The Match Test


Sharing an early “audiophile memory”:

During my later half of the 70’s college days, we had a simple litmus test for our stereo systems.  It was a pass/fail test. 
Step 1: Fire up your stereo.

Step 2: Clean side 2 of your Yes, Close to the Edge lp.

Step 3: Que up “And You and I: Cord of Life/Eclipse/The Preacher”.

Step 4: Lower the tonearm.

Step 5: Crank up the volume ( we were in painted cinderblock dorm rooms and didn’t care, plus our dorm buddies male and female were usually in there to enjoy the test).

Step 6: Just before Steve Howe finishes his amazing guitar intro, light a match.

Step 7: Hold the lit match a few inches in front of one of your woofers (grilles off).

Step 8: When Chris Squire plays his first thunderous bass notes; if your speakers blew out the match, You Passed, and your system was anointed as “Awesome” or “Wicked Good” a favorite phrase my Boston buddies used all the time!
 

I witnessed several systems that passed. Unfortunately, my Thorens TD-165 table sourced no name brand (but lifetime warranty) speakers with 15 inch woofers couldn’t quite get enough from my Marantz 30 w/ch 1030 integrated. It always gave the match flame a serious flicker, but never blew it out. 
 

My music tastes and approach for evaluating where and how I might approach an improvement/tweak have evolved over time, but we all had to start somewhere and its fun to think about the journey. 

ezstreams

I believe that is the test for car audio for those under twenty five. True across all demographics, all genres. The other test for car audio is being able to hear it from the fiftieth floor of a skyscraper when the windows are rolled down. 

Interesting example of the -- loud is good, but louder is better -- prime theory of my youthful listening years. 

In spite of that theory, I recall being blown away by the first pair of electrostatic speakers I heard in the 70's.  They were Janzen's.  These were the first speakers that provided the mid-range transparency that I was seeking but had never heard/found. 

However, the Janzen’s literally sparked when played loud, which meant they didn't come close to passing the manditory Match Test".🙂  Thus, I went on to purchase ESS Heil AMT3 (Rockmonitors).  Whether the Heil's dual-10" woofers in each speaker would have passed the Match Test I don't know.  

Nevertheless, I never forgot that inviting, lovely Janzen electrostatic sound.  Years later, when I learned that Dr. Roger West was involved with Janzen’s R&D, I headed in the direction of Roger’s SoundLab full -range electrostatic speakers and have never looked back.

Epic and thought provoking LP, but I'm more of a side 1 guy.

2nd side intro, definitely a 3d moment.

"I get up, I get down.. " crescendo-cue pipe organ. Stamper quality pressing mandatory.

Even though 50 years old, at appropriate volume still better than attending  any church mass.

In 2022, or in the years since the 1970s, what has "blown out the match" for you?