Speakers: Anything really new under the sun?


After a 20-year hiatus (kids, braces, college, a couple of new roofs, etc.) I'm slowly getting back into hi-fi.  My question: is there really anything significantly new in speakers design/development/materials? I'm a bit surprised that the majority of what I see continues to be some variation of a 2- or 3-way design -- many using off-the-shelf drivers -- in a box (usually MDF at it core) with a crossover consisting of a handful of very common, relatively inexpensive components. I'm asking in all sincerity so please don't bash me. I'm not trying to provoke or prove anything, I'm just genuinely curious. What, if anything, has really changed? Would love to hear from some speaker companies/builders here. Also, before one of you kindly tells me I shouldn't worry about new technologies or processes and just go listen for myself -- I get it -- I'll always let my ear be my guide. However, after 20 years, I'm hoping there's been some progress I may be missing. Also, I unfortunately live in a hifi-challenged part of the country -- the closest decent hifi dealer is nearly 3 hours away -- so I can't just run out and listen to a bunch of new speakers. Would appreciate your insights. 

jaybird5619

 There was some talk of plasma speakers, haven't heard anything since. The obvious advantage is almost no mass, hence no mechanical resonance and instantaneous response.

Now that would be a breakthrough in design.

Hi Jaybird. I had the MA Gold Ref60s in the past. They were excellent for the money. Their sound was clear and engaging. Fairly balanced.

Compare the MA Gold R60 with a Magico S3 or an Evolution Acoustics Micro One, and it becomes clear the MA is not capable of the resolution and balance of those mentioned. Both the above are more open in the midrange especially, and much more resolved across all frequencies. It doesn’t sound like a huge difference, but from someone very familiar with your MAs, believe me, it is a case of ‘night and day’. The Evolution Acoustic Micro one is a small narrow-baffle standmount with two ceramic drivers flanking the centrally mounted tweeter. It is extraordinary for its size. The soundstage and presence for a smaller speaker is breath-taking.  The Micro One has slighty less low bass presence than the MA, but is more dynamic, resolving, timbrally and tonally accurate. The Micro One presents a more real-life scale visceral sonic picture, which is is shocking for casual non-audio ‘normies’ because the MA is a ‘full-range’ floorstander. The Micro One cabinets are constructed of baltic birch hardwood. The MA cabinets are constructed of plywood (if I remember correctly) with a veneer. The layered baltic  birchwood cabinet of the Micro One is much stiffer and more inert. My son’s Magico S3 V1 are in my humble opinion, a masterpiece of audio engineering. The S3 constructed of ultrastiff and well-damped extruded aluminium monocoque cabinet enclosure with carbon midrange drivers, beryllium tweeters and ultra stiff aluminum cones. The eliptical crossovers, made from the finest components, are also highly innovative.

If you are looking for a speaker to really rock your world, and you have a budget of say 50 Benjamin Franklins give or take one or two kay, look at used pair of Magico S1 or perhaps the new A3. The advancements and execution of those speakers will bring you much closer to audio nirvana than your MA Silvers.plus this will get you state of the art speaker tech.

Shearer designs were the 1st time and phase matching designs they also featured pattern control. The W bin many of the early Shearer designs used is still current in pro audio and in theaters. Shearer horns have a near realistic sound quality I have had people walking to my house ask me if I had a band playing. I have never had anyone think a conventional audiophile system sounded like the real thing. To this day I incorporate what they learned during the Shearer horn into modern and up-purposed designs that can do what Shearer does but also what a good audiophile loudspeaker does.

I have found that a lot of speakers are difficult to

listen to for more than it takes for the crystal sound and v deep bass takes to dissipate. At first many Of the high end speakers will dazzle the listener but for extended listening time it falls short .

try Elac or Epos bookshelf and a fraction of the expense but listenable!