Sound quality of Newer versus Older speakers

New speakers do one thing that the old ones will not do, they look real pretty, the old way of making speakers was all about the sound and performance and not the looks.

@speakermaster --

New speakers do one thing that the old ones will not do, they look real pretty, the old way of making speakers was all about the sound and performance and not the looks.

To me a speaker is "pretty" when its looks is a clear reflection of its function - i.e.: that form follows function, and not the other way round. You truly see the manifestation of physics-as-a-necessity, whereas looking pretty for just that usually leaves performance by the wayside. Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

pretty in looks, just like pretty in sound, are all in the eye of the beholder

many a speaker brand have made themselves distinctive with their looks as much as their sound - form may follow function or form just for form's sake (or beauty's sake)

modern living aethestics have progressed with many forms of contemporary and modern decors, much stemming from many cities and countries where living spaces are small despite the people being well off... makes for a larger market in skinny unobtrusive floor standers

Hi @cd318 ,

I always can hear difference in speakers in term of compression dynamics.
Many year ago I had Dynaudio Audience 60. I always felt these spikers have very heavy sound reproduction, the sound presses on the listener and tires.
When I bought Spendor 2/3 I felt a difference. Much more easy sound reproduction, especially on low and mid volume.
I have been using Altec 604E since 2005. They are very high sensitive.
So when I go to friends or audio show I always hear compression from most of low sensitive speakers. Even big speakers like Wilson Audio. I feel it like a heavy, strained sound reproduction, unnatural, tiresome. Sound presses and it cause me a discomfort.

I can easily listen the difference between similar designed speakers. For example, JBL L200, L300 and 4430.
L200 have better midrange texture and easy sound reproduction. 4430 are the worst heavy sound reproduction and muddy midrange.

Regards,
Alex

@alexberger,

Hi,

I think one early sign of compression is when you start to crank up the volume but the sound doesn't get much get louder.


@speakermaster,

Have a look at the Quad 63s, Tannoy Berkeley's/Arden's, JBL l100s, Spendor BC1s, vintage Celestion's, Wharfedale's, Harbeth's etc.

What about the old Sonus Faber's? Weren't they always beautiful?

Are modern designs really that better looking?

The fact that the classic rectangular box is so familiar and still liked by so many people means it's very difficult for any speaker design to get away from it - despite its obvious sonic shortcomings.

It's certainly a good thing that modern speakers tend to be offered in a greater range of finishes these days. Nowadays I tend to prefer speakers that colour match the wall behind, so I'd much prefer it if different grille colours were offered as a choice.

Anyway, I think audiophile fashions can change dramatically over the years. Some of those old backlit Japanese amps and receivers from the 70s/80s are now suddenly starting to look extremely stylish to me.