work and your great humor!

My son was gifted Vandersteen 2C from the 80’s. Impeccably good speakers.

The Vandersteen 2 has always competed with the best in their price range since 1977. Got to meet Richard in Phoenix around 1980. He was a very nice and interesting person.

That has got to be the maddest piece of clothing I have ever seen you wear to date. Bravo Steve. Bravo... Don't tell me it has matching pants/trousers.

I been working on high end audio equipment since 1976. I worked for Big sound system repair shops fixing many systems and got to know a lot of them from my bench. Out of all my sound system stuff, I have the Vanderseen floor standing model I purchase back in around 1991 and it stll blows me away in how well it brings music to the room. Short story, one friday night I brought home my crew from work ( 4 guys ) to treat them for a great install we did with a new large dental office. The thing is, we were debating bands and how they record and play live, So I wanted to play for them my Dark Side of the Moon LP I had that was Cut, not pressed from the Original master. None of them were aware I put on a record. I had a Sansui reciever to these Vandersteed Speakers. These guys sat, mesmerized in front of the system listening in very deep thought. When the record came to the end of the 1st sside, one guy got up and pushed the eject button on the CD player only to find no CD inside. He turned to me and with a super suprized face said " Theres no CD, what the F were we listening to ? " I poined out the record and all 4 of them could not believe the sound the system had and it was a record. I also had the CD, so I popped it in and played it. No Comparisson. All 4 guys instantly became Audio lovers and we got into a deep discussion about the system and what I alway belived was the most important part, The Speakers. I have to add this, I used my preamp into an old Dynaco st-70 one day and There Is A Difference ! That old st-70 showed me tubes still have a place in the high end stuff. Thanks for your reviews, we appreciate your efforts.

Great re-cap of some top notch speakers. Have you ever reviewed Wharfedale Elysian 4's? Curious how those would compare with some of these.

Andrew has great taste, the aroma of the room is great

The Borresen X3's with Aavik U-150 integrated has good depth of soundstage But that same soundstage is crazy wide. It's the most "live" sound I've ever heard and I've attended many shows and heard many systems that are Much costlier. The only one that comes close to this Experience is MBL. Steve, you are right on the money!

I'm planning to get a pair of Eminent Technology speakers early next year, based on your earlier videos.

J heard Vandersteen in 1979. I was thrilled then as a teenager and am still thrilled today by the current line.

Do you have a license for that shirt Steve? Great watching you all year....more music recommendations welcome too. Merry Christmas to you in NYC.

Wow, interesting list. Of course this shirt you are wearing is also on the shortlist for the best shirt of 2023😀

Love love love Vandersteen. Such a musicale speaker.

A pair of DWX are on route to myself right now!!!

Cool list but definitely way up there in price for me, not a chance on those except maybe the zus. I believe ill stick with my snell type e3 and harman kardon 930 for the time, those i can afford and seems to do the job really well.

This video was almost perfect. It just lacked a decision on what was they BEST speaker of 2023 you reviewed Steve.

Just discovered u last night.....wonderful reviews/descriptions of the speakers........however, it would have been wonderful if u had let us know what was upstream. Were u using Krell mono blocks or maybe a Schist receiver, a nice single ended triode or a nice $2000 integrated. I have a Very limited budget but enjoy the most musical system possible. Thanx Steve!

I called the Vandersteen company back in the 80's when I was interested in a 2. I was shocked at how cottage the industry was because I got Richard Vandersteen on the phone. I never got Mr. Sony on the phone. The same thing happened with Bill Low of Audioquest. We probably talked for two hours. Things were different back in the day pre-internet and pre-cell phone.

As Maggie fan....just picked up the LRS and a crossover replacement kit, I may have to try the ET someday. But when I get my open baffle dipole servo subs finally wired up, I may have a better Maggie and dynamic bass that will actually integrate properly. But then again, always wanted to try the Vandersteen. Thanks for what you do Steve.

Heard a pair of vivid audio kaya 90 …..wow , …almost electrostatic in presentation , but with bass punch and kick , more important even…the amount of resolution and micro detail from that tweeter without whatsoever a bit of sharpness or unwanted brightness was unbelievable , that with an esoteric system , With mcintosh c70/mc 2152 ……even a greater Wow ….very good speaker.

props on the shirt Steve!!

One thing’s for sure after watching this, I wouldn’t dare to even attempt to pull off that shirt. Kudos.

Another quality video Steve. Steve, is it possible to review any gear from Angela Gilbert Yeung?

Vivid Giya remain the best speakers I've ever heard, after hearing them about 4 years ago. Those Kaya's seem really interesting. I'd be interested in a similar list for budget-audiophile, I believe that ELAC has been crushing it in that area.

Let's hear it for Zu! Love my Omen Dirty Weekends and their new DW6 Supremes, just incredible speakers.

Hi Steve. Is Hagel H190 and Triangle Genesse Trio a possible good match ? Thank you

This was a great video😀

Do you have any reviews of focal area 926 or 936 speakers

Hey Steve! When did you start racing horses? I love the jockey shirt. So you!

Was lucky enough to hear Borresesen X6 on HiFi show. Just to bad that was the first room I stumbled in to, after that i had to spent very little time in other rooms, because had heard the best of them all, couple of Sonus Fabers made some healthy competition, sound and design-wise.

Those threads are sharp .

