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|   Which are the myths, which are the facts? | skeptic
Oct 28, 2003 7:19 AM | | Which are the myths and which are the facts? Depends on which side of the arguement you are on. And that depends on how you define yourself. I think if you are an "audiophile" in the current sense of the word, the answers are clear. If you're an engineer, the answers are also farily clear but are usually the opposite. So you decide.
Vacuum tube versus solid state amplfiers
Class A amplifiers versus class AB
passive preamplifiers versus active preamplifiers
cds versus vinyl phonograph records
moving coil versus moving magnet phonograph cartridges
ported speakers versus acoustic suspension speakers
2 way speakers versus 3,4, and 5 way speakers
Large woofers (12 & 15 inch) versus small woofers (6 and 8 inch)
exotic wires versus ordinary wires
power conditioners versus no power conditioners
equalizers versus no equalizers
One thing we could probably agree on is that an audiophile's sound system is likely to cost a lot more than a non audiophile's. But then that's only to be expected. After all, audiophiles take all this much more seriously than engineers. Or do they? |
| re: Which are the myths, which are the facts? | FLZapped
Oct 29, 2003 12:03 PM | | b After all, audiophiles take all this much more seriously than engineers. Or do they?
Sure they do, it's just that they don't know what they're taking.....
-Bruce |
| re: Which are the myths, which are the facts? | rb122
Oct 30, 2003 8:24 AM | | b depends on how you define yourself.
I hope it's a wide fence because I'm certainly no engineer and, by your "definitions" above, I'm only half an audiophile.
Vacuum tubes.
Class A.
Never tried a passive - no intention to do so.
Vinyl.
Moving coil.
Not sure what is meant by acoustic suspension but there are no ports in my speakers.
3 way speakers.
Large woofers.
Ordinary wire.
No power conditioner.
I will likely try an equalizer fairly soon.
I think the point of audio is to make the sound as enjoyable to the listener as possible, whether they use a "live" sound, an "accurate" one or a euphonious one. Quite honestly, I think the person with the open mind who doesn't plunge headlong into either the totally objectivist camp or the audiophile camp is the one who most enjoys his stereo. Those folks don't worry too much about proof of something and they don't worry about the latest audiophile gizmo. All they're after is the best sound they can find. |
| I guess I lean towards the audiophile side | DMK
Oct 31, 2003 12:18 PM | | Let's see:
1) Vacuum tubes
2) Class A
3) Active
4) Vinyl!
5) Moving coil - should be very little debate on this.
6) Hmmm... ported, I guess - not sure.
7) Either depending on the application. A subwoofer should have a large woofer, for example.
8) Ordinary wires
9) I used a power conditioner once as it stopped my system from going mute for two seconds whenever the upstairs ceiling fan was turned on. An electrician did more good than the PC did!
10) Equalizer might be helpful. I don't feel the need for one when playing good recordings but I am going to experiment.
b an audiophile's sound system is likely to cost a lot more than a non audiophile's.
And likely to perform better as well. |
| Equalizer?? | 300A
Nov 4, 2003 9:14 PM | | Never heard a good sounding equalizer yet. Just the mention indicates the system isn't very good.
You see, it doesn't correct the inherent room problems (let's say resonance). The meter reading is not accurate as it is measureing both the direct and reflected wave (which boosts the meter reading or what one is hearing).
If you flatten it out using a meter reading, then the direct wave isn't "flat" compared to the other normal direct frequencies. It will be less.
So you still have the problem of the ratio of direct/reflected or resonant sound not being the same when compared to the normal ratio of direct/reflected or resonant sound.
For instance, if the meter reads 1.5 and 1 is the direct level and .5 is the reflected level, a resonance problem causing boost. Then mearly adjusting the volume level at that frequency to get one yields approx. .69 level for the direct and .345 for the reflected. The direct is not flat as 1 is flat. So the soundstage won't be right.
You are giving out alot of nonsense. |
| NO Equalizer allowed?? | skeptic
Nov 11, 2003 8:12 AM | | so you would never have any kind of equalizer in your sound system. Right?
Guess you don't have a crossover network for your loudspeakers. Crossover networks are equalizers and often not very good ones at that.
Guess you don't listen to phonograph records. Vinyl phonograph records are pre equalized according to the RIAA frequency response curve at the manufacturing plant and have to have complimentary equalization in the playback system. But since no equalization is allowed, records are out.
So are tapes becuase they are equalized according to the NAB curve.
So are FM broadcasts because the 70 microsecond de-emphesis circuit is also an equalizer.
So what does that leave for listening to? Only cds. but they don't sound good. Why? Too shrill? Maybe they could use the help of a little equalization. Heheheheheh. |
| More misinformation to the masses. | 300A
Nov 13, 2003 4:01 PM | | This posting is so incorrect I almost believe it isn't necessary to post a reply as everyone should know why it is so incorrect.
"so you would never have any kind of equalizer in your sound system. Right?
Guess you don't have a crossover network for your loudspeakers. Crossover networks are equalizers and often not very good ones at that.
Guess you don't listen to phonograph records. Vinyl phonograph records are pre equalized according to the RIAA frequency response curve at the manufacturing plant and have to have complimentary equalization in the playback system. But since no equalization is allowed, records are out.
So are tapes becuase they are equalized according to the NAB curve.
So are FM broadcasts because the 70 microsecond de-emphesis circuit is also an equalizer.
So what does that leave for listening to? Only cds. but they don't sound good. Why? Too shrill? Maybe they could use the help of a little equalization. Heheheheheh."
Let's try to correctly understand equalization.
Let's see. A crossover network and RIAA equalization network is used in order to get a flat response from ONLY the direct main signal, the direct wave from the speaker in a perfect room. Those equalization networks have nothing to do with the room acoustics, secondary reflections off the walls, ceilings etc.
If you read my previous post, you will see, again, that using a meter measures both the direct and reflected (room) responses. There is a direct relationship between the direct wave and reflected (room) response that an equalizer won't fix.
Therefore, when you use an "equalizer", and "equalize", the DIRECT response from the speakers won't be flat across the audio spectrum.
Another way of putting it is that the "DIRECT" frequency response won't be flat and the music won't sound the same.
Equalization has different purposes and one must understand why and how to apply each Skeptic. Misapplying them only causes problems. |
| And more inane criticism from the new CONE on the board | woodman
Nov 13, 2003 10:59 PM | | ... why don't you go seek some audio wisdom from someone that actually KNOWS whereof they speak (you've obviously been listening to, and believing all of the wrong people).
woodman |
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