This content comes from @What's worth buyingAPP, and the views only represent the author's own |Author: qianseyue
The last time I shared the purchase of desk speakers, it's been four years, and I've been thinking about updating it recently. But I took a look,HiFiThere are not many new products of bookshelf speakers,So this time, let's talk about the bookshelf speakers and living room speakers,Give you a clear reference for buying。
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A little science about speakers
Classification of speakers
Living room speakers and desk speakers are just a vague distinction concept, if you want to distinguish them according to their use, they should actually be divided into home speakers, professional/monitor speakers, and stage speakers. These speakers can be roughly distinguished by sensitivity, home speakers tend to be 82~95dB, and professional/monitor speakers are 95~110dB. This distinction can only be approximate, as many home speakers also achieve the sensitivity of professional/monitor speakers.
The speaker sensitivity is measured in dB/W/m, which means the sound pressure measured at 1m directly in front of the speaker for an input 1w amplifier. Therefore, the output sound pressure of home speakers is 90dB is already very suitable, and the space used by professional speakers or monitors may be very large, and more than 100dB can meet the requirements.
From the sensitivity, you can also see whether the speaker is difficult to push, 90dB/W/m or more is a high-efficiency speaker, and below 85dB/W/m is a low-efficiency speaker. Low-efficiency speakers are what audiophiles often call "difficult to push speakers", requiring high-power amplifier equipment. In fact, high-efficiency speakers are not easy to push, although they use small wattage power amplifiers, but they are easy to amplify the shortcomings of power amplifiers, and the quality of power amplifiers is higher.
Affects whether the speaker is easy to push, in addition to looking at sensitivity, it will also look at impedance. The lower the impedance, the greater the current requirements and the higher the requirements for the power amplifier. The concept of impedance is somewhat similar to resistance in that it is the resistance of a conductor to an electric current. So when choosing speakers, some people pay attention to impedance matching. If the amplifier impedance is greater than the impedance of the horn, there is a risk of overload. Because the higher the impedance, the higher the power. The speaker will generally be marked with the carrying power, and the output power of the power amplifier is greater than the carrying power of the speaker, and the speaker may be damaged.
However, now many people like to choose active speakers, and there is no need to consider whether it is difficult to push.
Speaker selection
Bookshelves and floor speakers can be used in the living room, the key is to buy as many speakers as you have space. This is also a common rule for HiFi enthusiasts, especially in spaces where there is no acoustic treatment. Large speakers in small rooms, without acoustic treatment, often have a sound effect commonly known as water curtain holes, so it is necessary to limit the size of the speakers.
In a room without acoustic treatment, the relationship between the maximum speaker size and the size of the room is shown in the table. Large speakers can also be used in small rooms, but the room must be treated with acoustics, and then the amplifier matched with the speakers must have good control to ensure the sound effect.
According to the recommendations of the IEC, the recommended size of the old standard listening room is 1:1.5:2.4 in height:width:length, 2.8m×4.2m×6.7m in the conventional standard, and 1:1.96:2.59 in the new standard, that is× 2.7m5.3m×7m. Speakers should also be placed on narrow edges to achieve a soundstage with a sense of depth.
Many people's living rooms can also achieve this size ratio, but the living room at home is often asymmetrical wall. One side of the living room TV wall is often a floor-to-ceiling glass door or window for the balcony, while the other side is a hallway. Then it is necessary to acousticate the asymmetrical wall, that is, on the side of the floor-to-ceiling glass door or window. Use some sound-absorbing materials to reduce the reflection of sound as much as possible.
The easiest way is to add a curtain or curtain, the sound absorption coefficient of various materials is shown in the table, mainly for the absorption of medium and high frequency sound. For the absorption of low-frequency sound, most of them are achieved by choosing wooden floors and wooden wall skirts. If the low frequency volume is insufficient, the sound will feel harsh and thin, and if the medium and high frequency sound is insufficient, the sound will be very dry, especially when the high frequency is insufficient, the sound will be dark and not bright enough. The ideal sound is three-frequency equalized, warm, and durable, and you need to take the time to adjust it yourself.
