Vintage Hi-fi speakers vs. modern hi-fi speakers. It’s an intriguing comparison that isn’t usually made.
Vintage speaker systems have an “old school cool” element.
The classic receiver and speaker designs stand out for their simple elegance, from the commonly seen metal and wood receiver enclosures with analog gauges that come to life with your music to the twin monolithic speakers that replicate it.
But how do older hi-fi speakers compare to modern alternatives?
Old-school speakers, also known as vintage speakers, employed in audio systems in the past typically feel and seem old and bulky.
On the other hand, modern speakers have fresher, more streamlined designs. They appear more contemporary and are lighter. But they lack characteristics of older speakers, such as bass quality and sound reproduction.
There is a lot more separating vintage hi-fi speakers from their modern versions. I will be going through some of those things in this comparative guide.
Vintage Hi-Fi Speakers vs. Modern Hi-Fi Speakers—Performance
When I connected one of the vintage speakers to test them, I was unsure what to expect. Over time, speakers have improved significantly, becoming more precise, less distorted, and more nuanced.
It turns out there was no need for me to be skeptical, as the classic speakers I hooked up to continue to impress and produce performances that, in some ways, still amaze me today.
They aren’t perfect, though. It falls short in sound clarity and level of detail compared to any good contemporary budget speaker.
Although much smaller than the vintage systems, the modern speakers are louder and dive into the lows with much more punch and force. They possess poise and control that the veterans simply cannot equal.
The vintage speakers, however, also have a lot going for them.
The 1970s and 1980s systems still sound surprisingly quick and fluid.
They present vocals with crispness and articulation that still feels good while delivering low-level dynamics with remarkable finesse.
The test vintage system produced a wide-ranging stereo image when I placed it a little further into my test room, and it shot straight ahead rather than at the listening position.
It naturally fills the space between the speakers because it is big and expansive. It is neatly overlaid with it and is also a reasonably sturdy image.
These classics have a slightly forward tone at high frequencies, but I like the strength and body they provide in the midrange.
The vintage hi-fi speakers brilliantly created the ambiance, which did an excellent job of carrying the music’s consistent, pulsating tempo. Although the low-end extension and weight are lacking, the speakers have enough force in the higher frequencies to sound balanced.
The vintage systems provided a good amount of rhythmic thrust and had the dynamic freedom to depict the horn section with zest when I changed to Beyoncé’s All Night, a more lively song.
They have a way of having us tune out the hi-fi and focus solely on the music by sounding vibrant and exciting.
We often feel a little let down after listening to things from earlier decades. Sometimes these formerly treasured elements don’t hold up in modern terms, making it difficult to comprehend why they were formerly held in such high regard.
It’s not like that with the vintage hi-fi speakers I tested. They still sound as melodic and engaging a few decades after their premiere.
However, the best modern speakers are superior in tonality, clarity, and sharpness.
Vintage vs. Modern: Enclosure
Enclosures play a significant role in evaluating the differences between old-school and contemporary speakers.
Vintage speaker enclosures were typically constructed of inexpensive plywood or pressboard. Very seldom was any internal bracing applied, which resulted in frequently thin and noisy cabinet walls.
All these contribute to distortion because they are not powerful enough to control the back waves inside the enclosure. Prominent speakers from the past typically have thick wood enclosures that have been dampened to reduce resonance. A larger size translates into a more significant and lower bass response.
However, this was the case in a bygone era. Modern speakers typically have a hollow sound when tapped and are smaller. They only produced minimal accurate bass. But without anything to contrast them with, no one can tell how bad they sound unless they are put up against a nice pair of headphones.
Moreover, wood screws were typically used to secure the drivers of vintage speaker systems to the enclosure. But this isn’t like what you’d find in speakers nowadays.
Vintage vs. Modern: Technology
Keep in mind that production, innovation, materials have improved, etc. But compared to several cheap contemporary speakers, a high-quality, well-engineered classic speaker will sound superior.
Specific old speakers that perform better than modern speakers can be found for a fantastic price. On the other hand, unless you’re mainly looking for a vintage experience, high-end modern speakers can’t compete with vintage speakers.
Design
Modern speakers struggle in one area since they are frequently created in software rather than on paper. Driver cone elements sound different and do not behave like theoretical cones, and enclosures can resonate differently from simulations.
Designing on paper, verifying in a simulation, and verifying by ear is the ideal design process. Today, a tuned microphone is used to measure the speaker design process once it has been simulated.
Due to the high cost of trial and error nowadays, most companies rely on simulations and harmonic response curves to guarantee the quality of the finished product.
I see the allure of vintage speakers because some people have a soft spot for them. However, compared to speakers built decades ago, almost all modern hi-fi speakers are vastly better.
In general, progression is a good thing. It’s always good to choose today’s options over old speakers, even though we still need to remember and appreciate those fabulous, unusual vintage speakers.
Modern speakers benefit from the latest technological advancements. However, some iconic old speakers have distinct sound characteristics that no modern speaker can faithfully imitate.
The best piece of advice I can give you is to carefully listen to a variety of speakers, both contemporary and vintage hi-fi speakers, and let your ears be the judge.
Endless hours of experimentation, professional work, and personal investment in Home Theatre, Hi-Fi, Smart Home Automation and Headphones have come to this.
Former owner of Headphones Canada, a high-end headphone specialty retailer.