Hey, Sal, is this the first time we've agreed on something?
Maybe I was wrong to say typical ASR reader, that probably gives the impression of someone knowledgeable, I would more say the impression someone arriving at this website for the first time would get as to which speakers are "the best". The Neumann KH80 and Genelec 8030C would come recommended by many and the general impression (from reviews and posters) would be they are excellent speakers.
They are, but within
very limited situations. You will likely not want to have a modest house party (3+ people) with these speakers. You will not want to hear them sans sub (missing too much of the lower frequencies). You will not fill a room much more than 4m x 4m with sound from these speakers. This is important information, stuff which, as you Americans say, might be better off being put "front and centre".
These small speakers will sound worse than larger, less linear ones in a situation where they are in a modest sized room, are expected to play music without a sub and for more than a few people. These are things that IMO need to be given more emphasis, if reviews are to benefit to widest group of people.
Am I wrong about what I said regarding driver size and bass ability. Remember that I am talking
without help from subwoofer/s.
I have learned by ear, so to speak. Technically, you're right, I have not learned, but life is too short and if I wanted to learn faster, I would dip into books sooner than read here. I think the forum is often a good example of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing.
If everyone who uses this website has to be almost as well versed as Amir, then few will reach that point. That is why I'm interested in the nature of the site. I think most people are willing to learn, but it takes a lot of time and energy, and if reader/viewership is to increase, then a bit more needs to be done about taking all the measurements and translating it for Joe Audiophile IMO. Amir has done some very informative videos on various subjects that have been interesting and explanatory, but I think more could be done to pull it all together, rather than having to 'do your own homework'.
It is his decision in the end, but I think there could be a useful middle ground between subjective reviews (good, bad or otherwise) in Hi-Fi mags and the 90% measurements/10% guidance available here. If this site is by nerds for nerds, so be it, but I think Amir might be missing a trick and an opportunity to bring more away from voodoo and snake oil.
Which leads me back to the main point:
Small speakers with limited SPL/bass seem to being given precedence over larger speakers with somewhat greater non-linearity (in FR, for example), but much greater bass and SPL capabilities. Save the very smallest rooms, the larger speakers will often present as audibly better speakers, because they produce more of the lower frequency range and at louder levels. Smaller speakers, when reviewed, are being 'saved' by the addition of a hypothetical subwoofer, but this is not a given and is artificially (unscientifically?) boosting speakers that are limited in their low end capabilities (but more linear within said limits) above their true position, when used as standalone speakers.
Should points be docked from a speaker for not reaching -3db at 40hz and should more emphasis be made of this lack of ability, for the benefit of those who cannot read and interpret the charts particularly well - this will be a not insubstantial number of people reading this website.
