First Question...

[Shug]

Hi everyone! I have been reading the material on Audioholics for a while and want to clear up some terminology that I am uncertain of, so with your kind indulgence...
What is meant by the term "Reference Speaker"; or Reference anything for that matter? From my humble perspective of just reading it in context, it sounds like a subjective term used by Audiophiles as a common frame of reference to compare similar equipment against. Is there a certain quantifiable set of standards by which some piece of equipment meets a reference standard? If so is there any suggested reading material that you would recommend so that I can cure my ignorance? Part of my confusion is when I see manufacturers use "Reference" as a marketing term. Can someone tell me what is implied when this term is used?

Thanks in advance.
Jeff

 

[markw]

Depending on how it's used...

...a "reference speaker" is a speaker by which one can judge and describe other speakers. Another speaker may be "bright" in comparison the the reference speaker while another may be "subdued". the same goes for other attributes as well. From your post, which shows some thinking beforehand, I think you can see where this leads.

Now, if a manufacturer calls their speaker a "reference speaker", you would be wise to ask, who uses it as a reference.

Another overused term is "monitor" loudspeaker. A true monitor is used in professional applications and may not be at it's best in a hole environment but, lawdy knows, people just looooove to say they have an "official" monitor speaker in their home system.

...enjoy, and keep up with the well reasoned questions. I can tell you've done your homework

 

[j_garcia]

Monitor generally refers to a smaller speaker; basically another way of saying bookshelf speaker. The term would seem to have started in the studio as in "studio monitor", meaning a speaker that is used to monitor tracks during recording/mastering in a studio - these are generally not the type of speakers you would use at home, as they are intended for near-field listening. I have heard some active Mackies in a home setup though, and they sounded pretty darn good to me.

Reference means different things in different contexts. In a review, reference usually literally means the speakers the reviewer owns. When a manufacturer uses it, it is generally to signifiy one of their higher lines of speakers and has no real bearing on it's use as a reference speaker in a specific application.

 

[Shug]

Thank you for your answers...

Mark and J,
Thanks for taking the time to reply, your answers help shed some light on what I am reading.

In reply to your comment Mark <and I quote>
...a "reference speaker" is a speaker by which one can judge and describe other speakers. Another speaker may be "bright" in comparison the the reference speaker while another may be "subdued". the same goes for other attributes as well. From your post, which shows some thinking beforehand, I think you can see where this leads.

... Bankruptcy???

Thanks again guys!

 

[j_garcia]

It is by no means an inexpensive habit...I mean hobby.

 

[markw]

Inexpensive, no, but with a little planning itcan be managable.

Be sure you know the difference between things you "need" as opposed to those you "want" and buy accordingly.

For instance, I bought my mid line Denon 2803 three years ago for $395, or roughly half price, NIB from an authorized dealer when the 2803's came out and was selling for about $800.

Were there features on the 2803 that the 2802 didn't have? Sure, but note the term "features". A "feature" is something that's nice to have but isn't necessarily needed. I didn't need a 7.1 syste, I can't fit more than a 5.1 in my room. The extra 5 or 10 watts or so power in the newer model isn't audiable and muy video needs were more than met by the 2802.

IOW, I could have gotten the latest and greatest by paying twice what I paid and still not have better performance. Yeah, I would have kept up with the Jones' but, next year, it would still be last years model anyway.

Know the difference between whatyou need ans what you want and realize that today's leading edge tech will be next years closeouts. ...and it will still sound just as good!

...enjoy

 

[Nick250]

Mark and J,
Thanks for taking the time to reply, your answers help shed some light on what I am reading.

In reply to your comment Mark <and I quote>
...a "reference speaker" is a speaker by which one can judge and describe other speakers. Another speaker may be "bright" in comparison the the reference speaker while another may be "subdued". the same goes for other attributes as well. From your post, which shows some thinking beforehand, I think you can see where this leads.

... Bankruptcy???

Thanks again guys!

Bankruptcy is a real possibility. The heart of any audio system is the speaker. Hands down. The key is to set a budget for your audio system. Say $1500. IMO about 70% or so of the budget should go to speakers. In this case that means about $1000 for speakers. At this point grab a few of your favorite CDs and audition every danged speaker you can with a 50 mile radius that sell for about $1000. Audition, audition audition.

At this point one usually starts to think "those $1000 speakers sure a nice, but if I added just another $200 errr well maybe $400 I could get those really nice ones I liked so much."

Any, that's my thinking. Did I remember to mention the audition part?

Nick