#31
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I really have to take issue with this comment -- after all, is this what "audio reviewing" has come to, worrying about diplomacy? It's no wonder that many readers criticize publications for being, basically, advertorials. Do the manufacturers get "offended" if undo praise is heaped on a product? Heck no, the more the better. But a review says something is not very good value for the money and that's now offensive? The reviewer is supposed to cushion the negatives so they don't hurt feelings? Come on, that's not right. Who's supposed to be served, the manufacturer or the consumer? Doug Schneider |
#32
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Welcome Doug !
Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
__________________
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats Albert Schweitzer |
#33
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Doug/SoundStage!... Welcome To AA!!!
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#34
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In response to all the "welcomes" -- thanks! The folks at many of the other forums aren't always so inviting. Great to see.
Doug Schneider |
#35
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Doug, Bill Peugh here. My first point was that contrary to what had been stated in this thread, the opinion you expressed had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with what you think. That's the straight shooting Doug I know all the way back to the Metaphor days. When I say diplomatic, you named a bunch of speakers on one side of the equation and only one on the other. I realize the original question named a wide variety of specific brands but also ended in ..and so on, leaving the door open. The point might have been better received had you spread the blame as equally as you spread the praise. jmho. Welcome to AA! |
#36
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PS: "Metaphacts" is Bill Peugh of Sumiko. I just thought you might like to know who you are conversing with (edit: Bill beat me in ID'ing himself ) Last edited by cmalak; 05-10-2012 at 11:32 AM. |
#37
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Let's go through some measurements: MAXX3 min impedance 3.4 ohms, sen 89.6 db, no resonances in either woofer bin or head units, raw frequency response plus or minus 5 db 30 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Most important is the complete absence of peaks above the 0 db line from 400 to 20,000 Hz, excellent spectral decay plot. JA had this to say in summary: "I don't measure harmonic or intermodulation distortsion for loud speakers because it is difficult obtain consistently meaningful results without access to a large anechoic chamber. But one aspect of the MAXX3's sound that I did notice in my own auditioning was its superb linearity at low frequencies. Couple that to the expansiveness yet solidity of its soundstage and you will comprehend why I felt these Wilsons produced the best sound overall that I have experienced in Michael's room." JA's measurements of the MAXX3 were sterling IMO, and I wouldn't have bought the MAXX3 otherwise. In addition, it is a well known fact that the harmonic and IM distortsion of Wilson speakers are much lower than competitors. JA says: "This graph was basically the same as was supplied by Dave Wilson." This refers to the frequency response graph of the MAXX3, meaning that DW knows all his speakers' measurements, IMO, and that the are reproducible. It is critical that speaker measurements be reproducible. I also carefully reviewed Sasha's measurements at that time, because I was also considering buying a Sasha. Essentially, very similar to the MAXX3, which is why they sound so similar, IMO. I agree with Mr. Schneider, that measurements are extremely important and Wilson speakers measure very well. Low harmonic and IM distortion are critical and Wilsons excel in this area. An absence of cabinet resonance is also critical and again Wilson's excel in this area. Somehow he implies that Wilsons don't measure well and this is simply not true. I seriously doubt that Sophia3's have poor measurements, based on what I have seen from their more expensive siblings. I would expect them to be excellent. I have a real fondness for Thiel speakers. One of the best measuring speakers of all time frequency response wise and in just about every other area also was the Thiel CS5, essentially flat from 30 to 20,000 Hz. However, the speaker was undeniably bright in the midrange and treble and did not have adequate low bass output despite the flat low frequency response which was much smoother than the MAXX3's. I went through about four woofers before giving up. Also the speaker had a wolf tone at about 400 Hz. A Bright Star Audio Block on top the speaker helped, but it was audible on test tones and I could easily feel it. There is no doubt that the Sophia 3 is a greatly superior speaker to a Thiel CS5, and yet it will not measure as well. Virtually no speaker does. Measurements only go so far, but a speaker must measure well and I would not buy it if it didn't. I do appreciate Mr. Schneider's comments. Anyone considering buying an expensive speaker should carefully research the speaker and this includes its meaurements. Last edited by Charles; 05-10-2012 at 11:41 AM. |
#38
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I have no problem whatsoever with the way Doug stated his preference. It is his opinion, pure and simple. Myself, I prefer the Wilson Maxx 3 to the other two speakers, but again, just an opinion.
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#39
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I figured that was you. Good to see you -- I didn't know much about this forum beforehand. The only thing is the speakers I named on both sides were the ones that were mentioned in the letter, nothing more, nothing less. Could I have brought other brands into it? Yes, of course, but that would be odd. But is Wilson the only brand that I've written something like that about? Hardly. People can look at the following links: Xtremely Unappealing Awful Avalon Believe me, these caused an uproar, too. Were they my opinions? Of course. Why did I do it? Can manufacturers put out a terrible speaker and slap a high-price tag on it and only expect to find reviewers who will praise what they do? Doug Schneider |
#40
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I just read a REALLY long post about measurements. Honestly, I can't address all that at this time. I just have too much work to do.
In any event, I really liked the post by slowGEEZR because it coincides with something I put in the letter response that caused this small uproar: "But you also mention the Wilson Sophia -- my apologies to all the Wilson owners out there, but, in my opinion, their speakers just don't cut it performance-wise." This is all, of course, my opinion, which is based entirely on my experiences as a reviewer and publisher. If someone doesn't agree with me -- that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on these matters. If someone likes the speakers, that's fine with me. Doug Schneider |
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