I recently came across a pair of vintage DCM TimeWindow 3 speakers. Phase and time aligned, by designer Steve Eberbach.
TO MY EARS, they sound great. The usual superlatives: can hear more details, voices are more real, brushes on a drum more realistic.
I had to sell off my modest system a few years back: C22, MC275, Vandertseen 3A signatures. Heck, I thought I was in heaven, then.
Well, I now hear at least the same detail and more, especially on the upper end from these TimeWindow 3 speakers. (Guessing the 3As were "laid back"?)
I pulled out my old Carver (don't laugh!) TFM-35x from the 90s.
Carver C-23 pre-amp. Same old Rega Planet CD player!
I did A-B testing years ago between the Carver and McIntosh amps. Very little difference. Bass tighter with the Carver. Possibly a tiny bit better midrange with the MC275. But one beer equalized everything! lol!
So, if you look around what's the most traded, bought and sold audio components? Yeah, SPEAKERS! Everyone looking for nirvana, since all our ears are the same, but they are all DIFFERENT, like fingerprints!
FOR ME, I believe I am sensitive to more correct phase and time alignment factors, whatever they are, however you explain them!
If you can listen to speakers for about 4-5 hours without fatigue, they work for YOU!!
For the record, my ears can't hear past 13K. (going on 64 years old)
If you get yours tested, you'd be surprised how little you can hear on the upper end. Not to mention most guys don't have a flat response curve!
Nice thread read. Never to old to learn stuff. Now, get those ears tested and maybe you'll figure out why you prefer certain speakers over others!