Does measurements really matter?

The number of boutique consumer speaker manufacturers using measurement as part of a strict incoming parts QC policy to secure zero variance in all parts is extremely low- perhaps non-existent.

If you do measure, as the engineering driven companies tend to do, OEM parts typically vary quite a bit unit to unit. SO you may do batch testing (test a few from each batch that arrives).  If you are super strict, you are throwing a lot of parts away.  Achieving perfect parts that perform exactly the same all the time and are perfectly consistent over hundreds or thousands is not a realistic target.   

A 1/2 dB variance in sensitivity applied to the entire midrange or the entire tweeter response is very audible to a listener, even if that listener cannot identify a 1/2 boost or cut somewhere along the response curve.  1/2 across the entire band is different which is why parts sensitivity is such a big deal.  Combine that with the idea that a passive crossover cannot be precision adjusted to account for this part variance.   Then one more problem, I don’t think ANYONE is making parts plus or minus 1/2 dB in sensitivity specs over the life of the part. The only way to deliver that is two choices: through anything outside a super tight QC window away or develop precision manufacturing so good you get perfect matching part to part.  I don't think that level of precision in part manufacturing exists.  So variance from part to part and then complete speaker to speaker is a part of the business. That’s why they have a overall plus or minus spec so they can absorb theses variances and still meet an overall claimed spec.

How many in the field, dealers or end users, ever A/B the same speaker?  I would say that almost never happens.  It might surprise you if you did.

Brad

Many measurements should matter to anyone putting together an audio system. Many issues arise do to incompatibilities between components.

What comprises a good outcome is mostly subjective.

In a conversation w/Steve Guttenberg Roy Delgado the Klipsch Heresy designer had a conversation w/Paul Klipsch. He told PK that the measurements were fine but it didn't sound correct. Paul then told Roy that there is a 5% Fudge Factor. He told Roy do you want a speaker that a computer likes or do you want a speaker the human ear likes.

@luxmancl38 ,

"In a conversation w/Steve Guttenberg Roy Delgado the Klipsch Heresy designer had a conversation w/Paul Klipsch. He told PK that the measurements were fine but it didn't sound correct. Paul then told Roy that there is a 5% Fudge Factor. He told Roy do you want a speaker that a computer likes or do you want a speaker the human ear likes."

This actually seems to indicate that measurements matter up to 95%, and the rest being the 'fudge factor'.

Of course a true heart over head subjectivist wouldn't care if that ratio was even 99% to 1%.

They'd still only be interested in the 1%.

And 1% of their total music collection is what they eventually might end up listening to.

I guess if they're happy that way... then why not?

Many folks love that 5% fudge the way Klipsch serve it up.

In a word - NO - measurements do not matter (so long as they're not terrible).  

The only thing that matters is how the components sound, which typically / often is not consistent with the measurements.  

The most important consideration is how well the components match / synergize with one another - are the electrical requirements of the speakers provided by the various components, and do the sound qualities of the speakers harmonize well with the components and do they fulfill your preferences in sound quality.  

Which is why... sticking with the components offered by a particular manufacturer and the components the manufacturer suggests - typically produce the best sound quality (e.g.  ARC preamp with ARC amp, McIntosh preamp with McIntosh amp, Magnepan speakers with Bryston electronics, Harbeth speakers with Hegel electronics, etc., etc.).  If you do so - you'll be far more pleased with the sound you hear... and far less frustrated in assembling your system.