I've noticed...

[Shadow_Ferret]

That when I'm out auditioning speakers the salesman will always ask me what music I prefer. I've heard others on this board mention the same thing.

Should that matter? I like jazz, classical, metal, rock, simple acoustic guitar, traditional blues, big band, pretty much everything. I'm rather eclectic.

Am I to assume by these questions that some speakers are better at rock than classical? That some are great at big band but awful at metal?

Aren't speakers supposed to be [/i]neutral[/i]? Therefore, shouldn't a good speaker be able to handle all types of music and sound regardless?

Don't these neutral speakers exist? Or is it all about compromise? If I listen to hard rock 50% of the time and the others less so, then I need a hard rock speaker?

 

[Shinerman]

Different speakers handle different kinds of music differently.

Let's take some Magnapans. Very open and "neutral" speaker to me. IMO, not a good "rocker" without a good sub. Now, let's take some Cerwin Vegas. Awesome rocker but not so good at acoustic and classical music and definitely not a neutral speaker by any means.

Neutral speakers are often considered to be the goal of speaker making by "audiophiles" but that's simply not always the case. There is nothing wrong with non-neutral speakers. They have their place.

Shinerman

 

[JoeE SP9]

auditioning speakers

When auditioning speakers it seems logical to bring your own source material. Music that you are very familiar with. As far as sound goes I go with neutrality. I am certain that neutrality will tend to make bad sounding recordings sound bad and vice versa. My ES panels show all the warts that are present in a lot of studio recordings. Sugar Ray 14:59 sounds like there is dirt in my speakers. Holly Cole recordings always sound good. I prefer honesty (neutrality). If I want to edit the sound my rig produces I can always buy an Eq.

 

[flyv65]

Different speakers handle different kinds of music differently.

Let's take some Magnapans. Very open and "neutral" speaker to me. IMO, not a good "rocker" without a good sub. Now, let's take some Cerwin Vegas. Awesome rocker but not so good at acoustic and classical music and definitely not a neutral speaker by any means.

Neutral speakers are often considered to be the goal of speaker making by "audiophiles" but that's simply not always the case. There is nothing wrong with non-neutral speakers. They have their place.

By all means, if all you ever intend to listen to is one specific type of music then a non-neutral speaker may well suit your needs (and "possibly" save a few dollars as well); and indeed, a neutral speaker is not *always* to be preferred, but I would argue that a neutral speaker does not restrict your listening enjoyment to only the styles of music that are suited to your system. It would be a shame to deny yourself the pleasures of Led Zepplin because your speakers only sound good when they're playing tweedy acoustical recordings-and vice versa.

I agree with you Shadow Ferret-I think that a speaker should be able at least acceptable with all types of music...and I agree with Shinerman-that there is a time and place for one dimensional speakers. But I also typically think that "neutral", "bright", and "warm" are all subjective terms that the listener is responsible for defining to themselves.

Bryan... I also believe that almost all speakers benefit from the presence of a good subwoofer...

 

[zumbo]

By all means, if all you ever intend to listen to is one specific type of music then a non-neutral speaker may well suit your needs (and "possibly" save a few dollars as well); and indeed, a neutral speaker is not *always* to be preferred, but I would argue that a neutral speaker does not restrict your listening enjoyment to only the styles of music that are suited to your system. It would be a shame to deny yourself the pleasures of Led Zepplin because your speakers only sound good when they're playing tweedy acoustical recordings-and vice versa.

I agree with you Shadow Ferret-I think that a speaker should be able at least acceptable with all types of music...and I agree with Shinerman-that there is a time and place for one dimensional speakers. But I also typically think that "neutral", "bright", and "warm" are all subjective terms that the listener is responsible for defining to themselves.

Bryan... I also believe that almost all speakers benefit from the presence of a good subwoofer...

Well said. I would like to add that not all people take the same meaning from the terms "neutral", "bright", and "warm". I tend to think that if you find a sound characteristic of a certain brand/model you like, then you can describe the type of sound you like. For instance, I prefer the sound of B&W 700/800 series over any other speaker I have heard. So, with that in mind, I went out looking for other contenders using the B&W's as a reference.

Oh. One more thing. A speaker must pass the Zeppelin test as well. For me, Sunday is an automatic all Zeppelin morning. I pull out my box-set, & pop in five of the cd's on random to start my day of peace! I think this is why I prefer a metal dome tweeter!

 

[Audioholics]

If you answer "Thrash Metal" they know they can sell you whatever they want and you won't have a clue because you probabaly can't hear anyway...

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Next time you are in a high end audio place, hand the guy "Napalm Death" or "Megadeth" and ask him to play it as loud as it goes.

 

[cornelius]

When you're auditioning speakers, just tell 'em you listen to everything! Your speakers should be able to handle any style of music, and the same goes for watching movies.

Also beware of speakers that can't handle less than stellar recordings.

 

[WooHoo]

Next time you are in a high end audio place, hand the guy "Napalm Death" or "Megadeth" and ask him to play it as loud as it goes.

Or some outrageously vulgar gangster rap! Watch the faces of the other customers in the store!

 

[sjdgpt]

Personally I like solo violin being performed by a 8 year old novice musician.

While is serves to demonstrate the real ability of the speakers, it also cleans out the room of other customers.