Fixed reference loudspeakers can turn their flaws into sought-after virtues

Evidence

What is rarely understood is that the sound of a loudspeaker is primarily determined by its direct sound frequency response (on-axis and listening window) and its directivity (off-axis performance or DI) as a function of frequency. The former can be altered by equalization. The latter is built into the loudspeaker; equalization cannot change it. So, if one purchases loudspeakers having well behaved directivity (constant or smoothly and gradually changing over the midand high frequencies) then an equalizer or tone control can be freely used to create whatever sound is desired. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1847 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Listeners adapt to flawed speakers yet recognize superior ones; Listeners adapt to loudspeaker flaws and still enjoy reproduced sound; Directivity, not equalizable response, is the fixed determinant of loudspeaker sound. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1847 (+2 more)

Related

• Directivity, not equalizable response, is the fixed determinant of loudspeaker sound. (similarity 0.92)
• Advertised speaker directivity specs can be meaningless for the speech band. (similarity 0.89)
• Equalization cannot fix loudspeaker directivity problems because it only changes frequency response. (similarity 0.86)
• Listeners adapt to loudspeaker flaws and still enjoy reproduced sound (similarity 0.84)
• EQ cannot fix directivity problems that a better loudspeaker requires (similarity 0.84)
• Modern loudspeakers converge so closely that choices become statistical ties (similarity 0.84)
• Well-designed loudspeakers converge on neutral, nearly identical sound. (similarity 0.83)
• Neutral loudspeakers should be transparent messengers of the art (similarity 0.83)
• Even professional monitor loudspeakers showed measurable defects in early tests (similarity 0.83)
• The direct, on-axis sound dominates perceived loudspeaker quality in rooms. (similarity 0.83)
• Listeners adapt to flawed speakers yet recognize superior ones (similarity 0.83)
• Loudspeaker directivity and early reflections affect sound quality and imaging (similarity 0.83)
• Most loudspeakers need equalization to correct low-frequency room resonances (similarity 0.83)
• Unstandardized loudspeakers once meant recordings could not reliably reproduce their intended sound. (similarity 0.82)
• Listeners largely agree on preference, and preferred speakers measure smoothest (similarity 0.82)

Broader Connections

• Directivity, not equalizable response, is the fixed determinant of loudspeaker sound. #expands (0.75) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1847