Speaker ability judgment
In order to quantitatively evaluate the capabilities of loudspeakers, it is customary to use a frequency response range. The frequency response range is a straightforward analysis, that is, the sound played by the speaker is, and the sound frequency range can be effectively reproduced. For example, the frequency response range of a speaker is 79Hz~28KHz, then it means that the lowest frequency sound it can reproduce is 79Hz, and the highest frequency sound is 28KHz. Old enthusiasts will have a rule of 400,000 (the product of the lower and upper limits is 400,000), but now the bigger the range, the better.
Due to differences in the methods and standards used to test frequency response between brands, some measure the frequency range down to 10 dB, while others measure the frequency range down to 6 dB. Some manufacturers add distortion to the end of the frequency range, e.g. ± 3dB. The response frequency range is a bit smaller, but the standard for switching to a 6dB drop is actually wider.
Therefore, the frequency response range is often not easy to compare, and it is only an approximate reference value when purchasing.
However, for the frequency response range, the frequency response curve can be tested to judge the ability of the speaker. For objective measurement and quantification of data, Dr. Harman Olive's SPINorama scoring system is often used. As shown in the figure above, the curves of On Axis, Listening window, Early reflections, and Sound power are mainly seen.
- On Axis: Axial frequency response curve, the flatter the above 100Hz, the better.
- Listening window：围绕轴测试得出的平均值，越接近轴向越好。
- Early reflections: The deviation from the axial direction of the sound reflected to the test point for the first time is mainly experienced in the reverberation effect, which affects the richness of the sound. The ideal curve is one in which the trend is the same as the axis, and the decline is smooth.
- Sound power: The energy emitted by the loudspeaker system as a whole, which is a weighted average of the frequency response of all measurement points.
HiFi brand inventory
KEF
Under the SPINorama scoring system,The speaker brand that must be talked about is KEF from the United Kingdom。 KEF was one of the first manufacturers to use computer-aided design loudspeakers, and it is also a brand that can maintain Hi-Fi status and have affordable products.
KEF loudspeakers all feature the iconic Uni-Q driver, which has now been improved to the twelfth generation. The coaxial unit solves the problem of common point sound of different units, so the sound is purer. It also breaks the previous situation of limited listening bits, and the listening is more free, which is more suitable for the living room of ordinary homes.
The KEF ceiling is a limited edition Muon, followed by the tech-savvy Blade series, and THE REFEREENCE reference series. However, for the general living room, KEF is more popular with HiFi enthusiasts R and R Meta series, especially R Meta, innovative cabinet design combined with Shadows Flare technology, low frequency volume is very sufficient, and the performance of medium and high frequencies is very full. The coaxial unit has a wide listening range, which is very suitable for the current urban 20~40 square living room.
In terms of affordable price, you can consider the Q series and LS series, the former is more biased towards traditional Hi-Fi gamers and has a passive design, while the latter is biased towards new-era gamers, with rich interfaces and support for a variety of wired or wireless connections.
However, the Q series is not a new generation of Uni-Q coaxial speakers, and the axial frequency response is not as good as that of the new generation. But in terms of sound quality, the Q series is also remarkable. After all, it is also a Uni-Q coaxial unit, and the listening notes are also very wide. And from the curve, it can be seen that the tuning is very pleasing to pop songs, and the vocals are relatively soft.
As a wireless series, the LS series has also been very popular in recent years, because of the convenient connection, in addition to the traditional wired connection, there are also a variety of streaming media connection methods, including Bluetooth, apple airplay, roon ready, etc., and can seamlessly connect to apple music, qobuz and other streaming services, which is very in line with the listening habits of young people nowadays.
The LS60 of the LS series is still the best in the current SPINorama scoring system. The LS60 also has a cutting-edge look, with four woofers surrounding a Uni-Q coaxial driver. This design is derived from the Blade series' global co-point sound source technology, which makes the LS60 an ideal image of a sound source even though it is a three-way product.
However, as a small living room or a small study, I think the LS50 is more suitable. The LS50 is KEF's tribute to the legend of the LS3/5A, and it's not just a nod to the look, it's a nod to the tuning style. Different from the replica of the appearance of the small factory, KEF is a replica of the legend using a new generation of technology, Uni-Q coaxial, MAT super sound-absorbing materials and wireless to achieve the same legendary density as LS3/5A midrange.
