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In-Depth Explanation of the Audio Term "Synergy"

Hello: I've read and heard the term "synergy" bandied about frequently since getting into audio. Just the other day, an audiophile friend of mine said in an email. "Regardless of gear brand, I feel synergy is the most important thing to try and achieve really." This term "synergy" gets thrown around often and very easily. Most often I've heard this term used in the phrase, "amplifier-speaker synergy is the most important element of an audio system." I've always felt that if you put together a system and it sounds good to you or sounds "right", you have a system with amp/speaker synergy. I also felt that if your amplifier works with your speakers as it is designed without straining, clipping, running too hot, remaining stable etc., and produces good sonics with your speakers, then you have achieved synergy between your amp and speakers. I do an awful lot of research on the internet for all things audio (much to my wife's chagrin) and I've read several articles that discuss synergy. None of the articles I've read give a definitive and in-depth explanation of what "synergy" between a power amplifier or integrated amplifier and the speakers connected to it actually entails. So, I'm asking other audiophiles: What does "synergy" between an amplifier and speakers actually entail? Does anyone really know, or is this just one of those generalities that audiophiles put out there? What elements are really involved when synergy exists between the amplifier and speakers? I've always been curious about this subject
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Showing 3 responses by mrtennis

mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i have a more technical explanation.

there are three conditions for synergy:

1)components must perform within the limits of manufacturers specifications

2) a component cannot prevent another component from realizing its potential

3) a stereo system is in balance, i.e., no emphasis upon an part of the frequency spectrum

system synergy does not assure that you will like the sound of a stereo system.

here are 2 examples of the absence of synergy due to component interactions.

consider a tube preamp and solid state amp. if the output impedance of preamp is high and amplifier input impedance is less than say 50,000 ohms, there will be an imbalance in the stereo system.

consider a speaker producing a 2 ohm load driven by an amplifier which requires at least a 4 ohm load. again, the stereo system will be out of balance and the amplifier may not function properly because of the demand it is incapable of handling.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
ggentlemen:

i think i have it. synergy in audio system is cooperation among the components of an audio system producing a sound, which you the listener likes.

thus if you and i are listening to the same stereo system, we might disagree as to whether synergy exists.

i guess in the final analysis it's more important to enjoy music when listening to a recording than to be concerned about system synergy.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
interesting thought bob p, but the issue of your example is your statement that the preamp and amp combination sound better than expected. that is subjective, since "better" is a matter of opinion.

my approach is objective. also if in most cases the whole does not exceed the sum of its parts, there is no synergy in most cases.

i suppose, if synergy means "i like the sound", then your idea makes a lot of sense. but if synergy occurs in those instances when the whole equals the sum of its parts, there needs to be another explanation.

i guess, after all, there is no definitive answer, because the concept itself is philosophical.
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