The shocking truth about speakers


The problem we have in the hifi community is that nobody knows how close we are to achieving perfect sound. This is the shocking truth that is in stark contrast to the belief that modern speakers are state of the art. 

The reason we are in this mess is because speaker design is based on two methods. One is listening and the other is measurements. Listening doesnt work because nobody has perfect hearing and in fact some are even completely tone deaf. Measurements also dont work because we only have the technology to measure some but not all of what needs to be measured. 

As a result, the speakers on the market could actually be horribly wrong if we could compare them to the perfect speaker if it existed. 

We cannot assume that we are close to perfection. Theres no evidence. 

The fact that speakers all sound vastly different indicates that nobody has the faintest idea what we are trying to achieve. 

The shocking truth about the speaker industry is that there is a lot of information that is contained within your favorite music tracks that you are being denied the ability to enjoy all because speaker design is wrong. It is a terrible injustice that needs to be exposed. 
kenjit

Showing 1 response by millercarbon

"speakers should be tuned to each individual’s ears"

No, hearing aids should be tuned to each individuals ears.

"Excellent tonal balance and wide, pinpoint soundstage! Bass was tight and articulate and seemed to be coming from everywhere, but well integrated with the music, band, performance. Never boomy or out of control. Crystal clear highs and vocal midrange brought the band into the room, or, when my eyes were closed, I was transported to the venue. In my opinion, Chuck has achieved audio nirvana- that thing about being drawn into the music and hearing more and more detail, hearing the inflection of the voice whether it’s pain, joy, or spite (Cry Me a River). Horns were smooth, never harsh. The sound was wide and big, speakers disappeared."

That’s from a recent visitor who had a good time listening. That’s my speakers (built and/or modified by me) and that’s my system. None of which was "tuned" to his ears, or mine, yet read the comments again- "excellent tonal balance."  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367

It is of course highly desirable to buy components and set your system up to please yourself. If not you, then who? But your idea of there being some perfect objective standard of right or wrong is deeply, deeply flawed. There is no perfect objective standard. Not for you. Not for me. Not for anyone. There are only myriad subjective standards from which we all pick and choose and compromise and balance as best we can.

When we do this well we generate comments like the one above.

End of story.