2. speakers
  3. 190685-193490

Best speaker brands for transient response

Hello all, first post / longtime lurker on here. I have really appreciated all I've learned from following threads on here -- much appreciated.

I've had three speakers in my house for a few years, and have learned that transient response is the quality I value most. I'm researching upgrade options and would appreciate recommendations on brands.

Currently I have KLH Model 3s, JBL 4305Ps, and JBL Studio 590s. The sealed KLHs are far superior in transient response / speed / attack. The 4305Ps are pretty good (I'm assuming because they're active) and the 590s, while they do a lot of things well, are relative laggards.

I am assuming that on average a sealed design at any given price point will outperform a ported speaker in this area of performance, but I'm sure there are important exceptions.

I'm also curious if more expensive ported horn speakers (Klipsch heritage line, or the JBL 4349 for example) may deliver equal or better in transient response compared to a lower cost sealed speaker because they're using better drivers, crossovers, etc.

Thank you for any feedback / ideas you have.

tommyuchicago
tommyuchicago OP
60 posts
 

What is a transient response?  I have not heard of that term before.

This link gives a good overview to augment @helomech's explanation.

https://www.hifireport.com/understanding-transient-response-in-audio-a-beginners-guide/?utm_content=cmp-true

tommyuchicago OP
60 posts
 

Interesting that most the OP's description of transients relate more to midrange and high frequencies, not bass.

Correct -- this is something I look for in mids and highs, also it also applies to what may be described as "fast bass" at the cost of bass extension.

tommyuchicago OP
60 posts
 

This sounds about right:

Yes that’s it. Thank you for posting that.

tommyuchicago OP
60 posts
 
@helomech thanks I am getting a lot of Borresen recommendations and the X2 is in my price range. Only found a dealer in Jacksonville so far, long drive for a demo ;) I definitely need to research more.

Also have gotten strong endorsements for Spendor K series and Maggies.

calvinandhobbes
307 posts
 

For a "normal" speaker, Monitor Audio speakers are quite fast. Not electrostatic level of speed, but they sound noticeably fast to me.  A quote from a Stereophile review of the Silver 300s rings true to me: "What these speakers said was spoken with a clarity and expressive ease. . . . Dynamic and transient-fast, it sounded almost hornlike." though the Gold series might sound even faster with greater precision to its sound.

More to discover