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My pet peeve: "revealing" speakers

The one word that bugs me the most in all of the audiophile world is "revealing." 

It's plenty descriptive but it's also biased.  What I mean is that speakers that are revealing are also usually quite colored. They don't unveil a recording, they focus your attention by suppressing some tones and enhancing others. The reviewer who suddenly discovers hearing things he has never heard before and now goes through his entire library has fallen for this trap hook line and sinker.

This is not always true, as some speakers are revealing by ignoring the room.  They can remain tonally neutral but give you a headphone like experience.  I'm not talking about them.  I'm talking about the others.  I  wish we had a better word for it.

Mind you, I believe you should buy speakers based on your personal preferences.  Revealing, warm, neutral, whatever.  I'm just saying this word is deceptive, as if there were no down side when there is. 

Best,

Erik
erik_squires
phd
1,332 posts
 
Good speakers are a major investment so why would anyone buy a pair of speakers solely based on the manufacturers claim that they are revealing? Certainly there is more that contribute to a speaker's overall sound. It could be that the word revealing is over-used and is not the end game.

In addition who would buy speakers without hearing them first hand in your own listening room? This comes down to using your ears which are the best instruments for evaluating any component.
erik_squires OP
16,849 posts
 
why would anyone buy a pair of speakers solely based on the manufacturers claim that they are revealing?

@phd 

I certainly never brought up manufacturer's claims. I was talking about reviewers, both professional and amateur.

It could be that the word revealing is over-used and is not the end game.

I think so.
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 
I don’t know if we need to change the word revealing. Maybe some reviewers are just misusing the word to describe something else? 
phd
1,332 posts
 
eric-squires, you're right, you didn't bring up manufacturer's claims, my bad. I have gone out with professional reviews in hand years ago to make a purchase only to be disappointed after bringing them home and doing close listening tests. But I'm sure that some reviewers are accurate especially if if most people agree with them.
kenjit
1,771 posts
 
There is nothing wrong with coloration if it enables you to hear more details in the recording. As long as the speaker gives you more enjoyment it doesn't matter what coloration there is or what frequency response it has or what crossover circuit it uses. 
It also doesn't matter what words you use to describe what you hear. Some people call it revealing others call it coloration. The fact of the matter is Erik, unless you can prove to me precisely which measurements are important and why when it comes to perceived sound quality, you are just going round in circles. 
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