I'll vote with eric on this issue....
One can have outstanding equipment that still sounds like dreck.
Conversely, 'meh' can shine, given a sensitive set-up in the 'well-tempered' room....
Why? One asks.. HRTF in our 'real world'.
It IS what you hear, and most times, Where you are when listening to it.
I'm not a huge fan of the 'rooted to the floor' chair 'sweet spot'.
Generally, when @ a venue, hall, or an outdoor concert, having the 'best spot' to enjoy becomes a function of having the $ for the seats or the timing to place one's tush there. So most times one gets to listen where one is...
In ones' home, set-up of the listening 'volume' becomes (imho) just another parameter of the items within it.
First reflections, room volume vs. base freq. and it's harmonics, 'live' vs. 'dead', eq or not to eq, spl low or high....on and anon....
Unless you were raised with your head in a foam ball and have 'virgin ears', unsullied by the wear 'n woe of uncivilization, it's a near given that your ears are not Perfect.
Therefore: Your perception is Flawed. So is Mine. No 2 of us 'hear' exactly alike....unless your share a head with another body, and are pretty much on y'all's own.
If one must have the perfect listening experience, free from all of the variables noted above (which isn't complete...oh, no....)...
Buy the Best Isolation Headphones one might aspire to.
...and give it a break....
'Cheers', J
One can have outstanding equipment that still sounds like dreck.
Conversely, 'meh' can shine, given a sensitive set-up in the 'well-tempered' room....
Why? One asks.. HRTF in our 'real world'.
It IS what you hear, and most times, Where you are when listening to it.
I'm not a huge fan of the 'rooted to the floor' chair 'sweet spot'.
Generally, when @ a venue, hall, or an outdoor concert, having the 'best spot' to enjoy becomes a function of having the $ for the seats or the timing to place one's tush there. So most times one gets to listen where one is...
In ones' home, set-up of the listening 'volume' becomes (imho) just another parameter of the items within it.
First reflections, room volume vs. base freq. and it's harmonics, 'live' vs. 'dead', eq or not to eq, spl low or high....on and anon....
Unless you were raised with your head in a foam ball and have 'virgin ears', unsullied by the wear 'n woe of uncivilization, it's a near given that your ears are not Perfect.
Therefore: Your perception is Flawed. So is Mine. No 2 of us 'hear' exactly alike....unless your share a head with another body, and are pretty much on y'all's own.
If one must have the perfect listening experience, free from all of the variables noted above (which isn't complete...oh, no....)...
Buy the Best Isolation Headphones one might aspire to.
...and give it a break....
'Cheers', J