Excellent overall sound, no loss of midrange or bass even though it's an 8" 2 way. Typically that combination is not ideal but you can tell that there was particular attention made in design to get both great midrange and deep bass when you'll normally have a trade off with an 8" woofer.

As far as comparing them to other popular speakers that are mass produced, they far exceed any others. They are 1 of 3 speakers that I have decided to hang onto but when compared to my own 3 way tri amped DIY speakers using electrostatic mid/tweets, they don't stand a chance. But it's unfair to compare anything that's less than $5000 to my main or even 2nd set of DIYs costing under $500 to build. But for me to keep them even if I never use them says slot since I currently own around 100 sets of speakers. Others I'm keeping KLH model 20, Aztec Picasso, Bose 901 v3. Each has their own unique quality that stands out. Size, sound reproduction, design, legal issues or resale value compared to sound quality makes them not worth selling. (Right now).

Wonderfully balanced frequency response, high efficiency, fabulous build quality and physical appearance (mine are veneered in dark oak), easy to integrate into all but the most cramped listening environments. If you have the good fortune to discover a pair, by all means buy them. If the woofer surrounds are shot, they're easily replaced, and can be done very inexpensively. Taken whole, the EIIIs are the best full-range two ways I've ever been privileged to hear, and better than most of the three-ways out there.

Need to be away from the back wall to allow the rear tweeters to "breathe". No longer available new. Otherwise, none.

I've lived with the EIIIs in my system for two months now, and have played a wide variety of CDs through them. Their nominal 6-ohm loads are nicely accommodated by my paired Hafler 120s driven in mono, and pushing the Snells hard isn't necessary, as their efficiency is particlarly hgh (over 91 dB).

I discovered the Snells in an ad on Craigslist posted by the former QC director at Snell (prior to the company's sale to Boston Acoustics), and he had kept them in immaculate condition over the years--literally perfect.

How do they sound? As good as I remembered, having listened extensively to them in an audio salon back in 1990, when they simply disappeared in the room. Ii couldn't afford them at the time, as I was buying a house, but hoped some day I might acquire a pair. I've owned numerous speaker systems, some costing a lot more than the Snells when new, but I've never had better. My subwoofer isn't even necessary when I play any CDs, whether jazz, full orchestra, or even numerous pipe organ discs from my collection; I'm still stunned at the truly deep bass the 8" woofers can reproduce. Taken whole, though, the octave to octave balance of the E3s is exceptional, and may be one of the greatest audio bargains (new or used) Kevin Voecks ever designed. It's a real thrill to have Brubeck, Diane Schuur, Gary Burton, or the Boston Symphony Orchestra appearing in my listening room; the EIIIs are that good, and based on what I've seen on Craigslist and eBay, these are just about the best used bargains you could ever hope for.

Over the years I've been privileged to hear Snell CVs, A3s, and Js (model II, I believe), and have never been less than impressed by the quality product that Snell has produced over the many years they've been in business. I only wish that they had wider distribution, because everything they make seems to be of exceptional quality, and deserving of a much wider audience.

Customer Service

Snell Acoustics still stocks and sells replacement drivers for virtually all of their speakers, dating back 32 years--talk about service! How many other speaker manufacturers do that?

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Great natural sound, good bass, smooth top end and midrange

Stands are hard to find.

Theses speakers are truly awesome. I've listened to the Snell E/II's and the C's in Virginia and they sound great but I spent money on a powered sub instead. The opprotunity to own the Snell's came again and I jumped on it. These speakers are so even and smooth its ridiculous, nice and lush in the midrange. There is a tight hit in the 40hz region of the bass (can be smoothed out with an eq). Also for speakers with just an 8 inch woofer they produce huge amounts of bass - even for movies (turned off my two 15 inch subs just to make sure)! The top end is like velvet. The one word I could use to describe these speakers is smooothhhh! I just wish I could find the appropriate stands for these speakers.

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Quality of construction and componentry is excellent. Highly effecient! Wide and even frequency response. Able to deal with anything from the Dixie Chicks to Megadeath with aplomb!

When played LOUD, has a tendancy to "load up" in the bottom registers. Particular about room placement. Tend to sound a little "bright" on overproduced music.

I bought the E-III's in 1991 to replace a tired set of Polk 7C's. Had not planned on spending quite so much, but dealer threw in the stands. Have used them extensively with NAD 7240 / 5340 /6340 components of 1989 vintage and an almost classic B&O 8000 table, playing most types of music and movie audio, and have yet to find real fault with them. They have the ability to reproduce almost everything I throw at them without strain, and have proven themselves extremely durable and of very high quality.

