Please define an ideal speaker...

[cpmame]

hi all, what is the characteristic of an ideal speaker? flat response over wide frequency range? does the characterisc of an ideal speaker for hi-fi, the same as the studio monitor and those PA speaker?

Thanks

[Harvey Gerst]

A point source, having zero mass, and large excursion capabilities.

Anything else is a compromise and a trade off.

[cpmame]

how about in term of frequency response? flat, smile or frown cure...etc?

[Harvey Gerst]

Flat response.

[Lt. Bob]

and flat is flat regardless of the intended use.
That term 'monitor' doesn't always mean anything and there are stereo speakers that would be the best 'monitors' you'd ever have.

[cpmame]

correct me if I am wrong, a good studio monitor would be an excellent Hi-Fi speaker if you don’t mind paying for the high price… since most studio monitor have wider frequency range and flat frequency response

agree?

[Ethan Winer]

> what is the characteristic of an ideal speaker? <

A flat response over the entire audible range both on- and off-axis, low distortion even at high volume levels, and as little ringing as possible.

--Ethan

[Lt. Bob]

double post

[Lt. Bob]

Originally Posted by cpmame

correct me if I am wrong, a good studio monitor would be an excellent Hi-Fi speaker if you don’t mind paying for the high price… since most studio monitor have wider frequency range and flat frequency response

agree?

Well ...... I agree that studio monitors do make good stereo speakers if they're good.
But good stereo speakers have just as wide a range as monitors and good ones cost just as much or more than even the best monitors. And most of the stereo speakers I'd like to have cost a lot more than any of the monitors I see people here wanting.

I keep saying this ..... the term 'studio monitor' means nothing. It's just a sales term. It basically means that they're saying it's a good flat speaker. Which is the same thing that good stereo speaker maunfacturers try to achieve.

It's like calling an amp a 'reference' amp. Means nothing ....... the only thing that matters is performance. Hell, Nady can call an amp reference but I doubt it is. And I've seen some real crap called 'studio monitors' that my old Advents would smoke. There are very many stereo speakers that are just as flat as any 'monitor'.
Guys ..... we're not talking Bose's completely wasted load pieces of stereo crap here. I'm talking about B&W or Revel or Krell or Wilson Audio or Paradigm or Audio Physic. Yeah, stereo speakers you buy at Circuit City are mostly crap but if you think that those represent good stereo speakers then you should do some investigating.

[cpmame]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

> what is the characteristic of an ideal speaker? <

A flat response over the entire audible range both on- and off-axis, low distortion even at high volume levels, and as little ringing as possible.

--Ethan

Sorry for my stupid question... what does it means by on- and off-axis?

Thanks

[cpmame]

Lt. Bob, Harvey Gerst, Ethan Winer

Thanks for clearing thing up for me.. I really learn a lot from you guys.. Do you know where can I find website that review good hi-fi speaker because I would like to know what choice do I have for price range of $300-500 a pair...

Thanks

[Harvey Gerst]

Originally Posted by cpmame

Sorry for my stupid question... what does it means by on- and off-axis?

Thanks

As the frequencies get higher, the sound tends to get very directional. If you're standing directly in front of the speaker (on-axis), you'll hear full range response. If you move to one side or the other (off-axis), you'll hear the highs start to disappear as you move further to the side.

[Ethan Winer]

Harvey,

> As the frequencies get higher, the sound tends to get very directional. <

Exactly. This article on my company's web site addresses a different issue, but it's useful here too because it shows polar response plots for ten different loudspeakers:

www.realtraps.com/art_front-wall.htm

--Ethan