My thoughts on what constitutes a reference are similar to those from @kr4 above. It is something that is well characterized and whose attributes are not in dispute. Thinking in simple terms, it is like a graduated ruler, against which one can measure the length of multiple objects with confidence. Use of a ruler is not context dependent in a practical sense. I can use it at my desk, in my living room, in my listening room and it works the same. I can use it in Tennessee and travel to Leipzig and it still works the same.
I think of "reference" audio equipment and speakers in particular primarily within the context of use by a reviewer. I don't think of any of my pieces as being references even though when I audition new gear I use my existing equipment as a reference of sorts. I think more in terms of "destination" pieces. Those pieces that are so good I will probably never replace them. I regard my Atma-Sphere M-60 amps are destination pieces. Possibly my Coincident CSL line stage. I would be hard pressed to significantly improve on the M-60/CSL pairing. Future changes to my system will be to source or speakers, or perhaps to cabling or isolation devices.
Speaker performance is so tied to how well suited it is for the room in which it is used and also to being fed by a well matched amplifier that I just don't know how one really could have a reference speaker in the absolute sense. A reference should not be context dependent. What good would a ruler be if it were made of a material that had a high coefficient of thermal expansion? One that would only give reliable readings in a room where the temperature was rigorously controlled at 20C? That context dependence is the nature of speakers. How they perform is so context dependent I just don't think it is possible for them to act as true references.
I think of "reference" audio equipment and speakers in particular primarily within the context of use by a reviewer. I don't think of any of my pieces as being references even though when I audition new gear I use my existing equipment as a reference of sorts. I think more in terms of "destination" pieces. Those pieces that are so good I will probably never replace them. I regard my Atma-Sphere M-60 amps are destination pieces. Possibly my Coincident CSL line stage. I would be hard pressed to significantly improve on the M-60/CSL pairing. Future changes to my system will be to source or speakers, or perhaps to cabling or isolation devices.
Speaker performance is so tied to how well suited it is for the room in which it is used and also to being fed by a well matched amplifier that I just don't know how one really could have a reference speaker in the absolute sense. A reference should not be context dependent. What good would a ruler be if it were made of a material that had a high coefficient of thermal expansion? One that would only give reliable readings in a room where the temperature was rigorously controlled at 20C? That context dependence is the nature of speakers. How they perform is so context dependent I just don't think it is possible for them to act as true references.