Enter to Win: 20% off SVS Order

[Brandst]

Accuracy is best, with nice tight even bass, doesn't have too be too low, that's what subs are for. I personally prefer acoustic suspension boxes over ported boxes as to me the bass always seems quicker and better controlled if not as deep and loud. With all that I'd still like to have as compact a cabinet as possible as they are generally easier to blend into room decor.

Steve

 

[Jim Robbins]

Contest Question: When evaluating a speaker, what is most important to you and why (examples: high-end response, mid-range clarity, bass performance, size, linearity, etc.).

Well, to be honest with you, I have two people to consider when I am looking to buy a speaker. Yes, you guessed it! My wife!

Anyway, I think when I first listen to a speaker, or compare it, I like a good clean sound. It needs to be very acurate in the vocal range so people don't sound funny when talking or singing. As for the highs, I don't like them too sharp or fatiguing. And some good low end extention is nice, but can be compensated for with a sub if you are in a home theater situation. And for the Better Half? Well, it should be nice looking, even if it is large. Some wood grain options and colors are always good to show to her.

And, for a stereo only speaker? Well, I'd love to have a full range unit that actually goes below 20hz. I don't think I have actually seen a full range speaker that is in my price range, but I have heard some from Genesis and the like that blow my socks off. If SVS can pull off a good clean full range speaker set, I'll be buying it for my living room stereo setup!!

Thanks for the contest!

 

[HiRez1394]

SVS Poll

Contest Question: When evaluating a speaker, what is most important to you and why (examples: high-end response, mid-range clarity, bass performance, size, linearity, etc.). Response: Tonal balance and frequency range between the high, mid, and low frequency capabilities, regardless of the size of the loudspeaker in question. If there is an integral powered subwoofer built into a speaker, then I would expect decent low frequency response and slam well below 80 Hz. My ideal speaker is a full-range (i.e., 20 kHz-20 Hz +/- 3dB) powered tower with an integral subwoofer, whereby any real-world performance beyond the minimum 20-kHz and 20-Hz extremes would be gravy.

 

[cgk]

entry

I think that how they sound is most important.

 

[rollinrocker]

Good overall balance, not overly aggressive in any area. Smooth and detailed, good depth of soundstage.

 

[JaceTheAce]

The most important aspect of evaluating a speaker for ME is:

Overall neutrality across all frequency ranges, but if I had to narrow it down to something specific it would be "High-end clarity and treble response". I set this very high on my consideration. I want to be able to hear crisp treble frequencies as well as accurate reproduction of instruments such as hi-hat, cymbals, violins, sounds of vocalists air exhailing, etc.

Midrange clarity is also important, especially since I listen to a lot of vocal artists. Overall, midrange needs to have consistency in tonal characteristics when the woofer is being pushed under pressure from hard-hitting bass. Even if the speaker is a two-way bookshelf speaker, I push importance in midrange clarity.

Then the bass - it needs to be tight and accurate - NOT boomy or muffled. The frequency response does not need to be necessarily deep as that can be fixed with a subwoofer.

 

[MUCHO]

Contest Question: When evaluating a speaker, what is most important to you and why (examples: high-end response, mid-range clarity, bass performance, size, linearity, etc.)

Value. To me value is defined by the following equation.

Value = performance / $$$. Performace = clarity + high db output + flat response

 

[Warped Pixel]

What I look for in a speaker

Contest Question: When evaluating a speaker, what is most important to you and why (examples: high-end response, mid-range clarity, bass performance, size, linearity, etc.).​

The thing I value the most is actually auditioning the speakers with something I am comfortable with, I need that emotional response first. I also value midrange clarity and crisp high-end, almost on the brighter side. I have B&W CDM NT's which matched those requirements really well.

If I am not able to listen to them ahead of time, I tend to go deeply technical and read way too many reviews, obsessing over every small detail to make sure I get the absolute best bang for the buck (at least for me). I can spend money but I understand and recognize the diminishing returns, and I can only truly enjoy something if I believe I hit the sweet spot in that price/performance curve.

 

[tremmylow]

SPOOKTINESS ( when a speaker scares me ).....when said loudspeaker fools my ear enough so that the enclosure evaporates and the sound spills out all around you... one designed to create a huge sweet spot..almost holophonic would be nice....a killer app that would allow homeowners to shoot an audio picture of the room to be used; then have loudspeaker co. " Voice" speaker system to take advantage of and or correct, room anomalies would be the future

 

[escrawford]

Answer to SVS Question

The most important thing for me is a wide, open sound field. It is important that I have the largest sweet spot so that all listers hear the same thing. I hate it how with some speakers even if you are slightly off axis they sound totally different. A close second would be cabinet aesthetics.

