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Dynamic compression in speakers themselves?

The primary audio characteristics I want to achieve in my system is an open, uncompressed, unstrained, and highly dynamic presentation.  What I don't know much about is how much speakers can or do contribute to loss of dynamics and impact.  I have a very powerful amp, but it seems that when I increase the volume, yes, the speakers get louder, but perhaps not commensurate with the increase in the volume control.  I do think I understand that this type of presentation is more easily achieved with larger scale speakers, but even with my large speakers, I feel something is wanting. 

I guess my question is, what factors contribute to any compression occurring in the speakers themselves?  Also, can the age of a speaker cause a loss of dynamics?  Mine are ~20 years old.  I'm thinking to get new speakers in the foreseeable future, so I'd like to understand more about this.  This question is in regard to traditional dynamic speakers.
mtrot

Showing 1 response by han_n

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han_n
104 posts
 
Indeed, the main difference between life music and what we get from our “hi-end audio equipment” to our ears are the dynamics, so what are we doing, firstly we often (including myself) use Compact Discs as the data carrier, and Geoffkait nailed it when he mentioned “If your source is CDs the odds are very good any particular CD is dynamically compressed, and not just a little bit as things have gotten a little bit out of control. If your source is LPs or even hi res downloads there has been some overly aggressive dynamic range compression going on there, too.”

Secondly, people love to use plenty “dynamics” traps in their rooms, which they call “bass-traps”, and finally, yes indeed, dynamics at louder levels will be compromised by the speakers’ abilities to produce such high peak sound pressure levels. Of course, the rest of the electronics do contribute a bit as well. Even cabling and power source may contribute, however we should start to make corrections in the proper sequence. Why worry about the loss of dynamics at the power source/cabling level, and not addressing or be picky when choosing Compact Discs (or even LP).


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