What audio specs are important?

When deciding on what to buy for your system, which specifications matter most?

[richardwhite]

Totally agree. When I bought my Incredible Technics System of all separate components. I auditioned the Speakers first, and then the Receiver, and then the Turntable, and the Cassette Deck and CD player was last and so thrilled with my system.

[babubabu]

"focus most of my effort on loudspeakers and amp then do the best you can for preamps and DAC, so i know thats kind of short and sweet and above all give a listen to it, take it home see if it works for you and if it does good job all right" - accurate guidance by Paul Sir...

[bryanwilliams]

Its a tough question to answer because some components with incredible specs can fail to engage the listener while others with worse specs can sound incredible.
Amplifiers for example which have had 'cutting edge' low distortion specs at any given time have seldom gone on to become classics.

[vvmaster]

Simple and concise. The best explanation ever. Thanks

[PSA]

It can be worth reading up on and doing the math in regards to how much power that's needed, the difference between efficient speakers at a short distance vs inefficient speakers over a longer distance (and both with headroom) can be absolutely massive if you're listening with any volume!!
But if all you need to 'get it done' is 20W for instance, then quality is more well served than 500W in terms of spending, and the preamp will after all feed the signal that's about to get amplified.

Speakers are the most critical component though (unless you count the room as a component as that's the most important part), speakers is not an electronic component but an instrument.

[richardvannoy]

A couple years ago I was tempted to buy speakers before listening to them at the brick and mortar store. I couldn’t do it. I know most companies offer free returns if not satisfied after you hear them at home, but it’s a pain to return something so large and heavy.

[CuttinChopps]

I've got some magnepan MG IIIa's from the 80s limping that needs a reglue/rewire. I have to crank them hard to hear issues. They still sound wonderful limping. Magnepan is a 20 minute drive for me, I gotta get over there for service, they will STILL service this speaker Support like this is also key, as parts/components are available for even DIY friendly people, can't beat that, and just that Maggie sound!

[JohnAudioTech]

For me it has always been the speakers followed by the listening room. A poorly setup room or room with bad acoustics will wreck the sound of a good system.

[ericelliott]

I agree about speakers being most important. One does want all the above aspects mentioned in the speakers, but I would add bass response is also something to pay attention to. Before looking for speakers one should decide on the sound one is seeking as well. Prefer a tilt towards the high frequencies or low frequencies? Prefer a more neutral or balanced sound? Is mid range most important to you? Do you want tight articulate bass or prefer a more visceral relaxed bass? Yes, one should also pay attention to off-axis response.
It is true that there is no absolutely perfect speaker, but the idea is to get speakers as close as possible to what you prefer and no it doesn't have to be PS Audio or any of the hyped ones from reviewers or $60, 000 or whatever. It is what you like and find, maybe that is Kef or PS Audio or Emotiva or Paradigm or PSB, Magico, Wilson, Focal, JBL, Pioneer, Elac, etc. It can be ribbon tweeters, electrostat, soft dome tweeters, AMT, Planar, whatever. I disagree that one should only look for ribbon, AMT or Planar tweeters and they are best. You forget that performance of any components in a speaker also relies on design of the voice coil, crossover, cabinet, etc. Just because a speaker has a ribbon tweeter doesn't mean it is going to sound good. I have heard a number or ribbon tweeter speakers as well as AMT and the like that sound awful or shouty and others that sound very nice. I have heard dome tweeter speakers that outperform ribbons and the like as well as having heard dome tweeter speaker that are awful. Also keep in mind the room they will be in, for instance I would not put electrostat speakers in a small room.
The retention theory is nonsense.
I like the analogy Andrew Jones uses: "What flavor ice cream do you like"?
The sad part to this though is that one would be hard-pressed to find a shop these days where one can audition speakers initially. It is a good idea to know your room pretty well first. No, a shop is NOT your room, but one can glean a fair idea of the native sound signature of a speaker and it's abilities in a shop demo such as speed and other things that remain static and then do some calculations of how it may sound in your room or better still if possible, a home demo (not easy to get). Keep in mind as well that setup can result in huge changes as well.

Of course, the first thing in power amps is safety so Paul is right, be careful to match the power amp to your speakers. As for sound, speakers respond to power amps. In other words, power amps will change the favor of the sound. SO one should decide first what sound signature they prefer: Do you like something more towards the warm side of neutral or the bright side of neutral for example. If you have found the right speakers you should be able to easily hear the sound signature of the power amp as your speakers should transmit that without too much coloring.



As for the rest of the components, one could almost throw a stone and take whatever it hits. Ok, not quite that, but pretty much anything that gives you the functionality and everything you want in said piece.

Don't forget system setup! Setup is actually the most important thing after speakers!

Do it right the first time and you can avoid upgradeitis!!

Yes, at the end of the day the only thing that matters is how your system sounds to you and your ears. It doesn't and should not matter how it sounds to Paul McGowan, your neighbor, the audiophile down the road, the audiophile club, anyone on You Tube, co-workers, even your best friend, etc. You are the one who has to live with it and you are the one who wants to enjoy it!

[sanonmars]

Ribbon, AMT do not have wide dispersion, still are they preferred? Especially for theatre or where many people enjoy.

[petertimp]

Do you have a ‘waterfall’ cart for your speakers?

[oliverbeard]

If you can, find a dealership where you're able to experiment with different options. More difficult than before, but certainly the best way to go if you're unsure of how which direction to take.

[mikeeygauthier]

Signal to noise ratio in any electronic component is very, very important!

[brentcollins]

That’s a great analogy with the performance car tires

[scottwolf]

Full range electrostats exhibit the low Mass that planar magnetics and ribbons have. Back in the '80's bought a pair of Shackman electrostat, parts kit for 400 bucks. Down to 400 Hz, operated as dipole crossed over to a Dynaudio, when they would sell to Us peasants, the 30W54, 12 inch woofer, in a 8 cubic foot sealed enclosure, just powered by the Revox B-750, really did it for me.

[johnloupis]

GR-Research gives a good explanation of what makes and breaks good and bad speakers.

[iloveblue]

Like your cabinet to your left, very nice, but i would prefer the wood effect turntable, sorry i do not know know the 2 firms you said are the best, me heard Kipsch are very very good and long lasting, ps me in the UK.

[troyrobinson]

I had got a brand new Onkyo receiver I'm having issues with my subwoofer I changed crossover my bass started to hit but why next day no subwoofer

[johndennis]

I'm guessing we don't want speaker retention?

[tattednyctrkman]

Paul. What do u think of the classic B&W 800 Matrix as far as what u are talking about in a speaker. . I have them W/ my ARC Ref 750s
ARC Ref 6Se
ARC Ref CD 9.