Neutral Speakers: Why Everyone Should Try Them

This week, our Chief Engineer, Andrew Welker, explains why you should consider trying a pair of neutral speakers designed around measurements rather than solely listening, if you haven't already.
Can you remember the first time you listened to neutral speakers? Do you prefer a natural frequency response? Why or why not?
Let us know below!
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[@status101-danielho6]

I wonder if the average consumer equates the word "neutral" with bland or average. I think the audience of this video understands that neutral equals good for loudspeakers and audio electronics, but I'm sure that the majority out there equates good with other adjectives (beautiful, prestigious, powerful, pedigree, sexy, over-engineered, uncompromising, towering, made in ____, etc.)

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Yes, I think that’s correct. Flashing sounding will appeal to many, which is why many speakers have a tipped-up response. They will tend to jump more in a quick audition. The boring sounding speaker is likely more accurate.

[@bruceheiman6286]

Just a note that the Axiom M3's (bookshelf speakers) are probably the best value (price/performance) speaker I have ever purchased. For comparative purposes, they sound great when compared to Totem Hawks, some B&W mid-range speakers, and Celestion's older SL-6s. That's a lot of great gear to be equaling or besting! They have also performed in rooms where I could not do any room EQ, and large rooms (perhaps the most surprising aspect of their sound). They sound great when driven by mid-fi or hi-fi gear, and are pretty neutral, while presenting an exciting sound. I've owned two pairs, and they have been deployed in multiple hi-fi configurations with different gear, including some vintage gear. Can't recommend them highly enough. I have no connection with Axiom, and this is an unsolicited, uncompensated comment.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Thank you, Bruce! Yes, the M3 is very, very good at what it does and it’s easy to see why people love them.

[@georgebartolo8856]

Great subject keep them coming. Hope to see you at the show this weekend.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Hope you enjoyed the show, I didn't have time to go to Toronto this year.

[@markwilson0077]

A very reasonable position to take regarding speakers and delivery of source material. Fact is, we are all somewhat biased. Which is exactly why neutral, well designed and good measuring speakers, ought to be a reference and not the other way around. Becoming biased to certain music, recordings etc. Because of the limitations of our speakers should never be a thing. I see your very valid point here...good show, perspective appreciated!

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Thank you, I’m glad you can see my perspective. It’s really difficult when your “reference” speakers are not neutral…it’s will be hard to appreciate a neutral speaker when you hear it. Maybe it will sound dull and boring?

[@yourchildrensghost9736]

I've really been enjoying these, Thank you.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Thanks, great to hear you're enjoying them.

[@rajeshwadhwa9337]

Great ! Can you please make a video on all the available input output connectivity AV options in modern smart TV like OLED LG TV vis a vis AV receiver - HDMI/ARC, optical , PCM , coaxial , DD , +, compressed / True HD , Atmos ( in TV w/o Atmos speakers !) ; only headphone output instead of RCA , streaming , pass through etc?

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

This would be a great topic to cover, but difficult to be useful as ever manufacturer and even models within the same line can have different options and settings. I’ll see if I can come up with something general.

[@nappynupe2599]

I just upgrade my v2 m80s to the v4. What is the major difference? I also upgraded My LFR1100 to the LFR880. The reason why I upgrade is because I wanted wood cabnets. Waiting in delivery

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

The biggest changes from V2 to V4 are the tweeter design, the new midrange back chambers, and the crossover design which results in a more refined “family of curves”.

[@markwales8390]

Interesting, Andrew! Last week I placed an order to trade-up my ca. 2004 M60s for new M80s. I'm assuming the M80s will sound "better," but if so, I won't necessarily know the "why" behind any sonic improvements. Does Axiom publish a running list of the technical improvements to each speaker model from inception to present (e.g., drivers, crossovers, other engineering matters)? I'd like to know. As for the sonic "worts" mentioned in the video, my old M60s certainly have a few - they were NOT, imo, particularly flattering to vocalists (especially to the timbre of women's voices), and I found myself increasingly switching to headphones when listening to artists such as Joni Mitchell, for example. As you cited, it wasn't the artist or the recording's production values, it was the quirks of the speakers. Hoping Joni sounds better on M80s! ;-)

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Hi Mark. We don’t really have a published list of changes, but you will find a huge difference between your M60s and a new pair of M80v4s. Trust me!

