Synergy - how to get there

From a science standpoint, synergy might be defined as the combined effect of the parts yielding a greater difference than the summed effects of the individual parts. In science, perhaps unlike audio, studies often deal with real, measurable number$. For instance fertilizer A may cause an increased corn yield of 5% per acre. Fertilizer B may also cause a 5% increase in corn yield. If both fertilizers are applied together, one might expect a 10% increase, but if the increase in yield is 40% or 50%, that is a synergistic effect. As an audio example, maybe amplifier A has a sort of dark, mellow "British warm" sort of sound. With most neutral speakers it could be considered flawed. With a different speaker that has a bright character that would not be favorably reviewed with most amps, maybe that amplifier A would match very well, and the two together could make a very good sounding pair. That would be a synergistic system. Two lesser products each with some shortcomings match disproportionately well with each other. In reality, all/most components have flaws and when a set matches well, or has synergy, it sounds better than it really should. To paraphrase from Rocky Balboa regarding Adrian, (no, I have no desire to see the current version). "I have gaps, she has gaps. Together we fill each other's gaps" Pretty corny huh?

synergy is just a word. instead of focusing on what the word means, one might be wiser to try to attain the sonic presentation consistent with one's preference and not be concerned as to whether one's components are synergistic with each other.

I think words such a synergy are useful in focusing our intention into action. Synergy can help us pass on a product that is very well rated by others becuase it does not match well our systems needs (such as small speakers in a large room), and lead us, for example, to try the Magico's in a smaller room which might be more synergistic with them.

Dice the word: Syn= "with" or "together" and ergy (or ergon in the Greek) = "deed, action, accomplishment, work"

The term is justifiable in describing the fact that certain components simply sound better together than other combinations.

The concept of synergy is transferable to relationships; in a round-about way the synergy of audiophile/spouse relations has been discussed here at times.

However, let us not believe that there is a magical, wondrous effect from certain combinations of components. You get what you get from each one, and when a superior combination of components results, you get great sound. Now, is that particular combination better than any other given combination? That's where the individuality of audiophilia comes in, much like personal preferences for art. So, in the end, it is my contention that all of us form our opinions/preferences based at least in part on someone ELSE's concept of synergistic sound.

Hi Doug, Well said. My main reference to synergy is fine tuning all of the components, as they are single components within a system, but if you get it correct the whole is more than the sum of its parts. You can obtain this by tweaking each component in relation to each other by manipuating its various features (controls, tonearm/cartridge parameters, room tuning, volume, crossover points and levels etc). Maybe some people dont believe in tweaking?
Bob