B&W
Like KEF, it is from the UK, and it is still active in the market, and there are affordable price speakers, so we must talk about Bowers & Wilkins. B&W was also an early adopter of calculator-aided loudspeaker design, and the classic "solenoid" cabinet of the last century has not been surpassed to this day.
However, in the mass market, B&W is more praised for its overhead tweeter, which is equipped with its 700 series and benchmark 800 diamond series.
The diamond tweeter is actually a diamond diaphragm tweeter that is independent of the cabinet and is used as a single body, which can produce higher treble. This technology is derived from Bowers & Wilkins' flagship solenoid, so there are long, tapering ducts when viewed from the side to absorb resonance. For example, when reproducing the sound of a percussion instrument, this cavity can absorb resonances and deliver more agile treble.
Instead of a diamond diaphragm, the 700 series is equipped with a carbon diaphragm. The carbon diaphragm emits a higher treble than the aluminium unit, only slightly inferior to the diamond diaphragm. In fact, the carbon film solution of the 700 series is more affordable, because the budget is not enough to buy the 800 diamond series, and you want to experience the quality-to-price ratio of Bowers & Wilkins overhead tweeters.
Although the entry-level 600 series does not have an overhead diamond tweeter, it does also have a rigid dome unit titanium membrane tweeter. There are also long ducts on the inside, just not outside the cabinet like the diamond treble. In addition, the tweeter and mid-woofer of the 600 series are closer to each other than ordinary speakers, and the sound effect is superior.
Focal
For enthusiasts, the gamma independent box structure of French Focal is certainly not unfamiliar, very cool and full of science and technology. Mainly the logo of the Utopia series, the current latest Utopia III Evo series, Evo is the meaning of the evolutionary version.
This self-contained cabinet isn't just for cool, it's also about sound. Each individual structure has its own unit and crossover, which keeps the cabinet inert and reduces distortion caused by resonances. The cavity of this segmented cabinet is still adjustable, and the higher the positioning, the more adjustable stages the product can have. This allows the speaker to be tilted and the listening position can be adjusted better.
The Utopia series is aimed at large households, so the Sopra series is more concerned by the general enthusiast. Jinlang's unique ability is not only the gamma stand-alone cabinet, but also the dome beryllium tweeter and the sandwich W-cone mid-woofer.
The advantage of the dome beryllium tweeter is in the transient state, the beryllium is very light but very strong, so it can achieve the vibration effect of emergency start and stop, and the efficiency is very high. The Sandwich W Cone Disc Unit is actually a general term, and it was originally a sandwich structure with two layers of fiberglass, sandwiched between high-damping fiber foam. Nowadays, the number of layers has been increased a lot, it is lighter, more rigid, and the damping performance is better, and it is a bass-dyed one.
The more accessible series are Aria and Chora, especially the entry-level Chora series, which is a cost-effective choice for feeling the tuning style of the strong wave. The Chora series has the same tweeter technology as the Utopia series, but the material is magnesium aluminum instead of beryllium.
Dynaudio
Dynaudio is from Denmark, the signature is its Esotar silk membrane tweeter, and Dynaudio mid-to-high-end products have DDC directional control technology, which does not need to be acoustically modified to have a very good listening effect.
For Dynaudio,Many people think that it takes the same light luxury route as B&O,In fact, Dynaudio's mass-produced HiFi speaker price is not high,There are also products that are close to the people。 The product line is very rich, from home and professional to automotive. Domestic, like KEF, covers active to passive. The active series are mainly Focus series and Youyue Xeo, and the passive series is more abundant, from high-end to entry, there are Supreme Consequence, Evidence, Confidence, String Song Heritage Special, Contour, Reproduction Evoke and Artistic Conception Emit.
Dynaudio is well-known among HiFi enthusiasts, and the technical analysis is a sound with low distortion, high dynamics and high power loads. The actual listening sensation is a high-resolution, clear and clear sound. Dynaudio likes to launch commemorative editions during anniversaries, and the latest 40th anniversary edition is typical of Dynaudio sounds.
