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This is a piece from their website detailing how the ranking are conceived. Interesting way to measure accuracy. The next question is why should that have any effect on listening enjoyment. By the way, the hihgest accuracy score was 93 on a scale of 1 to 100. it was for an $80 Technics speaker. It apparently scored better than speakers from B&W and NHT according to their tests.
<Here is their quote>
"Overall score is based primarily on a model's accuracy score but also considers the ability to play bass notes very loud without distortion. If a product is high in overall quality and relatively low in price, we deem it A CR Best Buy. To measure accuracy for these models, we installed speakers in our echo-free chamber and fed them test signals containing all audible frequencies. As we rotated the speakers, computer-driven instruments measured the systems' sound power output. The accuracy score reflects speaker output with no adjustment of bass or treble controls. Bass handling reflects the ability to play bass-heavy music loudly, without buzzing or other distortion; speakers scoring good or lower are not among the best choices for playing bass-heavy music very loud. Size is height by width by depth (HxWxD), in inches. For three-piece systems, size shown is for satellites; bass units are typically about 14 by 8 inches, with a depth ranging from 13 to 20 inches. Price is the approximate retail per set."
<Endquote>
It seems to me that no real listening was done. I see no talk of soundstage, imaging, ability to bring out inner detail without being in your face, pace, timing, or anything else other than frequency response that actually helps you believe that the music is real. And... even IF they listened, would they get somebody who knew what to look for? Misinformed folks usually pick big flabby bass over accurate bass and annoying highs over actual inner detail. Even if the frequency response is flat, the highs can still be annoying due to any number of reasons such as panel diffraction, overall distortion, phase issues, cheap crossover parts, etc.
I know that they mean well but they are doing folks a disservice by misinforming them. Most of the speakers I have heard from B&W and NHT were surpringly good although I have never liked a B&W speaker enough to purchase one. I have owned NHT speakers and have heard the Technics
speakers in question. The Technics did not sound good.
For reference, I have Magneplaner speakers in one of my systems and had Revel F30s in my other until I upgraded. They both get great reviews but I looked at none of them until after I purchased. I did not want to walk in with any pre-judgements, I just wanted to hear how they sounded. Took me 6 months of listening before I bought the Revels. I now have something better but that's a story for another day.
Bill
posted by 63.162.18...
, Thu, 3 Aug 2006 06:35:16
, Tue, 1 Aug 2006 12:53:18
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