21-May-2015, 16:15
Hi
Some truth here, although a bit excessive IMO ( I own a Jambox too
)
I think we should talk in dB at listening position - instead of volume scale in Spark - since this is too much dependent on the size of the room, listening distance to speakers and number of Phantoms.
You have to consider that under a certain listening level - I would say 50 dB average - the difference of perceived audio quality tend to reduce between speakers. And in that situation, low efficiency and larger diameter drivers are the losers here.
Also at low levels the ear tends to have a lower perception of bass.
Phantom is obviously a very low efficiency system especially in the bass part using high displacement capable drivers which are rarely among the most sensitive. At very low volume this type of woofers are somehow too heavy to be that responsive. And in case of Phantom the woofers cover from bottom to 300 Hz... So you cannot expect an awesome listening experience at 50 dB, even though I find it still very good and way better than Jambox and many other speakers.
IMO Phantom starts to shine progressively at 65 dB and more. For example at 70 dB Phantom to my ears has no competition in similar size speakers by far. An average listening level of 75 dB gives awesome listening and we are not talking about disco level here
If your goal is to have the best experience at very low level, I think you should consider - as many japanese audiophiles listening in very small rooms do - to take a look at high efficiency full range single driver speakers. In near field listening at low level they can be pretty interesting. But they will be bigger than Phantom, won't go as low in frequency and will never compete if you crank the volume up.
PH
Some truth here, although a bit excessive IMO ( I own a Jambox too
)I think we should talk in dB at listening position - instead of volume scale in Spark - since this is too much dependent on the size of the room, listening distance to speakers and number of Phantoms.
You have to consider that under a certain listening level - I would say 50 dB average - the difference of perceived audio quality tend to reduce between speakers. And in that situation, low efficiency and larger diameter drivers are the losers here.
Also at low levels the ear tends to have a lower perception of bass.
Phantom is obviously a very low efficiency system especially in the bass part using high displacement capable drivers which are rarely among the most sensitive. At very low volume this type of woofers are somehow too heavy to be that responsive. And in case of Phantom the woofers cover from bottom to 300 Hz... So you cannot expect an awesome listening experience at 50 dB, even though I find it still very good and way better than Jambox and many other speakers.
IMO Phantom starts to shine progressively at 65 dB and more. For example at 70 dB Phantom to my ears has no competition in similar size speakers by far. An average listening level of 75 dB gives awesome listening and we are not talking about disco level here
If your goal is to have the best experience at very low level, I think you should consider - as many japanese audiophiles listening in very small rooms do - to take a look at high efficiency full range single driver speakers. In near field listening at low level they can be pretty interesting. But they will be bigger than Phantom, won't go as low in frequency and will never compete if you crank the volume up.
PH
