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Have speakers really improved within the last 20 years??

Question:

  • If there is one measurement that would prove that speakers have indeed got better over the last 20 years, what would it be? 

I dont just want one example of a speaker from today that has a better measurement than another speaker from 20 years ago because that could just be a coincidence. I want to see IRREFUTABLE PROOF that most speakers today have a measured performance in at least one area that is better than most speakers 20 years ago.

When I look at a typical bookshelf speaker from 20 years ago versus one from today i see little difference. All i see is a wooden box, typically mdf with a pair of drivers in 'em. There would be a small crossover circuit inside and a bit of foam inside the box and that would be the end of the story. I would like to believe that speakers have gotten better but I see no reason to believe it. All I see is that speakers may have gotten brighter and brighter with time to dupe us into thinking we are hearing more detail. 

This challenge is open to any audiophile or speaker designer reading this.
kenjit
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,585 posts
 
Can't prove a negative. I think Kenjit's tail has already fallen off. Can't be proven.
bryhifi's avatar
bryhifi
374 posts
 
+1
facten wrote:

“Why don't you prove to everyone else that they are not versus demanding that everyone else provide you proof.”


Exactly 
kenjit OP
1,771 posts
 
Why don't you prove to everyone else that they are not versus demanding that everyone else provide you proof.
Because I am not the one who wants audiophiles to be persuaded that progress is being made in speaker design and that speakers are getting better. Its the speaker industry and audiophile community that is responsible for that narrative. And as audiophiles it is our duty to challenge not only what the speaker industry wants us to believe but also to challenge our own beliefs and actions.

Speaker designs do not get better with time, by default unless progress is made. So there is no proof required of that. It is self evident UNLESS proven otherwise.
phcollie's avatar
phcollie
342 posts
 
OP,   I will offer this solution for your question. Please forward it to Wendell Diller at Magnepan and specifically reference the 20.1 with the 20.7 Sold today. I am certain he will be able to provide very accurate information regarding the exact improvements and  measurements to satisfy your curiosity.  Unless of course you think it is just some elaborate conspiracy to not still sell the 20.1 since it was not improved?  They simply will not release a new model unless it is a measured improvement above the replacement.  You will find differences in mass, the bass panel itself and magnets. Your ears will confirm with a simple A/B.   I suspect he will view your question and scratch his head wondering if this guy has smoked his breakfast one too many times. 
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,826 posts
 
Can you imagine anything worse than being stuck in a small lifeboat in the middle of the ocean with kenjit? 

By the time anyone found you, you'd be the only person in that lifeboat.
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