[@nappynupe2599]

Hey Mark. I have the M80 v2 and the sound great with vocals (mid range drivers). I'm up grading to the M80 v4. I using a 30 watt tude amp and a tube pee amp. Some of the analog recording are amazing coming out of the M80s. They have a warm and neutral sound.

[@frostycanada6404]

Hello Andrew, I had a recent experience with a pair of Gershman studio 2 which to me sounded pretty darn good. From what I understand Gershman Acoustics do measure their speakers but final tuning is done by ear. It still boggles my mind how they’re able to coax so much bass out of a sealed box. You guys should make a dirty weekend edition speaker using a EP125 enclosure, an 8 inch driver matched with one of your high power tweeters in a sealed box configuration 🙉 you call it: M10, dirty weekend 😉🙂.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

It might be fun, but in my experience you’re going to have trouble crossing an 8 inch woofer over directly to a tweeter and make it sound good.

[@jcfelice88keys]

Paraphrasing Duke Ellington: "If it sounds good, it IS good."

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Hard to argue with the Duke.

[@LeoShoSilva]

What measurements tells you the difference in price in loudspeakers within the same company?My discontinued JBL 308s frequency response measure better than any JBL measurements out there,and my worse measuring Linn 212s sound more engaging and exciting with better intelligibility .Can these last 3 qualities be measured?

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Those are very difficult to answer questions, as the measurement method and the measurements themselves might not be consistent, even with the same company. This could easily be the case with a large, multi-brand company like the parent of JBL. All I can suggest is to carefully compart any notes regarding the exact measurement parameters and any details on how they were obtained. Better intelligibility can either suggest a more neutral loudspeaker in the comparison, or one that is highlighting areas of the frequency response.

[@LeoShoSilva]

@@AxiomHomeTheaters That makes sense ,thanks.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

@@LeoShoSilva You're welcome.

[@Darth_Duane]

I've seen a few reviews and posters on forums mention "breaking in speakers" before evaluating them. Having them in use for X number of hours, etc. I had never done this before. Is this something you recommend, and if so is it better to use content or pink noise for the break in process?

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Speakers are broken in during the assembly phase and production line testing. Once drivers are tested individually, and then the system in tested on our production line, the speakers is pretty much broken in. One thing I can recommend is to not run speakers immediately if they are very cold due to being shipping during the winter in cold climates. It’s best to let them warm up to room temperature.

[@bmill7353]

Read Floyd Toole's book. Break in, run in are audiophile myths.

[@sudd3660]

if neutral is a even frequency response on many axis and only the anechoic measurement, then it not going to be that in a room, and based on placement in that room. listening position also is a part of this. the point is to have a neutral sounding speaker in the end result to your own ears. flat 20 to 20khz.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Actually, this is not really the case. A speaker that measures flat in a room will sound thin and unbearably bright. I would read up on loudspeaker sound power and check out our videos on speaker measurements.

[@sudd3660]

@@AxiomHomeTheaters yes, and that is just what i wrote in my comment. we are in agreement here.

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

@@sudd3660 👍👍

[@Don-tz2rh]

Having been involved in high end audio since 1981 as both listener and retailer, I have a real issue with the published specifications of all speakers. I have yet to see anyone who's listening room is an anechoic chamber. Every speaker made will sound different outside that anechoic chamber. Room acoustics can not be ignored. I have recently purchased a very high end DSP pre amp and It has made a much greater improvement to my system than any previous component or speaker. Why? Because it corrects for MY ROOM with MY SPEAKERS. It will in fact improve any speaker in any room. Anechoic measurements may provide a reference point, but they are meaningless outside that chamber. Most people would be better off doing a few hundred dollars worth of acoustic room treatment before they shop for new speakers, because a bad room can't be fixed with just new speakers. And my DSP pre-amp sounds more like a high end tube pre-amp than you would imagine....not a hint of digititis!

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

Hi Don, I’m not disagreeing with what you’re saying, but I would recommend you read up or watch the videos by Floyd Toole on loudspeaker measurements. We have the ability to take anechoic measurements and predict in the in-room response in performance in a typical room. DSP for bass correction can work wonders in-room.

[@nappynupe2599]

I think buying speakers without hearing them then measurements are very important

[@AxiomHomeTheaters]

@@nappynupe2599 Very true, but I would also make sure a return is possible if they don’t work in your room with your system.

[@youtube改名也太難了吧]

only my railgun