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?

128x128ted_denney

@nitrobob .... Just a point of clarification. Recheck your memory banks on #2 on your list. No such thing as a '64 Plymouth Newport...Chrysler Newport yes but Plymouth, no. There were four fullsize Plymouth model names in 1964...Savoy, Belvedere, Fury and Sport Fury. If somebody already brought this up then sorry, but I didn't read past the car list.

....going back to what we 'were' chatting 'bot....;)

Specs if available, waterfalls pref'd, typ. graphs at least.

Listen if possible. If 'they' won't play what I do, " 'bye..."

...but, that's 'then', and now is Now.

8 pairs of speakers/drivers, 3 of which DIY.

The drivers, not a box for.....

Other than my Heils., I like mine...and liking how they measure as such.

No place to go but up.....*damn*L*

Small rooms are a PIA, but one needs to regard the space as an extension of the speaker itself, so position and room treatment are paramount.  DSP should serve to 'fine tune' as opposed to 'sledge hammer' into 'refinement'...

...which generally doesn't work all that well. YRWVary....🙄

 

"Botless in Parapodise"

As much as I love car talk, staying OT:

I know the sound I like and as soon as I heard Vandersteen’s I stopped looking.

I love the immediacy of 'Steens.  First introduced with a Model 3A (non-Sig), I found them only intriguing until the dealer put on some Baroque; very coherent sound.  However, they were a bit too laid back for me (at the time), so ended up landing a really good deal (clearance) on a pair of KEF 104/2s.

Got reintroduced with a Model 5 (pre-"A" and Carbon) at a Hi-Fi show.  Didn't think that Vandy sound could've been improved on, but I was wrong.  But - couldn't afford, so I ended up with a pair of Dunlavys they were selling on clearance prior to going out of business.

And... Quatros (wow...).  Been looking to move upwards, and they've been in my crosshairs... but gads - the $$$! 

'12 Focus hatch....

I'm the one that you passed, but eventually I'm ahead of you Now.

I'm patient, and don't 'drive' quite like you might..... ;)

 

Eye B 'Bot?

no

Borg?

...perhaps.....

Not quite....yet.....

(...I like cars, but Lotus over Porsche.....which makes me fringe, anyway...)

Tallyho, whoa....J