2. speakers
  3. 119096-1644

Speakers that are very accurate sounding but don't produce an emotional connection.

I have listened to a few speakers over the years that impressed me with their accuracy and presentation of the music, but just did not create an emotional response or connection. I have often wondered what that quality is in some speakers that produce an emotional connection with the listener. This quality has been identified by audiophiles, as "magical", "engaging"  "just right"  "euphonic"  "natural"  "true to life". " "satisfying"  "musical"....  I am sure there are at least 50  other  adjectives that could describe this "quality" of  sound . 

Considering the various aspects  of achieving  good and accurate sound by component synergy, is there a way to explain this so-called magical element that often eludes so many of us??.  I don't think such a feeling is temporal, conditioned by personal moods, or the phases of the moon or sun.  

Like to hear from members who have given some thought to the same issue.    Thanks,  Jim   

BTW, I know the thread is a bit out there, but  I don't think the topic is pointlessly pursuing the genie in the bottle. 


sunnyjim
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
I've heard multi-hundred thousand dollar systems that just leave me bored. On the other hand ... have you ever heard a pair of properly set up Harbeth speakers??
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,572 posts
 
Any system, regardless of price, can provide that emotional connection.  Every system I've had started at a point where I had to work it to attain that emotional connection. Adding some new piece of gear pointed me in the right direction but it couldn't do it by itself. Sometimes (after awhile) that new piece of gear had to go. 

It could be the amp, speaker, or even a cable that completed the system.
And, it was never that particular piece alone, to begin with. 

We all have individual tastes and all it takes is what's necessary to make it convincing. It can never be real. But convincing is all it takes to complete the emotional connection.

All the best,
Nonise


chrshanl37
833 posts
 
Interesting thread Sunny, Somthing I have pondererd on more than one occasion. I’ve always been a fan of old ADS speakers for this reason. I had actually started a thread about it a few years ago when I was looking for a modern speaker that possesed the same magic. It took me a long time to find one. I also makes me wonder if there are speakers out there that have measured poorly but somehow just sounds right.
What speakers have you heard that you feel have these qualities?

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,233 posts
 
Sunnyjim,
No this topic isn't "out there" but is very relevant IMO.
The two most important  criteria for me when judging audio components are natural tonality and emotional communication and engagement. It these qualities are lacking no other  attributes can make  up for this  critical  deficiency. We listen to music  for ènjoyment. Without emotional  involvement how can we expect to  enjoy our music? Okay, back to  ĺistening to Dexter Gordon, he's  definitely  communicating 😃😃
Charles,
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,572 posts
 
To put a finer point on what I said before, the speakers I now have are very engaging, emotionally. They weren't at first. It took the right stands and placement (directly on them with no footers) and then the merry-go-round with cables before they hit all my buttons and yet I feel I could get more out them with some costlier cables but as of right now, they are very convincing. It's easy to get lulled into reverie.

All the best,
Nonoise
More to discover