If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It

ime, really good speaker designers do a lot of listening, changes, more listening, changes, and this process can occur over a number of years. Not from a 10 minute test looking at graphs, trying to beat a speaker into submission to make it flat. 

A good friend sent his speaker in, got a crossover set of parts, assembled and installed it, and yeah it sounded pretty darn flat. When I heard it, seemed like some of the life was taken out of the speaker. I’m not sure it sounds better, and he says it sounds "okay" to him. It’s interesting what different people think sounds better to them. To Each His Own, perhaps.        

Very interesting.  I love getting multiple takes on something like this.  
 

Would seem to be a case where it’s hard to argue it was made better based on the measurements.  Personally I would have no interest in “upgrading” a speaker I already like.  I’d rather just buy something different. 
 

But hey no doubt GR focuses on providing better quality crossover parts and doing other textbook things to make a speaker “better” like adding bracing etc.  Those are very clear and cut things that are hard to argue against from a pure technical perspective. 

 Certainly NOT snake oil.  The exact opposite in fact.  I would tread lightly on that take.

People here should love the fact that one would actually have to listen to a before and after mod to see which was preferred.  I’d very much like to do that.  In the end it’s what sounds best to each that matters, though hard to argue against using better quality parts as long as the design approach is solid. No doubt many  companies cut corners where needed to maintain a profit margin and some are much smarter about how they do that than others.  Was this even a case like that to start with?

@wsrrsw 

Audio Science Review places measurements over listening. Audio metrics aren’t the whole kielbasa. Please pass the hot sauce.

Rather than taking a general pot-shot at ASR, perhaps watch the video. In this video. ASR is not pushing that line. They are meticulously dissecting the method used to denigrate a very good product. 

Not mine, but I’d love to see GR research take a crack at upgrading an Ohm Walsh.  That would be very interesting!  

GR has big focus on crossover parts and overall build quality which is a perfectly legit focus to have.  There is also a focus on measuring results.   Of course in the end build quality alone does not assure a good design nor good sound. 
 

Whereas ASR prime focus is measurements.  They might mention build quality but if it does not measure well it wont get the seal of approval. 
 

I have learned a lot from both.  It need not be a competition, or one versus the other.   Different perspectives yield superior viewpoints in the end.