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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 1 response by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Question:

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

kenjit has unwittingly asked a trick question. The answer is no. There isn't one. The trick is, because there can't be. One measurement can only measure one aspect. But there are near infinite aspects. No one of them can do what he asks.  

In fact, no amount of measurements can. Once again he's stuck chasing his own tail: Wants irrefutable measurements, but they still have to be voiced to his super refined hearing, even though you must prove it with measurements, which only he can approve, the measurements, with his super exquisite hearing, round and round and round we go, where we stop.... kidding! Never stops!
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