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My pet peeve: "revealing" speakers

The one word that bugs me the most in all of the audiophile world is "revealing." 

It's plenty descriptive but it's also biased.  What I mean is that speakers that are revealing are also usually quite colored. They don't unveil a recording, they focus your attention by suppressing some tones and enhancing others. The reviewer who suddenly discovers hearing things he has never heard before and now goes through his entire library has fallen for this trap hook line and sinker.

This is not always true, as some speakers are revealing by ignoring the room.  They can remain tonally neutral but give you a headphone like experience.  I'm not talking about them.  I'm talking about the others.  I  wish we had a better word for it.

Mind you, I believe you should buy speakers based on your personal preferences.  Revealing, warm, neutral, whatever.  I'm just saying this word is deceptive, as if there were no down side when there is. 

Best,

Erik
erik_squires

Showing 1 response by richopp

richopp
760 posts
 
1.  Your ROOM is the most important element of any sound system.
2.  If you want to HEAR your components, have your dealer install (CORRECTLY) the most expensive Magnepans you can afford.
3.  If they did it properly, you will now hear your components and the recording as it was made.

If you like what you hear, so be it.  If not, time to start replacing your components or fixing your room.

Cheers!
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