Distortion rarely drives subjective ratings of consumer loudspeakers

Evidence

In the abundant small, inexpensive, limited bandwidth loudspeakers in the marketplace, non-linear distortions may be heard when they are pushed hard, although many of them have protective schemes in the electronics that limit the sound output to avoid distortion. However, among mainstream hi-fi, audiophile, and studio monitor loudspeakers, audible distortion is rare if the loudspeakers are used within the intended limits. In the engineering of quality loudspeaker systems, power compression and non-linear behavior are routinely factored into the selection of drivers, crossover design, etc. If there are problems, they are likely only to occur when the systems are driven to their limits. At this point, one’s ears may be non-linear and hearing may be at risk. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 111 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Most power amplifiers are designed to be constant-voltage sources so, unless an unfortunate interaction between amplifier and loudspeaker provokes limiting or protection, all is well. Sadly there have been some notable examples of high-end loudspeakers having impedances that dipped very low: to an ohm or less. This is a problem of incompetent loudspeaker design. However, sensing a market, amplifier designers responded with monster “arc-welder” devices that can drive these problem loudspeakers, but it is overkill for most circumstances. It was amusing at the time to read that these incompletely designed loudspeakers “revealed” differences between power amplifiers, as if it were a virtue. They were the cause of the differences. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1769 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Perceived loudspeaker sound quality depends only on amplitude responses — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 711; Anechoic on-axis and sound power responses suffice to predict perceived loudspeaker quality — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1292; Bass phase distortion audibility remains unproven without double-blind tests. (+8 more)

Related

• Audible distortion in quality loudspeakers is rare within intended limits (similarity 0.93)
• Badly designed loudspeakers cause audible amplifier differences reviewers attribute to the amplifiers (similarity 0.90)
• Even professional monitor loudspeakers showed measurable defects in early tests (similarity 0.88)
• Musicians who are not audio enthusiasts judge loudspeakers on different rationales (similarity 0.87)
• Perceived loudspeaker sound quality depends only on amplitude responses (similarity 0.86)
• Consumer loudspeaker distortion is masked at normal listening levels. (similarity 0.85)
• Sub-2-ohm speaker designs caused the amplifier differences reviewers praised (similarity 0.85)
• Traditional distortion specs fail to predict perceived sound quality (similarity 0.85)
• Consumer loudspeakers at moderate prices rival professional monitors in sound quality. (similarity 0.85)
• Well-designed loudspeakers converge on neutral, nearly identical sound. (similarity 0.84)
• Tube amplifiers sound different mainly because their high output impedance alters loudspeakers (similarity 0.84)
• Loudspeakers at high power and low frequencies become highly nonlinear. (similarity 0.83)
• Flattening sound power via bass-shy or treble-hot designs harms perceived quality (similarity 0.83)
• Sound power alone cannot predict listener preference for loudspeakers (similarity 0.83)
• Anechoic on-axis and sound power responses suffice to predict perceived loudspeaker quality (similarity 0.82)

Broader Connections

• Audible distortion in quality loudspeakers is rare within intended limits #corroborates (0.95) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 111
• Badly designed loudspeakers cause audible amplifier differences reviewers attribute to the amplifiers #expands (0.75) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1769