Should we pay more attention to delays in sound?

Isn't this thread really talking about a speaker design issue that is inherent in most if not all speakers: namely time coherence.  A couple of manufacturers address this issue by careful placement of the drivers and using first order crossovers. For example, .... Thiel, Vandersteen and Green Mountain audio.  

The late, great Roy Johnson of Green Mountain audio wrote some pretty impressive white papers on the subject.  Not sure if Roy's white papers are still available.

And DEQX sells a digital device that can correct for time delays in speakers.  I used to own a DEQX. The unit was inserted between my preamp and amp.  Although the DEQX added quite a bit to the SQ, I found, on balance, that there was a net subtraction because the DEQX added a lot of processing and manipulation to the signal. 

If there were more brick and mortar stores around that carried a lot more speakers brands, I would love to spend some time educating my ears to learn just how much better time coherent speakers sound as compared to those which are not time coherent.  John Rutan at Audio Connection, located in Verona, NJ, is a Vandy dealer and stalwart.  Perhaps John would let me burn some time one day in his shop.  

BIF      

Hey guys, .... I don't want to bust your bubble, .... but most speakers, even high end brands, ... are not time aligned.  Based on articles I have read, Vandies and Green Mountain Audio are supposed to be time aligned.  I believe both brands use a recessed tweeter and 1st order crossovers.  Roy Johnson of Green Mountain Audio wrote some great articles that explain why higher order crossovers screw up time coherence.  You'd have to find the articles to understand the science.

The problem of using 1st order crossovers is that the various drivers may be operating outside their optimal frequency range.  So special drivers must be used to achieve good results.  

In any case, most of us are happy with our speakers, even if not time coherent. 

If you want to see bench tests of your favorite speakers, check out John Atkinson (Stereophile) bench test results.  For example, JA measured the Vandy Model 7 MK II here: www DOT stereophile.com/content/vandersteen-model-seven-mkii-loudspeaker-m7-hpa-monoblock-power-amplifier-vandersteen-seven

Versus

The Revel Ultima Salon II here: www DOT stereophile.com/content/revel-ultima-salon2-loudspeaker-measurements 

And who doesn't like the Revel Ultima Salon II?? ;)

BIF