How would you answer these questions? (Acoustics Insider Darko Interview)

[Vacceo]

British and with a good history of trying a good variety of speakers? I have Keith to ask any day of the week!

 

[Mart68]

Such a shame that NS1000s are so expensive now used (around a grand?)

More than that now unless they're in rough shape.

Not so easy to get those either, not anymore.

 

[Mart68]

He's reviewed floor standers, but I'm not sure why you think it's rare for him to review something other than "fairly cheap" two way efforts. Not sure exactly what your criteria is but a quick look shows Darko has reviewed:

Kii Audio Three
KEF LSX II LT
Piega Wireless Floor Standers
KEF R3 Meta
Wilson Tune Tot
Sonus Faber Duetto - ACTIVE
B&W 705 S3 (which Kal R. liked too)
Wharfedale Linton (which Erin loved)
KEF LS60
KEF KC62 subwoofer
Buchardt S400 MKII

Most of those don't strike me as "fairly cheap" two ways, but rather many are quite squarely in the range many audiophiles are considering. I'm not surprised Darko has a substantial audience as he seems to review gear within a nice range of prices and performance.

​

There's a few small 2 ways in amongst that lot, okay not so cheap but I did say fairly cheap.

Fair enough - he's reviewed a few more accomplished speakers than I thought. I don't watch his channel religiously for the obvious reasons.

 

[Newman]

I believe sadly that a very high percentage watch those you tube videos and believe every word without question.
And then propagate that opinion unquestioningly around the internet.

Sounds like YT videos have taken on the role of the good old audio magazine columnist guru!

 

[DSJR]

More than that now unless they're in rough shape.

Not so easy to get those either, not anymore.

I bought and sold mine (to an old friend) for £450 including 12" Target stands. I suppose these things are so long lived under domestic use and with costs of equivalent models so high these days, £1500 or so would seem a fair price?

Similarly expensive, JBL have so many darned models, even on the pro side, I'm so far behind I can't keep up, but Audiokarma has loving comments on some of the 1970s pro models up from the 4310s. I'm thinking 4315, 4320 and so on before the curvy tweeter 'waveguides' evolved. Would they sound really coloured today I wonder? Apologies for off-topic question, but I mean, 1990s ATC's are now regarded here as a bit out of date...

 

[Mart68]

I bought and sold mine (to an old friend) for £450 including 12" Target stands. I suppose these things are so long lived under domestic use and with costs of equivalent models so high these days, £1500 or so would seem a fair price?

Similarly expensive, JBL have so many darned models, even on the pro side, I'm so far behind I can't keep up, but Audiokarma has loving comments on some of the 1970s pro models up from the 4310s. I'm thinking 4315, 4320 and so on before the curvy tweeter 'waveguides' evolved. Would they sound really coloured today I wonder? Apologies for off-topic question, but I mean, 1990s ATC's are now regarded here as a bit out of date...

2 pairs of NS1000M on eBay now, £1250 and £1850

Suspect those really old JBLs might sound a bit vintage today but I had a listen to some 4425 a few years back and they were beyond any serious reproach. Would have bought them if they had been for sale.

 

[Jim Taylor]

I believe sadly that a very high percentage watch those you tube videos and believe every word without question.
And then propagate that opinion unquestioningly around the internet.
Keith

Yes, that is very true.

These people are very selective. They are enthusiastic about testimony for which there is no evidence, but they avoid testimony which is bound by logic and science, as if it were poison ivy.

Odd lot, I must say.

Jim

 

[Newman]

These people are very selective. They are enthusiastic about testimony for which there is no evidence, but they avoid testimony which is bound by logic and science, as if it were poison ivy.

That is very well stated, indeed. In my local hifi friends group, they will still talk about the sound of something based on internet comments. Including individual posts in threads. If a number of people post similar comments, my friends tend to be persuaded that it must be true.

Examples: transformer volume controls; Karlson bass; tractrix horns; CD clock mods and output stage ‘upgrades’; series crossovers; open baffle bass.

 

[Miguelón]

For example, I can easily hear that a speaker is "dynamic" in that it transients have attack and sound clean, but what measurement does this correlate to?

This can be measure by spectral analysis: a given simple frequency is throw in a short pulse and time of raising and decay is measured. The whole can be represented on a 3D graphics, frequency-time to sound pressure.

Most elastic materials accumulate potential energy when excited, and give up time after (ringing). In bass region the brain can perceive ringing as louder, in mid-highs as “mud” or “blurred”.

Some things I mentioned are not accurate, I’m writing by memory but some Amir reviews include spectral graphic representation

This is how it looks

 

[beagleman]

Got to 14 minutes than decided work email was less painful/annoying/obnoxious

I have no idea why, but this guy just irks me and annoys me to no end.

Maybe his voice, or his odd way of talking or acting, but even Danny is FAR more easy to listen to his drivel.

 

[Justdafactsmaam]

So what you are saying is we should be paying more attention to Jay from Jay’s Audio Lab and OCD Mikey. They are experts! They tell us that all the time.

Disclaimer. The above is pure sarcasm for entertainment purposes only.

 

[Jinjuku]

Darko... Where to begin.

He makes a general claim that mixing engineers don't want to spend anything over $2000 for a pair of speakers.

Here's my question for Darko:

Once you've hit something like the top of line Genelec monitors, matching subs, their control module and a treated room, what is your ROI on twice the spend?

 

[Jinjuku]

Why do we care what Darko says or thinks? All we need to know is he isn't an authority and isn't someone to listen to about things audio.

Remember he thinks he hears differences in Ethernet cables and that Kingston RAM modules sound horrible.