the big one: how do you choose speakers? By what features, data?


I am curious how the experts choose speakers when upgrading? What are the priorities, what would make you stretch your budget?

Based on e.g....

  • brand/company’s reputation
  • price
  • sensitivity
  • crossover frequency
  • compatibility with existing amp, etc.?

I don’t have buyer’s remorse for my last pair but I sure made some stupid choices until I got there, that I could have avoided if I had known about this forum sooner.

 

grislybutter

Sensitivity, I learned this the hard way. Power an 86 db speaker with an outstanding 30W class A, no bass at all, and lifeless. Then power them with 600W monoblocks, audio nirvana! 

first time I heard of dynamic linearity. Sounds pretty cool, guessing I have a clue :)

What amp will you be driving them with?  Do you also plan on keeping your current amp.  Also, what is your price range.  I would audition them.  Make sure you receive an agreement to return at no charge because they will sound different in your home.  This is a very important decision and I am glad you are approaching this correctly.  
 

Best of luck.  Let us know what you decide on.

@larry5729 I have a 100Watt into 8Ohms amp but my room is small, so that won't matter much. My price range will be determined by what offers I get for my current pair, between $1500-2000 used, maybe

OP,  …”size of speaker”.

 

Good question. I don’t know of any rule of thumb. My dealer has been to my house many times and we discussed extensively. But, while I can identify many speakers ridiculously large for the room they are in, and many insufficient… I don’t have a good enough knowledge to make up a rule.