May 2, 2005

After much research, I have assembled what I believe to be a state-of-the-art audio system. But I’m not sure -- sometimes I think it sounds great, and then at times it seems to lack something. Q: Is there a reference system I can compare my setup with, to determine whether or not I have achieved what I set out to do?

Bill C.

A: That is definitely the 64kHz question! If there were such a system, every audiophile would have one, and all controversies about how to design and evaluate audio components would come to an end.

It’s a natural enough question, though. In any field, consumers have always sought to identify "the best" so that, even if they choose not to purchase it, they will at least have some idea of how close they’ve come, and be able to choose their compromises with their eyes open.

There is some doubt as to whether any product can truly claim to be the ultimate in its class -- is Dom Perignon really the best champagne? -- but audio enthusiasts have resisted appointing a king of the hill to a striking degree. What is one audiophile’s reference is, to another, fatally flawed. This makes audio interesting and fun, but it does mean that if there is indeed a "state of the art," no one knows what it is.

The real problem is with speakers. There is little consensus on how to evaluate the speakers that exist now, and even less agreement as to what would constitute a perfect speaker if someone were to produce it. So even if somebody did stumble on the "ideal" design, it would be very difficult to tell.

…Ian G. Masters