Solo voice and simple instrument recordings least reveal loudspeaker flaws

Evidence

The most useful recordings had broadband, dense spectra, such as those shown in Figures 3.16 and 4.7. This confirms in a different way our observation over many years that if a loudspeaker has an audible problem, there is a high likelihood that resonances are involved. It also suggests a strategy for choosing program material: for demonstrations intended to impress, use simple sounds—solo voice, guitar, small combos and so on, especially with little reverberation—and, if possible, use a relatively dead room. To look for problems, listen to complex instrumental combinations with wide bandwidth and reverberation—and listen in a room with some reflections. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 383 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Clearly there are no hard rules but, in general, complex productions with broadband, relatively constant spectra aid listeners in finding problems. The notion that “acoustical,” especially classical, music has inherent superiority was not supported. Solo instruments and voices appear not to be very helpful, however comfortable we may feel with them. A variety of programs should be used. Amusingly, a program that is good for demonstrations (e.g., selling) can be different from that which is needed for evaluation (e.g., buying). — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 274 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Speech and solo voices are the least revealing test sounds for loudspeaker flaws — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 383; Classical and solo music are poor for revealing loudspeaker flaws — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 274; Orchestral accompaniment masks the voice’s fine spectral detail in recordings (+2 more)

Related

• Classical and solo music are poor for revealing loudspeaker flaws (similarity 0.95)
• Movie and broadcast speech is poor material for revealing loudspeaker flaws. (similarity 0.95)
• Speech and solo voices are the least revealing test sounds for loudspeaker flaws (similarity 0.94)
• Speech and solo instruments reveal loudspeaker flaws least, dense broadband music most (similarity 0.92)
• Classical music is not superior for revealing loudspeaker resonances. (similarity 0.91)
• Program material choice determines which loudspeaker or room flaws get revealed (similarity 0.83)
• Stereo and multichannel listening make listeners more forgiving of loudspeaker flaws (similarity 0.83)
• Recordings with broadband spectral variations still reliably reveal loudspeaker resonances (similarity 0.82)
• Monophonic listening is the most demanding test of loudspeaker sound quality (similarity 0.81)
• Even professional monitor loudspeakers showed measurable defects in early tests (similarity 0.80)
• Loudspeaker evaluation must be done in mono because multichannel adds forgiveness (similarity 0.80)
• Blind testing found 20% preferred synthesized phantom surround over real speakers (similarity 0.80)
• Recognizing reproduced-sound deficiencies is a universal skill independent of taste (similarity 0.80)
• Unstandardized loudspeakers once meant recordings could not reliably reproduce their intended sound. (similarity 0.80)
• Interpreting mid-tier loudspeaker measurements is harder than spotting extremes (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• Speech and solo voices are the least revealing test sounds for loudspeaker flaws #corroborates (0.98) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 383
• Classical and solo music are poor for revealing loudspeaker flaws #corroborates (0.92) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 274
• Orchestral accompaniment masks the voice’s fine spectral detail in recordings #expands (0.85)