"American Sound" Speakers

Horns are the American sound. Just as Tannoy was British, JBL and Klipsch are American. Seldom do you find any horns in English households.

To name a few more:

Wilson, Devore, Western Electric, Altec, Jensen, Von Schweikert, Dunlavy, Revel, Meadowlark, Eggleston, Joseph Audio, Verity, Zu Audio, Magico.

Mechans, you got it exactly right! Did anyone ever wonder why the West Coast speaker sound is brash and snappy as exemplified by JBL and the West Coast style of jazz ( as opposed to bop) was more laid back and introspective as evinced by the work of Baker and Manne? Perhaps there are complimentary attributes at work here. Or perhaps I picked a fine day to give up huffing (compliments to the late Leslie Neilsen).

Historically, I always think of older JBLs as representative of stereotypical "American" sound. Prominent bass and lower "presence region" treble (relative to the midrange) and very dynamic sounding. Sort of the inverse of classic "British" sound.

I agree that, over time, most of these tags have become dated and are no longer particularly apllicable to contemporary speakers.

Marty

The most direct answer is this: The British sound was developed at a particular moment in time, by a particular scientific study, paid for by a particular government. This study presented facts and numbers in no uncertain terms and has had a great influence on everything acoustic and manufactured for this hobby. Albeit not the last word on anything.

The American sound on the other hand has been formed just as everyone has mentioned above. Entreprenuers spending their own money to produce a product unlike anyone else's. A product that satisfies what they want in a speaker and that has truly earned the praise and success they deserve in the marketplace. God Bless America and every other free society where a miracle like this can take place.