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In-Depth Explanation of the Audio Term "Synergy"

Hello: I've read and heard the term "synergy" bandied about frequently since getting into audio. Just the other day, an audiophile friend of mine said in an email. "Regardless of gear brand, I feel synergy is the most important thing to try and achieve really." This term "synergy" gets thrown around often and very easily. Most often I've heard this term used in the phrase, "amplifier-speaker synergy is the most important element of an audio system." I've always felt that if you put together a system and it sounds good to you or sounds "right", you have a system with amp/speaker synergy. I also felt that if your amplifier works with your speakers as it is designed without straining, clipping, running too hot, remaining stable etc., and produces good sonics with your speakers, then you have achieved synergy between your amp and speakers. I do an awful lot of research on the internet for all things audio (much to my wife's chagrin) and I've read several articles that discuss synergy. None of the articles I've read give a definitive and in-depth explanation of what "synergy" between a power amplifier or integrated amplifier and the speakers connected to it actually entails. So, I'm asking other audiophiles: What does "synergy" between an amplifier and speakers actually entail? Does anyone really know, or is this just one of those generalities that audiophiles put out there? What elements are really involved when synergy exists between the amplifier and speakers? I've always been curious about this subject
foster_9
inpepinnovations1e75
395 posts
 
Mrtennis, that is not synergy, but again complementary or balanced. An example of synergy and also why I say that synergy is mostly misused in 'audiophilia' is, when a preamp boasts 0.01% H distortion and its mating amp boasts 0.01% distortion, but if we measure the total distortion of the preamp-amp system we come up with LESS THAN 0.01%, instead of the expected 0.02% distortion. This rarely happens (in fact it never happens). It is possible, however, that the preamp-amp combination sounds better than what we might expect from having tested each separately for sound. The whole exceeds the sum of the parts!
Bob P.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
interesting thought bob p, but the issue of your example is your statement that the preamp and amp combination sound better than expected. that is subjective, since "better" is a matter of opinion.

my approach is objective. also if in most cases the whole does not exceed the sum of its parts, there is no synergy in most cases.

i suppose, if synergy means "i like the sound", then your idea makes a lot of sense. but if synergy occurs in those instances when the whole equals the sum of its parts, there needs to be another explanation.

i guess, after all, there is no definitive answer, because the concept itself is philosophical.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I can see the definition of synergy as it relates to audio from both an Objectivist and Subjectivist point of view. As I use the term in the audio hobby, I am usually using the Subjectivist approach as Bob P. defined it, since mixing and matching components and accessories is as much art as it is science (perhaps more so), and in my experience, the true magic happens in the artful matching of components.

I started out with the scientific method, and it proved to be unsatisfactory. The most satisfying meals are created by preparing a dish once "by the book", and then adjusting the recipe to taste.
chadnliz's avatar
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
A fat wallet, a good salesman and an insane upgrade urge all together is great synergy.
timf
237 posts
 
Mrtennis -
if any misunderstanding of the term of synergy is to be had, Ill go with yours. Your 3 examples seem about right to me.
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