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Dynamic compression in speakers themselves?

The primary audio characteristics I want to achieve in my system is an open, uncompressed, unstrained, and highly dynamic presentation.  What I don't know much about is how much speakers can or do contribute to loss of dynamics and impact.  I have a very powerful amp, but it seems that when I increase the volume, yes, the speakers get louder, but perhaps not commensurate with the increase in the volume control.  I do think I understand that this type of presentation is more easily achieved with larger scale speakers, but even with my large speakers, I feel something is wanting. 

I guess my question is, what factors contribute to any compression occurring in the speakers themselves?  Also, can the age of a speaker cause a loss of dynamics?  Mine are ~20 years old.  I'm thinking to get new speakers in the foreseeable future, so I'd like to understand more about this.  This question is in regard to traditional dynamic speakers.
mtrot
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Dynamic compression is very common above 90 dB SPL in traditional dynamic speakers. Voice coils get extremely hot and resistance rises. Also linear cone excursion can be quite limited. Soundstage won’t even test speakers above 95 dB SPL as most will fall apart. Even if it doesn’t blow apart you mostly get distortion above 95 dbSPL.

You are best to go for pro designs like ATC with 3 or 4 inch diameter voice coils in a very tight tolerance massive motor assembly. Large ATC can play continuously at 121 dB SPL with less than 0.3% THD - this is loud enough for totally realistic drums etc. - unfortunately this level of performance is expensive and often only justified in professional studios like this

https://www.blackbirdstudio.com/studio-c/

mtrot OP
804 posts
 
Thanks, very interesting!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
If your source is CDs the odds are very good any particular CD is dynamically compressed, and not just a little bit as things have gotten a little bit out of control. If your source is LPs or even hi res downloads there has been some overly aggressive dynamic range compression going on there, too. There is also the other separate issue of Polarity. The polarity of many recordings is inverted inadvertently and sometimes the polarity of systems is inverted inadvertently. Whereas the overly aggressive dynamic range compression at the factory is not (rpt not) inadvertent.
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