Crystal clear human speach speaker?

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mtj

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Joined 2003
#1
What speakers would be recomended for crystal clear reproduction of human speech?

They will not be used for any music or played very loud. I just need them to reproduce crisp and clear human voice just like the person is sitting across the table from me.

I don't have any price or size constraints.

Yes, I'm a complete novice in speaker building and would appreciate any help pointing me in the right direction to do more research on a particular design that might work better for this application than others.

Thanks
Mark
 
#2
For crystal clear speech reproduction, the drivers (IMO) must have extremely low non-linear distortion, especially from about 500Hz to 5kHz (approximate figures). Higher-harmonic odd-order distortion is much more noticeable than lower-harmonic even-order distortion, but seeing as you won't need the speaker to play loudly, the distortion performance is tolerable from many more drivers. Low energy storage is also desirable, but non-linear distortion seems to have more effect on the sound. A flat frequency response is also nice, but not necessary.

A low-distortion wide-range driver on an acoustically-inert open baffle should do the trick. What's your budget?
 
#3
I must say I was extremely impressed with the voice clarity of my current worik in progress, an MTM using morel MW144 midbass' and dms37 tweeter.... with only a very rudimentary 1st order crossover at about 3,000Hz they sound extremely clear (I couldn't believe it was amplified voice I was listening to). My Mum also commented the same (I was building them at my parents place taking advantage of my Fathers workshop).

I would say however for keeping complexity to a minimum 454's suggestion of full range seems like the way to go.... I don't think you could get away with the MW144's running full range they would be lacking a little in the top end.

I listened to people I know well speaking through them and if the volume was set to normal level of their voice I think I would have had trouble picking between amplified or not amplified if blind folded (that's probably a little bit of an exageration, there would almost certainly be something that you could pick it on, but it was really good!) interestingly with the same crossover some music sounded great, some sounded ok, and some sounded simply awfull!!

Disclaimer.... the MW144's I have were manufactured in 1997 and 1998, some people recently have posted that they have had problems with then being way out of spec... the current ones may not be as good.

Tony.
 
#4
I have not heard anything reproduce speech in a more true from than Martin Logans Theater i. It is their center channel. Especially at average volumes, you will not be able to tell if the speaker is playing or a real person is talking when you close your eyes.
Simply amazing

Dominick in New Jersey
 
#8
11ohm BBC LS3/5a. It was designed for precisely this purpose, and I have still yet to hear better. Another alternative: Martin King's Project 2 ML TQWT with Fostex FE167E full-range drivers. The best speaker available for under £250 in my opinion. Modify the vent fractionally by reducing its width to 2", and you can use the Fostex FF165K for even flatter results across the speech band.
 
#10
I remember a hi-fi show about 20 years ago in Melbourne, and I could have sworn that Laurie Anderson was performing in one of the rooms. Unfortunately, it turned out to be an Apogee (either Duetta or Scintilla) demonstration. They were the closest thing I've got to mistaking speakers for actual speech.
 
#16
I definatly agree on the Martin Logan theater. I haven't heard a better sounding stereo since I listened to one of theirs. I wish I could remember all the components, but it's been a few years...simply outstanding though. It sounded like I was actually at the Diana Krall concert sititing in the chair in the audition room
 
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