The root of audiophile myths (and how we fell for them)?

[Pogre]

Would agree with the makers you’ve mentioned yet on this site most seem to believe nothing in the HiFi industry should cost no more than $100.

Where on earth do you get that impression?? Thats a ridiculous thing for you to say. Are you sure you're posting on the right site..?

 

[Suffolkhifinut]

I don't believe that for a second. Just because bargain bits of kit that punch well above their price bracket are rightly lauded doesn't mean that most people here think nothing should cost more than $100. Decent hi-fi speakers start at around $300-$400 for instance.

A decent speaker cabinet would cost easily that to make.

 

[Suffolkhifinut]

Where on earth do you get that impression?? Thats a ridiculous thing for you to say. Are you sure you're posting on the right site..?

Yes!

 

[DSJR]

The bargain bits of kit recommended here are mostly (I think) not available via traditional dealers. If it was, add 45 to 50% on the selling price immediately! Importers add their own margins too - one reason why Rega products are so silly-expensive in the US (margins are tight with that company I remember and I doubt they could do better prices to their distributors abroad - two UK companies in the 80's solved it to their if not our satisfaction by bumping the UK home market prices up to match the European prices at least, so UK prices increased by 25% or so over two years or so).

 

[Suffolkhifinut]

Almost no “technology” trickles down from fashion audio. It comes from other industries that are, by contrast, based on rational engineering.

Many great innovative engineers work in the HiFi industry.

 

[DSJR]

A decent speaker cabinet would cost easily that to make.

Not in the far east, it wouldn't

 

[Pogre]

Yes!

Um, no?

The only thing under $100 in my system are the cables...

 

[Suffolkhifinut]

Not in the far east, it wouldn't

Name some speakers in the $300 to $400 price range with decent non resonant cabinets.

 

[Pogre]

Name some speakers in the $300 to $400 price range with decent non resonant cabinets.

First off, define "decent". Then define "non resonant", because to my knowledge a truly 100% non resonant cabinet doesn't exist...

 

[DonR]

Many great innovative engineers work in the HiFi industry.

Not really. There hasn't been a lot of innovation in the hi-fi industry for many years. Most of the technology like DSP comes from other fields.

 

[DonR]

Name some speakers in the $300 to $400 price range with decent non resonant cabinets.

Elac DBR-62 https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-debut-reference-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/

 

[Suffolkhifinut]

Elac DBR-62 https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-debut-reference-dbr-62-speaker-review.12232/

AMIR says in the review ’It looks like the back is resonating.’

 

[Pogre]

AMIR says in the review ’It looks like the back is resonating.’

Name a speaker that doesn't have any cabinet resonances.

 

[Suffolkhifinut]

First off, define "decent". Then define "non resonant", because to my knowledge a truly 100% non resonant cabinet doesn't exist...

Don’t take my word for it, read AMIR’s report recommended by DonR. AMIR recommended it highly yet criticised the resonant back panel. More money spent on the cabinet would have improved the speaker.

 

[DonR]

AMIR says in the review ’It looks like the back is resonating.’

Not audible at most listening levels. For the starting price range, its where hi-fi speakers begin so the "everything must cost $100 or less" statement is without merit and simply made to inflame the debate.

 

[Pogre]

Don’t take my word for it, read AMIR’s report recommended by DonR. AMIR recommended it highly yet criticised the resonant back panel. More money spent on the cabinet would have improved the speaker.

Again, can you name a speaker that doesn't have any cabinet resonances?

*Excluding open baffle!

 

[DonR]

Again, can you name a speaker that doesn't have any cabinet resonances?

Given the right conditions, you can make a suspension bridge resonate. He is simply moving the goal posts of what he considers hi-fi.

 

[Suffolkhifinut]

Name a speaker that doesn't have any cabinet resonances.

A simple way to test the quality of a speaker cabinet is to hit it with your knuckles. If you look at Sonus Faber speakers they produced a range of speakers made in China. Both in terms of appearance and quality they were crap. Saved money and it showed.

 

[Pogre]

Given the right conditions, you can make a suspension bridge resonate. He is simply moving the goal posts of what he considers hi-fi.

Oh I know. You're right. I'm just hoping by asking the right questions he might, just maybe realize that almost any speaker at any price range is going to have some resonances somewhere and he's using a terrible example.

 

[DonR]

A simple way to test the quality of a speaker cabinet is to hit it with your knuckles. If you look at Sonus Faber speakers they produced a range of speakers made in China. Both in terms of appearance and quality they were crap. Saved money and it showed.

That doesn't answer the question.