Yes, but is it a fair analogy to compare recordings to images? For example, if you attempt to enlarge a low resolution image beyond a certain point it only becomes pixelated and distorted, doesn't the same apply to recordings?
This is often an argument used by high-end salesmen when your favourite recordings sound worse through their speakers. I can still recall how bad 'You Are the Quarry' sounded through Quad 2905's. I know they're great speakers but are they really too good for most recordings? Too much resolution?
Or perhaps they just weren't mastered through a pair of Quads!
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Small speakers (in a car or on a desktop) can be wonderful on voices. I actually heard the best imaging on a car stereo (an Alfasud in Wembley). There was an uncanny spread of image across the front two seats. Sure there was little real bandwidth but the image was astonishing, I never forgot.
Isn't it the case that with small speakers you hear more of the speaker because of the greater direct sound compared to reflection ratio? If so then I guess with larger speakers you hear more of the room because of the way the speaker drives the room and the reflected sound.
Of course there's also volume, seating distance, loudspeaker dispersion characteristics, people's hearing characteristics etc to also consider. In fact the science of acoustics seems so complicated that I'm wondering if anyone understands it completely.
Right now listening to a BBC podcast via the Logitech's (Dell branded) the voices do sound pretty life-like. On larger speakers they might sound exaggerated and larger than life.
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@hifiman5 yes you are correct about small speakers. Me and a couple of friends were at a London show where the new B&W 601s (at least I remember it being the 601s, it would be surreal if they were the 301s). They were being played on the back of an Arcam amp and Digital tuner.
The three of us just could not get over how big they sounded for bookshelves mounted on chrome stands! The image was simply huge and although its possible that the bandwidth wasn't all that great but for the size of them we were left open mouthed.
The room was also huge (width, length and height) and open so the sounds were even more impressive. There is definitely a visual factor at work regarding his we perceive sound.
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@timlub Yes soundstage, but also a better view into the recording - bandwidth wise. Once you can hear the highest and lowest sounds off a recording you have effectively top and tailed it. Until then something important may well be missing.
Very few speakers have much meaningful output below 35Hz and this can hurt both Classical and Jazz. Classic 60s Pop on the other doesn't seem to need much below 60Hz. |
@phusis Yes! It just struck me after reading your post, something so obvious yet didn't consciously occur to me til now. For me at least, a major difference is that when I listen via large speakers I can more easily forget that I am listening to reproduced sound and fall under the illusion that I listening to reality.
Right now its very warm here in the UK and I have the window open. I can hear the traffic outside, someone speaking downstairs, plus someone vacuuming the landing. These are the kind of sounds (full bandwidth/ large images) I think bigger loudspeaker are more able to reproduce in a life-like fashion.
It is difficult sometimes to describe semi conscious processes taking place in your head, and they won't be the same for everyone of course, but for me that's it - bigger speakers help me forget that I am listening to a recording / reproduced sound.
That doesn't mean that bigger is better, sometimes you might want to listen into the recording, or have other priorities such as transient speed, detail etc.
But for the sheer illusion of reality large loudspeakers are hard to beat. |
@wolf_garcia wide, short, fat but definitely not small.
I wonder whether efficiency (or should I also say ease of drive?) is a key factor in creating the illusion of reality. Ease of drive has been a Klipsch hallmark since the beginning of audio history as we know it.
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@kosst_amojan, yes I can remember reading Ken Kessler writing about how the fabulous Apogee Scintilla's with their 1 ohm load only came to life spectacularly with Krell amps.
Unfortunately reading about them is as far as I will ever get with such audio exotica. There's no denying that power is important especially if you enjoy a wide range of musical genres, and it never hurts to have too much as long as you're careful with that volume control!
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@kosst_amojan, yes it can be a very complicated business getting good sound.
Some get lucky with their setup and room from the get-go. They seem to be easily pleased with modest equipment, whilst others suffer for years on the treadmill to audio nirvana, chasing their tails and swapping equipment on a regular basis.
I should know, I've been there. Might still be there?!
And then there are some who even enjoy being on the treadmill to audio nirvana!
@larryi as I've got to know myself better I've also come to the conclusion that I prefer larger loudspeakers for their ease of listening. I must admit though, I've no experience of using subs despite finding the idea of relegating the heavy work away from midrange units quite appealing. |
@johnk, do you feel that your experience explains why audio history is littered with mainly classic large speaker designs such as JBL L100s, the Klipschorn, various Tannoys including Westminsters /Golds and many many others?
Yet it's hard to recall many small speakers which attained classic legendary status apart from the BBC designed LS3/5A.
I got the impression after reading about Gilbert Briggs (Wharfedale) that it was mainly a question of economics and fashion behind the trend to downsize?
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@timlub , Spendor SP1s are huge by modern day UK standards, but point taken. I think I’m kind of fixated with the idea that the 50s and 60s were ruled by loudspeakers often the size of wardrobes. Probably seen too many vintage ads where some attractive girl is dwarfed by the size of the loudspeakers.
I just remembered that the Linn Kan is another much loved (sometimes hated!?) miniature from the past. Whereas the Eclipse TD 712z is surely another small(ish) speaker destined for future legendary status.
I guess like so much in audio it boils down to personal taste. There are few certainties and the hardest one is often determining one’s own tastes.
I used to sometimes joke that relationships are the most complicated thing in the universe (everything in flux - nothing static), but I’m beginning to feel that understanding Hi-Fi cannot be too far behind!
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