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Difference between today and yesterday.

What are the diferences in sound between speakers made today and those of yesteryear?
Are there some from the past that will still sound better than most speakers made today
Given that most of the electronics and especially turntable tonearms and cartridges have imporved so much that this may be the first time ever some of the old models have an opportunity to sound their best, no?
pedrillo

Showing 8 responses by eldartford

eldartford
4,262 posts
 
It depends on the music. For "big" music, symphonies, organ, loud rock, etc. the old JBL, Altec, and the like with 15" woofers are best. But you can't play such speakers at realistic volume in an apartment, and the speakers probably wouldn't fit anyway. For pinpoint imaging of a female vocalist with piano accompaniment, (which seems to be the official audiophile test signal these days) modern speakers excel.

I couldn't live in an apartment, or even in a development with houses close together.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
And modern violins are much better than those old Stradivarius fiddles.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Douglas_schroeder...How so?
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rodman99999...You enjoy your old Harley, although a new Honda is probably more practical as a means of travel. I am a pilot. I enjoy flying a Piper J3 Cub, although a new Cirus is more practical as a means of travel. Each has its place.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Douglas_schroeder...Old volin vs new violin, Apple to apple. Old speaker to new speaker. Orange to orange. Sometimes all the technology is without benefit (except for marketing). I would take a KLH 9 electrostatic speaker over anything made today, probably including Quads.

By the way, I am a retired engineer and I love technology...my amps are digital. But I know its limitations.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Rodman99999...Needle, ball, and airspeed, and the door open. What avionics?
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Was it Duke Ellington who said
"If it sounds good, it is good".

Some truth there.
.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
There have been many demonstrations of speaker fidelity put on by speaker manufacturers. One of the first which I recall was done by AR back in its glory days.

A string quartet was seated on stage, along with some speakers. I think there was a translucent scrim curtain in front of the musicians and speakers. The musicians played, and the musicians simulated playing, and listeners could not distinguish what was going on at any particular time.

The chice of a string quartet was smart. If it had been an organ or a full orchestra the results would not have been so good.

Which harkens back to my posting of 3/15..."It depends on the music".
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