3 ms·

Bass distortion is the only big factor. Everybody knows it doesn't matter, but it's actually where distortion is the easiest to hear. Chinese manufacturers don'

Bass distortion is the only big factor. Everybody knows it doesn't matter, but it's actually where distortion is the easiest to hear. Chinese manufacturers don't know, and do care, so even cheap USB speakers blow out of water the majority of even much more expensive products.

DenTheRed 5y ago
Do you have an example of some of these cheap USB speakers please?
- Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago
  https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0XS3Zr https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0XS3Zr They are a bit underpowered, rumble with Bluetooth, and you need to turn the bass and highs quite a bit down to make them sound flat, but I bet that something like 100x times more expensive studio speakers will be the cheapest setup that matches them in the clarity.
  - KozmoNau7 5y ago
    I have a hard time taking your recommendation seriously, unless you have never heard a good set of speakers in person. A pair of JBL 305P MkIIs will absolutely wipe the floor with discount speakers like those, with such a huge margin, that it's not even remotely fair. $300 for a pair, certain a lot less than 100x price difference.
    - Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago
      You have not heard those, they absolutely do sound more precise than cheap studio monitors. I think they may actually be flat with both bass and treble all the way down, but then they just don't sound like loudspeakers at all.
      - KozmoNau7 5y ago
        I have a very hard time believing that, especially considering the absolutely miniscule woofers, no tweeters and tiny cabinets. The marketing focuses mostly on "cool led lights" and "fashion design". Claiming that they sound better than studio monitors is an extraordinary claim, and there doesn't seem to be any sort of reviews available, and the only videos on Youtube are from people who bought them and basically go "yes, these make sound". Not a single actual review. The JBLs are some of the most well-regarded studio monitors, routinely besting competitors at four times the price. They are JBL's crowning achievement in sheer performance per dollar, no joke. I can only conclude that you have literally never heard a decent set of speakers in your life, or you're wasting everyone's time with an extremely low-effort troll.
        Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago
        I understand your disbelief. I was also in disbelief as I expected the speakers to be a joke and wouldn't believe it if I didn't hear it myself. But they are as much above cheap studio monitors as the monitors are above regular hifi speakers. I guess there is some DSP magic at play, but they realy sound that good. Really the only way we could resolve this issue is that you waste $30 and listen for yourself.
        KozmoNau7 5y ago
        No, you can't change the laws of physics, especially not with miniscule cabinets, a single 3" woofer, two 1.5" midrange drivers and a paltry ~10W of total amplification. It simply isn't physically possible, no matter how much DSP "magic" you throw at it. If you're genuinely serious and believe these tiny speakers are truly amazing, please do spend the $30 yourself and send a set to Amir at audiosciencereview.com, so he can put them through the same set of tests and measurements that he uses for HiFi speakers and studio monitors. He doesn't mince words, he will rip apart manufacturer claims if they don't deliver on them, even if they're a well-regarded brand.
        Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago

DenTheRed 5y ago

Do you have an example of some of these cheap USB speakers please?

Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago
https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0XS3Zr https://a.aliexpress.com/_m0XS3Zr They are a bit underpowered, rumble with Bluetooth, and you need to turn the bass and highs quite a bit down to make them sound flat, but I bet that something like 100x times more expensive studio speakers will be the cheapest setup that matches them in the clarity.
- KozmoNau7 5y ago
  I have a hard time taking your recommendation seriously, unless you have never heard a good set of speakers in person. A pair of JBL 305P MkIIs will absolutely wipe the floor with discount speakers like those, with such a huge margin, that it's not even remotely fair. $300 for a pair, certain a lot less than 100x price difference.
  - Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago
    You have not heard those, they absolutely do sound more precise than cheap studio monitors. I think they may actually be flat with both bass and treble all the way down, but then they just don't sound like loudspeakers at all.
    - KozmoNau7 5y ago
      I have a very hard time believing that, especially considering the absolutely miniscule woofers, no tweeters and tiny cabinets. The marketing focuses mostly on "cool led lights" and "fashion design". Claiming that they sound better than studio monitors is an extraordinary claim, and there doesn't seem to be any sort of reviews available, and the only videos on Youtube are from people who bought them and basically go "yes, these make sound". Not a single actual review. The JBLs are some of the most well-regarded studio monitors, routinely besting competitors at four times the price. They are JBL's crowning achievement in sheer performance per dollar, no joke. I can only conclude that you have literally never heard a decent set of speakers in your life, or you're wasting everyone's time with an extremely low-effort troll.
      - Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago
        I understand your disbelief. I was also in disbelief as I expected the speakers to be a joke and wouldn't believe it if I didn't hear it myself. But they are as much above cheap studio monitors as the monitors are above regular hifi speakers. I guess there is some DSP magic at play, but they realy sound that good. Really the only way we could resolve this issue is that you waste $30 and listen for yourself.
        KozmoNau7 5y ago
        No, you can't change the laws of physics, especially not with miniscule cabinets, a single 3" woofer, two 1.5" midrange drivers and a paltry ~10W of total amplification. It simply isn't physically possible, no matter how much DSP "magic" you throw at it. If you're genuinely serious and believe these tiny speakers are truly amazing, please do spend the $30 yourself and send a set to Amir at audiosciencereview.com, so he can put them through the same set of tests and measurements that he uses for HiFi speakers and studio monitors. He doesn't mince words, he will rip apart manufacturer claims if they don't deliver on them, even if they're a well-regarded brand.
        Gauge_Irrahphe 5y ago