Home Critic's Corner

Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry.

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ Critic's Corner ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

RE: Measurements vs. Reviewers

I am 100% in the subjective loudspeaker evaluation group. Measurements are mandatory for designing loudspeakers, only.

Each of us comes to loudspeaker evaluation with a set of lifetime listening biases. I watched with a smile inside as a fellow reviewer measured my loudspeakers at my home. To me it was preposterous to think that a microphone 6 to 12 inches from the front baffle of the loudspeaker and a computer program would correlate to what I hear in the listening room, let alone describe what the loudspeakers actually sound like to "me".

It is my belief that when a loudspeaker is designed properly (by mathematics, CAD design, science and listening experiences) it is up to the listener to evaluate the speaker, not a microphone or computer. This is a human endeavor, listening to music and fine audio equipment.

Measurements have no business in *reviewing* loudspeakers. Waterfall charts are meaningless, anechoic chamber measurements are useless, do you live in one of these chambers? Each of our listening rooms is so different and measure as such that we need the critical ear of the reviewer or experienced listener to cut through the room bias and report on the perceived result.

I totally dismiss loudspeaker reviews that are based upon measurements, and you should too. Amplifiers? That's a different ballgame.

Peter B.
Editor, AVShowroomsforums, Editor, AVShowrooms



Edits: 08/19/15
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  Schiit Audio  

Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups
FAQ

Post a Message!

 Forgot Password?
Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
  Remember my Moniker & Password  (What's this?)    Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:
Message:   (Posts are subject to Content Rules)
Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:  Automagically notify you when someone responds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]