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New speaker technology vs. Old speaker tech???

The following is an issue that many members may have encountered: that is, buying an old speaker (vintage 10-12 years old) vs buying a newer and more current technology created by better driver material and using for example a ribbon tweeter, vs traditional silk or aluminum tweeter.

A friend recently purchased a monitor made by Monitor Audio, GX-50 Gold series. which uses a ribbon tweeter. His other choice was a VonSchweikert VR-1, a two way small monitor hailed by many reviewer for its tight bass almost down to 40-45HZ.

I liked the Monitor Audio GX-50, but did not want to influence his final decision. However, the more I listened to them, they sounded somewhat bright and edgy on several "redbook" CD's. He liked VonSchweikert VR-1, they seemed to him more balanced and the bass had real punch. However, he opted for the MA's because he felt the newer technology overall would be more competitive in producing good and detailed sound

Like my friend, I have often get caught up by the technology of new speakers,and ignore what sounds better and satisfying regardless of the music The VR-1 are very good speakers, and usually don't last long on Audiogon when they come around for sale. However, sometimes a mystique emerges around a speaker because of its unexpected performance that elevates it beyond its spec.

Would like to get some input on this "dilemma", especially the reputation of Von Schweikert VR-1 for being "more than sum of its parts"

sunnyjim
polarin
73 posts
 
I may be going in a different direction here but I wouldn't say the "technology" of speakers is improving. I mean the majority of speakers today use a box, pistonic drivers, wires and a crossover, basically the same as most speakers for the last 60+ years. Now, the refinement of the materials and the implementation of these parts "should" be improving but it's not really the technology that's changing in the majority of speakers.

In fact, speakers have lagged far behind amplification (chip amps, etc...) and front ends, streaming and hard drive systems and such as far as real technology changers. Ribbons and Stat's have been around 50+ years themselves and are certainly more refined and efficient than their early predecessors but even their technology remains pretty static (no pun intended).
oldears
386 posts
 
IMHO good engineering, materials and execution trump new technology, particularly in speakers,
analogluvr
859 posts
 
I'm with polarin. And oftentimes technology is used not to improve how a speaker sounds but to make it smaller or more profitable.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"06-06-15: Analogluvr
I'm with polarin. And oftentimes technology is used not to improve how a speaker sounds but to make it smaller or more profitable."

I'm not sure I fully understand your post. Can you give an example of what you mean?
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,833 posts
 
I would't go as far as to say that speaker design is at it's zenith but there are only so many ways to skin a cat. Progress will always be made but we're in the realm of baby steps, with the biggest advances in magnet and crossover design, due mainly to better parts from advances in metallurgy and computer modeling.

Designs continue to come out based on older tech that befuddle folk. NOS wire is rediscovered, NOS tubes still rule the day, old discards that are refurbished still have that magic. It's all in the ear of the builder.

All the best,
Nonoise
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