Objective Measurements vs. Subjective Listening in Speaker Design

In the world of hi-fi and home cinema, few topics ignite more debate than the relationship between objective measurements and subjective listening in speaker design. It’s a conversation that splits the audio community into two passionate camps. Those who rely on measurements as the ultimate benchmark, and those who believe in the primacy of what you actually hear.

At Arendal Sound, we believe the truth lies in the synergy of both.

Why Objective Measurements Matter

The foundation of our speaker development process is built on scientific accuracy and repeatability. This is why we have invested heavily in industry-leading measurement technology, specifically, the Klippel Near-Field Scanner (NFS). This system offers an extraordinarily detailed, three-dimensional analysis of a speaker’s acoustic behavior.

With the NFS, we can measure much more than a simple on-axis frequency response. We gather a full suite of acoustic data: off-axis responses, directivity index, power response, and spatial behavior. This data not only tells us how a speaker performs in a lab, but it can also predict how it will behave in a real-world listening room. It’s the key to ensuring consistency, repeatability, and transparency in every product we design.

We strongly believe that a well-measuring speaker, if measured and interpreted correctly, will almost always correlate with good sound.

But Measurements Aren’t Everything

Despite their importance, measurements alone can’t paint the full picture. Two speakers with very similar measurement curves may still sound notably different in practice. Why?

Because other variables, such as driver materials, enclosure construction, crossover topology, and crossover components, contribute to the final sonic character. These design choices can introduce subtle but meaningful differences in how a speaker is perceived.

Moreover, psychoacoustics, the way our brains interpret sound, plays a vital role. This is where subjective listening becomes indispensable.

The Role of Subjective Listening

At Arendal Sound, measurement is the roadmap, but listening is the journey.

After extensive lab testing, our speakers undergo countless hours of critical listening. We refine voicing, crossover behavior, and dynamic response based on real listening impressions across a variety of genres, setups, and environments.

It would be easy for us to build a speaker that performs flawlessly in measurements alone. But that doesn’t guarantee a satisfying or engaging experience. We aim for something more: a loudspeaker that not only measures well, but sounds exceptional to the human ear.

The Arendal Philosophy: Balance and Integrity

We don’t see the objective vs. subjective debate as an either/or proposition. Instead, we embrace both:

• Objective data gives us clarity, consistency, and insight.
• Subjective listening ensures the final product is musically compelling, emotionally engaging, and true to our vision.

In the end, a loudspeaker must serve the listener, not the graph. That’s why every Arendal Sound speaker is designed with a unique balance of science and artistry.