- Joined
- Jan 6, 2017
- Messages
- 4,391
- Likes
- 5,795
The way you have packaged that statement leaves it wide open to misinterpretation. After all, Dr Toole has also bluntly stated that he would trust the right measurements more than his own ears in sighted listening. linkIf you are under the impression that Dr. Toole has implied that measurements can replace listening, that would be a mistake. People often ignore that Dr. Toole has repeatedly said when it comes to the final selection you have to listen to the speakers. There is no avoiding that.
So what do you think he is encouraging the average buyer to do, specifically, that measurements can't replace? It can't be sighted listening, see above link. And yet, that is the only realistic option that the average buyer has access to. After all, if they had access to comparative controlled listening tests of multiple prospective loudspeakers (ideally in their own home, because doing it in-store will create misleading room effects different to their own homes), then they don't need the measurements at all!
The impression I get is that the listening one needs to do, in addition to using measurements to select between speakers, is more about fine tuning the speakers, than about choosing between speakers. Where to position them at home, and the listening seats. Bass output level is largely a matter of individual taste, so needs to be dialled in with EQ. Your room might be bright, or dull, and need a bit of dialling in (with care not to compromise the direct sound).
BTW, my mention of EQ above is a reminder of the folly of this notion that we need to bring alternative speakers, each with highly satisfactory measurements, into a comparative listening session for final choice. With EQ we can more than compensate for any tiny audible differences between them, so the only reason to insist on the final comparison is if one is determined to have a system that can't do EQ....and that's tantamount to self harm in today's world. And ironic: we are fussing all this much about tiny audible differences between two excellent speakers, but we won't be fixing the big issues in the in-room bass? And we are doing it sighted? And trusting that?
Why we would want to do comparative listening tests of prospective speakers to purchase, sighted, at home, after shortlisting them based on measurements, is beyond me. Unless you want to be enslaved by sighted listening effects, which I don't think is Toole's intent.
cheers
PS someone is bound to bring up that they might prefer narrow dispersion speakers, or wide, and it is not subject to EQ adjustments, but you should know that and be able to see it in the measurements.