Linearity is another very important term used by reviewers and audiophiles alike to evaluate the sound of a component or system that can have several meanings. J. Gordon Holt defined linearity as, "the accuracy with which the output from any system follows changes in the amplitude of its input signal." (Note how many people out there online when tossing terms around confuse transparency with linearity!)
The first thing that comes to mind when discussing linearity is any aspect of the musical spectrum emphasized (or say sucked out) relative to the other? Does a component sound the same from the top to the bottom of the music spectrum? For instance does a component favor one frequency range, say the midrange area, over the rest of the frequency spectrum?
But linearity can be used to describe other factors. For instance, does a speaker's performance change (or even an amplifier) as a function of listening level? Does the speaker sound the same playing at 90 dB as it does playing at 110 dB? Or even 120 dB? An electrostatic speaker may sound better at low listening levels than a dynamic speaker and vice versa. For a speaker, these changes may be traceable to driver compression. Or a power supply issue in an amplifier or preamplifier. Components are generally built to a price point and the designer must balance out the difference design areas to reach the final product. And in some cases, the power supply may be one area where cost savings occur.
Linearity can also be applied to dynamics. Does the device under test (DUT) maintain its dynamics as a function of volume. Is there dynamic compression as the playing volume increases? Does the low end have the same dynamics as the rest of the frequency spectrum?
What say ya all?
The first thing that comes to mind when discussing linearity is any aspect of the musical spectrum emphasized (or say sucked out) relative to the other? Does a component sound the same from the top to the bottom of the music spectrum? For instance does a component favor one frequency range, say the midrange area, over the rest of the frequency spectrum?
But linearity can be used to describe other factors. For instance, does a speaker's performance change (or even an amplifier) as a function of listening level? Does the speaker sound the same playing at 90 dB as it does playing at 110 dB? Or even 120 dB? An electrostatic speaker may sound better at low listening levels than a dynamic speaker and vice versa. For a speaker, these changes may be traceable to driver compression. Or a power supply issue in an amplifier or preamplifier. Components are generally built to a price point and the designer must balance out the difference design areas to reach the final product. And in some cases, the power supply may be one area where cost savings occur.
Linearity can also be applied to dynamics. Does the device under test (DUT) maintain its dynamics as a function of volume. Is there dynamic compression as the playing volume increases? Does the low end have the same dynamics as the rest of the frequency spectrum?
What say ya all?
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