SOUND ON SOUND

[RichardT]

The difference between $200 and $2000 monitors is absolutely vast! Accuracy of frequency response is only a small part of the picture. Better monitors are clearer, more subtle and more dynamic.

[Hugh Robjohns]

...if the intention of this calibration is to make it flat, why will we continue to use high end monitors? If it remains flat through calibration - would one hear the difference between a $200 monitor and a $900 monitor?

Yes, you'd hear the difference.

The frequency/amplitude response is only one aspect of the speaker/room/listener chain, as Drew has already explained.

Some -- by certainly not all -- speaker correction system also control the phase response across the frequency range (which can be pretty wacky in conventional speaker designs).

But they can't do anything about amp and driver distortion products. They can't do anything for time-domain smearing through cabinet and driver resonances. They can't do anything for the varying directivity of the drivers (the speaker's polar response).

A lot of things get a lot better if you are able to throw more money into the design of the speaker and the quality of the components employed.

Of course, the law of diminishing returns applies. The step up from a $250 speaker to a $2,500 one is very obvious... but to get the same level of improvement again you could easily have to spend $25,000 -- and many pro studios and mastering facilities do!

[ef37a]

" The step up from a $250 speaker to a $2,500 one is very obvious.."

Ooo, I AM glad you said that Hugh!

Dave.

[bluedot]

Of course, the law of diminishing returns applies. The step up from a $250 speaker to a $2,500 one is very obvious... but to get the same level of improvement again you could easily have to spend $25,000 -- and many pro studios and mastering facilities do!

Thanks all. That is the education I had hoped for.

[bluedot]

Just wanted to follow up for subsequent research and searches.

The Adam A7X's arrived today.

The difference in the sound stage, speed and clarity is amazing. I went through all our reference tracks, and its like they're different mixes. I had no idea how much was missing. Especially with nuanced things like panning, swells, delays, etc.

The timing of them is radically better. How was I concerned about timing of compression and things without being able to hear this subtlety? ha!

Thanks again everyone who helped out with this process. I've come to rely on SOS as the benchmark in not only reviews, but helpful forum conversation.

This upgrade will make better music.

[Hugh Robjohns]

:clap: :thumbup: :D