That does resonate with my ruminations. There seem to be multiple factors/methods ways to create "scale":
- Volume! - This can do it, but I've heard speakers produce it at lower volumes.
- Fast transients - Efficient speakers tend to do this well, as to horns which are typically efficient.
- Big speakers - These are often more efficient, so perhaps the prior point covers this.
- Big/Sub Woofers - Bass seems to necessary for a sense of scale.
- Omnidirectional / many drivers - If you bounce the sound everywhere, then you get more scale at the expense of imaging.
There are various speakers that we've been discussing that use these strategies:
- Isobariks seem to take the bass + many drivers approach, which is probably why they're accused of not creating a good soundstage (or at least not enabling pinpoint imaging).
- Shaninian, Larsen, and Ohm go the omnidirectional route, and aren't known for their imaging.
- Klipsh speakers are large, efficient, and horn-loaded (although their horns are accused of sounding colored).
In order of priority, I require:
- Rhythm and dynamics (a.k.a. PRaT)
- Soundstage (and hopefully good imaging)
- Practicality/WAF (I prefer it to be as small as possible, and fairly close to the wall)
- Scale (so I'm immersed in the music)
I have
1-3 now, and I would like more of
4. Perhaps Isobariks will do this without forcing me to give up any/much of what I already have. And perhaps they won't.
Therein lies the challenge.
