[terry j]

hi everybody,

on another forum a discussion has started on 'accuracy vs personal taste'. It came about because I disagreed with someones statement that 'it's how it sounds to you that matters', I only really disagreed to the degree that a statement like that opens the door for scoundrels and wacky theories, both of which abound in hi fi.

I stated that personal taste is definately a factor, two different systems with the 'same' FR can sound totally different, yet surely as a starting point a flat speaker is necessary in a high end system?

I must say I was stunned, it has almost become 'forget measurements, trust your ears'. It is probably not that simple, but it would certyainly be true to say that very few agree that a flat FR from the speaker is desirable, or at least needed.

For the sake of simplicity I didn't get into house curves etc etc, but it got me wondering. What I want to know is, do 'audiophiles' ( what a snobby sounding word) believe that a flat FR is desirable in a speaker? In other words, I made the assumption that, like me, people into stereo would believe that a flat ( also read even ) FR is the hallmark of a well designed speaker, and a starting point ( in whatever price bracket you can afford ) for auditioning. Perhaps I was stunned because in fact very few agree with me and I am in the minority.

The attitude almost seems to be that a 'flat' FR would be detrimental to their sound! I just can't agree with that, but am I an 'only one'?

I'm not trying to defend my territory or convert others or even say the other side is wrong, I'm almost doing a survey if you will. Of course if you want to add your feelings on the qyestion then by all means do so.

As I say, I'm leaving out the complexities of house curves etc etc

lots of love

terry