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Best speaker brands for transient response

Hello all, first post / longtime lurker on here. I have really appreciated all I've learned from following threads on here -- much appreciated.

I've had three speakers in my house for a few years, and have learned that transient response is the quality I value most. I'm researching upgrade options and would appreciate recommendations on brands.

Currently I have KLH Model 3s, JBL 4305Ps, and JBL Studio 590s. The sealed KLHs are far superior in transient response / speed / attack. The 4305Ps are pretty good (I'm assuming because they're active) and the 590s, while they do a lot of things well, are relative laggards.

I am assuming that on average a sealed design at any given price point will outperform a ported speaker in this area of performance, but I'm sure there are important exceptions.

I'm also curious if more expensive ported horn speakers (Klipsch heritage line, or the JBL 4349 for example) may deliver equal or better in transient response compared to a lower cost sealed speaker because they're using better drivers, crossovers, etc.

Thank you for any feedback / ideas you have.

tommyuchicago

Showing 2 responses by celtic66

celtic66
1,722 posts
 

Not the only choice, but ATC speakers allow you to 'see' inside the music with excellent detail, fast response to instrument/vocal attack in a very balanced way (when driven properly).  Most other transducers seem slow and muddled.

One of the challenges with ATC is properly pairing their sealed cabinets and rather large magnets with stable current to control the drivers.  Sealed cabinet designs usually present a more difficult load.

Enjoy your quest.

celtic66
1,722 posts
 

I've owned/own four different pairs of ATC speakers.  Two active, two passive:  ATC 40A, 50A.  ATC 7, 20.  Even the small ATC 7 at 7 liters needs my Sugden A21SE class A at 33 wpc to properly push them around.  The ATC 20 needs the 125 wpc Luxman 509X to control massive magnets.  

Just saying that some may under power (translation, not enough stable current) sealed cabinet speakers producing anemic non-involving results.  Some will blame the transducer, that is not where the problem lay.

Active is where I live for reference, but the passives are also quite good.

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