Musical speakers

photocrazy
photocrazy Posts: 89
edited February 2011 in Speakers
How do you qualify a musical speaker ? is it just the tweeter ?
Post edited by photocrazy on
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited February 2011
    Does it sound good to you?
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited February 2011
    Nope, music is not just in the highs. It's a complete package. A musical speaker performs well with music. This is mostly subjective, but there are certainly some speakers specifically dialed in for theater like the RtiA9s, or by contrast the Lsi15s which are specifically dialed in for music. I'd take the Rti series over the Lsi series for movies, but again that is subjective.

    Compared to many speakers the Rtia9 is very musical, but compared to my old Emerald Physics CS2s, the Rtis are a dog. But, that's not a fair comparison anyway. Just find your reference for what you consider to be good sound, then move up and down from there.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2011
    Driver selection, ability of the crossover to blend seamlessly, maximum reduction of cabinet resonances, smooth frequency response.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited February 2011
    RuSsMaN hit the nail on the head.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited February 2011
    I define a musical speaker as one that I can listen to music that utilizes the high's, mid's, and low's, and I do not hear a difference. My Sony's, to me, are flawless. I listen to Track 6 of DMB Crash Album (Say Goodbye) and the drum/flute solo at the beginning gives me chills every time. The drums are so lifelike because I hear the hi-hat, tom, snare, and bass drums - and they sound so natural. Seamless.

    James
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2011
    That's true, what's musical to you might not be that to me. For me it has to be smooth, mellow, non-strident up top, clean vocals, and punchy bass and overall SOLID weight of sound when properly amplified. In addition should have good imaging and fairly accurate sound-stage.

    However a lot of speakers have that and I like some and dislike others. It's certainly not all about the tweeter..though a BAD tweeter automatically brings a thumbs down from me, personally. If it's too bright or dull, that is.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited February 2011
    Maybe it's too simple, but I often refer to some speakers as being, or sounding, musical:

    What I mean is that they sound like music, not like speakers.
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
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  • photocrazy
    photocrazy Posts: 89
    edited February 2011
    so I assume a musical speaker should be neutral and reproduce sounds as close to original instruments.

    The reason for my question is I read a lot that Polk Lsi is a musical speaker, when RTis are not.
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  • Erik Tracy
    Erik Tracy Posts: 4,673
    edited February 2011
    photocrazy wrote: »
    so I assume a musical speaker should be neutral and reproduce sounds as close to original instruments.

    The reason for my question is I read a lot that Polk Lsi is a musical speaker, when RTis are not.

    Pfftt...

    Depends - the ear of the listener being one, among other factors such as musical preferences, system synergy, etc.

    RTis can do music quite well - have had both LSi and RTi.

    H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2011
    I think the whole concept of calling a speaker "musical" probably stems from the introduction of cheap home theaters that feature far less-than-stellar speakers. They tend to be zippy in the treble, not have very good driver integration, and the cheapest crossovers; not to mention sub-par cabinet construction. They are built for the general public, with not much interest in winning over audiophiles. Like the stock radio in a new car, it'll work, but don't expect to be amazed.

    Though higher quality HT speakers are blurring the lines now, some feel they are voiced more for the "wow" effect, and less for strict music listening.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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