Looking ahead, we’ll clarify that our guide is dedicated specifically to classic acoustic systems. Growing popularity of portable and smart speakers does not require complicated efforts to select. Everything is already set up there, so all you need to evaluate when buying them is sound quality, size and feature set. Although this could be the subject of separate article. But with classics you definitely have to tinker. So let's figure it out.

AC selection criteria

Of course, personal impressions can sometimes be relied upon, but it is better to use the approach recommended by experts. And they believe that it is necessary to take into account following aspects.


Brand

This is fairly weighty selection criterion, so we will start with it. Among the well-established acoustic manufacturers are Klipsch, Dali, Yamaha, KEF, Focal and dozen others. These are specialized companies with long tradition of production and innovation, commercially successful for entire series and lines of audio equipment, rather than random individual models.

It seemed that you would choose any and rejoice, you will not lose. But the choice is so huge that the search for best option can be endless. Therefore, focusing only on good brand is not enough. You need to be able to understand AU technical intricacies.

Popular speakers

Hi-Fi vs Hi-End

Acoustic systems in the Hi-Fi and Hi-End class are the best that audio market can offer today. At least that's what marketers say. Hi-Fi(High Fidelity) refers to high fidelity equipment with high electrical performance. Very concept of High Fidelity arose somewhere in early 70s, then international standard IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 60581 was adopted, which Hi-Fi class speaker systems must comply with. Namely, to have:

  • amplitude-frequency characteristic non-linearity is not higher than 4 dB for the frequency range from 100 to 4000 Hz and within (-8) - (+4) Hz for the range of 50 - 12500 Hz;
  • the coefficient of non-linear distortion for 250 - 1000 Hz is not higher than 3 Hz, and for 1000 - 2000 Hz is less than 1%.

With these two points, the requirements for Hi-Fi are exhausted. Everything else is pure marketing. There are no clear criteria for High-End, but such equipment must surpass Hi-Fi class equipment in most respects. As rule, this is boutique model, created by hand, sometimes in one copy, using premium components, massive cases and unique technologies.

Active or passive?


Speakers with built-in amplifier is called active. It is popular because it provides:

  1. Mobility.
  2. Simplified switching.
  3. Higher efficiency due to optimization and matching of amplifier and loudspeakers at the manufacturer's factory.

They also have disadvantages:

  • High probability of short circuit in case of moisture ingress;
  • Difficult to scale or upgrade.

Passive speakers do not have built-in amplifier, but require an external one. Advantage of this technique is the flexibility of customization, the possibility of upgrading and expanding. Disadvantages include:

  • scrupulous selection of components, in particular, the amplifier;
  • complex switching;
  • bulkiness.

Which system is best for you? If you are not well versed in setting up and managing audio equipment, then an active one would be the best choice. In fact, you will get more advanced version of computer speakers, which will most likely sound the way you like it. But if you want to have fine-tuning the sound, the possibility of its quality upgrade, and are ready to take it seriously, passive speakers are ideal for creating professional music system.

AS appointment

Depending on the scope of use, acoustic systems are divided into the following types:

Home. Designed for installation at home or in relatively small public place. This class includes both budget equipment and expensive multi-channel active and passive Hi-Fi systems.

Cinema. As rule, these are multi-channel systems or soundbars with surround sound to create the effect of presence.

Professional (concert and monitor). Equipment for scoring and monitoring of studios, clubs, concert venues. It is distinguished by increased requirements for power, frequency response and other characteristics.

Informational. Speakers that can be used in public address networks - at stations, shopping malls, schools, etc. Such speakers are characterized by the presence of horn speakers, high power and sensitivity, as well as the predominance of medium frequencies for high-quality speech transmission.

External. Designed for outdoor use, which places high demands on their moisture resistance and impact resistance.

type of instalation


Choice of speakers by type of installation allows you to use all the available space in the room and create any speaker configuration. In addition, you can combine different mounting methods.

Shelf

Speakers are located approximately at the head level of seated person, so the sound distribution will be optimal. You can use any horizontal surface, but you will need stands made of rubber or other elastic materials to dampen vibrations. Also, acoustic racks are often used to install such speakers.

Acoustic Stands

floor standing

This category includes audio systems that are simply placed on the floor. As rule, these are high bulky speakers, the installation of which otherwise does not make sense or is simply impossible.

Suspended

Components of such speakers are mounted on the wall or on the ceiling using special brackets. You save space, but may lose sound quality due to distortion that can occur if placed too close to the mounting surface.

Embedded

They crash into wall or ceiling, and are covered with decorative panels from the outside. This requires lot of preliminary work, but you will save space and are guaranteed not to spoil room design.

Speaker cabinet

Below in table you can see how material, construction and speakers size affect reproduced sound quality.

