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Do Bigger Speakers Mean a Bigger Window?

I enjoy listening to small loudspeakers, in fact a lot of my listening is done via my Logitech desktop computer speakers (2 SATs + 1 small sub) or those in the car.

However ultimately there's nothing like the sense of ease of listening via a big pair of speakers such as big Harbeths, vintage JBLs or Tannoys etc.

I wouldn't say that the bigger speakers (8 inch+ cone) are more accurate, in fact the Logitech's have an uncanny way of getting voices stunningly right as  
watching home movies on the PC demonstrates. It's just that the larger loudspeakers seem to reveal more of the recording quality and bandwidth. So much so that sometimes you can easily hear the limitations of the original tapes sometimes.

So, if you are after high fidelity sound, why would you buy small speakers? 



cd318
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,490 posts
 
I pulled out a few of my monitors this weekend morel ziv 2 and a pair of high end dynaudios. While they do sound fine why I keep them arround they do not even get close to the natural realistic sound of my much larger loudspeakers. Even when I used my sub bass systems they still sound small thin and not real when compared to the larger designs. If I had to I could live with the morels I ran them off a few nelson pass amps and my large VIVA a PP EL34  also a NAD. I have 2 rooms designed to house audio. 
cd318 OP
404 posts
 
@johnk, do you feel that your experience explains why audio history is littered with mainly classic large speaker designs such as JBL L100s, the Klipschorn, various Tannoys  including Westminsters /Golds and many many others?

Yet it's hard to recall many small speakers which attained classic legendary status apart from the BBC designed LS3/5A.

I got the impression after reading about Gilbert Briggs (Wharfedale) that it was mainly a question of economics and fashion behind the trend to downsize? 


kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
I hardly think audio history is strictly littered with large speakers. Wilson W/P’s are certainly highly desired legends. Quads 57’s and 63’s aren’t large and very highly regarded. I don’t think JBL L100’s are particularly legendary beyond the fact they sold a lot of them. They’re bright, shouty, stereotypically "west coast" speakers that virtually defined the term.

There's good technical reasons to build a smaller speaker. Smaller drivers and baffles generally promote a better defined soundstage and contribute less coloration through diffraction. 
timlub
1,649 posts
 
"Yet it's hard to recall many small speakers which attained classic legendary status apart from the BBC designed LS3/5A" 

 Spica,  Rogers BBC, Advent, EPI, ADS...  A little bigger gets you, AR11 or Dynaco A25 or Spendor SP1

cd318 OP
404 posts
 
@timlub , Spendor SP1s are huge by modern day UK standards, but point taken. I think I’m kind of fixated with the idea that the 50s and 60s were ruled by loudspeakers often the size of wardrobes. Probably seen too many vintage ads where some attractive girl is dwarfed by the size of the loudspeakers.

I just remembered that the Linn Kan is another much loved (sometimes hated!?) miniature from the past. Whereas the Eclipse TD 712z is surely another small(ish) speaker destined for future legendary status.

I guess like so much in audio it boils down to personal taste. There are few certainties and the hardest one is often determining one’s own tastes.

I used to sometimes joke that relationships are the most complicated thing in the universe (everything in flux - nothing static), but I’m beginning to feel that understanding Hi-Fi cannot be too far behind!

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