Crutchfield has a tool which allows one to listen to various speakers, through your "defined" headphones. Video explains how:
Crutchfield - Seriously Into Audio Since 1974
Of course, limited to their house brand and other brands they carry such as KEF, JBL, Revel, Jamo etc.
Crutchfield - Seriously Into Audio Since 1974
Of course, limited to their house brand and other brands they carry such as KEF, JBL, Revel, Jamo etc.
This is interesting to me from a DIY perspective. I listened to their on line demo, which allowed me to upload a .flac, then it played continuously, while I could select between speaker brands using radio buttons.
I dont know how their tech works, but I'd guess they measure a speaker and then turn its response into a filter your own song plays through. This is critical, as all the songs listed on the website I've never heard of. It's important to allow the customer to listen to something they're familiar with.
I could hear a difference between the 4 speakers presented. But they didnt sound like speakers, they sounded like headphones playing each speakers characteristic. I've found if you record speakers binaural, then it sounds a lot more like you're listening to speakers, with the soundstage appearing out in front of you, rather than at and in between your ears.
I'm sure their tech could work for this type of recording, as well as running a filter over whatever song you upload. The binaural recordings I've made are quite interesting to listen to, fun for me. I see a few things one could do with this, in a DIY context;
1, Use it to document changes to your system, where you could hear a sonic difference.
2, ...demonstrate the effects of modification / upgrades to others.
3, ...demonstrate the sound of different cabinet designs, drivers.
4. ...demonstrate a stereo installation to an expert consultant, who can diagnose the sound for problems they can hear with it.
Who wouldnt pay one of the many experts in this forum to listen to your own system? Perhaps built with components the expert knows how it should sound and, with additional data like room dimensions and relative speaker placement, can give constructive feedback. Be able to resolve the sound of different amounts of stuffing in a MLTL cabinet design.
Surprised to find this here for a couple years, with zero replies.
I dont know how their tech works, but I'd guess they measure a speaker and then turn its response into a filter your own song plays through. This is critical, as all the songs listed on the website I've never heard of. It's important to allow the customer to listen to something they're familiar with.
I could hear a difference between the 4 speakers presented. But they didnt sound like speakers, they sounded like headphones playing each speakers characteristic. I've found if you record speakers binaural, then it sounds a lot more like you're listening to speakers, with the soundstage appearing out in front of you, rather than at and in between your ears.
I'm sure their tech could work for this type of recording, as well as running a filter over whatever song you upload. The binaural recordings I've made are quite interesting to listen to, fun for me. I see a few things one could do with this, in a DIY context;
1, Use it to document changes to your system, where you could hear a sonic difference.
2, ...demonstrate the effects of modification / upgrades to others.
3, ...demonstrate the sound of different cabinet designs, drivers.
4. ...demonstrate a stereo installation to an expert consultant, who can diagnose the sound for problems they can hear with it.
Who wouldnt pay one of the many experts in this forum to listen to your own system? Perhaps built with components the expert knows how it should sound and, with additional data like room dimensions and relative speaker placement, can give constructive feedback. Be able to resolve the sound of different amounts of stuffing in a MLTL cabinet design.
Surprised to find this here for a couple years, with zero replies.
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Yes it's definitely interesting, considering the fact that many people do not seem to have access to a wide range of loudspeakers. It would be of help if members who own these speakers comment on the accuracy of the respective models.
Besides, people who do not belong to "audio-speaking" circles don't have any opportunity to make comparisons between brands and models. And then there are other issues like money, availability etc., and not all shops in all countries accept returns just because you're not "satisfied" with the product.
Most importantly, adjectives like warm, smooth, bright, thin, muddy, harsh, dynamic, punchy, brilliant etc. that are often used in discussions don't exactly seem to tell people whether they would like a pair of speakers. This part is best accomplished through careful listening, which is exactly what is offered here. And yes, I perceived Klipsch as "bright", Polk Audio as "bright but slightly less loud", with Wharfedale "having a brilliant midrange" and Jamo being "laid back". 😀
Besides, people who do not belong to "audio-speaking" circles don't have any opportunity to make comparisons between brands and models. And then there are other issues like money, availability etc., and not all shops in all countries accept returns just because you're not "satisfied" with the product.
Most importantly, adjectives like warm, smooth, bright, thin, muddy, harsh, dynamic, punchy, brilliant etc. that are often used in discussions don't exactly seem to tell people whether they would like a pair of speakers. This part is best accomplished through careful listening, which is exactly what is offered here. And yes, I perceived Klipsch as "bright", Polk Audio as "bright but slightly less loud", with Wharfedale "having a brilliant midrange" and Jamo being "laid back". 😀
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Personally, I'd love to hear what other's systems sound like from their listening perspective. I'd love to take a seat in dave's, Scott's or XRK's listening room to hear what a few of their creations sound like - as would be heard there. Or close to it.
Even if there were no hope of recreating it for myself, due to "I'll never have a room like theirs" or "I'll never have that kind of money for all the bits for this" - at least it would give some tangible indication of what can be achieved, via a good binaral recording done at the system integrator's own head.
A very blasphemous, highly prejudice topic I'm afraid. Make a quality binaural recording of how my system sounds at my listening position? Might as well ask me to pull my pants down! You'll just need to buy/build it yourself -
Even if there were no hope of recreating it for myself, due to "I'll never have a room like theirs" or "I'll never have that kind of money for all the bits for this" - at least it would give some tangible indication of what can be achieved, via a good binaral recording done at the system integrator's own head.
A very blasphemous, highly prejudice topic I'm afraid. Make a quality binaural recording of how my system sounds at my listening position? Might as well ask me to pull my pants down! You'll just need to buy/build it yourself -
A German audio magazine once made binaural recordings of different speakers in their listening room. They published these recordings on free CDs that accompanied the mag.
Regards
Charles
Regards
Charles