Definition verses interpretation

[Harrison476]

My interpretations of certain speaker terms are not always consistent with others.

I found a few definitions for these speaker terms but would anyone like to comment to these terms related to a speakers ability:


1. Soundstage
2. Dynamic range
3. Imaging
4. Bass or tweeter extension
5. being “ to forward”


Thanks

 

[CraigV]

My interpretations of certain speaker terms are not always consistent with others.

I found a few definitions for these speaker terms but would anyone like to comment to these terms related to a speakers ability:


1. Soundstage Think of an actual stage with an orchestra – how wide, tall & deep do the speakers present the sound

2. Dynamic range From the lowest lows to the highest high’s, how well does the speaker re-produce the sounds being fed to it

3. Imaging Is there a clear separation between the instruments and voices, and do they appear to be coming from different points in space

4. Bass or tweeter extension Do the drivers do a good job of covering all the frequencies accurately and completely

5. being “ to forward” Do the speakers project the soundstage in front of their physical location Thanks

Does that answer you questions?

 

[fredk]

Soundstage - does all the sound appear to be coming from one tiny spot in the center of the room or is it spread out over a wide area (front to back and side to side)?

Imaging - how well can you locate different instruments on/in that soundstage?

*** both soundstage and imaging are as much affected by your room as they are by speaker performance.

Bass extension - how low a sound can a speaker effectively reproduce effectively. the -3db point is used because this is in the range where we hear differences in volume. The actual point at which we can detect differences is dependant on frequency and the type of sound produced.

Tweeter extension - same thing as Bass extension but in this case how high... Most people can't hear above 15KHz so a speaker that extends to 22 or 30 or 40KHz has no advantage over one that extends to 20KHz.

Forward - sorta like some people really get 'in your face'. I experienced this in a direct comparison of two speakers. It was like the whole soundstage shifted towards me. It has been described like having a seat in the first 15 rows at a concert as opposed to being at the back of the hall.

Too forward is a matter of taste: some people prefere it, some don't. That particular difference between the two speakers I was comparing did not bother me one way or another, but the difference was quite startling.

Dynamic Range - I can't quite put that one in words so I will leave it to someone else to explain.

 

[lsiberian]

My interpretations of certain speaker terms are not always consistent with others.

I found a few definitions for these speaker terms but would anyone like to comment to these terms related to a speakers ability:


1. Soundstage
2. Dynamic range
3. Imaging
4. Bass or tweeter extension
5. being “ to forward”


Thanks

1. How wide the sound presented is.(best way to improve this is to put your speakers against the wall.

2. To me Dynamics is the ability to distinguish low and high volume variability. For example a great singer can sing softly and still be understood and a loud singer can overwhelm you but still be accurate.

3. This is best understood by closing your eyes and imagining where the instruments our. If you can imagine yourself in the recital hall chances are you have great speakers.


4. Bass extension is how low can it go. Tweeter extension should never be a topic. If it can't reach that high then don't buy the tweeter.

5. This is when the speakers tell you they want you to marry them on the first date.

 

[Harrison476]

Hey

You guys are pretty dog gone good ! I appreciate the responces. Most informative.

Isiberian: I take it you like bass

 

[lsiberian]

You guys are pretty dog gone good ! I appreciate the responces. Most informative.

Isiberian: I take it you like bass

No, but tweeter extension is less of an issue IMO.

 

[Davemcc]

My interpretations of certain speaker terms are not always consistent with others.

