Sound quality of Newer versus Older speakers

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.

Will put my aging BIC venturi V-830’s against a lot of speakers.    They have been my go to since the early mid 90’s. Even the little brother V-630’s are sublime. 
I swear by these speakers.  Even the new reincarnation of BIC are just ok, but, nothing like the 90’s BIC, or those BIC Realta speakers, almost bought them, but at the time, didn’t have the scratch.
I kick myself!

too many variables to make sweeping statements.  with respect to walking the fine line between detail and forgiveness I would say speakers of today tend to be more over the line towards detail and speakers of previous eras tended to be under the line and closer to forgiving.  

@avanti1960 ,

"I would say speakers of today tend to be more over the line towards detail and speakers of previous eras tended to be under the line and closer to forgiving."


Isn't this the dreaded upwards tilting of the high frequencies that many loudspeaker manufacturers are still tempted to introduce for the sole effect of being more impressive in the show room?

This practice (along with tipping of the bass - the so called smiley EQ) seems to be even more common in the world of headphones where a design with a flat response is almost unheard of.

No wonder most engineers still prefer to mix on professional monitors.