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Robert Morein wrote:
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Guess what Sean Olive had to say about Ludovic's remarks?

The inescapable conclusion from Sean Olive's loudspeaker testing is
that human beings perform best when asked: "Which one do you like
better?" rather than "Is A different from B".

Mikey, Harmon makes junk. We know you love junk.
ABX=NFG

This time, for the first time, I have some objections to your views 1)
H-K make junk. But they have also several prestigious brands of
loudspeakers etc.-not necessarily my choice but certainly within
high-end country 2) whatever the motivation: they spent money for a
super "listening room" and they lured Floyd Toole and S. Olive away
from Ottawa University as researchers- none more prestigious in the
academic field.
That "Mikey" tries to use S.Olive's good name as cover up for his
fraudulent schemes does not change facts.
Ludovic Mirabel
Ludovic Mirabel

Ludovic,
I didn't say that they exclusively make junk. The equipment sold under
the Harmon name seems to be an attempt to capitalize on a name that like
many, is etched in the public's consciousness. It seems that ABX is used to
no good effect in the low end, except to squeeze another penny out of the
production cost.
As far as the high end is concerned, I would simply note that there is
no evidence that the use of ABX has given them an edge over other high end
manufacturers. Other high end companies do it their way, and come up with a
spectrum of results in which Harmon's high end offerings can not be said to
stand out in particular.
There is a natural tendency for a large corporation to systematize human
perception, via focus groups, blind tests of soft drinks, and so forth.
Therefore, it is practically inevitable that HK would hire these guys away.
And indeed, Canada sought to incubate technology for speaker design that
would give a national advantage. I've had an opportunity to hear the result.
A friend of mine has had a bevy of Canadian Paradigms in and out of his
house in the past decade, all the result of the same national effort in
which Toole and Olive have played such prominent roles.
To my ears, these speakers have never excelled. They have extended
frequency response, and good bass, but the illusion of reality is starkly
lacking. The imaging is so-so; there is no depth; they sound as real as a
cardboard cemetery. This is the legacy of the Canadian effort; equipment
that can reliably be predicted to have all the power and persuasion of a B-
student.
What Sidney Harmon should have done, instead of hiring this academic
brain trust, is hire speaker designers with a track record of making magic.
I wonder if he ever considered making an offer to John Bau, designer of the
Spicas, or to the kids who designed the original NEARs, rather than invest
millions in anechoic chambers with funhouse rides for speakers.