Going back to vintage sound, I was looking for both quantitative and qualitative descriptions. Quantitative could be in the form of frequency extension, frequency response, sensitivity, dynamics, directivity, etc. To tell you the truth, I don't really know what I mean by vintage sound. It's a term I've heard used more than once and was interested in what it refered to.

But as far as vintage sound; I have no idea either what that could mean.
Thats why I suggested some of the popular speakers of yesterday as a reliable indicator of what people might mean by that term.
Maybe if you used say an example someone offered regarding a particular speaker.
Then again it occurs to me that Klipschorns are vintage as well as Quads; and they hold up pretty good in modern terms soundwise. Nothing like the big closed box speaks of yesteryear.
So maybe what you ask is a sound that pertains to a specific design style. What was it that brought this up? You know there was a very thorough comparison in Listener magazine between two systems; one called "modern" and one "vintage". It addresses your question if I remmember correctly. They used Quads for the vintage and I believe Audio Physics for the modern.

Dave

They did make some great drivers and system designs back then, didn't they.

I've heard "vintage sound" being used in both complementary and degrading sentences. Guess it just depends on where you're coming from.

Dave

Thats what I get using EV and Altec drivers. My EV 12trx's, SP15's and SP12B's give me what I would refer to as "vintage" sound. Not everyones cup of tea but it works for me.

RC