Hull Parameter Impact on sound quality
Form Affects the radiation pattern. Round shape - uniform sound distribution, rectangular - narrower radiation patterns.
Design Closed housing dampens inertial disturbances well. The bass-reflex cabinet increases low-frequency vibrations (better bass) due to resonance. An open one, which does not have back wall, in some cases gives ositive effect, but you will have to tinker with its installation.
Dimensions Affect volume and bass depth . Larger cabinets can provide deep and powerful bass, while thicker cabinets protect against excess resonance and distortion in some ranges.
Material Wood, plywood, MDF. They usually produce warm and natural sound with good depth and detail. But they are sensitive to humidity and temperature, which can affect the sound.


Plastic. Lightweight, durable and cheap. But the sound can be flat and not natural. The material can cause resonances and distortion.

Metal. Provides bright and detailed sound, but can sound cold and mechanical. May cause resonance and distortion.


Carbon. These speakers can be very strong and rigid, which allows them to produce clear and accurate sound, but also makes them more expensive than speakers made from other materials.

Sound characteristics

Sound characteristics are indicated in each speaker manual. However, there are so many parameters and numbers that it is easy to get lost. You only need those that are directly related to sound quality.

Number of channels

The more playback devices in the system, the more voluminous the sound is. In simple words, number of channels indicates configuration of speaker, that is, how many speakers are in it. In the manual, this is indicated by numbers through dot.

For example, 2.0 is standard stereo system with two front speakers, 2.1 is the same plus subwoofer. This configuration is enough for you to listen to music. 5.1.2 and 7.1.2 - five or seven channels with one subwoofer, front, rear, "ceiling" channels and center. Such systems, when properly installed, will provide an excellent spatial effect and immerse you in the atmosphere of movie or live concert as much as possible.

It is not uncommon for users to start with simple configurations, but then quickly stop being satisfied with what they have and strive for tuning. If you feel like this might be the case, go ahead and buy passive system from the manufacturer's range that is upgradable. For example, Dali Opticon or Rubicon. This will ensure optimal consistency between old and new speakers.

Number of lanes

The wider the frequency component is spaced, the richer and more realistic the sound will be:

  • One way loudspeaker. Reproduces the entire spectrum of frequencies, except for the lowest. Usually used in ultra-budget systems with mono or pseudo stereo formats.
  • 2-way system. Includes woofer/midrange + tweeter. Considered universal. In addition, you can add subwoofer to it and get better sound in the lower range.
  • 3-way - woofer + midrange + tweeters.
  • 2.5-way - HF + 2 woofers. One reproduces only the low-frequency range, and the second - the midrange and bass. Often, in order to save money, manufacturers install both speakers of the same type, adjusting the dividing band with crossover.

As rule, the presence of two or three bands is sufficient. More expensive loudspeakers can often be 4-way and higher, that is, they contain additional speakers to more accurately reproduce certain frequency range. But in practice, you are unlikely to notice tangible difference between them and 3-way systems, but the difference in price will be obvious.

frequency range

Standard human ear does not perceive frequencies outside the range of 20 - 20,000 Hz. therefore, it makes no sense to choose speakers with wider parameters. But if the upper range is specified below 18000 Hz, sound detail will suffer. With the lower threshold, about the same. Its optimal value lies in the range of 20 - 40 Hz. However, if you have high requests for low frequencies, and you think that you are able to distinguish sub-bass by ear, focus on equipment with performance below 20 Hz.

Signal Noise Ratio (SNR)

Signal-to-noise ratio is measured in dB and indicates signal level excess over the noise level. Noise can be thought of as random low-volume audio signal that is mixed into the main signal. Noise is most noticeable in the mid-range. Therefore, the higher the SNR, the clearer the sound. For example, for mid-range speakers, the normal value should be at least 75 dB, and for Hi-Fi from 90 dB.

Power and its calculation for room size

First of all, let's determine that the power for speakers is‌ this is the margin of speakers safety , and not their loudness. In simple words, how much power can speaker consume from the amplifier, while remaining intact, without burning out or breaking. And here we need to know the difference between rated and peak power.

RMS (Rated Maximum Sinusoidal) - the power at which an amplifier or speaker can operate for one hour with real music signal without physical damage

PMPO (Peak Music Power Output) is the peak short-term power that speaker can handle for 1 to 2 seconds on low frequency signal (about 200 Hz) without physical damage.

Maximum power is at least twice the nominal power and has no particular practical value, this is more of marketing ploy to increase the numbers, that is, when choosing components, you should not focus on it. The real value is the RMS power.

In order to estimate offhand what total RMS power the speakers will be enough for your room, multiply room footage (with standard ceiling height of 2.5 m) by five, you will get the minimum from which you should build.

