Binaural blind comparison test of 4 loudspeakers

[thewas]

They are all way more expensive that I was thinking. I wonder in what context would speaker C have any chance not to stand out as the worse of them all, in non-vocal jazz maybe? I am puzzled because there is a chance when we learn which speaker that is, that there will be people that love them (maybe not here in ASR), and I can't see how that can happen with their performance in this little experiment.

Good question, it is quite coloured but guess chances would be lower with music with low spectral content which is less revealing, so on the right side of below chart:

(Source and more: http://seanolive.blogspot.com/2010/03/method-for-training-listeners-and.html )

On the other hand tracks like pink noise and "female pop rock" would possibly show its problems even more.

 

[thewas]

My tweeters cost 10 Euro each.

And my current (temporary) amp 130€.

 

[GXAlan]

Imagine how cool it would be if Amir would do these "virtual auditions" along with his measurements.

Hmm... since he's listening and testing in mono, I wonder if there is a good way to do this with royalty free music? @amirm, is this worthwhile? Or would room effects ruin the value of the recording?

 

[thewas]

Now that the price range is revealed anyone want to do add some fun guessing before the names are revealed?

 

[Zvu]

Kii Three
Dutch&Dutch 8C
Kef
B&W

There ya go

 

[richard12511]

Damn, I honestly thought C was a super cheap bluetooth like plant speaker, there simply to give context for the quality of the others. Wouldn’t have expected it was the most expensive.

 

[thewas]

Kii Three
Dutch&Dutch 8C
Kef
B&W

There ya go

Poor KEF, don't think they have deserved that.

 

[BrokenEnglishGuy]

So the C speaker is the kef or he is guessing? xD

 

[thewas]

So the C speaker is the kef or he is guessing? xD

Nope, I doubt that any KEF in that price range was ever as coloured.

 

[BrokenEnglishGuy]

Nope, I doubt that any KEF in that price range was ever as coloured.

If i have to guess i will say the BW? XD

 

[ctrl]

add some fun guessing before the names are revealed?

One can actually only lose with the guessing.
Anyway, my guess would be that speaker C is something "exotic" like omni, open-baffle or dipole.

For speaker D, I would suspect something with unusual dispersion and emphasis of the treble, as would occur with a typical B&W speaker.

Speaker B something neutral like Neumann or Genelec.

Speaker A also neutral, but not as optimized as speaker B, rather something like a Canton or similar.

 

[thewas]

If i have to guess i will say the BW? XD

Also B&Ws aren't that coloured and usually tuned quite euphonic so not few people will like them.

 

[BrokenEnglishGuy]

Also B&Ws aren't that coloured and usually tuned quite euphonic so not few people will like them.

Uh
Time to reveal the speakers ! XD

 

[Zvu]

@thewas You said fun guessing . If i knew what Genelec and/or Neumann cost >7000€ i'd choose them. I like to speak dirty about golden calfs

 

[LTig]

Now that the price range is revealed anyone want to do add some fun guessing before the names are revealed?

C could be a DeVore. Reminds me of my impressions at Munich Highend 2019.

A could be a big BBC style monitor (Harbeth).

D could be a B&W or Focal.

B could be a neutral Revel or Genelec or Neumann.

 

[LTig]

@thewas You said fun guessing . If i knew what Genelec and/or Neumann cost >7000€ i'd choose them. I like to speak dirty about golden calfs

Neumann KH420

 

[thewas]

OK, next hint, all passive and rather "classic' hifi.

 

[Zvu]

Klipsch
Sonus Faber
???

 

[TimVG]

I've no idea really. It's one thing to do a preference test but as to guessing which speaker I'm listening to through binaural recording using an unknown mic setup, of speakers positioned somewhere in an unknown room using recordings, I'm not familiar with.. well let's just say I'd rather look for a needle in a haystack

 

[Blumlein 88]

Also B&Ws aren't that coloured and usually tuned quite euphonic so not few people will like them.

I've not found them to be euphonic. Dead and liveless yes. Lacking real detail yes.