basic questions reg speakers

[kdlsrinu]

hai guys
i am srinivas from india with intrest in speakers
i just want to know some answers reg spaekers
1)some foam/rubber surrounds are concave(inwards)and some are convex(outwards) may i know the specific adv those designs?
2)what is the diff between monitor series speaker and normal speakers?
3)any colour coding is existing in crossover networks if we are using multiple drivers(ex 1 tweeter+1mid+1woofer)
any answers
thanks
srinivas

[richie00boy]

1) manufacturer preference, no real difference unless surround is physically very big.

2) marketing really, although generally monitor speakers should be more accurate, but manufacturers abuse the term

3) manufacturer preference again

[clem_o]

Originally posted by richie00boy

2) marketing really, although generally monitor speakers should be more accurate, but manufacturers abuse the term

I had the impression that monitor speakers were optimized for near-field reproduction, i.e. close and with little reflections expected from the environment...

Cheers

[richie00boy]

Yes but that would be a near-field monitor. You can get far-field (how we normally listen) ones but yes most real monitors will be near-field.

[Curmudgeon]

As a tangential note, foam surrounds have a tendency to eventually "rot" and fall apart. Oxidation and outgassing of plasticizers seem to be the problems.

[clem_o]

Word of warning - 'rot' also happens on rubber surrounds. Happened on one of my KEF C55's PR.

Cheers

[richie00boy]

And modern foam (and rubber) surrounds are better than they used to be in this regard.

[AndrewT]

Hi Richie,
You mean the modern ones have not rotted (yet).

[richie00boy]

Heh heh

No I mean that manufacturers claim the composition of modern foams is such that they have a better lifespan.

[phn]

Monitors SHOULD be more accurate and neutral, but aren't. The JBL 4312 near-field monitors are anything but accurate and every subsequent near-field monitor was made to sound more or less like the 4312. It's really a sad state of affairs.