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What matters most in speaker design?

So...What matters most in speaker design?

A. The Drivers
B. The Cabinet / Enclosure
C. Crossover / Internal Wiring
D. Cost / Quality of Raw Materials (Drivers, Cabinet, Crossovers, etc.)

Yes, I realize the "right" answer is "all of the above" or better yet "the design that optimizes the trade-offs of the given variables / parameters that achieves the goals set forth by the creator." However, indulge me...

Can a great sounding speaker get away with focus on only 2 of the 4 above choices? Can a high cost of raw materials trump a sound design that focuses on inexpensive (but great sounding) drivers, a well engineered cabinet, and a decent crossover?

I was thinking about speakers that use relativly cheap drivers, but are executed in a genius enclosure with a good (but not exotic) crossover - and they sound absolutely amazing. This made me wonder...

What matters most in speaker design?
128x128nrenter
tanglewood
43 posts
 
as i am new to hifi, can you give some examples of speakers/speaker companies that are "active" speakers?

what type of amp does one use with active speakers? or does one use two amps?

if there's a website that explains all this please let me know. didn't find it through google.

thanks, jeff
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Jeff,

can you give some examples of speakers/speaker companies that are "active" speakers?

Examples of companies making active speakers are nearly too many to list here are a few (not exhaustive)
Meridian
ATC
PMC
B&O
KRK
Adam
K&H
NHT
Mackie
JBL
Tannoy
Yamaha
Westlake
Paradigm
Barefoot
Dynaudio

what type of amp does one use with active speakers? or does one use two amps?

A preamp only - or if you have a source with volume control then you can connect that directly (for example Benchmark DAC1)

if there's a website that explains all this please let me know. didn't find it through google.

Here is a lecture you can listen to Bob Stuart of Meridian
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Jeff, ATC makes (truly excellent) active loudspeakers - I believe Shadorne owns a pair.

You'll find a lot more active loudspeakers in pro audio than this hobby. One reason being audiophiles really run the gamut in terms of power amplification, and they also are prone to a lot of buying/trying of them.
audiokinesis
2,737 posts
 
Ojgalli makes a very good point: "The first consideration is the design concept."

I agree. Doing a thing well isn't enough; it must be the right thing.

Duke
ryder
1,689 posts
 
I have waited for a few responses before deciding to post one here. No doubt all points are equally important, especially A, B and C but the more complex part was in the crossover implementation. The speaker designer will most likely spend most of his time here.
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