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solidity, bipolar design, build quality

got them with bad woofers (but who can complain for what i got them for)

as much as this post may seem like a joke, i just was walking down the street tonight by a recently closed crackhouse in my neighborhood (not a joke,its not funny) and saw a pile of crap the new owners put out on the street while cleaning up. my friend pointed out the snells and i looked and saw the nameplate. They are in pretty good shape save for bad woofers. hope to have them up and running soon as i am amazed at the build quality and solidity of the cabinets. for that i will give them four stars . NOTE: these are the older E II models not the EIII but im not sure the difference. Anyways, it was a score for me!!!

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Clarity of sound, richness in detail

none

Bought these wonderful speakers used over a year ago. From the moment they were wired to my Sony 7ES receiver (a very decent amp), I've loved the sound.

Musically, everything sounds great. Whether it's Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong or Ella, all vocalist sound rich and engaging. Play Coltrane or Dexter Gordon and again the Snells swing. A little reggae, and Brother Bob gets your toe tapping and your butt swaying. (perhaps I wax poetic a bit too much?)

Fact is, bought them for less than $500 (w/the optional stands which really secured the bass) and have never regretted the purchase. Great bang for the buck.

Amp-Sony 7ES
CD-Sony 7ES
Phono-Philips 312 (a classic!)

Highly efficient, strong bass

treble glare, midrange coherence

I owned a pair of these many years ago, and ended up taking them back and trading them in for Signet 280s. Back then, I didn't have the critical ear I do now, and was seduced by their prodigous bass and high efficiency. After listening to them for about a month though, I began to expirience listener fatigue. There was persistent, omni-present treble "glare" that, although not horrible, slowly became maddening. Also, the sound from the speakers seemed a little "scooped" in the midrange, as if the drivers just couldn't quite pull it together. I'm sure their brightness was aggrivated by my other eqipment, but I read an audio review at the time with the same conclusions. My dealer let me take them back and trade them for the Signets, which, although not the rock stars the Snells were, were amazingly balanced and trasparent speakers. I still have them, too bad they are not made anymore

I bought this speakers because I was tired on my old Boston Acoustics T-1030, and a friend had to move to USA so I got them for a really good price. My first impression of this speaker was that they sounded much more clear than my old. There was a better resolution with this speaker compared to my old ones.
This speaker goes well with almost every music-genre. But I must complain on something, so in this case it will be the bass. The bass doesn't go as low as I hoped it would. But this could be fixed with a sub.
At last, I could recommend this speaker to everybody who listen to many different genres.

Hi!The Snells exceed my expectations by far. My girlfriend (now wife!) bought them after extensive listening to smaller speakers but after we heard theese she had a wonderful smile on her face. We bought them for her stereo (NAD 304 Amp Pioneer 702 CD.) Well we moved together in a small apartment and I could no longer use my Magneplanar IIc´s and had to settle with the Snells for a while. Still they sounded pretty good but without the soundstage of the planars (impossible!). Then I got the bug and started to upgrade to better auxiliary equipment. An Accuphase E-406 ($8000) some new cabels, PAD Elementa biwire and some great feet from SD design (much better than spikes). They continue to rise to the occasion and seem to swallow all my upgradings by sounding better and better. The amp is a real gem and tightens up the bass which can be a little bit on the loose end and gave it a nice soundstage. Dynamics is very good! They make ggod service as a part of a Home Cinema (Yamaha A-1092, Snell Center) and with a good recording (typically GRP-Style) sound AMAZINGLY GOOD!
A best second hand buy!

Soundstage and definition. Snell's online support, they realy care about their customer base.

Loosing a little controll at very bass heavy music. Is not realy a problem caouse it only happens when it is played loud, and at very low bass(techno) sub 40hz. Most music do not dwelve for long in this neighbourhood.
And if you bi-wire it with a good amp, it goes away.
They're not made anymore.

I love the sound of the early to mid 90's snell's, especialy the J and E series. Warm, musical, and very pretty to look at (real wood finish).
I fell in love with them from the first time I listned to them. The music I usally listen to, are: ambient, Jazz, and the experimental type, like Nils P. Molvaer, Biosphere, Kruder Dorffmeister, Stina Nordenstam, Toshinori Kondo, subgud, and the like. But since most of these are about defining moods, and audioaural space, wich require a lot from your speakers especialy in the midrange, wich for most speakers spells fatique, or to boxy.
But the Snell delivers, with a warmth I havent found anywhere else. Not at the price anyway.
You can find them on occasion on ebay, and for 300-500 dollars they are are a steal.
I recomend a decent amp for these speakers, like something from NAD.

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