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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 vahes

vahes
47 posts
 

Dynamic compression in speakers can be minimized but not entirely eliminated, there are classical record labels that are currently offering orchestral recordings on their SACD’s with no compression at all, BIS is one such label, the normal garden variety speakers simply choke with uncompressed recordings, but there are a number of speakers that handle uncompressed recordings with their own minimal compression.

For a speaker system to deal with uncompressed recordings the following is required:

Very high sensitivity starting at 96 dB and higher.

Very large speaker components, such as dual 15” woofers for the low end to ensure that individual drivers do not reach their limits while reproducing the loud passages.

Bi-amplified speakers, this is to by-pass the passive crossovers where distortion and compression starts at high volume levels. Another advantage of bi amplification is direct amplifier connection to drivers, no passive crossover to cause problems.

And finally, to practically minimize speaker induced compression a simple solution is to consider a speaker that is much too large and because of that it never reaches its upper limits in overall volume.

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