Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater AB Comparison - Axiom M60 & Wharfedale Evo 30

>>Should we bring SPL meters to B&M stores while we stand in those A/B/C etc. cockpits?

A really good audio shop will do it for you. Some have a two-part switch box -- one set of connections between the amp output and the speakers, and another set of cables between pre-amp and power amp to fine-tune the level for each speaker. Flipping the switch does two things -- selects a pair of speakers AND switches in the level control which has been fine tuned for those speakers.

Haven't seen one of those for a few years now, but then again I haven't had time to play in the high end audio shops either.

Absent that, yeah either bring your SPL meter or just preface your testing by some A/B switching focusing on figuring out how much to tweak the volume control when you go back and forth.

CJ, maybe your suggestion to bring an SPL meter with you was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but as other replies have pointed out, differences in sound level can invalidate any conclusions which may have been reached. In a properly controlled blind listening test levels should be matched to within 0.1dB. When this is done electronic components such as players and receivers/amps which have have had sound differences described in rather poetic terminology suddenly become indistinguishable when their name plates and price tags are concealed. Speakers of course will differ in sound, but the point of comparative tests there is to determine a preference, not difference, and should likewise be free of influences such as difference in sound level or speaker position. Even better, the complication of a blind test is still useful with speakers to remove preconceptions as a factor in the evaluation.

Hi JohnK, actually I did not mean my suggestion of bringing an SPL meter to be tongue-in-cheek, I meant it literally. Sorry if my tone was unclear. Is that not a viable option? I'm trying to learn. And...I see what you mean (and what Alan and others in this thread meant) about the other bias of "name-branding" (my quote-not theirs) and affects of speaker position. I guess now I'll need to bring an SPL meter (not tongue-in-cheek) and a blind-fold (IS tongue-in-cheek ) and audition them ALL in my home (even MORE tongue-in-cheek ) Sounds like a fun afternoon to me!!!!

Seriously, thanks for the info, this is very informative.