Speakers The single most critical component


I know we've been over this Q hundreds of X's over the past 20 years here on audion, You can find dozen of topics dealing with this Q <which is the ,,,,most important component...>>
well time for yet 1 more topic dealing with this,, perhaps unanswered, un-resolved issue.
I'm bringing up the old hachet due to my recent experience acutally hearinga FR in my system. 
Let me tell you, there is not even 1 traditional/conventioanl/xover design <The Boxed Type>> in the world that could convince me  , there is something that will beat out FR (caveat, FR requires  some sort of high sens =sensitivity, tweeter)  in  the Boxy world of speakers.
That is to say, FR + Compression Horn is the future of 21st Century high fidelity. 
One lab has already brought us these ~~~SHF~~~ aka SuperHighFidelity  single drivers. 
The code word here is ~~SHF~~~ which can not never be employed when describing xover/trad/conventioanl style  aka The Box designs. db level under 91 are _<<IN-EFFICIENT>> , = dysfunctional, out dated, old school , = Dinasaurs. 
For amps, I only consider tube amps (PP and SET) as ~~SHF~~~ I can not include ss amps in this topic. 
IMHO all well made tube amps sound very close,
 a  kt88 in brand X will sound  close to brand Y. 
So amplification takes a  distant 2nd place in critical component.  No need to break the bank buying amp A vs  a  lower priced kt88 amp B
CD players, nearly all  tube DAC's , tube cdp-ers sound  close. No need to braek the bank over X vs Y.
My Jadis DAC is  only miniscule gain over the Shanling,
 the Shanling
only a  miniscule gain over the Cayin CD17. 
Now as for  best source  , phonograph is the ideal playback medium vs cds. 
I have some LP's now , but my main collection are classical cds, most not on LP version. Cables , I did note some gains employing silver/copper wiring throughout my entire system including inside the Defy.
Tweak worthy.
New Mundorf caps in all componets, tweak worthy. 
Yet the main central component remaisn the speakers.
Here is where  the entire audio resolution either rises to Nirvana or falls to <<distortion/muddy waters,/pollution/anti-fidelity  voicing  issues.
Your system's fidelity is ultimately dependent on what speaker  you have chosen to employ.
Forget all you've learned over the years, 
The new mantra is <,The speaker is key component>
All else is just extra tweaks/nuances. 
To sum up, a  ~~SHF~~ driver will match even the top of line Wilson weighing in at hundreds of lbs priced $$$$$$$ overa single FR driver. 
FR beats out any/all xover box design speakers. Mostly due to that key specification ~~db level~~~ which is everything in speaker design and thus in resolution/fidelity. 

mozartfan

Showing 12 responses by audition__audio

Mozartfan,

Your last sentence is ridiculous and simply one person's perspective. I think a very strong case can be made that FR speakers have more weaknesses than strengths. I know of few experienced enthusiasts that havent heard good FR designs and moved on from this type for some very obvious reasons. Enough of the blathering! 
Mozart,
Let it go man! Yes there have been some significant improvements in full range drivers recently but the only real advantage is the lack of a crossover (which is significant). Must you continue to try to recruit for your "tribe"? 
Yup DSP is not the answer for any but the lazy or misinformed. Having said this DSP is getting better and may at some time in the future be ready for prime time. All DSP is not created equal as well. 


Sorry but how many of these studios used JBL speakers back in the day? Most know what speakers the BBC used and they are preferable to JBLs but not SOTA. 
Certainly one thing I could learn from you is how not to communicate. I also could learn how not to present a discovery if I wanted it to be taken seriously. Far too many definitive statements, far too many generalizations and a grand oversimplification of something which is very complex. I dont disagree with your basic premise, just much of what  you puked after the title of the OP. I think some basic advice on presentation is very constructive. I mean it really wasnt a discussion just you monologuing. 


Yes but you need to discuss the sound of the old technology dome tweeter vs tweeters of differing designs. Not to mention that the characteristics of exotic material drivers when driver beyond their comfort level can be a real problem which forces the designer's hand in terms of the crossover. You can feel that sensitivity is the single most important factor for you, but this is not gospel.
Well research what dual woofers in series does to your impedance. What about sealed vs. ported cabinets? Again if things were only this simple. There is no solution that doesnt also present negatives.
I disagree. I think efficiency is beginning to enjoy some well deserved attention. One of many things to consider when buying speakers. Impedance is certainly one of my strongest considerations because I love OTL amps.