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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Speakers: a hi-fi disaster.
Post Subject: Re: the sound of real lifePosted by guy sergeant on: 1/19/2005
For a relatively small outlay I can go and listen to some chamber music, a jazz band, a choir or, for a little more, an orchestra. The quality of 'realness' I hear is consistent regardless of how good the performers are and how great the merit of the material they are performing is. It is this quality of realness which, to me, can be thrilling (when I like the music, sometimes when I don't) and it is this which I am trying to recreate at home. Regardless of whichever systems or components any of us have chosen, it is certain that these systems cannot recreate this purity of sound. It will always be an approximation.

There is a danger, when talking in elaborate language about audio equipment, that the sound quality of the software, a component or a system might be perceived as being somehow beyond or better than that of 'real' sound. Certainly many dealers and reviewers make their living selling this perception.

But do we actually need a special language to describe sound? After all, do we need a special language to describe colour? My young son can tell the difference between 'real' sound and 'reproduced' sound. He does not need work his way through multiple levels of 'music/hi-fi appreciation' to 'get' that difference.
It does seem to me that this issue is perhaps being over intellectualised. It is not dissimilar to the way certain religions work, where there are guru's who are apparently closer to the truth, and acolytes who can't or don't understand the faith quite as much and therefore look up to the more knowledgeable for guidance. I'm not sure it's healthy.

I enjoy reading criticism of musical performances, and appraisal of pieces of music but when reading about equipment I also want to be entertained as well as informed. If a reviewer has a writing style that is amusing and has perhaps an original viewpoint then isn't that enough? I'd want to listen to any item I was interested in at first hand anyway. Just as I'd want to test drive a new car.

I have arrived at a set of criterion which suit my taste. I would not expect these to suit everyone, just as I would not expect the car I chose to suit everyone. I wouldn't suggest for a moment that they were absolute. They simply work for me.

regards,

Guy

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