 

[kleinwl]

Contest Question: When evaluating a speaker, what is most important to you and why (examples: high-end response, mid-range clarity, bass performance, size, linearity, etc.).​

1) when evaluating a speaker, linearity above 80Hz is key. Below 80Hz, I rely on the sub for bass performance and linearity. Also, since I am using these speakers with movies, I need mid-range accuracy (even at some expense of linearity) to make sure that the voicals are not modified. However, since I do not normally just purchase one speaker, I also am extremely interested in the WAF factor. Ie. minimize cables, small/stylish speakers, minimum satilites (ie Yamaha YSB-1).
Priority:
1) WAF factor
2) Mid Range Clarity
3) Linearity above 80Hz

 

[dsmith901]

Contest Question: When evaluating a speaker, what is most important to you and why (examples: high-end response, mid-range clarity, bass performance, size, linearity, etc.).

Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy! No way you can judge or set right the rest of your system or your room if your speakers are not accurate from top to bottom. A flat frequency response on axis and 30 degrees to each side is the prize. Of course you also want the speakers to not be a difficult load to drive - at least 88 dB sensitive and nominally at least 4 ohms impedance.

 

[Loner]

I'm looking for a neutral speaker. This is by far my highest value. The midrange must be clear and well defined. The bass must be loooooow, so I won't need a subwoofer for music except when playing extremely difficult music such as pipe organ. The treble must be easy on my ear. Overall, the speaker cannot be fatiguing to listen to. Lastly, the speaker must be fairly efficient so medium size amps can easily handle them.

 

[2lego]

I would say a wide sound stage along with good balance with the subwoofer. I would also like the crossover slopes to mesh well between the subwoofer and the speakers too. There shouldn't be a huge dip in SPL as the sound transitions from the speaker to the subwoofer.

The speakers should also have a clean contemporary look. Not expensive and exotic, just clean.

 

[The Doc]

Id say the qualities id look for would be good balance and over all ablility for clairity and blend over the entire range of sound

 

[Puppetz]

My priorities in evaluating a speaker are natural sounding midrange and treble that sounds integrated without sounding thin or bright. Price is also a priority, as I am not independently wealthy. I share the opinion of several other posters that bass is not a significant factor to me since I let the sub take care of the low end.

 

[enigma1406]

The main thing I look for in a set of speakers is linearity, accuracy and a seamless sound stage that is attainable without much outside help. Looks are definitely a factor as well. A nice cabinet/construction can go a long way in making a speaker blend in with its surroundings, allowing you to watch tv or listen to music without noticing the speakers. I'd rather hear the speakers than see them. Of course high db output is nice, if needed, but that isn't too important to me as I would like to be able to hear as I grow older. For movies a subwoofer makes the system, allowing plenty of LFE, but this should fit in to the accuracy, linearity, soundstage reqs from earlier.

 

[petrucci]

Well in this day and age of sound technology I think its more important to look at what the complete surround systems offers you. 5 years ago I probably would have been perfectly content to have just 1 good pair of full range speakers that reproduce my music as closely as possible. Today I am more interested in what the combination of my speakers can offer. Its not easy to take a large 3 way speaker and get flat response across the board. I am looking for smaller speakers that serve their purpose in producing a flat response in a certain frequency range and is easy to place in the room for best sound treatment.

 

[HTHOLIC]

My thoughts

Well I don't know if putting a dedicated midrange woofer would help but good midrange is successful for a quality speaker system. Often high frequencies are stressed in equipment. I would love speakers to go up to 22khz 3+ or - db and down to atleast 50 hz. The more lower it goes, the less bass localization would occur from the subwoofer.

Detail in the Sound is important, however one thing to realize is that the speaker will feed whatever you put into it. In other words your wiring and source music has to be professional. Not all recordings have audiophile principals in mind. Say a music recording isn't recorded to have good highs- ie, a speaker system that exaggarates high frequencies would be more pleasing to the listener.

The price/performance factor is important as not only is it beneficial to the consumer, but it also let's the consumer know more about the company's products and commitment to quality. Innovations are a key to company's success- ie, a lot of times there are trade-offs when going with low priced speakers. If a company can do good in the low-priced sector to compete with the "big boys", then its reputation is better. Ie, doing something very hard- making a good product at a low price- before selling very expesnive products.

Sound should be tight and natural- but it should play whatever is put into it. Some people do not like that, becuase they don't want the sound to be very detailed- as they are not used to hearing errors in recordings, but yes- that is the criteria play it as it is supposed to be heard as accurate as possible.

 

[s002wjh]

Midrange clarity since most music is around that range, full sound field, spacious soundstage, great imaging, and tight & punchy bass.