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From: ellis@flairvax.UUCP (Michael Ellis)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: power amp query
Message-ID: <163@flairvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 14-Jul-83 06:40:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: flairvax.163
Posted: Thu Jul 14 06:40:27 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 14-Jul-83 19:34:01 EDT
References: ihuxr.504
Lines: 28


    I disagree about A/B speaker test comparisons. They're only misleading
    because nobody does them right. Here's how I selected my speakers:

    1. Borrow an amplifier identical to the one you own.

    2. Take home the speakers to be compared. This may require considerable
       amount of cash, if you're like me and hate credit cards. But it's
       worth it. Specially if the leading contenders are at different stores.

    3. Hook everything up so both systems play the same source. Then adjust
       each amp separately so that volume differences on each pair of
       speakers have been compensated for.

       This part is great fun. You can adjust bass/treble on one to sound
       best for that speaker, and then try to match that sound on the
       other, etc. This is where the strengths and weaknesses of each
       brand of speaker really show up. Do this for one week.

    4. Return the losing speakers and go to another store to pick up
       yet another brand to continue the test. After a month or two,
       you'll KNOW you have the right speakers.

    It is true, however, that A/B speaker comparisons are almost meaningless
    in the store. Especially when there's only one volume control for
    several speakers, and no way to reposition an unfavorably placed pair.

    Michael Ellis - Fairchild AI Lab - Palo Alto CA - (415) 858-4270