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Speaker Analysis for Armchair Critics

Hello everyone,
There’s a very important discipline called "Speaker Analysis" or "Speaker Testing" which though complicated, is brilliantly illustrated in this breakdown of the B&W 685.


http://www.audioexcite.com/?page_id=6070

Speaker analysis is to measure each of the components both separately and as they come together in a complete system. It is a part of creating a new loudspeaker, but it can also be used to analyze an existing speaker, to understand it and perhaps to make it better.  I prefer the term Analysis because it better reflects that the goal is not merely quality assurance, but to build a complete electro acoustical understanding of the system as a whole so changes can be considered, and their final results predicted.


This particular article does just that, and comes up with a couple of suggestions for re-working the crossover to end up with hopefully a better end result. At the very least, it is a significantly different speaker at the end, and achieves a far greater level of change than cables can.


I share this with all of you just as an example of the work that goes into making a loudspeaker from parts, and the tools, and how much of what we hear has to do with choices made in the crossover.


Best,

Erik
erik_squires
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,016 posts
 
ask yourself are you learning anything from the troll?

my speaker designer, engineer, passionate listener and frugal Dutch American has listened to both of his creations, in my room....oh ya, it hits the mark....but because we are Kaizen warriors, the mindeset is that EVERYTHING can be improved...so we toil....and enjoy the music and the Journey....

btw, my favorite mystical bird is the Kingfisher 
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
Now..many can see why all I said was: Thanks, Erik.

As... it can get ugly out there... prolly best keep my mouth shut on the subject of speaker design.
gdnrbob
4,458 posts
 
@teo audio,
If we let the 'know it all's' dictate our behaviour, then we are lost.
Bob
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,016 posts
 
@gdnrbob  so right, opting out just hurts the contribution centered community and learning.....but I get the thick skin sometimes required....
xyobgyn's avatar
xyobgyn
42 posts
 
Erik:

Thank you for sharing that link. 

I believe the article is fascinating on several levels.  Thank you for possibly one of the most thought provoking posts (IMO obviously) of the year.

I happen to find pleasure using several older B&W matrix series speakers. 802,804,805 etc In different settings around the home.  I like their sound, I run them with Bryston power, and various sources. It pleases me, not trying to say it’s perfect. (Use what pleases YOUR ears, not here to push an agenda)

B&W btw has web access to see their crossovers for all their models in Service Manuals. On my two way 805 for example there is a far more sophisticated crossover than the two way analyzed in the linked article from Eric.

It would be fascinating to speak “off the record” to the people who made the decisions regarding crossover choices in the model reviewed.  
Would they say:

1) Cost drove the decision?
2) Some version of “Played side by side with competing speakers in typical show rooms, polls of unsophisticated listeners prefer this sound”
3) If we put in a proper crossover, even with inexpensive components, it would sound SO good, people wouldn’t buy the more expensive line of speakers.
4) We think it sounds great this way, why change it?

Personally I find it surprising they use (apparently) very good quality drivers, but hamstring (again, apparently) the crossover. 

I think the least likely explanation is that B&W actually thinks it sounds “better” than with a more appropriate crossover..... so it begs the question why?

The ironic part of this discussion is that B&W are not stupid collectively as a company. Odds are likely that the majority of us in this forum, if charged with making the decision of how to release this particular speakers crossover, might actually AGREE with B&W decision once the true reasons were revealed. 

(ie Porsche knows it’s SUV are a dilution of their core product, but to survive and produce their “good stuff” they essentially have no choice.)
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