Modern loudspeakers promise technical perfection. Manufacturers routinely claim frequency responses from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, vanishingly low distortion, and sophisticated crossover networks designed to optimize every driver within its ideal operating range. Yet experienced listeners often encounter a paradox: systems that measure impressively can still fail to communicate the vitality of live music. This contradiction fascinated Jean Hiraga, one of the most influential voices in high-end audio.