Modern speakers vs Vintage speakers

[bonzo75]

Ok, I was indeed mistaken then, sorry.

Lost count on this thread

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I would like to hear volti speakers but they are factory direct only.

 

[Al M.]

Lost count on this thread

Of course you would say that.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

After the comments on this thread I wonder if speaker technology has improved in the last 70 years? i believe it has.the best today is better than ever before imho.

 

[jeff1225]

After the comments on this thread I wonder if speaker technology has improved in the last 70 years? i believe it has.the best today is better than ever before imho.

The biggest upgrade to the latest Wilson speakers is a AlNiCo midrange, a 1950’s technology. There hasn’t been any improvements IMO in speaker technology in 70 years.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

The biggest upgrade to the latest Wilson speakers is a AlNiCo midrange, a 1950’s technology. There hasn’t been any improvements IMO in speaker technology in 70 years.

That’s big news to me.

 

[Solypsa]

I would say *maybe* some tweeter improvement:
Berylium for tweeters
AMT drivers ( Mostly for tweeters )

But thats 70s stuff mostly...

 

[Lee]

The biggest upgrade to the latest Wilson speakers is a AlNiCo midrange, a 1950’s technology. There hasn’t been any improvements IMO in speaker technology in 70 years.

Good grief. That could not be more wrong.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Good grief. That could not be more wrong.

I agree with you.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

It go’s to show how different we audiophiles are.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I will say it again speaker technology has come a long way in just the past 20 years let alone anything older than that.I have constantly updated my speakers every 6 to 8 years for better ones.

 

[Solypsa]

I will say it again speaker technology has come a long way in just the past 20 years let alone anything older than that.I have constantly updated my speakers every 6 to 8 years for better ones.

I suppose the question is if the improvements came from an increase in design skill ( wisdom over time ) or new materials and application technology?

 

[christoph]

JBL Hartfield

Tesla Akr 303

Aren't the Hartfields corner Speaker?
Like the Klipschorns or Peter's Vitavoxes?

No wonder they did not perform optimally in this set-up away from the corners of the room

 

[morricab]

It may even extend beyond simple preference and involve more immediately what we are also specifically listening for as well (I think). If we are listening for only the parts it’s possible we could listen past what can also be listened to in the whole. It’s possible to skip either the awareness of the parts or an appreciation of the whole in any evaluation.

Either of these perceptions can make some happy and then that listening pattern can then set the pattern of preference. I do see evidence of this in what people more usually tend to describe in what they most appreciate when listening to a component.

I’d also believe that some setups simply more easily lead us to the parts and others more often to the whole… there is a pattern that vintage isn’t just simply more rolled off or lacking extension at either end but rather more possibly that the best of it can strike a better balance in the act of revealing the parts without breaking the illusion of the whole. Being in ways better at being more synthetic but still appearing in ways less artificial.

If we’re going for simply sonic tick boxes then current tech might have some advantage in some parts but then if there are involved overly complex processes then possibly pulling it together back into the whole may not then necessarily also be a strong suit.

Maybe it is just that we are listening as others have said to gear that has passed all the tests and we’re not talking about all vintage at any rate, just the best of it and only the gear that has proven its true worth and managed to pass the test of time.

I figure much vaunted more recent gear will also fail to hold charm over time… and some of it will pass the test and that the true test is not so much what impresses us in this short term but perhaps which gear serves better the function of connecting us to the music and brings greater meaning to the value of that gear in reality. A greater depth in function and truer meaning and so more wholeness in purpose perhaps.

Yes, clearly only the best vintage is what is involved here because the hifi road is littered with those that didn't pass muster through the decades. Maybe 1% or less made it through the time filter? I expect the filter of time will weed out most of what is available today as well...

I like what you said about the whole rather than the whole rather than the parts. One of the things I have noticed is that someone will go on about the details but the whole thing doesn't hold together and then a system where that same person will say they don't hear as much "detail" except all bits are actually there but not standing out so obviously and better integrated into the whole tapestry.

 

[morricab]

Like klipschorns

Well yes and no. The Klipschorn is a vintage speaker that has managed to stay on the market for 70+ years. It has been updated a number of times with more modern parts but the basic design is clearly vintage. It is a bit like a crocodile, something from the past that is still with us today but changed a bit along the way.

 

[morricab]

I think my klipschorn and lascala have a vintage sound that is very warm sounding.

I had La Scallas, fun speakers for parties and lively for jazz etc. but not SOTA sound...

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I had La Scallas, fun speakers for parties and lively for jazz etc. but not SOTA sound...

Yes agree I have them for my second system.my main speakers are Magnapan 30.7s.

 

[morricab]

I suppose the question is if the improvements came from an increase in design skill ( wisdom over time ) or new materials and application technology?

Once amplifier power became cheap (SS) speaker designers seem to have gotten design "amnesia" and went hard towards smaller, more room friendly designs...only profi speaker makers were still kind of carrying the torch and the Asian collectors...

 

[morricab]

Aren't the Hartfields corner Speaker?
Like the Klipschorns or Peter's Vitavoxes?

No wonder they did not perform optimally in this set-up away from the corners of the room

Yes, I think they are....

 

[morricab]

After the comments on this thread I wonder if speaker technology has improved in the last 70 years? i believe it has.the best today is better than ever before imho.

Once you hear properly set up Western Electric speakers from the 30s you will definitely doubt if there has been any significant advance...