I found a few definitions for these speaker terms but would anyone like to comment to these terms related to a speakers ability:


1. Soundstage As mentioned, the ability to close your eyes and hear the instruments spread out across the stage as if there were an orchestra right in front of you. Includes side to side, front to back and up and down elements of sound despersion.
2. Dynamic range The ability to play very quiet elements then also play very loud, very sharp elements with the dynamic force of a live event. This often takes quite a lot of amp power with a very good speaker.
3. Imaging The ability to create a pinpoint location for a particular instrument. Closely related to soundstage in the sense that you cannot create a soundstage without being able to focus the sound of a single instrument in space.
4. Bass or tweeter extension Bass extension is most often discussed, i.e. the ability to play down to or below the 20Hz threshold. Most human hearing does not extend to the 20kHz range, so tweeter extension becomes less important at the high end unless one considers harmonics and/or other effects. This may also play into the crossover selection at the upper woofer/lower tweeter region. The crossover should be designed to maximize the effectiveness of the drivers at both their upper and lower ranges.
5. being “ to forward” AKA "too bright". Pronounced midrange that tends to emphasize the vocals or lead instruments.


Thanks

Here, I gave it a try too.

 

[Harrison476]

Hmmm I wonder how how accurately one could rate their own speaker?





I do have a motive for this.

 

[fredk]

Hmmm I wonder how how accurately one could rate their own speaker?

Thats easy. Mine are the best...

 

[fredk]

5. being “ to forward” AKA "too bright".

Forward and bright are two different things.

Bright was originally a term used to describe the sharpness/bite that you get with a live performance, but has morphed to be closer in meaning to harsh. It is related to the High frequency rolloff or lack thereof.

People seem to prefer slightly rolled off highs. A live performance has an unaltered soundfield, so should give you a flat respnonse (though that probably depends on the design of the concert hall).

I like a live sound. I do not like harsh.

 

[griffinconst]

Thanks guys. I am not the OP but I enjoyed this thread very much.

 

[highfigh]

Does that answer you questions?

"Dynamic range From the lowest lows to the highest high’s, how well does the speaker re-produce the sounds being fed to it"

Nope- that's frequency response. Dynamic range is the range from the quietest reproduced sound to the loudest, in Decibels. If the signal has noise or distortion, the dynamic range would be reduced by the level of the noise or distortion, i,e., if the dynamic range is 110dB and the S/N ratio is 98 dB, the dynamic range would be 98dB.

 

[CraigV]

"Dynamic range From the lowest lows to the highest high’s, how well does the speaker re-produce the sounds being fed to it"

Nope- that's frequency response. Dynamic range is the range from the quietest reproduced sound to the loudest, in Decibels. If the signal has noise or distortion, the dynamic range would be reduced by the level of the noise or distortion, i,e., if the dynamic range is 110dB and the S/N ratio is 98 dB, the dynamic range would be 98dB.

Bad wording on my part - I meant to say that all frequencies which are present in the recording are produced at the volume levels intended, and wanted by the listener.

 

[Harrison476]

call for rating

Would someone who owns floor standing towers please rate them along the lines of my original post. I all most pulled the trigger yesterday on a new set of fronts. This will be my last purchase for speakers for a long long time. I need to stay around the $2000 point.

 

[CraigV]

Would someone who owns floor standing towers please rate them along the lines of my original post. I all most pulled the trigger yesterday on a new set of fronts. This will be my last purchase for speakers for a long long time. I need to stay around the $2000 point.

That’s really asking a lot. I bought a pair of speakers once because a reviewer (in a reputable magazine) said they had great detail. When I listened to them, the sound was so bright I couldn’t take it. What sounds good to me (or anyone else) does not dictate whether or not it will sound good to you.

If I may toot my own horn, please read both parts of this article:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54874

It should give you a good starting point.

 

[fredk]

Here is just one example of why we can't rate our speakers in our rooms to help you pick a speaker.

1. Soundstage M80v2

Great Very wide extending beyond the speakers. Well, in the demo room I listened to them in anyway. Not so good in my room: compressed more into the middle of the room. Could be placement, could be because I have a very live room (too many reflections).

Bass extension would be another one. Some people confuse enhanced upper bass with bass extension. So it will depend on who answers the question and what their understanding of bass extension is.

Forward is even better. I like forward. Some people don't. Do you?

If you are unsure about a speaker you are about to buy, make sure you can listen to it either in home with the option to return, or in store. Also be aware that your room will have a large effect on how your speakers sound and may need to work to get the best out of your speakers in your room, or you may need to accept some compromises.