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ELEMENTS THAT AUDIOPHILE SPEAKERS REQUIRE

I was thinking about the key elements that make a great speaker, and came up with this short list;

1,  Tonality - a speaker needs to be able to reproduce instruments accurately.  A harp needs to sound like a harp.  The strings need to sound as if they are plucked.

2.  Accuracy - the speakers must be flat across their stated bandwidth...+/- 3 DB  1

3.  Dynamics (Attack and Decay) -  to effectively portrait the music, the crescendos and Diminuendos must be accurately represented.  This keeps one interested and involved in the music.  

4.  Imaging - to some folk, this is not essential.  Certainly it is not as essential as the previous three requirements, but I appreciate a proper stage image.  

5  Resolution - the ability to resolve and portray inner detail and nuance of the music.  

6.  Matched - electronics must match the speakers impedance, sensitivity and overall sound.

paul_lindemann

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 

A flat response for a speaker is always wrong. Especially in the bass. Not only does no one make a speaker like that, but audiophiles often have a preference for going towards one flavor or another. These are not laboratory instruments no matter how much audiophiles claim to want neutrality they hardly ever actually like it.

There are a number of well-researched curves such as the Harman or B&K curves which are not flat, and the research done in terms of bass levels.  Flatness is wrongness.  Even smoothness is something debatable especially for those who like to feel visceral impact of a plucked harp string.

The list misses ability to reproduce the acoustic space of the recording.

 

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