One of the challenges with ATC is properly pairing their sealed cabinets and rather large magnets with stable current to control the drivers.
I'm going to assume this is why they offer so many of their models in active designs.
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.
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I've owned/own four different pairs of ATC speakers. Two active, two passive: ATC 40A, 50A. ATC 7, 20. Even the small ATC 7 at 7 liters needs my Sugden A21SE class A at 33 wpc to properly push them around. The ATC 20 needs the 125 wpc Luxman 509X to control massive magnets. Just saying that some may under power (translation, not enough stable current) sealed cabinet speakers producing anemic non-involving results. Some will blame the transducer, that is not where the problem lay. Active is where I live for reference, but the passives are also quite good. |
@celtic66 thank you this really helps tell me that I'm likely not quite ready for ATCs. Like the ATCs, the Spendor D7.2s are described as achieving the qualities I'm looking for most, and will be more flexible with amp matching. |
Diaphragm mass does have a strong correlation to treble quality and perceived “transient response” IME, even among tweeters made of the same material from the same manufacturer.
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- 185 posts total