1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 198357-116499

Help me clarify, is there a difference between 'forward' and 'bright'?

Previously I posted about my Acoustic Energy AE500s that had a loose connection, now all taken care of and sounding fabulous. I was, at one point, considering selling due purely to sudden financial surprises, but as of now hope to keep enjoying and keep them. Purveying a few reviews out of curiosity, I read some that note a slight ’forward’ quality, others elsewhere observe a ’warm and musical’ presentation. (Funny how different reviewers can hear opposing sonic qualities). Others heard a touch of brightness due to extended high frequencies. Got me thinking where is the line between ’bright’ and ’forward’? aren’t splashy 1980s JBL L100s both forward, as in immediate in the presence range, but also ’hot’ or bright with snare and cymbals? Are there forward speakers that are rather warm or rolled off? Just trying to understand a bit better. Anyone care to opine?

sifter
parkergetdean
1,032 posts
 

forward is more of a sound stage presence, bright is a lack of tonal balance/prevailing highs - relative for the given music.

sifter OP
100 posts
 

Parkergetdean, That makes sense to me, yes.

sifter OP
100 posts
 

so a small bookshelf then can sound bright, that is have a 'lack of tonal balance/prevailing highs' even without excess treble energy in a frequency chart just due to the fact there is no low bass from say a small box, think NHT Absolute Zero or many other similar examples, correct?

parkergetdean
1,032 posts
 

yes, a small bookshelf may sound bright, but it's not evident. I would say small bookshelf (which I like) speakers are lacking the fullness and full range sound because they can't round up the bottom frequencies. But usually their midrange is decent. If you were to add a sub, you may balance out the brightness. Not a magic wand but it should work. 

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,402 posts
 

I definitely would not associate a sound with bookshelf speakers. Some bookshelf sized speakers produce world class sound....typicaly with an appropriate price tag. For instance Magico A1, Wilson Audio Tots, and Dynaudio Confidence. 

Bright speakers (assuming they are not being feed a bright signal)  are usually associated with low cost. However, forward sound can be a design choice. Often studio monitor equipment is described that way because they are intended to be near-field speakers and to reveal venue and details for mastering. 

More to discover