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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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In Reply to: Editors should Edit posted by mark.korda@myfairpoint.net on September 15, 2015 at 10:39:06:
What Reichert hears is not surprising at all, considering the trade-offs inherent in a 2-way mini monitor of the LS50s design and materials.
High power handling in a small 2 way monitor ---> more complicated crossover --> lower sensitivity -----> more 'restricted' dynamics
The LS50 is good at coherence and focus, less good at dynamic expression (micro or macro). And then, driver materials always have an unquantifiable effect on the sound. Reichert may have been saying metallic because the speaker driver looks metallic, in fact, it's a kind of plastic IIRC.
Your trouble is, Mark, is that you're thinking Class A should be only the no-compromise designs. I kind of agree. After all, Stereophile is not just ranking things to sell them, it is also trying to see what the limits of the possible are. The SP ratings are supposed to be price-independent. Arguably the LS50 is a class A, restricted low frequency, not silly expensive, not silly big, compact, plastic driver coaxial designed for small spaces, a short listening distance, and a relatively high power amplifier. But Class A minimonitor? Arguably you can do better.
It seems like Stereophile is rating value for money as well, an all-things considered type rating. Thus the grade inflation. Not to mention, the underlying bias for British designs ;)
For $1500 you can still make a big mistake if you buy without listening, and expect 'the best available' sound just by buying one 'class A' component. The LS50 jut seems to be the best available as a package of its type, but some can't live with the tradeoffs.
Again, people have to keep in mind AT ALL TIMES that a system plays AS a system, and only secondarily as mix and match components. Even the LS50s are already a system: you're buying not only the speakers, but all the assumptions and limitations and the system requirements demanded to have the speakers sound their best. Even in an optimum system environment, the speaker will have limitations and tradeoffs.
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Follow Ups
- Grade inflation... - Tom Schuman 02:23:12 09/22/15 (0)
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