What if a high end speaker measures really badly?


You know, it's true that I feel listening is more important than measurements and that it's generally difficult to really tie together measurements with pleasure.  Below 0.05% THD do I care?  No I do not.  I really don't care. The number tells me nothing about whether I'd like the amp more or not anymore.

In this one memorable review for the Alta Audio Adam speaker, I really felt shivers go up my spine when I looked at the measurements, especially at ~$20kUSD.   This looks like an absolute hot mess.  Does it sound this bad though?  I certainly don't have the $20K to test that out myself. What do you all think? 

erik_squires

@amtprod The DSP fixed frequency response and killed the magic.  DSP isn't the answer.

PS - I should point out here that I think we sometimes make the mistake  of auditioning speakers at different volumes than we actually listen to at home.  If you listen loud, audition loud.  Otherwise, spend most of your time listening at the volumes you normally would.

Kind of related to this is that a well treated room improves low-volume listening and decreases listening fatigue.

@erik_squires AND you get time and phase correct, very flat to beyond 25 k and near perfect impulse and of course excellent waterfall ( unless you like cabinet colors…. )…. since 1977….

And re the bass eq you speak of is available in the Sub 3 starting at $3k…. 

Disclaimer - i have Treo CT / sub 3 and 7 mk 2

@erik_squires oh you're right, DSP doesn't/can't really fix "nulls" (I guess actual EQ in general isn't great at this to a degree). 
Good points on auditioning aspects especially  in a showroom/other space....which leads me to my ultimate dream business....

RENT YOUR FAVORITE SPEAKERS FOR A WEEK" © ,TM, ®.
Take over some closed up Rent-A-Center, dump a ton of capitol in a slew of speakers, and offer a deliver and rental program where you can audition speakers you are thinking of buying for one week.  Say, $300-$1200+, but if you buy the speakers you get the rental included in the cost.  Seems like a lot, but imagine you actually bought the $8000 speakers and ended up not liking them...you sell them on Audiogon for a solid $1000 discount to get rid of them!  This would solve SO many problems for everyone!!  🤣😎