Price Paid:  $500.00 from craigslist

Summary:
These fine speakers seem to get short shrift when compared to the earlier xx90
or x10 generation. Well, IMHO, it's time to rethink that. I have owned 8 different models of ads (yes, I'm an ads fan), including the 810, 1090, 1290, and 1590. The M12 can hold their own against any of them. I did direct comparison of my L1090's and M12's, and the M12's have all the mid range and HF clarity of the 1090's, with more bass. I think the M12's are less efficient - I have to turn up the volume of my Yamaha C80/M80 combo higher to get the same volume level. The M12 compares very well with the 1090 (which some people think is the best of the xx90 family). The M12 throws a very wide soundstage, with very good detail. There is little sense you are listening to speakers, which I think is a high achievement. Fit and finish are exceptional, with bookmatched walnut veneer finish and bronze metal grills. They are big, but attractive. These speakers sound great with classical, jazz, and rock music. I think they are a great buy used, and if you can find any of the ads speakers mentioned in this review used, you won't be sorry you bought them. The M12 is one very fine speaker.

Strengths:
Soundstage
excellent bass for music listening
great detail
"wholeness" of presentation
great balance of sound

Weaknesses:
Size and weight, but you need big speakers to get big sound

Similar Products Used:
ads 810, 1090, 1290, 1590

Price Paid:  $3500.00 from hilo audio, big isla

Summary:
I'm just a casual listener, but prefer higher end products. I bought this pair of
m-12's brand new from a local retailer (Hilo audio, in Hilo Hawaii) and it has given me over 12 years of great sounding music of all types. From local (Hawaiian) music to soft rock and jazz, these speakers are up there. Its almost as clean sounding as the higher end products from b&w. I got it also because of how beautifully constructed they are made, with gloss black lacquer. It appears to looks like it was made from a higher end piano manufactuer. I just love them period and its well worth the cost. Highly recomended.

Strengths:
Beauty, grace and awesome sounds

Weaknesses:
Grills detach too easily so kids remove grills and get to the raw speakers and push the speakers in.

Similar Products Used:
Technics, alpine, b&w, pioneer, and clarion

Price Paid:  $489.00 from Used Audio store

Summary:
I was due for a change in speakers for my basement system and found these at a local shop. They sound superb, midrange is just right, highs clear but not shrill and bass is not boomy or intense but exacting, I guess would be the right description. If you need better bass, buy a powered sub. I am hearing things I never heard through my previous speakers, which were Boston Acoustic T930's. Imaging is something that still amazes me, simply fantastic. They are efficient enough for my modified Dynaco ST70, too. They have a involving feel and verve to them I rarely hear. If you find a pair, you won't be disappointed!

Strengths:
Imaging, clearness, efficiency, build quality is solid.

Weaknesses:
For deeper bass or home theater you might want a powered sub to go along with these.

Similar Products Used:
Conrad Johnson PV10A
Sota Sapphire
Dynaco GSI modified
Denon 3520 CD player

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Ensemble AV

Summary:
I found these babies for $400/pair used (score!). You don't find too many A/D/S products used - that's because they're so good! Perhaps I'll eventually move up to another pair, but I'll never let these speakers go. As the cornerstone of my system, the M-12's are great. Highly recommended, if you can find them!

Here's the rest of my system:

Cambridge Audio D500
Antique Sound Labs AQ2004 DT
Hafler DH-500
Ixos speaker cable and interconnects (price was right)

Strengths:
Very musical, soulful.

Weaknesses:
None for the price I paid. Difficult to find

Similar Products Used:
EPI Magnums 12

Price Paid:  $1500.00 from Sound Factor

Summary:
One of the most musical speakers I have found after 3 years searching for a speaker that meets my tastes. The soft-dome ferro-fluid tweeter is crisp but not too bright and the dual 8" woofers create nice tight mid-bass. Used without a sub for 8 years but broke down and added a velodyne fsx sub for movies. Not the best HT speakers but the soundtracks are incredibly captivating. Added spikes to raise the 5 1/2" mids to ear level. Definitely recommend all a/d/s/ products to music lovers.

Strengths:
Musical, smooth

Weaknesses:
Size, Metal Grill

Similar Products Used:
B&W Kef Dunlavy Mission Energy Vandersteen