Compared with high-end series such as Supreme, Confidence, and Evidence, the mid-to-high-end silhouette series is more favored by enthusiasts. In fact, the contour series has always been the main line, and it is the most popular mass-produced HiFi speaker series. Its tuning, silk membrane tweeter, MSP woofer, and crossover are all sufficient, and there is no deviation.
The most affordable is the artistic conception, which is a series launched after being acquired by Goertek. Some enthusiasts say it's not a genuine Dynaudio, but I've experienced it in a physical store. I feel that the artistic conception series is more suitable for those of us who listen to the sound in a small room, and it is easy to push while maintaining the Dynaudio sound.
Dali
Originally from Denmark, like Dynaudio, Dani is also known for his dome filament unit. In fact, Dani is a small manufacturer, which was originally more cost-effective than Dynaudio, and was concerned by many audiophiles, such as the crown prince Dani in the small bookshelf speaker.
Crown Prince Dani is less than 10,000 yuan, and his timbre is warm and thick. The most prestigious is the second generation of Crown Prince Dani, and the latest is currently the sixth generation.
As far as floor speakers are concerned, more audiophiles pay attention to the Borui series. This series is positioned as a family HiFi, so it is very suitable for the living room. Whether it's playing music, or watching movies and dramas, it's suitable.
PSB
When it comes to value for money, there's also the Canadian PSB. The annotation design is the lower layout of the tweeter, which achieves a wider listening position than traditional speakers.
Compared to floor speakers, many audiophiles prefer their bookshelf speakers, such as the Alpha P3 and P5 in passive products, and the active AM3 and AM5.
In fact, there are also cost-effective good goods in domestic production, such as Huiwei. But among HiFi enthusiasts, Huiwei has a lot of discussions, so I won't talk about it.
ELAC
Germany's will was originally to be a cartridge, but in the 90s of the last century, it was transformed into a speaker, and its popularity can be said to surpass that of the gold list and the national capital. With the Berlin Sound amplifier with the silver color of the local tyrant, it is the sound of German rigor that burners often say.
The loudspeaker's signature feature is the JET aero tweeter and aluminium midrange coaxial driver, with an adjustable suspension structure that allows for fine-tuning sound dispersion and focus, allowing for greater dynamic range than traditional loudspeakers
The BS series is more popular and has also been on the list of HiFi magazines. The new generation JET pneumatic unit is equipped with an aluminum alloy woofer, which has good low-frequency and high-frequency extension. The curve is not so straight, it is relatively warmer, or it is very moist.
In fact, the reason for the pneumatic tweeter, the curve of several products of Yili is not very straight, such as BS314, which can be regarded as a side effect of the wide frequency response.
The UNI-FI REFERENCE series, which does not have an aerodynamic tweeter, is also liked by many audiophiles. This series continues the appearance of UNI-FI and REFERENCE, the new wide-directional waveguide tweeter, and has the advantages of low distortion and less sound coloration, and the curve is much better.
postscript
Tianlang Tannoy didn't talk about it, although he is a veteran of the HiFi enthusiast world, but unfortunately the current market positioning is more inclined to the professional monitoring market like JBL and Zenith, and has given up on HiFi. Many audiophiles start with Tianlang, either stir-fry the old Tianlang's cobalt magnetic unit, or the retro-style old-fashioned Tianlang speaker, such as Jin Tianlang, which has a labyrinth cabinet and a signature coaxial unit, so I won't talk about it in this article.
There are many brands of HiFi speakers,For example, Shiba、T+A、PMC、Jinbang Canton、Guodu Quad、Linn and so on,It's just that these brands don't have good channels in China,So it's hard to guarantee that you buy genuine products,I didn't go into detail。 Sony, Ternyu, Yamaha, and POLK, which are biased towards home theaters, didn't say anything, and this will be expanded in the next article.
Personally, I like to toss.、From home theater construction、Network layout to smart home appliance networking,If you're interested, you can pay attention to my account qianseyue。
The author declares that there is no interest in this article, and friends are welcome to communicate rationally and discuss harmoniously~