When choosing new Speakers, what matters most to you?
When auditioning new speakers have you ever listened to a pair you thought you really liked only to realize you didn’t like them at all after seeing their measurements/specifications? And I’m not talking about speakers that would be too difficult for your electronics to drive but rather, you just didn’t like their waterfall plot, or their frequency response or some other measurement even though subjectively, you loved the way they sounded? Conversely have you ever listened to a pair of speakers you did not care for only to change your mind after seeing their specs?
Assuming speakers can be easily driven by your home electronics, in other words, no compatibility issues related to sensitivity or impedance, what is the single most important thing you look for when finding speakers you’ll enjoy listening to? How do you go about confirming the speakers you buy will be enjoyable to listen to in your home system?
1. Establish a budget 2. Determine the max dimensions that suit your room 3. If looks matter then take that into account too 4. Do your research and make a shortlist 5. Go to a shop and listen to your fav music 6. Realize that at home they will sound different, negotiate a trial period 7 Don’t be surprized you ended up with a pair of speakers that were twice the budget, twice the size, and ugly as hell ... but they just blow you away and evoke emotion with how they sound.
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I understand how to read them, but was agreeing with @vinylvalet ’s statement that we should not decide on speakers solely on measurements alone. I absolutely concur that measurements provide an idea of how they’ll perform in your listening room. More importantly, since the measurements are taken in a controlled environment - you’re able to compare different speakers without having to lug them into your listening room.
I listened to a pair (forgot which model) many moons ago at a dealer, and they weren’t my cup of tea (purely subjective, of course). A bit too smooth (if that’s even a thing), though I can see their appeal if that’s the sound you’re looking for. I listened primarily with classical music; perhaps with something like rock they would have sang.
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Quality, looks, auditions I im a big vintage fan, so I don't alway have the opportunity to audition. I pick the best of the vintage that fits my purpose. Yamaha, jbl, Wilson audio, pioneer, Tannoy, I would like to thin the herd but I'm a pack rat. Stash what I don't like, keep what I do, and setup the ones I love. Jbl, jubals and l220 have made it the longest. Wilson Audio watt puppy 5 and Yamaha ns1000m are all in the rotation as keepers.
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