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Are measurements the end all, be all?

Good morning friends.

I was doing some light reading and research yesterday regarding the Volti Razz, speakers that if all goes according to plan, will grace my home in early 2023. As most of you her know, the press, as well as the comments found on the Razz are very positive. Much of what I've read here on AG has brought me to the doorstep of Volti and Mr. Roberts. (who BTW is a very nice gentleman, full of knowledge and the willingness to share). I am counting the days until the Florida show, when I hope to get some listening sessions. 

I stumbled on an unnamed site forum and was really taken aback. My two takeaways were, 1. some members outright trashed the Razz based simply on the measurement data, never even having heard the speakers. 2. when a couple of members who actually owned a pair pushed back and provided first hand accounts, they were heaped upon and thumped by long winded sermons citing only measurements and specifications. (while I have read plenty of passionate debates here on AG, I've never witnessed what I would describe as mob assault). 

It did get me thinking however. 

For me specifications do matter to me. I am interested in a speakers sensitivity and impedance characteristic, the frequency range as well as the guts. (cabinet design, drivers, crossover components etc... However what I most important to me is how the speakers sound and how to they make me feel when I listen to my favored music. Does the music fill my cup?

I recall when I was working at the only audio shop that mattered in my midsize town. The Tannoy Six's series came out and we stocked them. I fell in love with the dual concentric stand mount. To me they were the bees knees. The wife of my boss, thought they were simply awful. To each his or her own right?

One of the major reasons I love this world so much is the hunt and all that goes with it. The idea that grows to a dream then a goal to own. The time spent listening, reading and researching. The debate here on AG !!

That reminds me, I want to express my gratitude for this site and everyone here who is passionate about audio..

I'm interested to hear from my brothers and sisters out there. How do you discern? What is your process? 

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xdoyle3433
musicaddict
370 posts
 

If you enjoy the sound of a speaker that measures so-so; don't worry-just enjoy it.

As for me, I like a speaker with reasonably flat measurements to start with. The room will still get in the way so I do use DSP to control the bass of the room and speaker's interaction, as well as a few minor DSP frequency corrections.

The end result of a corrected system is night and day with clean articulate bass and additional clarity and openness compared to a 'before' stock setting. It is so much better I would never go back to a system that did not utilize it.

kota1
2,706 posts
 

The "be all end all" is what pleases the end customer, if it measures well and the customer don't like it that company will bite the dust= "end all"!

celtic66
1,610 posts
 

doye3433    You've the correct philosophy.  Balance.  Would you pick a mate, or boyfriend/girlfriend strictly off of specs?  I think they're near fugly, veneer on side panels is gorgeous.  But I'm not buying them.  They may sound spectacular and are eye candy to you.  Be your own person and find what YOU like.

I used to driver a 2004 Volvo wagon.  I loved the looks.  I was in a solid minority.  Did I care?  I loved the way it drove too.  Get them if you love them.

 

kota1
2,706 posts
 

Consider that measurements are quirky, if all speakers that measured flat were the best then everyone would produce flat measuring speakers. I find opinions of people who own the speaker valuable as well as vendors who genuinely want happy customers. The website that measures stuff is run by a guy that basically stuck a pair of expensive speakers in a room made of dry wall. This is not really how any serious member at this forum sets up a listening room, let alone a reviewer. I would advise you to treat your room BEFORE buying any new speakers if you really want to hear them properly.

ghdprentice
6,383 posts
 

Specs mater as a quick reference… like you mentioned sensitivity and impedance. But that is it. Let’s say I was buying a new set of speakers I would spend 40 - 100 reading professional reviews, a few hours on forum reviews… of that time, I would have spent maybe five minutes liking at specifications. Then at least 10 hours auditioning speakers. From the specifications you want to make sure you do not make some big mismatch, like really inefficient speakers with a flea powered amp. 

 

Other than this, it is really important not to look at specifications. They will lead you astray nearly every time. The basic foundation of high end audio / Audiophilia is observation (like science). Every component and their interaction is about this. You must listen to them… each person has different values and the true musical performance (sound quality) is not capured by a few variables. This is where many people go wrong and go down dead ends or just get frustrated… you must listen to stuff and master the language describing sound… not make judgements based on a grossly simplified view based on a few basic parameters.

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