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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 3 responses by emergingsoul

emergingsoul
1,242 posts
 

@grislybutter

It’s like gain and volume being used interchangeably.

Transient is that initial sound kind of peaky that somehow can be very awakening and very exciting.

A lot has to do with Recording quality and amplifier. I always view it as Rocky Mountains versus Appalachians when it comes to frequencies being Heard.

 

emergingsoul
1,242 posts
 

Does anyone really know what transient means?

emergingsoul
1,242 posts
 

Transient responses from a speaker is a very curious topic. I always interpret what transient means by comparing the Appalachian mountains to the Rocky Mountains. Attack of an instrument being relayed through a recording, level of crispness in what you’re listening to, and what the hell goes on during a recording session when they’re playing with all these levers.

I always liked JBL speakers, have not heard them for a while.

I think what’s really important here is the quality of the amplifier and how it handles that sort of thing in relation to whatever the speaker achieves.

Probably tough to get a good definitive answer here.  Sealed speakers are not that common and there's plenty of portage speakers that probably give really good transient response I'm not sure there's a distinction between the two.

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