My new audio philosophy--talk me out of it

[Will S.]

Out of service implies 'broken', not traded in.

Not my implication.

Failures for Carbon Fiber frames is rather high, but that is arguably due to construction techniques and not the material itself.

Really? Where did you read that?

Anyway, my three main bikes are steel (Bianchi Specialissima) Ti (Litespeed Vortex) and AL (Lemond Maillot Jaune) Each has their own unique characteristic, and I wouldn't want to have to choose one.

Glad you like your bikes.

 

[ConradH]

Probably a bit OT from the original post, but going way back in time to the Swan system designed by D'Appolito (in Speaker Builder Magazine), he looked at various ways to do the bass cabinet for each channel. What he ended up with was a sealed box with two 12" drivers, combined with an active equalizer. That's probably a better solution than a ported box because you get flat response to a very low frequency, the correct subsonic rolloff and a well behaved design. It just takes a bit more power, but power is cheap.

It's probably bad form to quote myself, but here's an off-the-shelf solution:
http://www.marchandelec.com/wm8.html

 

[Brian]

I am not following all of the but I do not think the laws of physics can be overcome to any large extent by electronic equalization. If not, I would think these would need popular with Klipsch Heresy owners.

 

[Reynolds531]

I am not following all of the but I do not think the laws of physics can be overcome to any large extent by electronic equalization. If not, I would think these would need popular with Klipsch Heresy owners.

No, but the the laws of physics that apply to speakers can be compensated for using electronic signal processing and high power capabilities.

I think that there is a widespread aversion to signal processing which is not warranted, so this approach is underutilized.

 

[Tom Brennan]

Based on these tenets, any speaker design that compromises accuracy for efficiency, such as bass reflex, are sub-optimal.

Though I generally agree with your notions I don't think your assertion about bass reflex speakers is true. Compared to sealed systems bass reflex may have more group delay but at the same time lower IM and harmonic distortion. And often vented type woofers, with lighter cones and stronger motors than acoustic suspension woofers, make better midrange.

So it's a matter of choosing compromises; neither system is perfect. Pick the inaccuracies you can best tolerate.

 

[DougMac]

I think your philosophy could stand some tweaking. I start with speakers and find the ones I like. I learn enough about them to know their efficiency and what kind of load they will present to the amp. For instance, some speakers are nominally rated at 8 ohms but can dip to as low as 2 ohms at certain frequencies. I keep that in mind when choosing an amp. I also prefer to use an amp rated at least twice the maximum rated wattage of the speaker.

When auditioning speakers, I like to use a digital source, usually well recorded CDs of which I am very familiar. To me there's less variation in CD players than turntable/cart combinations.

I used to prefer acoustic suspension designs because I go back to the early days of bass reflex and ported designs. More modern ported speakers have largely overcome the shortcomings. It's less about the concept and more about the execution.

It's getting harder and harder to audition speakers at a showroom. I have had good success buying internet direct. It takes a lot more research. The good news is that you get to audition the speakers where they will live.

I try to know enough to make informed choices without obsessing over every little detail. I tend to buy gear and keep it. Some items I've purchased new and still use are considered vintage today.