High end speaker systems

High end speaker systems

Last updated on January 20, 2008

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Introduction

High end speaker system manufacturers

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Introduction

The variety of speaker systems available can be overwhelming. In choosing a speaker system, partly due to my preference for vacuum tube amplifiers, my first prerequisite is efficiency. Unless you're using extremely powerful amplifiers, a system that will give you at least 95dB/1W/1m (a sound pressure level of 95dB with one Watt of input power, measured at a distance of one meter from the speaker) will have a much better chance of providing satisfying results that something rated at 85dB/1W/1m.

The chart below demonstrates the importance of speaker efficiency. The vertical column of numbers along the left margin represents the power going into the speaker, measured in Watts. The numbers along the top represent the sensitivity of a given speaker system.

1	81	84	87	90	93	96	99	102
2	84	87	90	93	96	99	102	105
4	87	90	93	96	99	102	105	108
8	90	93	96	99	102	105	108	111
16	93	96	99	102	105	108	111	114
32	96	99	102	105	108	111	114	117
64	99	102	105	108	111	114	117	120
128	102	105	108	111	114	117	120	123
256	105	108	111	114	117	120	123	126
512	108	111	114	117	120	123	126	129

As you can see, it takes twice the power to achieve a given sound pressure level from a speaker compared to one with a sensitivity rated at 3dB less. Every time you turn it up and make it 3dB louder, you're using twice the power. This is an absolute law of physics, so there are no exceptions.
An inefficient speaker system rated at 81dB/1W/1m needs over 500 Watts to provide the same sound pressure level as can be achieved by using a system rated at 102dB/1W/1m and only four Watts of amplifier power.
There's no such thing as the perfect speaker, or the ideal type of driver. That's why we have such a vast array of speakers on the market. Everyone has their own ideas. And every speaker system has its limitations.
Some people think that because speakers are what makes the sound, speakers are the most important component in an audio system. That's not the case.
An average system with superb speakers cannot sound as accurate as a superb system with average speakers, because a speaker can only reproduce what you feed it.
The more accurate a speaker is, the more it will reveal the limitations of the signal it's fed.
Choosing a speaker system is a bit like choosing a car. There are lots of them available. The challenges are in deciding on how much to spend, and what limitations you think you can put up with.
Whether you lean towards electrostatics, ribbons, planar speakers, compression drivers with horns, cones in boxes, or a combination of some of these types, you'll find it here.

