Audiophile speakers

[whipdancer]

When I told a friend of mine that I had decided on building a set of speakers, his response to me was:

"How does something you build compare to a reputable, well-known manufacturer of audiophile speakers?"

Frankly, I don't know. That's what got me wondering - who are the audiophile manufacturers?

~Whip

BTW, I'm building a set of OS because I want to try something that doesn't require a great deal of investment $ to do. I will see how they compare to my Axiom Audio speakers that I bought about 10 years ago. However, I don't know (or think) that my Axiom Audio speakers would be audiophile quality. They do sound good and their product line routinely gets good coverage for quality & value, but not audiophile - at least not what that word conjures up in my mind.

[Pete Schumacher]

Re: Audiophile speakers

When I told a friend of mine that I had decided on building a set of speakers, his response to me was:

"How does something you build compare to a reputable, well-known manufacturer of audiophile speakers?"

Frankly, I don't know. That's what got me wondering - who are the audiophile manufacturers?

~Whip

BTW, I'm building a set of OS because I want to try something that doesn't require a great deal of investment $ to do. I will see how they compare to my Axiom Audio speakers that I bought about 10 years ago. However, I don't know (or think) that my Axiom Audio speakers would be audiophile quality. They do sound good and their product line routinely gets good coverage for quality & value, but not audiophile - at least not what that word conjures up in my mind.

Not all manufacturers create equally.

The OS will provide a well balanced sound, due to the thoughtful care and time put into the design by Paul. They should compare nicely to something that costs 5X as much as you spend on the components.

One thing you'll most certainly eclipse, is the construction techniques of many manufacturers. They skimp on cabinetry to save weight, which can be deleterious to the sound.

"Audiophile" quality typically starts in the $1K and higher range.

[greywarden]

Re: Audiophile speakers

Don't get yourself in a knot, your friend is probably talking about off-the-shelf stuff from Bestbuy (JBL, Polk, Infinity... bose) and the like, since any self-respecting :p "audiophile" speaker company would never sell speakers for $100 or so... :D You really can't compare them to Sonus Faber, Wilson, MBL, etc.

Everyone says they sound great, build them!

[generic]

Re: Audiophile speakers

Speakers are not audiophile, the listener or owner is. Audiophile is usually a ugly word used for someone who foolishly spends too much on audio equipment, but I think it is just someone who loves listening to music. Either way, equipment can't actually be audiophile, aside what advertisers might suggest.

For me, a great speaker is low distortion and flat. Having good efficiency and range is nice too.

The list of expensive speakers is really long. While I'm sure their are a lot of really good ones, they cost a lot, and I can't imagine any of them blowing away my madisound speaker kit.

[Face]

Re: Audiophile speakers

Speakers are not audiophile, the listener or owner is. Audiophile is usually a ugly word used for someone who foolishly spends too much on audio equipment, but I think it is just someone who loves listening to music. Either way, equipment can't actually be audiophile, aside what advertisers might suggest.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/audiophile

[generic]

Re: Audiophile speakers

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/audiophile

I can't find the link at the moment, but I've also read that it just means, the love of sound.

I consider myself a audiophile, but it has nothing to do with the amount spent or brand names on my gear.

[mzisserson]

Re: Audiophile speakers

Someone on another forum has a tag in their signature "Audiophile by day, music lover by night". To me this defines my loudspeaker journey.

I believe the Audiophile in Audiophile loudspeaker is just a descriptive noun. Speakers geared for audiophiles are about reproducing the "finest quality" sound. Definition varies for highest quality.

I love all aspects of being an audiophile. Overpriced nonsence provides laughs and entertainment, then their theres the perceived nonsense that proves to be reality. The equipment, and most of all trying to design and build the weakest link in the chain: The loudspeaker.

There is a point where all of that no longer matters, you hit play, and you are engulfed in a sonic pool of music that just touches your soul.

I believe like any craft or hobby, it is a journey, and 80% of the time is spent setting yourself up for sonic success the 20% of the time you get to truly enjoy. I do not mean background listening and casual, but seriously just get to sit back and enjoy.

[donradick]

Re: Audiophile speakers

I built the mini-statements for $800 or so, and finally have a true reference speaker - an "audiophile" speaker you might say. A friend of mine spent $3500 on a pair of Paradigm towers, and he was not agreeable to setting mine and his side by side for an afternoon.

[GranteedEV]

Re: Audiophile speakers

Audiophile speakers are whatever has the most pleasing colorations to people who would go so far as to believe that different dielectrics will make copper wire transmit electrical signals differently ;) - the speakers of people who don't have ears worth trusting.

Good DIY speakers often aim for better... "Hi Fidelity Monitor Caliber Speakers".

[philiparcario]

Re: Audiophile speakers

http://www.legacyaudio.com/index.php?Itemid=300189&option=com_zoo&view=item&category_id=1&item_id=5

these were nice when they used focal drivers in the late 90's

ran about 4 to 5 k pretty good sound for a 2 way system.


here is an audiogon link

http://pic5.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/image?spkrfull&1311714397&pic&class&i/c/f/1306531094.jpg&Legacy-Focus-20/20

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1311714397

the ribbon was a raven the yellow cones were focals been a long time since i have listened but these were nice and around 4500

[howard]

Re: Audiophile speakers

I think that Don hit it on the head. If you set the two side by side and pick the best sounding one then you understand the value of diy. It is not about how much you spend. Some audiophiles go by how much it costs. That is why this group here is so great. They go by how it sounds.

Howard

[mzisserson]

Re: Audiophile speakers

Audiophile speakers are whatever has the most pleasing colorations to people who would go so far as to believe that different dielectrics will make copper wire transmit electrical signals differently ;) - the speakers of people who don't have ears worth trusting.

Good DIY speakers often aim for better... "Hi Fidelity Monitor Caliber Speakers".

really?
Please link to some of your designs and build threads so we can see just how a perfect speaker is built. ;)

[Paul Ebert]

Re: Audiophile speakers

When I think of "audiophile loudspeakers" I think of Avalon, Kharma, Wilson, and, to a lesser degree Coincident. But, then again, I don't get out much. These might all be passe.

[John L. Murphy]

Re: Audiophile speakers

When I told a friend of mine that I had decided on building a set of speakers, his response to me was:

"How does something you build compare to a reputable, well-known manufacturer of audiophile speakers?"

"Audiophile" speakers have the singular design goal of separating wealthy tin-eared types from large chunks of cash. That's both my opinion, and my personal experience.

I was once contacted by a "High End Audio" startup company about designing a new speaker for them where the PRIMARY specification was that it would be the "most expensive" speaker on the market. I declined the project.

There is something about this that strikes me as just plain evil and completely contrary to the DIY spirit.

Do diamond studded "audiophile" speakers sound better then plainly dressed DIY speakers? What do you think?

Please don't call me an "audiophile",

John

[billschulte]

Re: Audiophile speakers

http://www.legacyaudio.com/index.php...id=1&item_id=5

these were nice when they used focal drivers in the late 90's

ran about 4 to 5 k pretty good sound for a 2 way system.


here is an audiogon link

http://pic5.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/image?spkrfull&1311714397&pic&class&i/c/f/1306531094.jpg&Legacy-Focus-20/20

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrfull&1311714397

the ribbon was a raven the yellow cones were focals been a long time since i have listened but these were nice and around 4500

I heard these several years ago and they are:D...the ribbon is a Fostex, the dome is an Audax and the yellow cone mid-bass are Eton 7/380...per discussion with the owner.