musichal
poet emeritus
I once tried something similar to this in these forums, asking folks to identify the weaknesses of their speakers (or system, or something - I've forgotten). Most responded by deflecting - the weakness was they didn't have enough listening time. Or treated it like an interview question wherein you make a positive of the answer - it's so revealing it exposes lesser recordings (can be true enough, but avoids actually having to admit imperfection). And let's agree here that among some of the better gear, we are speaking of a lesser degree of infraction.
Perhaps the greatest challenge of objectivity is ego. And personality. But we are what we are - the natural state of our existence is, after all, subjective; we are individuals, all flawed. Our perceptions are unique in detail, though we share the same five senses. And we process them differently. I don't believe we can be entirely objective. However, experience is another huge factor which also impacts our perception - and can work both for and against us, but mostly for, I think.
Personality. I have been guilty of being defensive, contentious, friendly, insulting, complimentary, argumentative and agreeable in these pages. Mood impacts perception, also. Maybe we should factor in the phase of the moon, too. I'm not sure, but the point is that we are certainly apt to be less objective when ego lands us in a defensive or other strongly emotional posture. And I know what you all are thinking: musichal, I've never known you to be contentious, or insulting, or argumentative - you're just the model of perfection here. Yes, those are your thoughts. For sure.
So, let's go with our best speakers, and it is only fair that I should start. But first, the rule is you can only list weaknesses, not the strengths that we may feel more than compensate for any deficiencies, slight or otherwise. This won't be easy.
My Klipschorns. Don't have the smoothest frequency response available, and some amplifiers can exacerbate their stridency. Detractors (and they are numerous) find them glaring beyond listenability with any amp. Bass rolls off around 50hz, which some find a detriment to value in such a large, heavy and somewhat pricey transducer.
The urge to add strong points is powerful, but is not the goal of this exercise. Save that for another thread. Can you do it?
Perhaps the greatest challenge of objectivity is ego. And personality. But we are what we are - the natural state of our existence is, after all, subjective; we are individuals, all flawed. Our perceptions are unique in detail, though we share the same five senses. And we process them differently. I don't believe we can be entirely objective. However, experience is another huge factor which also impacts our perception - and can work both for and against us, but mostly for, I think.
Personality. I have been guilty of being defensive, contentious, friendly, insulting, complimentary, argumentative and agreeable in these pages. Mood impacts perception, also. Maybe we should factor in the phase of the moon, too. I'm not sure, but the point is that we are certainly apt to be less objective when ego lands us in a defensive or other strongly emotional posture. And I know what you all are thinking: musichal, I've never known you to be contentious, or insulting, or argumentative - you're just the model of perfection here. Yes, those are your thoughts. For sure.
So, let's go with our best speakers, and it is only fair that I should start. But first, the rule is you can only list weaknesses, not the strengths that we may feel more than compensate for any deficiencies, slight or otherwise. This won't be easy.
My Klipschorns. Don't have the smoothest frequency response available, and some amplifiers can exacerbate their stridency. Detractors (and they are numerous) find them glaring beyond listenability with any amp. Bass rolls off around 50hz, which some find a detriment to value in such a large, heavy and somewhat pricey transducer.
The urge to add strong points is powerful, but is not the goal of this exercise. Save that for another thread. Can you do it?
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