What would your "perfect speaker" sound like.

For me it's a speaker that is rich, great soundstage and does disappear but I also agree that what I put in my main listening room does take on some similarity. My room is not ideal as it has a wall on the right side and then opens up to a stairwell on the left. Very open but not symmetrical by any means. Bottom line is address the room first and then go from there. 

BTW I'm a gigging musician and hear a lot of live music both from the stage as well as seeing other bands. One thing to note is the live sounds may not always be great depending on the venue, PA, and the sound guy. It's always great to have options which is what makes this hobby so fun!

The perfect speaker will sound like the sound of original music. People have a wrong expectation that their system will sound close to the original music sound after expensive upgrades. However, no one has been succeed it and all speakers in the world sound like the left speaker in below video (except Wavetouch audio). It is sad that almost every one who pursuit for the perfect sound for decades will live with the left speaker sound for the rest of their life. No wonder people (spouses?) call them audiofools. Alex/WTA

A perfect speaker would reproduce some of the most important characteristics (to me) that I hear in live instruments:  timbral complexity, richness, full, with dense, palpable imaging and presence.  And yet with a sort of combination of clarity and ease.  In fact, Joseph Audio actually gives a good description in terms of what he is trying to reproduce:

"Live, unamplified music has unmistakable presence and clarity. Yet, at the same time it also sounds relaxed and warm."

That's exactly as I hear it.  And funny enough...I find my Joseph speakers get about as close as I've heard to these qualities, especially with my CJ tube amps.

Another property the perfect speakers would produce is "surprisingness."  Whenever I close my eyes and listen to real voices and instruments, the range of timbre and sound seems sort of unlimited.   Whereas every sound system homogenizes things to a great degree.  Once I hear a few tracks with drum cymbals, or sax, or acoustic guitar or whatever, I pick up the particular timbre of that speaker and I know what those instruments are going to sound like forever more on that system. 

Again, one reason why I actually became infatuated with my Joseph speakers is because they offer more "surprisingness" than I've ever heard in that regard (with the possible exception of the MBL omnis I owned).

Good drivers and very good crossovers are not enough...

They are not even necessary if you understand acoustics, you can do with what you have for the price you had pay for ...

I will let you the "perfect speakers" at astronomical cost  ...

I will keep my imperfect modified one...

The speakers to which we add creativity and acoustic knowledge is the best ... Especially mine:  incredible soundfield and timbre at 150 bucks ...

 High end is a mindset not a price tag, to use the extraordinary post of mikelavigne ..

😊

Like a pair of KEF Blades with the Mac MC611’s driving them.