If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It
Exhibit A for: If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It
Object Lesson: If It Ain't Broke, Don't Say It's Broke and Damage the Good Reputation of A Well Regarded Company So You Can Make Money on Gullible Viewers
This is a critical review by Audio Science Review regarding a speaker crossover upgrade kit sold by GR Research for the Ascend Sierra-2EX V2 speakers. The video features a neutral A/B comparison and argues, with evidence, that the measurement methodology was flawed, that the performance was made worse, that false concerns about impedance are asserted, and overall there is no objective evidence of improvement and that the Ascend Sierra-2EX V2 is already a well-engineered speaker that does not require aftermarket modifications.
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The check's in the mail. The issue is not whether you have that bias. The issue is you using it to deny the validity of the evidence made in the video. It's like someone denying the validity of what you say because of your height or weight or whatever. Ad hominem. The reason I posted the video is because the argument is very strong on its own merits. |
Do a simple little test today. Value match and swap out some crossover parts in your speaker. Try a solen cap, some film cap or whatever. You can get a 1-1 measurement match, but, make it sound different. Some klippel guy without a discerning ear wouldn't know why. The GR guy may go a lil overboard with tweaking the FR sometimes. But, it doesn’t change the above fact (not exactly rocket science).
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I’ve watched a few of Danny’s videos on fixing speakers. First, the genesis of these videos is that people who own the speakers send them into Danny to see if there is something he can do to make them sound better. Danny isn’t sua sponte attacking any speaker manufacturer. So we start with the baseline that the owner of the speaker isn’t satisfied with something about the speaker. Second, Danny does measurements and is looking for various things to improve the speaker such as quality of parts, speaker resonance, time and phase. I believe he only takes one speaker, does the measurements and then the upgrades. I presume (or guess) that he only does videos if the owner of the speaker is okay with the video and is satisfied with the upgrade. Third, as to measurement vs listening, I’m okay with having different viewpoints as long as the methodology is sound. I don’t know enough to critique ASR’s methods or just listening methods. There are way too many variables in just listening to the speaker to say anything definitive. Even a blind test isn’t going to tell you a lot because everyone’s listening space is different. Personally, I’m more interested in the general qualities and specs of the speaker which has been pretty solid in my deciding on speakers since I don’t live anywhere where I can hear them prior to purchase. Those kinds of reviews, for the most part, have been pretty solid in helping me make decisions. |
"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure” Mark Twain @hilde45 Yup I’m busted. I get that. Being truly open minded is something to aspire to. **Even about DSP. Old dawg and new tricks and all that. (Have family members and friends been in touch with you yet again decrying that I’m recurrently stubborn and at times myopic?) Like they say at the jury box leave your preconceptions at the door. Here comes ‘de Judge* An ad hominem argument is a logical fallacy attacking a person’s character, motive, or attributes rather than addressing their argument’s substance. Meaning "to the person" in Latin, it is a diversion tactic used to discredit opponents in politics and debates. Types include abusive (insults), circumstantial (accusing bias), tu quoque (hypocrisy), and guilt by association.
*Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In x ** Audio tie in to this fluff. But sincere..slow day. |
