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DO SPECS REALLY MATTER in Audio? - Understanding Speaker Measurements!

Sean Olive

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According to this guy, speaker measurements are not good indicators of sound quality because of other variables not accounted for in measurements that influence what we like including our hearing, our taste, our listening rooms, our program material.

So speaker companies that rely are measurements are deluding themselves. And they also admit they don't like neutral speakers but speakers that sound "fun". Apparently fun speakers are not designed with measurements. This should be a "fun" thread.

 

Purité Audio

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I am burning him in effigy as I type.

Keith
 

typericey

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My conspiracy theories:
a. Manufacturers who are getting affected by ASR are paying these influencers to talk against measurements
b. These YouTubers feel their jobs/revenue are threatened hence they talk against measurements. i.e. who will listen to my subjective nonesense when my audience gets woke to measurements?
 

Kal Rubinson

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According to this guy, speaker measurements are not good indicators of sound quality because of other variables not accounted for in measurements that influence what we like including our hearing, our taste, our listening rooms, our program material.

So speaker companies that rely are measurements are deluding themselves. And they also admit they don't like neutral speakers but speakers that sound "fun". Apparently fun speakers are not designed with measurements. This should be a "fun" thread.

The cover page makes his position pretty obvious. No click.
 

sweetchaos

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The amount of *BS* that comes out of his mouth is mind-boggling.

Case in point:
He ranks his Klipsches (and Jamo's were highly praised similarly) as the the speakers that "does it all".
He says this, while his body language is saying the opposite.
I remember he was praising his Klipsches, and at the last second, I saw the "one shoulder shrug".
It's called a 'micro-expression', for those who don't know.
I remember watching his older videos and it's so funny that whatever he says, his body language doesn't always agree.
Sorry, Andrew, even YOUR BODY doesn't believe your *BS* YOU'RE SAYING.
 

MZKM

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I know Erin doesn’t like to state it, but he is the YouTuber he was referring to in his Klipsch Heresy review who said it didn’t need a sub, which left Erin baffled after he reviewed/measured it.

If strictly talking about specs, I would agree. In my spreadsheet comparing spec vs measured sensitivity, we can see how off some companies are (intentionally or not).

I have yet to do the same comparison but for frequency response, but it also isn’t great (varies between bass extension or simply non-linearity being the culprits).
 
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StefaanE

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What a load of codswallop. I stopped listening when he started talking to the lady of the manor, but what came before showed a singular lack of insight. While we all agree (I guess) that folks should buy what they enjoy, that doesn’t mean speaker manufacturers should just throw parts in a box in the hope enough dorks will like the result. And all that waffle to arrive at the earth-shattering conclusion that measurements and subjective reviews are equally worthless, but can help making a shortlist of speakers to ”audition” (which according to his own explanations, is useless unless it’s done in the target room.)
he is the YouTuber
Whenever I hear the word YouTuber I can’t help but think of ‘taters.
 

sweetchaos

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Just saw @Sean Olive response, from the comments:
1612742867937.png
 

Koeitje

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I tried his channel for a little while but couldn't take that much Andrew.
Yeah, I blocked him from showing up in my recommendations. The guy is delusional and just shilling for ad revenue.

I didn't waste time watching, but one question: does this guy distinguish between "specs" and "measurements"? I might agree regarding the former...
Don't know, didn't watch it either, but measurements can be part of the specifications. Some brands show their spins right there on the product page (too bad Revel doesn't do it) or in the brochures for their products.


Maybe @Sean Olive can invite him over to Harman when this pandemic thing is over. Let him do some double blind tests and see where his preferences lie.
 

PierreV

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His channel is mostly smooth product placement. Watch one video and he comes across as a nice guy. Watch three and it becomes mind-bogglingly boring. Watch five, the inconsistency becomes obvious.

Looping his videos is probably banned by the Geneva convention.

He's so bad that I even prefer a JVS review (better script) or a Darko video (more varied and engaging cinematography).

It's a bit like a static "What Hifi" minus the less than five stars reviews.
 

Helicopter

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I didn't waste time watching, but one question: does this guy distinguish between "specs" and "measurements"? I might agree regarding the former...
He only talks about measurements and subjective listening.

I do agree with his point that measurements, like a review, are just a guide. I usually only use measurements to narrow my choice down from hundreds of models to two or three, and then I look for more information before making a purchase.
 

SIY

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He only talks about measurements and subjective listening.

So the use of "specs" means he also doesn't understand basic terminology. Specs are generally worthless. Measurements are gold.
 

BDWoody

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So speaker companies that rely are measurements are deluding themselves. And they also admit they don't like neutral speakers but speakers that sound "fun". Apparently fun speakers are not designed with measurements. This should be a "fun" thread.

Measurements aren't fun.

I guess talking out of your ass is a lot easier.

I'm glad you've done a lot of the 'less fun' work.
 

amirm

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"The only person who has to like the sound is you." Says he repeatedly. So you go buy a speaker that Andrew recommends and you don't like it. Then what? How is that any kind of advice? Why should anyone watch him if it is free for all?
 
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