Sensitivity

Speaker sensitivity characterizes the intensity of sound pressure (SPL) developed by speaker at distance of 1 meter when signal with frequency of 1000 Hz and power of 1 W is applied. The higher it is, the better. Roughly speaking, high sensitivity speaker will sound louder than low sensitivity speaker for the same input signal. Optimally, if your speaker will have nominal sensitivity:

  • from 90 dB - for mid-level home audio systems
  • from 95 dB and above - for Hi-Fi and Hi-End systems.

Everything that has sensitivity below 85 dB is not worth the slightest attention.

Amplifier selection


Here, the first determining factor is RMS power compatibility. Ideally, the amplifier should have equal power to speakers. If the amplifier is more powerful, then speakers will be overloaded, the distortion factor will increase sharply at maximum power, and your speakers may burn out. If the amplifier is less powerful, it will work in an overloaded mode, and speakers will not produce the best sound. If you take passive speaker with an eye to upgrade, then it makes sense to take an amplifier with power reserve, but unscrew the volume knob by no more than 60 - 70%.

Audio Amplifiers

Second factor is acoustic sensitivity. The lower it is, the more powerful the amplifier will be needed. In this case, the ratio is as follows: the “addition” of every 3 decibels to the sound pressure created by speakers costs the amplifier doubling the power.

For example, we have speaker system with sensitivity of 90 dB (i.e. it creates an SPL of 90 dB when signal of 1 watt is applied to it). To create sound pressure of 93 dB, you need to apply signal with power of 2 watts (2 times more), for 96 dB - 4 watts (another 2 times more), for 99 dB you need 8 watts, and so on, but remember that these measurements are made at distance of 1 meter from speakers. Move away from speakers and you won't really hear anything. Mathematically, the volume decreases by 6 dB every time the distance doubles. That is, moving away by 4 meters will give us drop in sensitivity by 12 dB, which means we need to “add” power. In other words, speaker with high sensitivity can save you lot on buying an amplifier.

Third factor is resistance. It can be from 2 to 16 ohms in steps of 2. Ideally, amplifier impedance and speakers should be the same. It is acceptable to connect speakers with high impedance (for example, 8 ohms) to an amplifier with an impedance of 4 ohms. But in this case, the amplifier will produce half the power (the sound will be quieter). But the opposite is absolutely impossible. If you connect low impedance speakers to an amplifier with high minimum impedance, there is risk that this will ruin them at high volume. Most amps have overload protection built in though, so it will most likely just shut down before that happens.

Cables - to change or not to change?

When buying an expensive system, we expect every component in it to be of high quality and perfectly matched. However, this is not always the case, and sometimes manufacturers can save, for example, on complete cables. Replacing interconnects (for connecting audio system components) and speaker cables(for connecting speakers to an amplifier) can really improve the sound of your speakers, but this method is only relevant for mid-range systems and above. In budget models, you simply won’t feel the difference between high-quality cable and bad one.

How to choose good cable? Give preference to not very long ones with gold-plated connectors. Optimal cable length is 2 - 2.5 meters for acoustic and 0.5 - 1.0 meters for interconnects. Copper (manufacturers Atlas, Cardas, XLO) and silver (Neotech, Van Den Hul) are usually used as the material. Speaker impedance is also an important factor in choosing speaker cable. The lower it is, the thicker the section should be. We do not recommend using cables "thinner" than 16 gauge (sectional unit), even if the distance from speakers to the amplifier is not too great.

Speakers with or without "warm-up": myth versus reality

Question of "warming up" is asked by many future owners of expensive speakers. Some believe that this is an audiophile myth. Others are firmly convinced that this will help to shake the sound. And this is an eternal dispute, because even manufacturers are not unanimous in their opinion. For example, Kali Audio claims that warming up doesn't change anything. But Dali in the user manual directly indicates the time and operating conditions necessary to unlock speakers potential.

In fact, you are unlikely to hear the difference between "warmed up" and "unheated" system. Although many audiophiles categorically argue otherwise. Their confidence can be explained by the psychological effect of increased expectations and the gradual habituation of hearing to the nature speakers sound . In the end, many manufacturers “warm up” speakers at the factory, so choosing model based on this parameter is not at all necessary. Although if you really want to, then why not.

conclusions

So, the choice of speakers is not as simple as it seems. But, summarizing the above, we can highlight the key criteria:

  • Choose appliances from trusted brands and according to your needs.
  • Wooden cases are better than polymer and metal ones, but are sensitive to humidity and temperature.
  • The thicker the case, the less resonance.
  • Multiband and sound quality are closely related. If you want to get voluminous timbre-rich sound, focus on multi-channel speakers.
  • Power should be selected according to room size .
  • Upper frequency threshold must not be lower than 18,000 Hz. If you need depth of sound, attention should be paid to the lower bass threshold.
  • The higher the sensitivity of speaker, the louder it is, and less power the amplifier needs.
  • Speaker impedance must match or exceed the amplifier impedance.