My Criteria for Evaluating Audiophile Loudspeaker Systems:
Sound
Exceptional
•Deft interplay between voices and instruments in three dimensions
•Hyper-finely delineated, coherent, balanced, layered soundstage
•Total absence of coloration and any tendency for listener fatigue
•Seemingly unconstrained dynamic range, lightning-fast transient response
•Intrinsic ability to resolve micro detail and complex passages fluently
•Quantitatively visceral, oomphy reproduction of bass and percussion
•Unforgettable, serendipitous aural memories for the listener
•Surreal, palpable articulation and ruthless delivery of the musical truth
•Uncanny ability to teleport the listener to the original event
Good
•Dexterous interplay between voices and instruments in three dimensions
•Finely etched, balanced, coherent, heterogeneous soundstage
•Noticeable absence of coloration and any tendency for listener fatigue
•Extremely wide dynamic range and crisp transient response
•Ingrained ability to resolve micro detail and complex passages
•Qualitatively visceral, vivacious reproduction of bass and percussion
•Explicit, opportune, aural memories for the listener
•Unblemished articulation and impeccable delivery of the musical truth
•Inherent potential to sustain heightened listener interest
Satisfactory
•Nimble interplay between voices and instruments in three dimensions
•Clear, balanced, coherent, blatant soundstage
•Barest minimum of coloration and the tendency for listener fatigue
•Limited dynamic range and a tendency for transients to overhang
•Reasonably competent at resolving micro detail and complex passages
•Meek reproduction of bass and percussion in the final octave
•Impressive, pleasant aural memories for the listener
•Cogent articulation and concise delivery of the musical truth
•Distinct confirmation of encouraging signs of listener enthusiasm
Poor
•Veiled interplay between voices and instruments in three dimensions
•Imprecise, constricted soundstage, not sufficiently coherent or balanced
•Verification of coloration and the tendency for listener fatigue
•Evidence of constrained dynamic range and sluggishness
•Some difficulty in resolving micro detail and complex passages
•Non-testicular reproduction of bass and percussion in the final octave
•Pleasant, satisfying aural memories for the listener
•Lucid articulation and pleasant delivery of the musical truth
•Arbitrary illusions of unfulfilled listener interest
Technical
Exceptional
•Unhindered, substantially linear frequency response
•Unmitigated low-frequency extension (last octave)
•Seemingly unrestrained acoustic output reserve capability
•Vanishingly low harmonic and intermodulation distortion
•Ethereal transient response and reproduction of sibilants
•Innately compatible with all high-end amplifiers
Good
•Extended, generally smooth frequency response
•Generous low-frequency extension (last octave)
•Abundant acoustic output reserve capability
•Ultra-low harmonic and intermodulation distortion
•Superb transient response and reproduction of sibilants
•Substantially compatible with most high-end amplifiers
Satisfactory
•Trends toward flat frequency response
•Partial low-frequency extension (last octave)
•Limited acoustic output reserve capability
•Audibly low harmonic and intermodulation distortion
•Crisp transient response and reproduction of sibilants
•Primarily compatible with most high-end amplifiers
Poor
•Corrugated, nonlinear frequency response
•Restricted low-frequency extension (last octave)
•Truncated acoustic output reserve capacity
•Audible harmonic and intermodulation distortion
•Insubstantial transient response and reproduction of sibilants
•Moderately compatible with most high-end amplifiers
Build Quality
Exceptional
•Unblemished design and engineering, robust packaging
•Impeccable workmanship and trendy, tasteful, tangibly tactile finish
•Comprehensive, preferably multi-lingual owner's manual
•Blanket or unconditional warranty and after-sales service
•Entrenched, prestigious, universally recognised brand name
•Highly proficient, motivated, professional distribution network
•Excellent, frequent reviews from renowned audio journalists
•Price range unequivocally accepted by all stakeholders
Good
•Brilliant design and engineering, solid packaging
•Immaculate workmanship and stylish, superb, solid finish
•Thorough, preferably multi-lingual owner's manual
•Extensive warranty and after-sales service
•Established, high-profile, universally recognized brand name
•Well-organized, enthusiastic, professional distribution network
•Commendable, timely reviews from renowned audio journalists
•Price range universally approved by consensus
Satisfactory
•Competent design, engineering and packaging
•Refined workmanship and classy, proficient, elegant finish
•In-depth owner's manual in at least one language
•Universally accepted standard warranty and after-sales service
•Well-known, hard-working brand name
•Competent, eager, professional distribution network
•Favorable, occasional reviews from renowned audio journalists
•Deemed aptly suitable for price range
Poor
•Undemanding design, engineering and packaging
•Neat workmanship and conservative, basic, trim finish
•Non-detailed owner's manual in one language
•Limited warranty and after-sales service
•Low-profile, questionable brand name
•Diminutive, unreachable distribution network
•Sporadic or poor reviews from renowned audio journalists
•Considered overpriced
My hope is that these criteria for judging high-end loudspeakers will help you find your perfect transducer.
Dedicated to my fondest memories of Amelia Haygood, Neil Lau, Edward Mc Dowell, and Lionel Seemungal.
. . . Simeon Louis Sandiford
simeons@soundstagenetwork.com