If a " system " cannot do this, I move on........


I have been advocating on here for some time, that horn speakers ( properly designed, tweeked, executed and set up ) are the only speakers that my brain and ears find acceptable, for the enjoyment of music listening. My listening standard has been live, unamplified music, for now over 50 years. I have also stated on many occasions, that as an audiophile ( as well as being a music listener ), that we are hindered by the recordings themselves, minimizing what we actually are hearing. There has been much talk lately about engineers using " auto tune " ( specifically with vocalists ). Adele ( I am a fan ), with her new hit " Easy On Me ", does not use auto tune, and I am thrilled. Besides being a great singer, she sounds " natural ", less processed. Most recordings in the past 20 years, have used this other electronic " equalization " if you will, that we find embedded in out prescious recordings. The strive for perfection, that " audio nirvana ", we all seek, with the purchase of a new speaker, amplifier, cables, etc., gets us only so far. So yes, dynamics and details are very important to me. Tone, coherence and spatiality are also very important. But the reality is, our recordings, by the time we receive / hear them ( whatever format ), have been severly altered from being close to the real thing. Yet, audiophiles continue to spend big bucks on their gear, their rooms ( their systems ), to get to that place of enjoyment. The title of this thread, " If a system cannot do this, I move on ", has a specific meaning. What I listen for, most of all, with every recording I listen to, is an engagenment between me, and the performers. Following the individual rhythms and musical lines, by the artists, is the number one factor I strive to hear. My system allows for this. My question is : how many of you actually listen for this, or even know what I am speaking of. My personal experience listening to so many high priced systems, has been very disappointing in using this criteria. I am not anticipating this thread to develop into a very large or popular one, but I have not participated in Agon for a while, and I just wanted to shine a light on a subject that is crucial to us and our time listening to music, which some of us spend much time doing. Enjoy, and be well. Always, MrD.

mrdecibel

With obvious bass issues, I have to say that many elctrostatic speakers rival or supass many horns systems in realistic sound reproduction.

I acknowledge that mating a sufficiently good subwoofer with an eletrostat can be problematic.

Welcome back Mr. D.!

I, too, am beholden now to horns.  And like you, I'm at a spot where the quality of recording takes things to a special place.  That said, unlike, you, I can enjoy a Jethro Tull recording--not picking on you...I've had all sorts of issues with all sorts of systems over the years. 

I looked at your systems page and I didn't see any components listed. Would you mind sharing?  

I agree that Adele can really sing and she would never need autotune but for "effect", which is not my taste.  I do, however, hold the opinion that some of her records could be recorded and mastered better.  Some of her greates songs sound like they are always running full throttle and things get busy/smeary for me--across lots of systems.  I think she needs to work with T Bone Burnette.   

Coincidentally, have you heard Imelda May's album, Life Love Flesh Blood?  It's produced by T Bone.  If Adele sounded (from a production, engineering and mastering perspective....) like this I'd buy everything and perhaps a Reel to Reel deck to hear it.  Sublime. 

My goal in music reproduction may be the same.  I always referred to it as "being in the room" or really "really re-creating the room" the recording was made in.

Maybe just me, but maybe that is kind of what you are reffereing to.

Mark

After reading some of the comments about the engineering and mixing of songs,  I would like to input my 2 cents.  "There is a lot of elegance in simplicity" - Mark Ayers    That said, check out Peggy Lee's  "Black Coffee" album.  recorded way back and done well in my opinion.  On a good system it will bring tears to your eyes, and on a bad system it will still sound great.  IMHO