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Do Bigger Speakers Mean a Bigger Window?

I enjoy listening to small loudspeakers, in fact a lot of my listening is done via my Logitech desktop computer speakers (2 SATs + 1 small sub) or those in the car.

However ultimately there's nothing like the sense of ease of listening via a big pair of speakers such as big Harbeths, vintage JBLs or Tannoys etc.

I wouldn't say that the bigger speakers (8 inch+ cone) are more accurate, in fact the Logitech's have an uncanny way of getting voices stunningly right as  
watching home movies on the PC demonstrates. It's just that the larger loudspeakers seem to reveal more of the recording quality and bandwidth. So much so that sometimes you can easily hear the limitations of the original tapes sometimes.

So, if you are after high fidelity sound, why would you buy small speakers? 



cd318
cd318 OP
2,636 posts
 
@johnk, do you feel that your experience explains why audio history is littered with mainly classic large speaker designs such as JBL L100s, the Klipschorn, various Tannoys  including Westminsters /Golds and many many others?

Yet it's hard to recall many small speakers which attained classic legendary status apart from the BBC designed LS3/5A.

I got the impression after reading about Gilbert Briggs (Wharfedale) that it was mainly a question of economics and fashion behind the trend to downsize? 


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timlub
2,041 posts
 
"Yet it's hard to recall many small speakers which attained classic legendary status apart from the BBC designed LS3/5A" 

 Spica,  Rogers BBC, Advent, EPI, ADS...  A little bigger gets you, AR11 or Dynaco A25 or Spendor SP1

cd318 OP
2,636 posts
 
@timlub , Spendor SP1s are huge by modern day UK standards, but point taken. I think I’m kind of fixated with the idea that the 50s and 60s were ruled by loudspeakers often the size of wardrobes. Probably seen too many vintage ads where some attractive girl is dwarfed by the size of the loudspeakers.

I just remembered that the Linn Kan is another much loved (sometimes hated!?) miniature from the past. Whereas the Eclipse TD 712z is surely another small(ish) speaker destined for future legendary status.

I guess like so much in audio it boils down to personal taste. There are few certainties and the hardest one is often determining one’s own tastes.

I used to sometimes joke that relationships are the most complicated thing in the universe (everything in flux - nothing static), but I’m beginning to feel that understanding Hi-Fi cannot be too far behind!

johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
Vintage items that become desired collectables usually still have some use. The most desirable loudspeakers of the past usually have no modern equivalents the desire to own has fueled a great amount of reproductions. What one considers collectable is relative but over all the big money and demand is for vintage horn based systems a few TT and tube gear. And that is mostly due to how good it sounds compared to modern equivalents and how well it responds to modification. I do have the opinion that modern loudspeaker design is hampered by profit margins shipping costs and the buyer themselfs. Humans do not like change and since loudspeakers share living space and have mostly had a box like shape it's hard to sell anything but that.
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