What quality am I describing?

Foxx510 · 2nd May 2007, 07:31 AM

Just wondering what the commonly used technical term(if there is one) and the technical reason for this sound "quality" is. Some speakers, even though they are tonally balanced and sound ok, seem to be one step away from sounding like a real live instrument. It's like some of the detail is blurred, or the edges are missing. Am I describing "detail" here? It's kind of like "listening through fog", if that makes sense.
Which speakers/drivers do this particularly well?
Any opinions welcomed.

Adam

sreten · 2nd May 2007, 07:51 AM

Hi,

After describing the tonal balance of a speaker the next thing is
called colouration, the effect the speaker has on various frequencies.

Note that a very unbalanced speaker by default sounds coloured.

There are many causes of the mush depending on the technology.

A pair of Quad 57 electrostatics in good nick sound astonishing in this respect.
Pity they do not do bass and burn holes in the diaphragms above 15W peak.

/sreten.

mashaffer · 2nd May 2007, 10:43 AM

Most likely IMO is lack of dynamics and good transient behavior but possibly an imaging problems.

mike

Foxx510 · 2nd May 2007, 10:58 AM

My best guess is that it's lack of ability to keep up with the really fine transient details. So, dynamics or detail I think I what I'm describing here.

Lsharptec1 · 2nd May 2007, 02:19 PM

Adam,

You may be referring to a speaker system that does not have correct "time alignment" between the drivers.

Larry

Zarathu · 2nd May 2007, 05:04 PM

Sometimes when the crossover is badly implemented and especially when it comes directly in the middle of the critical 300- 3000hz most sensitive human hearing range, the music can sound as a veil is across it.

Bad implementation of passive crossovers, or using a 1st order cross, or other things might do it. It usually causes the vocals to be somewhat unintelligible and other stuff to be fogged.

Unfortunately lots of systems cross there.

My opinion and also that of Rod Elliot of Southwest Audio, AU.

Zarathu

2nd May 2007, 07:31 AM	#1
Foxx510 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	What quality am I describing? Just wondering what the commonly used technical term(if there is one) and the technical reason for this sound "quality" is. Some speakers, even though they are tonally balanced and sound ok, seem to be one step away from sounding like a real live instrument. It's like some of the detail is blurred, or the edges are missing. Am I describing "detail" here? It's kind of like "listening through fog", if that makes sense. Which speakers/drivers do this particularly well? Any opinions welcomed. Adam

2nd May 2007, 05:04 PM	#6
Zarathu diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Planet System Vega(I'm a Vegan)	Sometimes when the crossover is badly implemented and especially when it comes directly in the middle of the critical 300- 3000hz most sensitive human hearing range, the music can sound as a veil is across it. Bad implementation of passive crossovers, or using a 1st order cross, or other things might do it. It usually causes the vocals to be somewhat unintelligible and other stuff to be fogged. Unfortunately lots of systems cross there. My opinion and also that of Rod Elliot of Southwest Audio, AU. Zarathu __________________ Youth is wasted on the young.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Describing distortion verbally	Richard Ellis	Everything Else	3	12th August 2009 08:14 AM
VHS vs CD quality	Bill Fitzpatrick	Analogue Source	12	30th November 2004 05:03 PM
Quality Control differences = variations in sound quality?	KT	Class D	0	14th November 2004 06:51 AM
Describing what you hear	JDeV	Music	3	24th February 2003 05:24 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

2nd May 2007, 07:51 AM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Hi, After describing the tonal balance of a speaker the next thing is called colouration, the effect the speaker has on various frequencies. Note that a very unbalanced speaker by default sounds coloured. There are many causes of the mush depending on the technology. A pair of Quad 57 electrostatics in good nick sound astonishing in this respect. Pity they do not do bass and burn holes in the diaphragms above 15W peak. /sreten.

2nd May 2007, 10:43 AM	#3
mashaffer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Indiana	Most likely IMO is lack of dynamics and good transient behavior but possibly an imaging problems. mike

2nd May 2007, 10:58 AM	#4
Foxx510 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	My best guess is that it's lack of ability to keep up with the really fine transient details. So, dynamics or detail I think I what I'm describing here.

2nd May 2007, 02:19 PM	#5
Lsharptec1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Adam, You may be referring to a speaker system that does not have correct "time alignment" between the drivers. Larry

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)