2. misc-audio
  3. 1317604819

My audiophile take on the symphony last night.

65 piece Santa Cruz Symphony at the Civic Auditorium.

My wife said it wasn't loud enough and I agreed. The highs were rolled off and there wasn't an expansive soundstage. I couldn't "hear behind the instruments" like I can at home on the hifi. The soloist sounded small and far away and the bass drum lacked definition.

In spite of all that we were listening to a live and real performance. Our seats were the highest price available.

This was very interesting, intriguing and food for thought audio-wise. Also great people watching.
bizango1

Showing 2 responses by herman

herman
2,215 posts
 
.

Difficult to comment unless I was there siting near you. I would think a
rolled off high end would be a problem with your seats or the hall. Hard to
imagine they all had instruments that were rolled off.

Soundstage is a different issue. Unless the hall completely scrambles the
sound how can you not have a soundstage? The violins are up front, the
basses are far right, percussion back left, horns in the back, etc. The
instruments are where they are? ........ Bad hall ?.?.?

However, I did attend our local symphony last night (Evansville IN) with
good seats and it was sonically excellent.

So I'll take this opportunity to encourage you to support your local
symphony.
herman
2,215 posts
 
.

I don't think you can separate the two. If you hear the instruments spread out around the stage in the correct places then the imaging is good and you have a big soundstage. If the soundstage is collapsed you have poor imaging.

Isn't that correct?

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