Better loudspeakers ... through science!

[tcdriver]

Test & Measurement World has an interesting article on loudspeaker measurements and listener preferences in their current edition.

http://www.reed-electronics.com/tmworld/article/CA475937.html

It seems that loudspeakers have come a long way since the early days when one would buy a driver and then a “universal” cabinet to mount it in.

tcdriver

 

[bully]

A very interesting article. Even with the objective tests, though, speaker systems do include in their baggage (as mentioned) their pedigree, looks and cost that may influence the listener.
For example, my mid- to late-90s JBL CF150's-- I anticipated that they would be great with rock music, and to my happy surprise they sound good with all the eclectic music I listen to. Even at the lower volumes I usually listen at here.

 

[gonzothegreat]

Thanks for posting the link. It did come off as a commercial for their speakers (although one I'm more than willing to listen to).

Bully's comment reminds me of the front cover of an old 70s book on speaker designing. There was a huge display wall of various drivers under a big banner that exclaimed "Design your own custom speakers!". I suspect "designing" in this case meant little more than pick a few random drivers and stuff them in a box.

The ear training is a neat twist. I'd like to see a sort of "home study" course so one can quantify what one hears. Maybe even a "Golden Ear" diploma? Nah...

 

[tcdriver]

Golden Ears

The ear training is a neat twist. I'd like to see a sort of "home study" course so one can quantify what one hears. Maybe even a "Golden Ear" diploma? Nah...

There is a course on training ones ears. The course is called Golden Ears and is available from Old Colony Sound Labs. Check out this link:

http://www.audioxpress.com/bksprods/testcds/cdq1.htm

I believe that there was a review in AudioXpress last year or the year before.

The concept of training listeners to be able to identify accurate loudspeakers is very interesting. What is more interesting is that untrained listeners could achieve a similar result, it just took longer.

tcdriver