What if a high end speaker measures really badly?

In today’s world of digital audio, sound can be tweaked pretty much any way you want it to be.

So it’s no longer the end of the world if measurements stray from textbook perfect.

As long as the speakers are up to the task of filling the room with sound up to desired SPL levels without distorting and the amp is up to the task of driving the speakers well, you are in a good place.

Maybe just have a handle on dispersion pattern of specific models in order to be well informed about what to expect there. This is one example of where measurements can help.

Toss in some proper DSP like that available in Roon software for example and the sonic details are yours to adjust however you see fit .

Having said that, good measurements are typically an indicator of good design and implementation and that is always good things to have working for you out of the gate.

@erik_squires - how would you define “high end” or “exotic” car? Not all of them are high performance and each has its own drawbacks and idiosyncrasies.

There is no “sports convertible with 7 luxury seats and ability to tow a boat across rough terrain”.

I define “high end” as limited production, using exotic parts, tailored to audiophiles. Price may or may not be high.

Personally, in a demo I'll probably pick the speakers that elevate the bass and treble that can also image well. The livelier the drum kit sounds the more interested I am.

Measure it with your ear. Next problem……

I listened to a tone generator app off tidal that did around 10 tones between 20 and 1000 hz and I was surprised at how some of the midrange tones sounded SOO much louder while measuring the same 70 db as the bass tones did. Then in the 1khz steps my hearing was pretty consistent with the db meter except 12k that I barely heard, but the crazy thing was the fq's above 12k couldn't generate much spl on the meter even when I turned the volume up! like everything above 12k is ultrasonic, more likely my phone mic sucks and my hearing's gone, but if I designed speakers by ear the tone would measure like a smiley face to sound balanced to me.