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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?

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golftime
15 posts
 

I wish I had an unlimited budget but I don't, so after I determine what speakers are within my budget, "musicality" matters most.  I am most interested in a speaker that to my ears recreates both voice and instruments to how I believe they should sound.  Over time I have realized I tend to be particularly partial to speakers with a realistic depth of sound and that don't sound "harsh" or cause listening fatigue.  

I guess in the end it is all very subjective but I would like to believe it is a logical subjectiveness.  

mikem
260 posts
 

@christian 

Good morning.. I heard these at a show a couple of years earlier.  When I sold my Vonschweikert speakers and moved to a smaller room, I wanted something efficient and smaller that fit the room and worked with lower powered amps. I also liked the hardwoods and craftsmanship that these bespoke speakers had. They are also truly efficient as described. Natural sounding and allow all my changes upstream to come though.. very pleased with the sound and ability to drive them easily..

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christian
79 posts
 

@mikem 

Got it; thanks for the feedback!  I'll be on the lookout for these.

wassaicwill
62 posts
 

Close to full range as possible for me, if appropriate for the space. 

Like others have said, check measurements after you audition, then forget about the measurements. The pied pipers of measurements are brain-locked into a reactionary cult that despises personal emotional response to equipment. F em. 

Driving a Camaro once was balls out fun. The drag coefficient vis a vis a Taycan doesn't mean sh*t. 

cd318
2,636 posts
 

A good transient response, good bandwidth (flat to 40Hz at least), excellent timbral quality, pleasing or at least unobtrusive looks, seamless crossover, freedom from sibilance, and good dynamics.

If I'm spending more than £3000, and it certainly looks like I will have to if I'm hoping to get any upgrade from my Tannoy Berkeley's, then an exemplary spec sheet is also a must (esp dispersion/radiation patterns).

Loudspeaker upgrades are notoriously difficult affairs. It would be very easy to go around in circles I'm sure.

 

If I had to chose only one quality, then it would have to be that they don't annoy.

Many loudspeakers I have heard do.

 

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