High end speaker system manufacturers

Aerial Acoustics
http://www.aerialacoustics.com/

Altec
http://www.altecmm.com/

Ambiance Acoustics
http://www.calcube.com/

Amina
http://www.amina.co.uk/

Aura Systems
http://www.aurasystems.com/

Avantgarde Acoustic
http://www.avantgarde-acoustic.de/

B&W
http://www.bwspeakers.com/

Beauhorn
http://www.beauhorn.com/

Bose
http://www.bose.com/

Bottlehead Corporation
http://www.bottlehead.com/

Bright Star Audio
http://www.brightstaraudio.com/

Cabasse
http://www.cabasse.com/

Cambridge SoundWorks
http://www.hifi.com/

Cerwin Vega
http://www.cerwinvega.com/

Community Professional Loudspeakers
http://www.loudspeakers.net/

DCM
http://www.dcmspeakers.com/

Definitive Technology
http://www.definitivetech.com/

Dennesen
http://www.dennesen.com/

DiAural — crossover technology
http://www.diaural.com/

Dunlavy Audio Labs, Inc.
http://www.dunlavyaudio.com/

Dynaudio
http://www.dynaudio.com/

Eastern Acoustic Works
http://www.eaw.com/

Echelon Loudspeakers
http://www.echelonspeaker.com/

Eggleston Works
http://www.egglestonworks.com/

Electro-Voice
http://www.electrovoice.com/

Eminent Technology, Inc.
http://www.eminent-tech.com/

Epos Acoustics
http://www.epos-acoustics.com/

Final Sound
http://www.final.nl/

Gallo Acoustics
http://www.roundsound.com/

Genelec
http://www.genelec.com/

Genesis Advanced Technologies
http://www.genesis80.com/

German Physiks
http://www.german-physiks.com/

Gershman Acoustics
http://www.gershmanacoustics.com/

Goldmund
http://www.goldmund.com/

GTI Audio Systems International
http://www.gtiaudio.com/

Harbeth
http://www.harbeth.co.uk/

Hsu Research
http://www.hsuresearch.com/

Impact Technology, Ltd.
http://www.membrane.com/impact/

Incorprated Technologies
http://www.incorporated-technologies.co.uk/

Infinity Systems, Inc.
http://www.infinitysystems.com/

Inner Sound
http://www.innersound.net/

Jadis
http://www.northstarleading.com/

JBL
http://www.jbl.com/

JBL Professional
http://www.jblpro.com/

Joseph Audio
http://www.josephaudio.com/

KEA Audio
http://www.keaaudio.com/

KEF
http://www.kef.com/

Kharma
http://www.kharma.com/

Klipsch
http://www.klipsch.com/

Kochel
http://www.kochel.net/

Krix Loudspeakers
http://www.krix.com/

Legacy Audio
http://www.legacy-audio.com/

Legend Audio
http://www.legendaudio.com/

Linn Products
http://www.linn.co.uk/

Lowther America
http://www.lowther-america.com/

Lowther Loudspeakers
http://www.lowtherloudspeakers.com/

M&K Sound
http://www.mksound.com/

Mackie
http://www.mackie.com/

Macpherson
http://www.macpherson.com/

Madisound
http://www.madisound.com/

Magnat
http://www.magnat.de/

Magnepan
http://www.magnepan.com/

Martin Audio
http://www.martin-audio.com/

Martin Logan
http://www.martinlogan.com/

MC Technologies Inc.
http://www.mackieindustrial.com/

McCauley Sound
http://www.mccauley.com/

McIntosh Labs
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/

Meadowlark Audio
http://www.meadowlarkaudio.com/

Meridian
http://www.meridian-audio.com/

Merlin Music Systems, Inc.
http://www.merlinmusic.com/

Meyer Sound
http://www.meyersound.com/

Monitor Audio USA
http://www.monitoraudio.com/

Monsoon
http://www.monsoonpower.com/

Mordaunt-Short
http://www.mordaunt-short.co.uk/

Naim Audio
http://www.naim-audio.com/

Newform Research, Inc.
http://www.newformresearch.com/

NHT
http://www.nhthifi.com/

nOrh Loudspeaker Co., Ltd.
http://www.norh.com/

Nova Audio
http://www.novaaudio.com/

NXT — New Transducers, Ltd.
http://www.nxt.co.uk/

Noteperfect
http://www.noteperfect.com.au/

Nova
http://www.novaaudio.com/

Opera Loudspeakers
http://www.operaloudspeakers.com/

Osirus — speaker stands
http://www.osiris-audionics.com/

Paradigm
http://www.paradigm.ca/

Paragon Acoustics
http://www.paragonacoustics.com/

Peavey
http://www.peavey.com/

Phat Lady Audio
http://www.phatladyaudio.com/

Platinum Audio
http://www.platinumaudio.com/

Polysonic
http://www.polysonics.com/

PSB Speakers
http://www.psbspeakers.com/

Quad Electroacoustics
http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/

Red Rose Music
http://www.redrosemusic.com/

Reference 3A
http://www.reference3a.com/

Renkus-Heinz
http://www.renkus-heinz.com/

Revel
http://www.revelspeakers.com/

Rogers
http://www.uk-rogers.com/

ServoDrive, Inc.
http://www.servodrive.com/

Snell Acoustics
http://www.snellacoustics.com/

Sonicweld
http://www.sonicweld.com/

Sound lab
http://www.soundlab-speakers.com/

Speakerlab
http://www.speakerlab.com/

Spendor
http://www.sascom.com/

Stage Accompany
http://www.stageaccompany.com/

TAD — Technical Audio Devices
http://www.tadhomeaudio.com/

Taddeo Loudspeaker Company
http://www.taddeo-loudspeaker.com/

Tannoy
http://www.tannoy.com/

Thiel
http://www.thielaudio.com/

Totem Acoustic
http://www.totemacoustic.com/

US Enclosure Company
http://www.usenclosure.com/

Vandersteen
http://www.vandersteen.com/

Verity Audio
http://www.verityaudio.com/

VMPS Audio Products
http://www.vmpsaudio.com/

Voce Divina
http://www.vocedivina.com/

Wavelength Audio
http://www.wavelengthaudio.com/

Westlake Audio
http://www.westlakeaudio.com/

Wharfedale
http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/

Wilson Audio
http://www.wilsonaudio.com/

Wisdom Audio
http://www.wisdomaudio.com/

Yorkville Sound
http://www.yorkville.com/

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