What makes a speaker sound lean...

jaxwired

jaxwired

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I would propose that speaker balance is far more important than frequency extension to avoid a lean or thin sound in a speaker. By this, I mean does the volume output of the woofer driver produce the right balance of volume when compared to the mid and tweet. Now I'm not saying that frequency extension does not matter at all. A speaker that will produce 25hz with in 3db tolerance will add much to the listening g experience over a speaker that rolls off at 50hz. However, that is only true when there is deep bass content in the recording. Most bass you hear in music is in the mid-bass region. So a speaker like the KEF ls50 that starts rolling off at 79hz can sound very satisfying and complete IF the speakers bass output is balanced correctly. When the bass output is weaker than the mid and tweet you find yourself trying to turn up the volume to get the bass content that is missing but this results in the mids and tweets becoming overly loud. This creates the thin lean sound that is generally unappealing. Thoughts?
 
Agreed. I also think a speaker that has a rich midrange (with frequency balance like you mention) is important. I am finding some equipment that has great extension on highs and lows but not much inbetween. Like no meat in a sandwich.
 
very interesting Jax. i am now running a 90db speaker with 15w . it is not an ideal situation and i was feeling the need to pump up the volume more causing them to roll off quicker and they also would distort in the upper mid area especially on strong vocals. so i was in search of a more efficient speaker. even just a couple db would be better. so i got a 102db speaker which had huge bass and low end. it was fun for awhile ,playng all my old favorite rock classics at house shaking levels, but the novelty soon wore off, and i was missing the clean clear mids and beautiful highs of my fabers. i also realized i donbt really care or like big deep bass. it gets to me and fatigues my ears way faster, so i dont listen for nearly as long as i used to.
then i got an even smaller amp in for a demo(12.5w) and at the same time my dealer who brought the amp suggested i change my speakers cables (single wires) from the upper to the lower. first off for some reason this 12.5w can play at much louder levels without any distortion and the mix of the new amp. im not sure why, but my dealer says its the transformers. and in moving the cables to the lower put my speakers in a much better phase i guess, the tweeter and mid and bass all come through at a better rate and are just better balanced now.even moreso than when i ran biwires. i also did a real good job this time of moving them ever so slightly for an entire day until i got them in he best position .now the balance is perfect and even with the 15w amps i am getting better bass extension and no more grain in the upper mids when pushed. and im now much happier with the 90db/15w combo. and just a small tweek and little movement balanced everything better.
amazing!!! and im so happy without all that bass pumping out. i have just enough now.
 
I agree with you, it's all about balance, BUT, don't forget the most important part in the mix.....the room! Obviously associated gear and cables have an impact on "balance" too. Then, there are just those recordings that are overly bass heavy.

Monitor speakers I have owned - Raidho D1, Sonus Faber Guanari Mementos, etc. were extremely satisfying to listen to and never a problem to integrate into any of my rooms.


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maybe the lean sound is a byproduct of the room, the amp or it's supporting pre-amp, speakers are wired out of phase or even the source itself. Like Mike noted it's all about balance
 
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