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Speakers: Anything really new under the sun?

After a 20-year hiatus (kids, braces, college, a couple of new roofs, etc.) I'm slowly getting back into hi-fi.  My question: is there really anything significantly new in speakers design/development/materials? I'm a bit surprised that the majority of what I see continues to be some variation of a 2- or 3-way design -- many using off-the-shelf drivers -- in a box (usually MDF at it core) with a crossover consisting of a handful of very common, relatively inexpensive components. I'm asking in all sincerity so please don't bash me. I'm not trying to provoke or prove anything, I'm just genuinely curious. What, if anything, has really changed? Would love to hear from some speaker companies/builders here. Also, before one of you kindly tells me I shouldn't worry about new technologies or processes and just go listen for myself -- I get it -- I'll always let my ear be my guide. However, after 20 years, I'm hoping there's been some progress I may be missing. Also, I unfortunately live in a hifi-challenged part of the country -- the closest decent hifi dealer is nearly 3 hours away -- so I can't just run out and listen to a bunch of new speakers. Would appreciate your insights. 

jaybird5619
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

How does a grounding cable fix cabinet resonances?

pedroeb
493 posts
 

Cabinet resonances are an entirely different matter which can be reduced with better internal lining of all surfaces and filling the enclosure with sound absorbing material.

cd318
2,636 posts
 

@pedroeb

Cabinet resonances can be reduced but can they ever be reduced below the threshold of human hearing?

Not to say that electrostatics and open baffles are perfect, but isn’t one of their major advantages the lack of a cabinet?

 

 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,034 posts
 

And then what pedroeb? Connect the wire to speaker baskets and then put the other end where? 

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Cabinet resonances are an entirely different matter which can be reduced with better internal lining of all surfaces and filling the enclosure with sound absorbing material.

Specific to the speakers that the OP was considering, the review of the model before them had cabinet resonances as a major flaw.

 

Cabinet resonances can be reduced but can they ever be reduced below the threshold of human hearing?

Generally the good speakers separate the men from the boys in that respect… so yes, they can be reduced to below hearing level, or unmeasurable.

 

So IME putting grounding wires on these speaker drivers is a bit of a “lipstick on a pig” approach towards fidelity.

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