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Loudspeakers have we really made that much progress since the 1930s?

Since I have a slight grasp on the history or loudspeaker design. And what is possible with modern. I do wonder if we have really made that much progress. I have access to some of the most modern transducers and design equipment. I also have  large collection of vintage.  I tend to spend the most time listening to my 1930 Shearer horns. For they do most things a good bit better than even the most advanced loudspeakers available. And I am not the only one to think so I have had a good num of designers retailers etc give them a listen. Sure weak points of the past are audible. These designs were meant to cover frequency ranges at the time. So adding a tweeter moves them up to modern performance. To me the tweeter has shown the most advancement in transducers but not so much the rest. Sure things are smaller but they really do not sound close to the Shearer.  http://www.audioheritage.org/html/profiles/lmco/shearer.htm
128x128johnk
greg22lz
182 posts
 
so the concept of speaker array isn't new but his execution of it is, correct?
greg22lz
182 posts
 
Also, Eric's design and execution is successful.
greg22lz
182 posts
 
Yah, mac's not the same thing at all either.
greg22lz
182 posts
 
FYI  Eric's configuration acts like a horn.
larryi
3,719 posts
 

Yes, speaker technology has made great strides in practicality, affordability.  Sound quality too, is vastly improved within the constraints of reasonable accommodation of practical considerations.  But, if you can live with the equivalent of two automobiles in your listening room, the old theater systems become sonic contenders if you value a sense of scale, extraordinary dynamics at reasonable listening levels and seemingly contradictory qualities of sounding relaxed while still sounding vivid. 

I particularly like some of the modern implementation of older drivers and horns in more practical packaging, like the system Salectric has on his page (I heard that system when it was being built and tuned at Deja Vu Audio).  That system is not overly huge in size and sounds extremely good in even mid-sized rooms.  I have a similar type of system built around modern, but old-school woofers (paper cone, pleated paper surround, alnico magnets), 1939 Western Electric 713b compression driver and a cast metal multicellular horn, and modern bullet tweeter. 

I also have heard, and liked, modern gear built on old school designs.  The Shindo systems are an example, as are Edgarhorns and Goto.

I also enjoy the completely different sound of many modern designs.  If these other kinds of sound are more to one's liking, then of course, modern design is vastly improved.   

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