Best all around speakers

To expand on Learsfool's theme, any one of the recent SACDs of Mahler by SF Syphony with Michael Tilson Thomas will test the limits of a speaker system. Symphony #1 and #6 have over 40dB of dynamic range, with huge sounds juxtiposed with almost silent spots.

For someone that doesn't know symphonic sounds, then some vocal music will need to be added to check timbres. Female and male vocals in rock or pop genres will usually do, so long as the recording is not grossly compressed.

Dave

To expand on Learsfool's theme, any one of the recent SACDs of Mahler by SF Syphony with Michael Tilson Thomas will test the limits of a speaker system. Symphony #1 and #6 have over 40dB of dynamic range, with huge sounds juxtiposed with almost silent spots.

These were monitored and mixed using Quad ESL 63's. These speakers will not play much more than 100 db SPL peaks before shutting down. Not suitable for realistic Mahler playback in a large room IMHO but obviously for the recording engineer (Andreas Neubronner) the unsurpassed midrange accuracy of the Quad's must be very important for classical mixing decisions. The recordings have won awards so if you are into classical and want to hear the detail of each instrument (at low SPL's) then this would obviously be a good choice of speaker. If you listen to rock or jazz then I think this speaker would be a mistake (Andreas has PMC AML1, Rogers Ls3/5a and Genelec 1031 too - so I expect the checks his mixes on these speakers too in order to ensure they are suitable for the general market)

That was mastering really, wasn't it? No doubt it was in a pretty small room and, perhaps, some subs were integrated into the mix to get the full range, even in a smaller room.

In an average room, without subs, IMHO, ELS 63s will be stretched beyond capacity by Mahler. They'll sound glorious most of the time, but the peaks will slay them. That's just not acceptable for me, but I understand the attraction for those that go that route.

Dave

why is it necessary to expose one's ears to 100db in a room no larger than 12 feet by 20 feet ?

my wife complains when the spl exceeds 85 db, and she is 22 feet from my speakers.

85 db is loud enough. i don't see why music can't be enjoyed at spls less than 90db.

why is it necessary to expose one's ears to 100db in a room no larger than 12 feet by 20 feet ?

You hear more detail and it is realistic/exciting/fun/enveloping but you are right in that there is no reason why music cannot be enjoyed at more modest levels too. (better for your ears!)