Synergy

[Joe Schmoe]

Does "synergy" between certain brands of electronics and speakers really exist? As a common example, it is often said that Rotel works especially well with B&W. Is there anything to this, or is it merely that they are part of the same company?
Also, in the case of companies that make both electronics and (good) speakers, are there advantages to using them together? (eg Emotiva, Arcam.)

 

[B3Nut]

In most cases in reality, I highly doubt it. I used to believe in it, but now consider it to be another manifestation of the placebo effect. Any good linear hi-fi amplifier capable of driving a given pair of B&W or other speakers will sound the same as any other one at matched levels in a double-blind test. Some phono cartridges like certain phono preamps more than others, but it's more a matter of impedance matching than anything else. Some carts are fussy about the load they see. Line-level sources, not really, with the exception of esoteric designs where the designer might be attempting some "funny business" to tilt the frequency response or what have you. Properly-designed equipment works just fine with other properly-designed equipment.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Does "synergy" between certain brands of electronics and speakers really exist? As a common example, it is often said that Rotel works especially well with B&W. Is there anything to this, or is it merely that they are part of the same company?
Also, in the case of companies that make both electronics and (good) speakers, are there advantages to using them together? (eg Emotiva, Arcam.)

Not if they are designed as a stand alone component. Why would there need to be any dependence or as some call it 'synergy.'

Each component is designed to do a task, right? So, if another component can meet the same task, no reason why it could not meet that need, in your case, drive that speaker.
The only advantage I would see in using the components together in your case would be an proprietary connection that may offer an advantage, or a sweet package deal that would be hard to beat otherwise.

 

[mike c]

only if the pieces of equipment have artificial inteliigence and they just can't get along.

 

[Polygon]

Beyond timbre matching the speakers, no.

 

[3db]

Synergy? Does it exist? I dunno.

I can think of one example where it may exist.. Using a tube amp on a pair of bright speakers such as Klipch to roll-off the high end response of the speaker. I know one can achieve this using tone controls or an equalizer but still, its an example.

The only other example of synergy I can think of is making sure the amp/receiver has the "gonads" to drive a cantakerous speaker. (Sorry about borrowing your phrase. It just works!! )

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Some really good responses here, food for thought. I recently discovered that a small, low-powered amp that is 4 Ohm stable sounds better with my Mirages than a significantly more powerful amp that is not. I suppose that counts as "synergy" of a sort.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Synergy? Does it exist? I dunno.

I can think of one example where it may exist.. Using a tube amp on a pair of bright speakers such as Klipch to roll-off the high end response of the speaker. I know one can achieve this using tone controls or an equalizer but still, its an example.
)

Not sure if that is a synergy and not a way to adjust a component to ones likes and dislikes. That tube or EQ can be used with many other components too, not just that speaker set.
But, if that is an accepted 'synergy,' then yes.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Some really good responses here, food for thought. I recently discovered that a small, low-powered amp that is 4 Ohm stable sounds better with my Mirages than a significantly more powerful amp that is not. I suppose that counts as "synergy" of a sort.

Or, it just works better for you but I suppose that could be a 'synergy' issue for you
Or, we could start defining 'synergy' and then see where it fits.

 

[3db]

Or, it just works better for you but I suppose that could be a 'synergy' issue for you
Or, we could start defining 'synergy' and then see where it fits.

From Merriam Webster;

synergy
One entry found.

synergy



Main Entry: syn·er·gy
Pronunciation: \ˈsi-nər-jē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural syn·er·gies
Etymology: New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together
Date: 1660
1: synergism; broadly : combined action or operation
2: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)

 

[3db]

Or, it just works better for you but I suppose that could be a 'synergy' issue for you
Or, we could start defining 'synergy' and then see where it fits.

From Merriam Webster
synergy



Main Entry: syn·er·gy
Pronunciation: \ˈsi-nər-jē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural syn·er·gies
Etymology: New Latin synergia, from Greek synergos working together
Date: 1660
1: synergism; broadly : combined action or operation
2: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)

 

[John Bailey]

All components work in synergy, because they are working together. If the question is whether the separate components are synergistic, thereby working in synergy to produce synergism (the total effect being greater than the sum of the individual components), that would be another question - one that I am ill suited to answer.

I will tell you that after visiting too many stereo shops, and auditioning, possibly, 100 speakers, I find PSB and NAD to be a rewarding combination to my ears. I don't own either right now because I'm trying new stuff, but I seem to be drawn to that sound. So, maybe the synergism is three way - speakers, electronics, and my ears.

John

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If the day ever comes when I can afford to spend a big chunk (as in >3K) on a new 2-channel system all at once, I might consider a one-brand system. This is as much for aesthetics as sound.
Rega CD players are overpriced, but this is counterbalanced by their integrated amps and speakers being pretty reasonable, making them worth considering overall.

 

[j_garcia]

Sound is more of a personal preference than anything, so to me synergy is something that you have to achieve in your personal system yourself - not based on what others think. I named my HT company Synergy Audio Systems for this reason...

 

[mtrycrafts]

From Merriam Webster
synergy
2: a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct business participants or elements (as resources or efforts)

Well, thanks. My dictionary is almost at arms length away but...
Certainly a speaker needs an amp that is mutually advantageous to its proper operation, but, there may be more than one such amp/receiver that would fill the bill; or, for that matter, other parts of an audio system.
So, is that still synergy or just compatibility.