Joe, Shadorne, you are absolutely right. I had posted a short reply and do not know why it did not appear. I simply stated that smaller drivers are not the same as larger in the same way that a four cylinder engine does not perform the same way as a six cylinder engine. It is absolutely wrong to conclude that size of driver has little to do with performance. You are also correct that as one goes higher up in lines of speakers which are considered world class, the drivers almost invariably increase in size, to obtain better results within the laws of physics - as Dr Joe explained.
If I have the space, I never prefer a speaker with smaller drivers, unless I intend to pair it with a subwoofer, but even that is not the same as a speaker designed for full range performance.
If Elizabeth is speaking in terms of tone, then I can agree somewhat. However, there is a definite sense of scale/ease which comes with larger drivers as they move the air more easily. I find that even in the midrange this makes a distinct/very pleasurable difference which to my ear sounds more life-like than what I hear from the majority of more diminutive drivers.
An example of this: I reviewed the B&W CM7 speaker which has a wonderful tonality in the mdirange, but still sounds small due to the 5" midrange. Two other 7" midrange drivers - the 7" Aerogel on the Von Schweikert VR-4 SR MkII, and the 7" mids of the Legacy Focus HD both are much more spacious sounding. A smaller driver simply cannot convey the same spatial clues as the larger ones. However, you are paying much more and taking up more space; it's a game of scale economically and physically.
The Tannoy Glenair uses a huge Dual Concentric driver in which midrange is handled by the big 15" driver. Again, an extension of size, soundstage, etc. which is possible with a larger driver.
Some people honestly are unaware of such distinctions(not trying to suggest you, Elizabeth!), most likely because they have spent little time comparing speakers with radically different driver configuarations. If they go from room to room or store to store hearing a set of speakers each time they will not catch these subtlties that easily, especially if the box components change in each instance. A person then has no clue what the influence of the source/amp/cabling/speaker each is.
In that case, they should either experience the impact of different size drivers through direct comparisons, or if they are physically unable to hear these differences they can pick whatever speaker sounds tonally correct to them and have one less variable to worrry about! :)
If I have the space, I never prefer a speaker with smaller drivers, unless I intend to pair it with a subwoofer, but even that is not the same as a speaker designed for full range performance.
If Elizabeth is speaking in terms of tone, then I can agree somewhat. However, there is a definite sense of scale/ease which comes with larger drivers as they move the air more easily. I find that even in the midrange this makes a distinct/very pleasurable difference which to my ear sounds more life-like than what I hear from the majority of more diminutive drivers.
An example of this: I reviewed the B&W CM7 speaker which has a wonderful tonality in the mdirange, but still sounds small due to the 5" midrange. Two other 7" midrange drivers - the 7" Aerogel on the Von Schweikert VR-4 SR MkII, and the 7" mids of the Legacy Focus HD both are much more spacious sounding. A smaller driver simply cannot convey the same spatial clues as the larger ones. However, you are paying much more and taking up more space; it's a game of scale economically and physically.
The Tannoy Glenair uses a huge Dual Concentric driver in which midrange is handled by the big 15" driver. Again, an extension of size, soundstage, etc. which is possible with a larger driver.
Some people honestly are unaware of such distinctions(not trying to suggest you, Elizabeth!), most likely because they have spent little time comparing speakers with radically different driver configuarations. If they go from room to room or store to store hearing a set of speakers each time they will not catch these subtlties that easily, especially if the box components change in each instance. A person then has no clue what the influence of the source/amp/cabling/speaker each is.
In that case, they should either experience the impact of different size drivers through direct comparisons, or if they are physically unable to hear these differences they can pick whatever speaker sounds tonally correct to them and have one less variable to worrry about! :)