Cable burn in

I would buy speakers (and any other piece of gear for that matter) with my ears and my EYES - there’s plenty of expensive, most likely incredible sounding and measuring speakers that are just plain fugly - to me at least - that I wouldn’t want in my living room even if given to me.

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I agree speakers may have limitations of acceptability, at least unless a room is totally dedicated, but whilst speakers by tgeir very nature are usually in front of you, other kit is easily hidden, whether simply to the side or behind so as not in direct line if sight, or even in a cupboard, so appearance need not be a factor.

Of course, but all depends on the size of the equipment. My Sonore stuff is easy to hide, and is, but the Naim not so much (thankfully I love the look of my 160 BD and V1 together).

I didn’t have access to these measurements, unfortunately. Perhaps someone here does - Ovator S600.

Are we still talking hi-fi? :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Here is the issue though, we don’t have access to all of those measurements. I might have access to the most comprehensive set of measurements as I choose DIY speakers. It still tells me nothing of how it actually sounds. It tells me that the designer used measurements to achieve the best he could from the drivers used. Unfortunately not the case for commercial speakers. Commercial speakers are built to a price point and at times that means hindering performance so that the next speaker in the price range sounds better, often having little more that a crossover change and maybe slightly thicker cabinet walls.
There is a video on YouTube where Danny from acoustic research measures and upgrades the Dynaudio special 40. It didn’t measure that well at all. Many people like that speaker, and it gets good reviews. No doubt to ensure it fits its price point. Regardless, the improvements made to its crossover have to be made in conjunction with listening tests. Different crossover filters can offer similar measurements but can sound different.

I don’t think that is the case with the better speakers, though I guess they will initially be targeted at a price range, otherwise each manufacturer would only have be top of the range speakers. I think the better manufacturers make the best they can within that bracket. But maybe that was what you meant by built to a price point?

Yeah I hope that most manufacturers make the best they can within the price bracket. I do get suspicious when I see that some manufacturers use the same drivers right up through the range but with very different pricing. Makes me wonder.

People seem to like the most unlikely speakers, in my view! Tastes in the sound of music vary hugely, as witness the big speaker shootout I did listening to 13 different speakers, most top of their range, and all very well reviewed - yet 10 sounded so awful they didn’t get further than half the first track auditioning. One lasted a bit longer, and only two needed listening fuller comparison.

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When you have built a few speakers you realise how a few changes to cabinet, damping and crossover components, can make a drastic difference to the sound. Mostly clarity and coloration (or lack of).

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Is this when you bought the PMC?

I’m not really a fan of store demos myself. In store settings i usually prefer brighter speakers such as certain B&W’s, but at home i generally prefer warmer speakers such as certain Dynaudios or the Spendors i currently own.

It’s both a matter of different acoustic environments (stores often have carpets and other damping, whereas at home i have a vinyl floor and no curtains), as well as different emotional states – in a store my energy levels are higher and i prefer a brighter sound signature, at home i’m more relaxed and i prefer warmer sounding gear.

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Yeah for sure! Brightness = listening fatigue. Not what you want when relaxing on the couch typing responses on a certain forum.

Problem is… an initial listen to laid back speakers free from fatigue can sound a little dull.
I am of the opinion that speakers really all need treble adjustment.

I actually doubt that you can tell if a speaker is too bright just by looking at the measurements. It would make such a small difference to the response but quite different on the ears.

I change my treble level by 0.4 ohm resistance and it makes all the difference. Sure you can measure it but you wouldn’t know which one you like until you listen.

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Did we deviate from cable burn in?

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No when I bought a pair of IMFs.

As I made my first set of speakers, after studying speaker design for a year, and 40 years later started another a construction project that has had a few iterations in trying to get right, O am well aware of at least some of the effects of cabinets, and how tricky it is to remove colouration. (Of course, some people like colouration!)

For sure. Also, I understand that some designs actually use the cabinet resonance as part of the design.
This reminds me of an interesting story… when I lived at home my dad was always tinkering with hifi stuff. Building turntables, amps, speakers etc. we had a pair of kef Q5.5’s. He remade the cabinet with a much denser material, more bracing and bitumen pads. This seemed to remove all the life from the speakers. They were more detailed and cleaner but just didn’t sound right.

This is why when I build a DIY speaker I follow the plan to the letter.

Hi, It is accepted there is a change to the Dielectric on cables and components
after burn in. People say this change is audible. You are welcome to say they are wrong.
Regarding the brain being a Magical device how did you manage to make such
a ridiculous statement?? You have just stated scientific devices match and outstrip
any mysteries of the human brain !!

By whom? Can you cite a reference.

I have no idea what you’re talking about :slight_smile:

The RED/Yellow was only meant to give to give a context and idea
as to what Type of changes may be related to the colours.
Forget do cables sound different.
Forget do cables have directionality.
Forget burn in.
THIS IS DO cables sound different because of COLOUR in the scenario i out lined.
It is my belief they do! although i concede that somewhere on the planet there could be a different view maybe/possibly but i cant think why? as Surely it is just a continuation
of the paths previously mentioned.