A good loudspeaker means a loudspeaker of good sound quality. Not all of them are equally good. So you need to be very careful while buying them.
In this article, We will discuss on how to judge the sound quality output of a loudspeaker; which is the left out presentation at the last seminar tagged "Evaluating Sound Qualities Through Loudspeakers and Monitor Systems" as Organized by SMI and powered by SP ProAudio.
The live sound system
A basic sound reinforcement system consists of an input device (microphone), a control device (mixer), an amplification device (power amplifier), and an output device (loudspeaker).
This arrangement of components is sometimes referred to as the audio chain: each device is linked to the next in a specific order.
The primary goal of the sound system in live sound applications is to deliver clear, intelligible speech, and, usually, high-quality musical sound, to the entire audience.
The overall design, and each component of it, must be intelligently thought out, carefully installed, and properly operated to accomplish this goal.
There are three levels of electrical signals in a sound system: microphone level (a few thousandths of a Volt), line level (approximately one Volt), and speaker level (ten
Volts or higher).
What is “good” sound?
The three primary measures of sound quality in any venue through the output of loudspeakers are fidelity, imaging, intelligibility, and loudness. In a live sound system the quality of sound will depend on the quality of the sound sources, the sound system, and the room acoustics.
The fidelity of sound is primarily determined by the overall frequency response of the sound arriving at the listener’s ear. It must have sufficient frequency range and
uniformity to produce realistic and accurate speech and music. All parts of the audio chain contribute to this: a limitation in any individual component will limit the fidelity of the entire system.
Imaging refers to the human ability to localize a sound source. Some designers develop systems and manipulate them in such a way that the majority of the audience is under the illusion that the sound appears from the performers themselves, rather than from a system of loudspeakers scattered around the venue.
Intelligibility refers to the ability to understand spoken words and sung lyrics as they pass through the venue, both from the performers and the sound system.
The intelligibility of sound is determined by the overall signal-to-noise ratio and the direct-to-reverberant sound ratio at the listener’s ear.
Judging Through Critical Listening
A good loudspeaker does not have any private sound. The job of a loudspeaker is to deliver the sound exactly the way it is in the source. It will not provide any extra sound. If it does, then it will not be considered a good loudspeaker. If it makes the violin or string sound edgy or if it creates an artificial bass for the male voice, then also it will not be counted as an effective loudspeaker.
Midrange is very important for human listening. This is the range that we hear most clearly. A good loudspeaker must be able to deliver this midrange smoothly and that too without any kind of harsh sound. If the lead portion of a guitar sounds harsh or the midst sound becomes muffled, that means the loudspeaker is not of good quality. In this case the music also will not seem realistic to you.
There are some other ways also to judge its sound. If you are listening to a female voice and if you find that it is not sounding clear, then you will get hint about the poor quality of the speaker. But if you find the sounds too much clear or shrill and if you find an extra emphasis on the S&T, then you can definitely come to the conclusion about the bad quality of the loudspeaker.
A very effective way to judge the quality of a loudspeaker is to listen to chorus songs. There has to be four parts in a chorus. Basses and tenors of the men and sopranos and altos of the women. In a proper loudspeaker, you will very easily be able to distinguish all four of them. If the speaker is not good, then it will produce a very blurred sound.
When you are buying a speaker, then you must check the center channel speaker properly. A balance between the center and the front right and left loudspeakers is very much important. If it does not happen, then the music will not sound well balanced.
Experience helps a lot on judging a good loudspeaker. If you are experienced and listen to loudspeakers very often, then it will be easier for you to understand when the speaker is not sounding well. And then you can complain to the manufacturer.
But this is not all. If you want to know how to judge the sound quality of a loudspeaker, then you must be aware of the branding. Make sure that you are not buying them from just anybody. Go for reputed brands, even if they are expensive. It will give you security and will make it an enchanting experience to listen.
Thanks Guys and always remember to keep the creativity perfected.
... Steve Aluko
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