ark@rabbit.UUCP (07/10/83)
I am completely convinced that the following two statements are true: 1. If you compare two different (pairs of) speakers by setting your preamp volume control at the same level and switching back and forth between them, your comparison is INVALID. 2. If you adjust the volume control for the comparisons so that the two (pairs of) speakers sound equally loud, your comparison is still INVALID. The reason for #1 is very simple: all you're doing by not moving your volume control is making sure the speakers get the same input signal. Unfortunately, equal input doesn't imply equal output. Speakers differ in efficiency. Efficiency has no direct effect on how they sound (presuming your amplifier is powerful enough not to clip), but is a by-product of the particular design. It is well known that louder sounds better, all other things being equal. Thus, the comparison described in #1 will usually result in the more efficient speaker(s) sounding better. The reason for #2 is more subtle: it is IMPOSSIBLE to match levels accurately by ear. What happens is that once the levels get within about 1 dB of each other, they sound the same loudness, BUT THE LOUDER ONE STILL SOUNDS BETTER! I do not know how I would go about constructing a fair speaker comparison. I suppose I would take a microphone and a pink noise generator and try to match levels to 0.1 dB. Alternatively, I might try repeating the comparison with levels tweaked half a dB either way. In any event, the important point is this: DON'T DELUDE YOURSELF INTO THINKING THAT A CASUAL A-B TEST, EITHER IN A STORE OR AT HOME, IS TELLING YOU ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THE SPEAKERS YOU ARE HEARING! --Not afraid to admit that I bought my speakers because they fit nicely into the little niches in the living room by the windows without obstructing the light (and becuase I liked the way a similar model sounded in my friend's living room) Andrew Koenig