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The two most common mistakes are bass and treble

OK, so I know many of you will have a knee jerk reaction to that with something like "well you've just covered most of the spectrum!" but I mean to say more than what I can fit in a headline.

When first purchasing speakers the biggest regrets, or sometimes bad choices without regret, is looking for a speaker that is too detailed. In the store over 10 minutes it mesmerizes you with the resolution of frequencies you thought you would never hear again.  You take the speakers home and after a month you realize they are ear drills.  High pitched, shrill sounding harpies you can't believe you listened to long enough to make a choice.

The other mistake, which audiophiles life with far too long is buying too big a speaker for the room.  The specmanship of getting 8 more Hertz in the -3dB cutoff is a huge factor in speaker purchases.

What do you think the biggest mistakes are when buying speakers?
erik_squires

Showing 4 responses by bjesien

bjesien
1,236 posts
 
P05129 that’s what I mean- so many people try to speak with authority and absolutes but they don’t know jack other than what they know and like. Another common one is when you own the same component as the “know it all” and don’t like it. “Must be your cable, your room acoustics, your electricity, etc.” Okay you dim witted crab clawed keyboard jockey try to find another reason to be right about something in your windowless basement. Oh my, I need to get rid of this site so many of the good people from years ago are gone. Still many here but maybe there’s hope in the new generation.
bjesien
1,236 posts
 
For many years I chased resolution and got the ear drill after long term listening I’ve learned to listen to speakers for what they are and just enjoy the music. A friend in high end once told me that what I want might not exist. I was able to relate to that. I do think there is a certain mental condition that goes deeper than just hearing well associated with this pursuit. Some get flat out addicted to audio. I think the designating something as better because it's a personal preference is a path to support the  illness. That's more of a mistake than bass or treble!

bjesien
1,236 posts
 
That's also part of my point Erik. Savvy steering can cost non savvy audiophiles money. It all comes down to getting out and listening, or like me, setting an experimentation budget of $X per year as part of the excitement and enjoyment in audio. 
bjesien
1,236 posts
 
I apologize if I sound like this- I'm coming from the perspective of engineering and as an amplifier manufacturer of the last 45 years.
I've always respected your posts on these forums and have learned a thing or two along the way. You contribute to this forum in a way that makes people see you as an authority. Over time you have created an environment where people know like and trust you.
You are not only an accomplished engineer but a marketing master. It's no coincidence that you have nearly 10,000 posts on a worldwide website ripe with prospects and perhaps the largest percentage of target market tuned in right here daily.
On top of that you make a neat and clean product in the USA and get rave reviews and accolades on your upgrades and product support.  I've never considered one of your products because I don't like the unprotected chassis design. With young kids in the house and nothing being "off limits" it never made sense.
Finally, no need to apologize to me, I'm taking notes. Well done you've earned it IMO.  
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