ribbons vs domes and sibilance

A driver’s inherent traits are only one aspect of it’s end performance. As mentioned by at least of couple of folks, how something is implemented is critically important. So everything "depends".

There are pros and cons with every single choice. Speaker designers are inevitably faced with "pick your poison" options (sometimes multiple times), then have to figure out the best methods of dealing with that choice.

IMHO, sibilance and over brightness are far too common, and it’s one of the most annoying aspects of many systems. Many things can cause sibilance. From the range that a given tweeter is used, how it’s crossed over, where it’s crossed over, the parts it’s crossover with, it’s output level, frequency response, wires, connectors, baffle reflections, etc. Many times tweeters are simply too bright because of too much output...sometimes by choice so a speaker stands out in the show room, and sometimes because the designer perceives it as more detail. Other times, it’s those subtle nuances that are so difficult to measure or prove in an A/B test, or a more complex combination of things.  True vividly clear treble requires a lot things going right upstream from the tweeter...many simply settle for treble emphasis and mistake it for clarity.

@stuartk

...and far too often I’ve read or watched a review of gear that sounded promising only to be disappointed at the end by the disclosure that the product is "somewhat forward". This seems to be a very common refrain, these days. Do most people simply prefer overtly bright sound?

It sucks doesn’t it?! Good info can be tough to come by, so we often end up going our own way, which in the end can be a blessing, but is really tough to those starting out.

I really can’t answer about other’s preferences, but many speakers are intentionally made bright to stand out in a showroom to the unsuspecting. Think profit over sound quality. Many music lovers and audio enthusiasts lean heavily on advertising, sales pitches, and recommendations, and it works. Many people don’t know the difference if their only reference is a bright system from a box store. IMHO, most major corporate owned brands are too bright, have too much sibilance, or both....maybe intentionally, maybe due to cheap parts and cutting costs on the parts you can’t see (caps, resistors,e tc, which many try to argue you can’t hear either 🙄)

I can also say that many/most reviewers get paid in ways rarely discussed in public, which can and does influence the outcome of a review. There’s also the subjective influence that a reviewers opinion may simply differ from someone else’s.  Your opinion matters most.  Lastly, I’d be remiss not to mention that some reviewers are great writers, but are mediocre listeners....IMHO of course! 😄