Ok this will be a good thread.

Some folks maintain that super accurate speakers, used at the end of a fairly flawed system, would theoretically make the sound WORSE (than if just serviceable speakers had been used) because all the upstream flaws would be revealed that much more blatantly.

I once heard a system that had some low level Phillips CDP, a VTL Ultimate pre', VTL Wotans, and huge Dunlavey speakers (don't remember the model). Sound was not very good at all: murky, veiled, disjointed. One of the most unsatisfying large systems I had ever heard.

it's not the equipment or the music that makes the biggest difference in your overall experience of listening to music. it is the listener.

a good mood, positive attitude etc., can offset mediocre stereo systems and/or mediocre recordings. you can enjoy your favorite music on a table radio.

Absolutely agree with Mrtennis. I find that the mood I'm in has more bearing as to whether or not I'm going to enjoy the listening session and not what equipment I'm using.

So, Mr. T even a bad jazz combo listened to live can sound good if your mood is good? My experience is that a bad jazz combo would turn my mood from good to bad. Same with a bad sound system, some systems sound so bad that I feel sick.
Bob P.

Steve is correct the speakers are everything and go from there.