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What exactly is a speaker box sound?

In another thread the comment was made that all speakers with baffles cause them to have edge diffraction effects which makes it easy to hear the speaker itself, instead of the music.

Maybe I'm spoiled but it's been a very long time since I have heard this effect in real life.  What speakers have you heard lately which sound exactly like speakers instead of music?

erik_squires
secretguy
1,681 posts
 

The best way to recognize boxy sound, is to hear a speaker that doesn't have it. It's the rare "AHA" moment.

ashoka
94 posts
 

@curiousjim KEF has all kinds of speakers, are speaking of KEF blade?

richopp
760 posts
 

The best way to explain this is with your EARS.  Go to a high-end shop.  Listen to the same source--one you believe you know well--on any and every box or horn or whatever speaker they have.

THEN, listen to the same source on Magneplaner speakers.  If you cannot tell the difference, buy the speakers you like best.  If you can, you have learned what I did in the 1970's.  ALL box speakers change the sound of the source.  Some may like that, some may not.  Maggies deliver whatever you send them.  Once again, some may like that, some may not.  As for pure electrostatic speakers, give them about 30 minutes or so and you will understand the term "listening fatigue."

Cheers!

 

 

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,564 posts
 

@ashoka 

I have the original Reference 5’s, not the Meta’s.

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,942 posts
 

@richopp 

Magneplanars, as good as they are, have their own "sound" too. I recall oversized instruments and voices as a result of the large radiating surface. We each choose the distortions that we find easiest to live with.

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