Chapter 16-Speaker Systems


When the concept of audio was still young speaker designs were simple and very often actually built by listeners themselves. Accurate sound reproduction through earlier speaker systems were often only accidental byproducts because speaker design technology was primitive. Eventually, this "hit or miss" technology advanced to the extent that manufacturers could actually consistently produce speakers approaching an ideal sound.

On the downside, the quest towards this ideal and other factors have resulted in a myriad of designs and design terminology that could bewilder all but the most seasoned audio aficionados. To complicate matters further, there are different ideas as to what constitutes accurate sound reproduction and some listeners actually prefer reproduction with exaggerated or attenuated sounds. This lack of objectivity means that a speaker sound one listener hails could be the same one another dreads.

Part of the subjectivity stems from the fact that the "perfect speaker" does not exist. The truth is that different speakers may excel in different areas of sound reproduction. For instance, some speakers may be particularly good at conveying the sense of depth, space, and size of the room a recording was originally made while other speakers may surpass competing designs in reproducing the sound of percussion and, still, others could be most capable in reproducing the subtlety of plucked harpsichord strings.

By now, you may have an idea of the importance of speakers systems. They are, by far, the most critical investments in a stereo system. In fact, they should be the very first and most expensive components purchased. Speakers will also determine which amplifiers or receivers are suitable mates (more on this later in Speaker Specs). No matter how good the other components of a system are in terms of sound quality, speakers are the ultimate limiting factor. They will determine the sound quality of the final product.

Unlike some other components in a stereo system, speakers are components that can possess specifications that indicate very little about the sound quality they reproduce. So the general rule of listening to a piece of equipment to assess its sound quality is especially important for speaker systems.

Contrary to popular belief, sound quality is also not often commensurate with price. Unless the speakers are obtained for bargain basement prices, which almost always guarantees mediocre sound quality, price will not be a primary determinant of performance.

Assuming there is no subjectivity in assessing speaker sound quality and there are no listeners who prefer colored sound (sound with tonal and other abnormalities), we can conclude that a speaker system's role is to perfectly reproduce sound without adding any sound characteristics of its own. Although it isn't always easy to tell which speakers embellish and which ones faithfully reproduce music, there are several tips for judging by ear.

Inside a listening room at an audio retail outlet, compare two pairs of speakers at a time playing at equal volume. Make sure the preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver used with the speakers have its tone controls set at their middle detented positions ("0" or "0 db"). Compact discs will usually be the best testing sources. Most audio retail outlets should have plenty to choose from but it's best to bring your own because you can audition speakers with familiar music. While switching between each pair of speakers, listen for various characteristics.

Be sure that speakers don't constantly seem to produce enormous amounts of bass. It could indicate that they are substituting prominent mid or upper bass for genuine deep sounding bass, which is usually expensive. When genuine deep bass is present a listener can feel as well as hear it. A good way to test a speaker for mid to upper bass emphasis is to listen to a radio broadcast of a deep male voice. A heavy or reverberating bass known as "boominess" accompanying the voice will indicate prominent mid to upper bass. Most speakers, including high quality speakers, are not completely free of this flaw. In extreme cases, music and voices will not only seem to be emanating from speakers but cardboard fruit boxes; this is known as "boxy sound". The goal is to make sure the unnatural emphasis is sufficiently small as to be unnoticeable.