This was quite a year for speakers when it was supposed to be a down year. I’m excited to demo a caladan next month. The only bummer for me is no klh model 7 release this year 🤷‍♂️ I thought they demod at a show earlier but haven’t heard a peep in months.

Epos Es14n. No list is complete without them. Such a shame they have no distribution in the US yet. This speakers has the highest preise and the best measurement among all passiv speakekers.

Steve-O in love with the Zu!!!

A new shirt, this must be an important episode.

That shirt…wow!

Steve, hello . . . do you stream music, and if so, have you heard of USB Audio Pro? If not, give it a trial, use TIDAL to download. You would also need a MQA capable DAC. Using this combo is outstanding as a digital source. Speakers seem to disappear. 🔈

I'm still bummed that Salk Sound has closed up shop. Really wanted the Song3 Encores.

Would be tough I know but wish someone would compare the Goldenear T66, Borrenson x3 and the Perlisten R7t. No dealers for any of these in my area to audition

Thank you!!

Have you reviewed Cabasse Riga with the Santorin 30 subwoofer? Your opinion would be appreciated! Thanks

I'm glad the new Golden Ear made the list. I'm curious what other reviewers think of the new line. However, I'm pretty sure they go much lower than 40 Hz. The old Triton 3+ went down to 30 Hz and these are about the same size as the old 2+. I would be surprised if these didn't have usable base to around 25 Hz in a typical room.

Steve, your shirts tho! 🤠🤘

Steve has a little statue of himself on his shelf ☺️

Nice shirt!!

I heard Vandersteen's Kento speakers, on granite bases. The sound was jaw dropping good, as it should be at its price point, which is far more expensive than the speakers reviewed in this video.

Love this first award show/Oscars for speakers. “Same as it ever was”, Talking Heads.

What do you guys think of the ET LFT-8C vs the Vandy 2Ce Signature III or even 3A Signature. Which is better?

They are very similar to the Dahlqvist DQ20(i) of witch I have a pair

Steve ever thought of converting that poster into an acoustic foam panel ?

Yes in the last two years a lot of good speakers were released and re-released, it happens a lot speakers being sold through the years sometimes with some internal changes to improve them or modernise them,like the LaScala model from klipsch that i don´t remenber when they were released but somewhere in the 40´s maybe, some amplifiers can´t get the best sound they can release but if with a good amplifier they would sound close to perfection, as the wharfedale Linton were also a great set of speakers i saw some comparisons here on youtube but youtube sound can´t be related with the real sound any speakers you listen to here ,it´s the same when comparing catrtridges and in the comments people talk like if they were retarted,once i told a friend for him to sell all his very expensive sources and keep only the amplifier and speakers to conect tio a lap top if the sound is so good as some think ,but everything is wrong on a laptop output no matter what you install on it it will always have computer sound specifications that are far from real sources of sound, if it was so good one would record music in high quality to a analog recording device or digital and it would sound perfect but that is far from happening

Does your shirt have 8 in. base drivers, or 6 in. ?

I need to buy that shirt! Could you share the brand name? Awesome video as always Steve!

What you done to your thumb Steve it don’t look good with the cover on ..??

Borresen wow !!! I'm curious if the xa 25 was enough

Fantastic video, Steve!!

nice needlework! 🥰😘😎

How about some bookshelf and near field speakers?

That's a sharp pullover!

I would be more interested in your favorite shirts! just sayin.

I thought the buchardt 400 mark 2 would have made the list..u raved about them!

Most interesting part was the picture behind you. Is that a painting of you when you were young with long hair...?

Thanks Steve ' I been having alot of fun with Dynes Emitt 50s for price point dam their good and so easy to drive Dynaudio bass drivers don't dip to low in impedence my Audiolab 6/7000a never sounded so big and forgiving😉 thanks again ' you my dude Merry Christmas and happy new year - hopefully one day we could have a live video together 'that would be cool 2 Gen x live ohhh boy !

I cannot afford such high priced stuff nor i aspire ! I am planning to buy polk reserve r200 😊

I can only hope that GoldenEar starts upgrading more of its speakers because some of the speakers haven't changed in a decade.

The box with a sock!

Reviews 10 outa 10. Shirt 11 outa 10.

This fool lookin like the villain in 5th Element 😂😂

Now this is a true audiophile shirt.

Need to look at linheim audio. Little american group making some absolute must haves.

These speakers may all be excellent, but they're about as accessible to me as a round way trip to Pluto. Maybe include something us peasants can afford. Nice units though.

The Vandersteen loudspeakers reminds me of the Mirage M series.

No mention on Philharmonic audio?

2023 is not over, pls squeeze in the Wharfedale Dovedale’s

How about making a video for people with small rooms or near-field listening ??

I wish you would do a really good comparison of dipole speakers.

Surprised the Kef R7 Metas didn’t make the list?

Very surprised the TADs didn’t make the list.

The 2C is too expensive for me. The Vandersteen 1Ci+ is also crazy good for $2020 with stands.

What are the best cable risers of 2023?

Steve, I really enjoy your videos. I must point out that you are mispronouncing "planar." It is pronounced as if it is spelled "Play -ner" because the drivers are flat, as in a geometric plane. I just verified this with the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Sorry to be nit-picky.

just subbed to the channel! does anyone know where the black and white wall panels are from?

best shirt of 2023!

My choice is Franco Serblin Ktema speakers ❤️👍🙏🏻🥰