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Have speakers really improved within the last 20 years??

Question:

  • If there is one measurement that would prove that speakers have indeed got better over the last 20 years, what would it be? 

I dont just want one example of a speaker from today that has a better measurement than another speaker from 20 years ago because that could just be a coincidence. I want to see IRREFUTABLE PROOF that most speakers today have a measured performance in at least one area that is better than most speakers 20 years ago.

When I look at a typical bookshelf speaker from 20 years ago versus one from today i see little difference. All i see is a wooden box, typically mdf with a pair of drivers in 'em. There would be a small crossover circuit inside and a bit of foam inside the box and that would be the end of the story. I would like to believe that speakers have gotten better but I see no reason to believe it. All I see is that speakers may have gotten brighter and brighter with time to dupe us into thinking we are hearing more detail. 

This challenge is open to any audiophile or speaker designer reading this.
kenjit

Showing 2 responses by cat_doorman

cat_doorman
237 posts
 
Ignoring the obvious repetitive trolling and knowing full well that I will regret engaging....
If you really want to know, then perhaps you should do your own research and better define parameters. Are we interested in cost no object, SOTA offerings to compare? With the millions of dollars devoted to R&D and statement offerings, obviously those involved in those projects would not be working so hard for no results. Maybe read the press releases for these products to learn what improvements have been incorporated.

Are we comparing designs at a specific inflation corrected price points? Then since entire teams are devoted to gaining a market advantage by providing more value to their consumers than their competitors, the successful companies must have metrics that measure cost adjusted performance. You might look at sales numbers and see what consumer categories have increased or declined.

Anecdotally, I think my speakers are better than 20 years ago. I would hope yours are, too. If not, then I hope your fortunes improve to allow it, or you are content with the trade offs you have made to accommodate your personal circumstances. 
cat_doorman
237 posts
 
I think I’ve got a line on this conspiracy theory now. We're all blowing it. The cover up isn’t that speakers haven’t been improving and the industry is lying to us. Speakers have definitely been getting better. The conspiracy is that this is being deliberately hidden from just kenjit. Lucky for us his denialism runs deep and he can’t be swayed.

So nothing to see here. Move along.

“It reminds me of that old joke- you know, a guy walks into a psychiatrist's office and says, hey doc, my brother's crazy! He thinks he's a chicken. Then the doc says, why don't you turn him in? Then the guy says, I would but I need the eggs.”

I need new speakers.



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