2. speakers
  3. 190685-193490

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 1 response by livinon2wheels

livinon2wheels's avatar
livinon2wheels
199 posts
 

My choice for transient response with all the other desirable things included is a toss up between...VMPS tower II special editions...no longer made and seldom ever show up for sale used because people that buy them, keep them forever. Ribbon super tweeter, inverted cone tweeter, 5 " carbon fiber midrange and Dual 12" active drivers with a slot loaded passive radiator at the bottom of the enclosure.

And then the most amazing sound I have ever heard at any price, Ohm A - transient response and distortion extremely low at ALL frequencies. Truly an amazing loudspeaker, but ultimately flawed, limited ability to play loud without self destructing from cone over excursion and they required like 300 watts minimum to sound good and 301 watts to blow em up. I would love to have a speaker with the Ohm A sound quality but better durability and better dynamic range.

3rd on my list is the Klipschorn for all its capability, it is just not that accurate but it is exciting and engaging to listen to... and I think it has the transient response and relatively low distortion characteristics that are required.

I owned the VMPS for 20 years before a fire destroyed them...I cannot find anything so far that I like as well, let alone better. I wanna try out the Ohm F5 which is said to outperform anything Ohm has ever built. IF that is true, that might well be my endgame speaker. We are gonna find out in a few months....

More to discover