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Small Bookshelf Speaker A/B Testing - Help!

John Ilgen

John Ilgen

Member
Hello, just for fun am going to be doing an A/B speaker comparison, nearfield listening, ranking some small bookshelf speakers. Just planning it out now and was thinking of comparing 3-4 songs per speaker, from different genres which I primarily listen to. Now considering Classic Rock, Progressive Rock, Punk Rock and "Grab-Bag" which could be pretty much anything that would be good for this type of thing. Any song suggestions? Thanks!!

Right now, the speakers that may be a part of the test are:

Proac Super Tablette,
Snell Type M,
Ascend Acoustics Sierra,
Solus SC-06,
Focal Chorus 806V,
Monitor Audio Silver S2,
Ruark Sabre,
Clements 801di
 
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Listen for how the midrange is resolved when playing complex orchestral or progressive rock music, that's a make-or-break test for me.
 
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You need to pick 2-3 songs of the genre you like and become an "expert" on what they are - every sound and nuance that is important to your ears. cymbals, bass, drum set, voice, horn section, the whole enchilada. Learn them by heart so that you can even anticipate every tidbit. It may seem laborious but if you aren't an expert on those songs you will be spinning your wheels hoping to learn something. That's my 2 cents.

Lastly - remember - you are also evaluating all that comes before them too. If you changed something that is before them it could also change how each preforms. The best in some respect may not be the best anymore.
 
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Hey, those are pretty fancy speakers there. Gonna try and make your music choices sound fancy. Filters out all the life and liveliness of your recordings. Essentially sucks all the reason why we listen to classic rock, punk rock, progressive rock, and those other ones you listed. All those parts in the crossover suck all the joy out. We need a speaker system that has slam to it. I’ve got little Mission 727’s. 2ways with barely an 8”woofer. But the little guys got slam, will let Some Girls come alive with the character it was imbued with. Those Monitor Audios aren’t capable. All I’ve got is 40 watts, so it’s not a massive amp doing it. You can try, but I don’t think those rigs are going to do it.

Biggles
 
Good info a
Lux Man said:
You need to pick 2-3 songs of the genre you like and become an "expert" on what they are - every sound and nuance that is important to your ears. cymbals, bass, drum set, voice, horn section, the whole enchilada. Learn them by heart so that you can even anticipate every tidbit. It may seem laborious but if you aren't an expert on those songs you will be spinning your wheels hoping to learn something. That's my 2 cents.

Lastly - remember - you are also evaluating all that comes before them too. If you changed something that is before them it could also change how each preforms. The best in some respect may not be the best anymore.
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Good info and thanks!
 
drbiggles said:
Hey, those are pretty fancy speakers there. Gonna try and make your music choices sound fancy. Filters out all the life and liveliness of your recordings. Essentially sucks all the reason why we listen to classic rock, punk rock, progressive rock, and those other ones you listed. All those parts in the crossover suck all the joy out. We need a speaker system that has slam to it. I’ve got little Mission 727’s. 2ways with barely an 8”woofer. But the little guys got slam, will let Some Girls come alive with the character it was imbued with. Those Monitor Audios aren’t capable. All I’ve got is 40 watts, so it’s not a massive amp doing it. You can try, but I don’t think those rigs are going to do it.

Biggles
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Ha! I have some stacked Advents that really do well with Punk, Metal and "the SLAM!!"
 
John Ilgen said:
Ha! I have some stacked Advents that really do well with Punk, Metal and "the SLAM!!"
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When it’s time to get the LED out, only the slam will do. Oh sure, those IMF TLS 80’s sure sound smooth. But they make every rock or punk or bluegrass LP sound the same. From Doc Watson to Rammstein, all the same with no visceral impact. BORED.

Biggles
 
Looking for a cut with "slam?" Slam is not restricted to the bass but has everything to do with transient response. On the right system, you will feel this in your chest.

 
Yes, you physically feel it. I can’t speak about transients though. I’m cobbling together an Altec speaker system. Altec 816A cabinets, Altec ER-15 bass drivers. With my 40 watt tube amps at near full steam, Stevie Ray Vaughan will make your dog pee and children cry. That’s how I measure impact.

Biggles
 
Iain C said:
Paper Bag by Goldfrapp. The first 30 seconds tell you everything you need to know about a speaker.
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Very nice contribution. I can hear why you say that. Actually though I think the whole piece is quite nice and a good test on several levels. Interesting group- nice sound. I wasn't familiar with them before- giving them a listen .....
 
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