Does knowing the intention make any difference to you?

[Mr Peabody]

I read a short bio on Cerwin-Vega how the designer wanted to make a speaker that had the dynamics and impact of live music. So they used large woofers and were efficient. He also wanted them to be a good value so they typically weren't that expensive. He wanted to move air and fill the room like live music.

This didn't make me want to run out and get a pair. I know what the end result was. It did sort of give me an understanding why and it did make a difference for me, knowing why. Sort of like understanding why someone did something, you may or may not like it any better but you understand.

Same for me when I read about the first Klipsch and Bose.

I think these guys for the most part met their goals. Whether their goal is the same as the consumer or the consumer likes what they hear from that goal is two separate things.

I never thought about shopping that way but what if we first found a designer's philosophy that aligned with ours. Just curious if you've ever learned a designer's goal did it move a needle for you in any way?

 

[Mike]

I have seen examples of this. Usually people from engineering and science professions, especially Doctors, LOVE the design principles of Magico.

 

[ggdudeabides]

Just curious if you've ever learned a designer's goal did it move a needle for you in any way?

Electrostatics? Magnetostatic? Speed, transparency, imaging? Interesting that reviews of numerous box speakers will use those descriptors followed by the two types referenced above.

 

[kristiann]

I think it does make a difference, at least in how I look at a speaker. Knowing what the designer was trying to achieve gives you a better idea of why it sounds the way it does, even if it’s not necessarily your taste.

I like the idea of starting with the design philosophy rather than just comparing specs and reviews. If someone is trying to reproduce live music with high dynamics and minimal compression, that’s a different goal from someone focused on a neutral, accurate presentation. Neither approach is automatically better for everyone.

At the end of the day, I’d still want to listen before buying, but understanding the thinking behind the design would definitely influence which speakers I’d be interested in trying.

 

[Kingrex]

It seems odd to say intention. That sort of indicates they're looking to color the sound????

I don't think i've ever looked at a speaker and specifically sought out literature on what the designer was trying to achieve. I think after many years of being on forums and hearing systems at different places i've developed somewhat of a perspective on how the different brands' voice. And how different topology amplifiers will impact it.

At this point I sort of wish more speakers allowed direct coupling the drivers to amps, rather than going through a passive crossover.

 

[mep]

It seems odd to say intention. That sort of indicates they're looking to color the sound????

I don't think i've ever looked at a speaker and specifically sought out literature on what the designer was trying to achieve. I think after many years of being on forums and hearing systems at different places i've developed somewhat of a perspective on how the different brands' voice. And how different topology amplifiers will impact it.

At this point I sort of wish more speakers allowed direct coupling the drivers to amps, rather than going through a passive crossover.

How do you "directly" couple amps to speakers without an electronic crossover?

 

[W9TR]

It’s interesting to understand what the loudspeaker designer had in mind.
After all, it’s about the compromises you make to get a product to market.
But none of it matters if the end product playing music that I love doesn’t move me emotionally.
That’s the real test, intent and measurements be damned.