The video for the newsletter this month is on the importance of the too-often ignored topic of the Family of Curves. The Family of Curves can be a daunting topic to try and explain but Andrew and I decided we would give it a go.
Now, this is obviously a mess, and very difficult to interpret
Loved that.
Very informative and interesting information! I think this topic - and this design philosophy - is both what makes Axiom speakers so special, and also what makes Axiom products so often misunderstood.
Thanks Tom, I am so glad you enjoyed it. It is a tough topic to do in a reasonable length video. We tried to keep to the highlights without getting too deep into one detail or another, of which there are lots. The family of curves is where the vast majority of the work needs to go in a good speaker design.
As mentioned in the video we are thinking of doing a related video focusing just on High Q versus Low Q amplitude response differences and their effect on the listening experience. Perhaps even including some actual score sheets from the blind listen test results that could be compared to the measurements. Our concern with topics like this is that we may be getting too much into the nitty-gritty detail and lose the interest level. Feedback from yourself and others on topics like the family of curves is very much appreciated.
As long as I'm learning, I'm happy to get more and more info. Keep it coming, I say.
Edit: If you feel it's too technical and might dissuade the average consumer, post it only on the discussion board and not a direct link from the consumer focused sight. I'd agree, there is a potential for too much info on the marketing/sales focused pages but here on the forum, we can choose to read what we wish.
Wow! So incredibly interesting. This represents all new learning for me. You did a great job explaining something that I am certain is almost infinitely complex, to laypeople.
As I await my new M100s, I wonder what you discovered and played with in relation to that speaker's family of curves. Given the new drivers and the additional driver, I am sure that, unlike the periodic tweaks to the existing line, it was like designing an entirely new speaker and not just shoving an additional driver into the box.
I especially liked the information about how family of curves analysis influences manufacturers and helps to produce differentiation amongst NRC parented speakers.
How long would family of curve analysis and adjustment take for a new speaker like the M100?
Thanks for the informative video, Ian and Andrew. It's obviously quite involved but we can at least get the gist of it.
If you ever had the time, it would be interesting to see a vid on the various driver parameters and their influences on the overall design and how it affects what we hear.
