Selecting Speakers

[zweb]

Best is of course to go to shop nearby and listen to them. But if that is not practical.

1. Some speakers have better lows and some better middle and some better highs. Some do more digital processing and some try to more faithfully reproduce ?

2. Speakers list number of tweeters, subwoofers and woofers and sometimes midrange cones. example JBL authentics 500 has - 3 x 25mm aluminum dome tweeter + 3 x 2.75" midrange + 6.5" subwoofer

3. They also mention number of drivers and watts.

Based on this kind of specs, how do you decide?

 

[Dom]

I understand you have no experience which speakers to choose. It can be daunting and costly challenge.

You need lots of listening. This way you will gain experience.

Going to Hifi shop's is a good start but If that's not practical then provide us with the music you like, the budget you want to spend and the listening room its going to be in and we will guide you.

 

[Cork]

...

Based on this kind of specs, how do you decide?

Watts doesn't mean much; and number of drivers only counts if you're certain you're comparing apples to apples everywhere else.

Comparing frequency response curves helps some, but even then only if you know how you like your music. Or you're content with going neutral until you do know what you like (which could be neutral).

So I recommend 2 approaches:
1) If you know what you're looking for in a speaker (accurate, warm, bassy, forward, punchy, etc), read reviews and go with the best overlap.

2) Get recommendations from the forums.

There are other basics to consider, like what kind of speaker to go with. Towers in a small room is probably overkill. A basic tower in a medium room might not be as good of a choice as a better bookshelf; since you're paying for the cabinet instead of better acoustics and the room might not need the enhanced low end, especially if you go with a sub.

 

[Al ears]

Going to a dealership may be impractical but it is essential if you cannot audition speakers in your own home.

 

[davidf]

You need to hear a number of speakers to see which ones you like the sound of (you’re paying for them), and you also need some that work well in your room.

 

[nopiano]

example JBL authentics 500 has - 3 x 25mm aluminum dome tweeter + 3 x 2.75" midrange + 6.5" subwoofer

That duplication of drivers immediately tells me it isn’t a Hifi loudspeaker. And, sure enough, it’s a portable ‘smart’ speaker.

If you want a smart speaker, it might be worth trying. Affordable Hifi loudspeakers usually have two drivers - one for bass-mid, and another for treble. And they come in pairs, to produce a stereo image, approximating a stage for example by placing them 6 to 10 feet apart. .