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How to meaningfully audition speakers??

I think this topic has appeared elsewhere, even if worded differently. But I thought I'd ask anyway.

Just upgraded my amp and was thinking about auditioning different speakers. Problem is that there are only a handful of high-end B&M stores nearby. Another complication is that no one store has the 2 or 3 speaker brands that I want to check out.

Further, I am dubious that one can meaningfully audition gear by running from store to store because the test conditions are not identical. In addition, unless a piece is really terrible or incredibly terrific, I don't trust my aural memory. Perhaps other have a different view.

Seems to me that the best way to accomplish what I want is to have the speakers of interest brought to my house and hooked up to my rig. But -- I am NOT aware of any dealer willing to part with expensive gear like that, especially if it has to be specially ordered from a distributor because the model is not on display.

So the Q is what do most folks do? Just buy speakers on hope and a prayer?? Rely on reviews or Forum comments??
bifwynne
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
RVG mentions Bob Weinstock (Prestige producer) and his description of Wienstocks approach makes sense. I've lways preferred RVG's Prestige sound more than his Blue Note sessions and I own many of both labels. He said Weinstock was a jazz fan and gave the musicians more sway and control. Prestige along with Columbia, Riverside and Contemporary all had better tone and natural sound than the Blue Notes Rudy did. Blue Note certainty had the big talent musicians in the early portion of their careers before they moved to bigger labels.

Personally I prefer RVG's earlier two track recordings compared to his later multi track/
mic efforts. Contrary to his comments, his early stereo Prestige were his best sounding recordings in my opinion they just were more natural and truer in tonality. It's simply a matter of taste.
Charles,
learsfool
1,206 posts
 
Hi Onhwy61 - everything in your last post is correct; there were indeed multi-track experiments in the analog era, especially in the opera world. However, what I am trying to say is that it was not done anywhere near as much as it has been in the digital era - the main reason being it is so much easier to do it with digital technology than with tape. It is indeed possible to make purist recordings in this modern era, but pretty much no one does anymore, which is the main point I am trying to make.

One prominent engineer in my area, when asked why he doesn't do them anymore, answered that he was afraid he would be fired by people who couldn't understand why he wasn't using all of the capabilities of the new technology. Other engineers have said the same. It's the whole "it's newer, it must be better" mentality. Many engineers are afraid they will be called Luddites. It's very sad.
kiddman
341 posts
 
Czaivy and Mapman are very much on track. Listen to a real instrument in the room you will listen to music in. Compare that sound to the speakers with similar music. If possible, record. Also record your wife's voice, kids' voices, play it back.

The most realistic, closest sound is likely the best.

Folks sometimes say "what if I don't want the most accurate"?

Well, deviations from accurate means distortion. You will be further from the musical experience.

And folks have come to bastardize the term "accurate". Accurate and uncolored, which means low distortion, is not harsh, hard, or bright. Salesman trickery ruined the word "accurate" in audio, as this would be their retort for folks complaining about bright, harsh speakers. "Oh, no, that's accurate, that's why it sounds that way, can't you hear the clarity?" The supposed "clarity" was really exaggerated brightness range and tweeter response, as well as ringing, which can make things seem "super detailed" on first listen.

The most accurate speakers I know of are also easy to listen to.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
"The most accurate speakers I know of are also easy to listen to"
Kiddman, so very true. You are right that the term accurate has been bastardized and seems to be used when clinical and analytical are the more appropriate words. We both probably prefer the term natural with its connotations.
Charles,
wolf_garcia
4,650 posts
 
I think personal taste rules the day in this discussion. An analogy I think might be useful (or not) regards guitar amp speakers...the tonal coloration that exists with various brands becomes extremely important to a guitar player with any reasonable amount of experience, and I've found that taste changes and evolves usually. If a home hifi speaker seems to be delivering the goods in your system and YOU think it's great, other people's opinions should become moot. And I rarely use the word "moot."
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