Quite an interesting range of responses. I always look at frequency response first and it must designate the 3db roll off point. I don't want to have to use a sub. As opposed to what someone else said about size. I recall a statement that Nick Mason made of speakers. "They ought to be big enough to put your granny in." seems like good advice to me!
When choosing new Speakers, what matters most to you?
When auditioning new speakers have you ever listened to a pair you thought you really liked only to realize you didn’t like them at all after seeing their measurements/specifications? And I’m not talking about speakers that would be too difficult for your electronics to drive but rather, you just didn’t like their waterfall plot, or their frequency response or some other measurement even though subjectively, you loved the way they sounded? Conversely have you ever listened to a pair of speakers you did not care for only to change your mind after seeing their specs?
Assuming speakers can be easily driven by your home electronics, in other words, no compatibility issues related to sensitivity or impedance, what is the single most important thing you look for when finding speakers you’ll enjoy listening to? How do you go about confirming the speakers you buy will be enjoyable to listen to in your home system?
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@nitrobob "Jap Crap." Really? And you think the new Ford Lightning is made non-union with all American parts? Good lord. |
1. Establish a budget 2. Determine the max dimensions that suit your room 3. If looks matter then take that into account too 4. Do your research and make a shortlist 5. Go to a shop and listen to your fav music 6. Realize that at home they will sound different, negotiate a trial period 7 Don’t be surprized you ended up with a pair of speakers that were twice the budget, twice the size, and ugly as hell ... but they just blow you away and evoke emotion with how they sound.
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I understand how to read them, but was agreeing with @vinylvalet ’s statement that we should not decide on speakers solely on measurements alone. I absolutely concur that measurements provide an idea of how they’ll perform in your listening room. More importantly, since the measurements are taken in a controlled environment - you’re able to compare different speakers without having to lug them into your listening room.
I listened to a pair (forgot which model) many moons ago at a dealer, and they weren’t my cup of tea (purely subjective, of course). A bit too smooth (if that’s even a thing), though I can see their appeal if that’s the sound you’re looking for. I listened primarily with classical music; perhaps with something like rock they would have sang.
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Quality, looks, auditions I im a big vintage fan, so I don't alway have the opportunity to audition. I pick the best of the vintage that fits my purpose. Yamaha, jbl, Wilson audio, pioneer, Tannoy, I would like to thin the herd but I'm a pack rat. Stash what I don't like, keep what I do, and setup the ones I love. Jbl, jubals and l220 have made it the longest. Wilson Audio watt puppy 5 and Yamaha ns1000m are all in the rotation as keepers.
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Measurements to me have some meaning, but I would seek out speakers that have a known good reputation for good performance in most rooms in the real world, over measurements. I read allot of success stories about Devore Fidelity regarding. I also believe that a smooth off axis response both horizontal and vertical, is important for success in rooms as well. |
Fitting the speakers to the room is most important. I had a wonderful pair of Vonschweikert VR7’s that worked beautifully in my dedicated large listening room.. When we downsized and I lost my dedicated room to the now smaller Den, the VR7’s had to go along with some large tube mono blocks.. what a shock it was having to basically start over. I went for a mid tower, Daedalus Athena V2’s, for size and their efficiency so I could use smaller lower powered amps.. Took a few years to get to this point.. very pleased now with my sound.. as good or better when sized and matched properly.. i went through a bunch of equipment and another pair of speakers before I got it right.. |
To me, I think it is very important to look for very efficient speakers. This not only allows to drive them with less power and as a result might help to reduce the overall cost of the system. If you drive these with amplifiers that have plenty of power this allows the sound to be transferred to the speaker with ease. This extra power also allows for greater head room and in turn might reduce distortion. I equate this to driving car with 200 HP and another with 400 HP at 100 mph. The 400 HP car is going to support a speed of 100 mph with ease. If you were to insert the word resistance into the equation, a speaker with less resistance will have to work less and the less it has to work the lower the distortion. However, the next thing one must consider is the speed by which the speakers can react to the signals it is given. However, all of this will affect how different styles of music sound better as well. We might think then of the speaker as a musical instrument to produce the right amount of resonance desired for the styles of music played. I am a rookie and certainly I do not know what the rest of us knows. I am just trying to mentally figure this out. I also agree it is important to take into account the size of the room, along with things like the amount of hardwood floors, rugs and furniture to absorb the right amount of sound. I kown Carbon Miller might have the correct answer to this question. |
Sonics first: after several demos in different systems the speakers I consistently love (emotional engagement) are Magico and YG. I figured I can reproduce the sound at home if I properly support them with adequate components and room treatments. Measurements- neutrality and transparency second. I want to hear as uncolored as possible the music and component upgrade Price- try to get my preferred as economically as possible. YG priced too high. The Magico A3 sounded too lightweight so was leaning to a used S5 mk2, but settled on the A5 which is a bargain at it’s price point |
I wish I had an unlimited budget but I don't, so after I determine what speakers are within my budget, "musicality" matters most. I am most interested in a speaker that to my ears recreates both voice and instruments to how I believe they should sound. Over time I have realized I tend to be particularly partial to speakers with a realistic depth of sound and that don't sound "harsh" or cause listening fatigue. I guess in the end it is all very subjective but I would like to believe it is a logical subjectiveness. |
Good morning.. I heard these at a show a couple of years earlier. When I sold my Vonschweikert speakers and moved to a smaller room, I wanted something efficient and smaller that fit the room and worked with lower powered amps. I also liked the hardwoods and craftsmanship that these bespoke speakers had. They are also truly efficient as described. Natural sounding and allow all my changes upstream to come though.. very pleased with the sound and ability to drive them easily.. |
Close to full range as possible for me, if appropriate for the space. Like others have said, check measurements after you audition, then forget about the measurements. The pied pipers of measurements are brain-locked into a reactionary cult that despises personal emotional response to equipment. F em. Driving a Camaro once was balls out fun. The drag coefficient vis a vis a Taycan doesn't mean sh*t. |
A good transient response, good bandwidth (flat to 40Hz at least), excellent timbral quality, pleasing or at least unobtrusive looks, seamless crossover, freedom from sibilance, and good dynamics. If I'm spending more than £3000, and it certainly looks like I will have to if I'm hoping to get any upgrade from my Tannoy Berkeley's, then an exemplary spec sheet is also a must (esp dispersion/radiation patterns). Loudspeaker upgrades are notoriously difficult affairs. It would be very easy to go around in circles I'm sure.
If I had to chose only one quality, then it would have to be that they don't annoy. Many loudspeakers I have heard do.
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Hi All, Good thread although I got confused, more than normal, with the buy American and auto sub-discussions. Entertaining but not necessarily helpful to select speakers🙂! Comments were made more than once that the speaker needs to fit the room and that specs are important. How do you review specs and graphs to understand if a speaker will fit in a room? I believe someone mentioned waterfall graphs and I am not sure what those tell me and if they are part of the "fit the room" discussion? Looking to learn here, please. Thanks for listening, Dsper
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