Are Loudspeakers the most difficult item to review ?

[ANADROL-50]

Considering the interaction with the listening room, plus, the fact that a loudspeaker can only ultimately play what is fed to it, does this make reviewing a loudspeaker and stating "how it sounds" problematic ?

 

[DomT]

I did a DAC-off using two of my DACs at @TheFlash 's house. At my house the two DACs sounded quite different because my amps sounded different to Nigels (we both have ATC speakers but different models). At Nigel's home I preferred my Benchmark DAC over my Luxman DAC but in my system I prefer the reverse. So my take on it is that if you are comparing DACs, amps or speakers you will typically use speakers and these speakers are in a room and so its the same difference. Speakers probably sound more different to each other than amps and DACs sound different to each other.

 

[Sotosound]

Considering the interaction with the listening room, plus, the fact that a loudspeaker can only ultimately play what is fed to it, does this make reviewing a loudspeaker and stating "how it sounds" problematic ?

I've found that the room has an effect, as does positioning, as does the type of speaker stand for stand-mounts, as does every component in the signal path but, irrespective of all of these influences, a speaker's character will still come clearly through.

To be honest, no component that sits on the signal path remains unaffected by external influences. Therefore, in theory, every piece of equipment might be problematic to review but, somehow, people are still able to write meaningful and useful reviews.

Can't really say why this is so. Perhaps it's just the way that our brains function. Not all of the information that we process is minute detail or binary in nature. After all, we're the ones who invented the words 'qualitative' and 'emotive' plus loads of other adjectives.

 

[Minicoupeman]

Yes the room has the most effect but speakers do have a ‘house’ sound. Blindfolded, most people could tell the difference between B&W and KEF for example. ( and pick out which was which)

 

[tackleberry]

I find them the easiest to describe out of the whole hifi chain.

 

[Non-Smoking Man]

Considering the interaction with the listening room, plus, the fact that a loudspeaker can only ultimately play what is fed to it, does this make reviewing a loudspeaker and stating "how it sounds" problematic ?

With the greatest respect, this is a classic 'leading question'.
The real question is 'what are the difficulties involved in reviewing loudspeakers compared with other components?'

Its for the respondent to the question to attest to issues relating to the listening room and to remarks about its passive (or otherwise) role.

Having said that, its a proper question.

The reason I'm backing it is that when Fourlegs and I decided on an impromptu speaker bake off, I brought my untested and recently acquired Jantzen TQWTs and was forced by the methodology protocol to stick them, together with the other candidates, where the reference SP200s were - in the hosts listening room 4 feet from all boundaries.

They hated it as I realised when I got to know them. Subsequently the locals like them to a man and a woman - close to the corners. They are hornloaded do you see..and need, therefore boundary reinforcement.

Hope the thread goes well for you Anadrol ..

Jack NSM

 

[TheFlash]

With the greatest respect, this is a classic 'leading question'.
The real question is 'what are the difficulties involved in reviewing loudspeakers compared with other components?'

Its for the respondent to the question to attest to issues relating to the listening room and to remarks about its passive (or otherwise) role.

Having said that, its a proper question.

The reason I'm backing it is that when Fourlegs and I decided on an impromptu speaker bake off, I brought my untested and recently acquired Jantzen TQWTs and was forced by the methodology protocol to stick them, together with the other candidates, where the reference SP200s were - in the hosts listening room 4 feet from all boundaries.

They hated it as I realised when I got to know them. Subsequently the locals like them to a man and a woman - close to the corners. They are hornloaded do you see..and need, therefore boundary reinforcement.

Hope the thread goes well for you Anadrol ..

Jack NSM

You doubtless remember, Jack, that my much-loved (and perhaps keenly anticipated) ProAcs sounded awful in that same position in that same room. I couldn't believe they were the speakers I enjoyed so much back home.

 

[Non-Smoking Man]

I do..

Jack

 

[TheFlash]

I do..

Jack

It was hard not to be offended on my speakers' behalf!

 

[hifinutt]

Yes remember it well , they sounded superb at your place

 

[bigrod]

I’m a big advocate of the room being right for the speakers
My Gales sound awful when played on my main system , but superb in the mancave . Some will because of component gelling of course but the majority is because of the room .. I would say that most reviewers have a handle on what is going to sound right in a space … if you say a pair of speakers are crap because they didn’t handle the space could really put you out on a limb against other reviewers.. But of all components you know when the speakers are “right” or “wrong”