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Striking a balance between musicality and resolution

As my years and experience in this hobby continue to grow I notice a divergence between those seeking extreme resolution and detail from their music reproduction systems and those in search of maximum musicality.

In theory, high-end audio systems should provide more than garden variety stereo systems. In my view that means more detail and information should be heard from a high-end music reproduction system than one hears from ordinary HiFi stereo systems set ups. BUT is there such thing as too much resolution and detail in a stereo system’s sound presentation?

Some people feel that a less detailed presentation that is easier for your brain to process has better flow and provides more enjoyable listening.

So there is the dichotomy. Should one pay more to hear less? Can a frequency response performance that is curtailed at both frequency extremes be desired and praised?

Those that seek a “more musical” presentation usually point to their belief that that is how they hear live un-amplified acoustic music in the real world. In nature, high frequencies attenuate and decay with distance from the source and sound waves get absorbed, diffracted, reflected, and diffused by the environmental factors and landscapes; so they are not wrong in stating that in the real world the sound of music is less detailed and extended. The issue is that when we listen to our music reproduction systems at home we are not listening to live un-amplified music in a concert venue, but rather professionally produced audio recordings typically recorded with close-microphones techniques.

So the question is, do we want our systems to reproduce the sound on the commercial audio recordings accurately or does one want hear the sound the way one thinks that it should sound?

Lucky for me, I have enough systems at home that I have been able to design, set up, and tune them for different targeted resultant sound, sound presentation, and sound qualities. For instance, my OKTAN6 ultimate horn system is a dissecting microscope, my Pinnacle horn system aims at extreme musicality, and my WAAR reference system is a chameleon, which can be adjusted to sound exactly how you want it to sound in real-time.

My “test-bed” system takes on the sound character and sound qualities of the components in use and it is excellent for evaluating what new components have to offer or bring to the table in terms of sound qualities. But with the Acapella TW-1S ION plasma super-tweeters extending the high frequencies, the TBI Emperor subwoofers extending the low frequencies, and the highly detailed & nuanced Digital Audio Denmark AX24 DSD dac streaming HQPLAYER as the source, the “Test Bed” system is a highly resolving system.

As with everything else in life, is there a happy medium or compromise that gives you the best of those worlds? I believe that there is and that great music reproduction systems can be tuned to strike a balance between musicality and resolution. If one listens to the evolution of my OKTAN6 ultimate horn system for instance you can hear that the fine tuning is driving the sound in that direction.

So during last night’s listening session I adjusted the sound of my “Test Bed” system to a more musical sound presentation. The “Test Bed” system is always in flux so it allows me to experiment, explore, tweak, tune, and have fun with it.

Here is an audio recording from last night’s listening session that captures the revised sound presentation and conveys the sound qualities that exemplify a more organic sound versus a more delineated & resolved sound presentation:
 

The Way It Goes

 

carlos269
rauliruegas
13,386 posts
 

Dear @jrareform  " " Each system's use case, priorities and personal preferences should be established by the user before people start buying gear. Also in home trials are invaluable and well worth the hassle of returns imho.  If you care enough you'll put in the work to achieve the sound you desire.  And hopefully you can find some solid deals on gently used gear that fits your needs!  ""

 

Absolutely rigth and this is all about wha we have to care: nothing more nothing less.

Come on Friends this is no rocket science as some of you could tkink.

 

R.

jrareform's avatar
jrareform
199 posts
 

@mahgister I love the passion for your system.  I think until curiosity bites you and you have the funds to be able to create a world class room, you should keep just enjoying your probably fantastic sounding system.  The key is does the music reach out through your system and make you feel it.  And do you not have any desire to upgrade.  If you've accomplished those two things, you've done more than many have on this forum so kudos to you on that yes

@rauliruegas seriously.  Enjoy your system and don't quibble over things.  Life's too short.  Also that only takes away from time spent listening or creating :)

rauliruegas
13,386 posts
 

Dear @jrareform   : Yes, that quibble is non so important but it's a way to have a dialogue and sometimes we can follow lerning something and many times we don't.

 

@carlos269    dear audio friends:

 

" Jupiter site:

"""Beeswax HT Cryo Capacitors – Round

 

A classic design utilizing modern materials and knowledge without forgetting original manufacturing techniques.  You will get exceptional detail and nuance, and most importantly great tone. "

 

and most importantly great tone.

 

IMHO a cap is not a tone device but must be a totally neutral one.  "

 

x-over.jpg (800×533)

 

You can see in this crossover speaker at least 5 different capacitor models and that crossover goes insida 250+K speakers.

Yes all those different caps in the same speaker could says that the designer used the caps as " tone /eq/ passive devices looking for a higher quality that maybe the speakers has not and certainly all those caps are only spreading full colorations/distortions.

 

Many audiophiles home audio systems have a lower price ( all the systems. ) than those pair of crossovers ¡ ¡ ! !

All those caps are boutique ones and those Duelund resistors there are terrible ones and I know because I connected in my crossover speakers where the Powertron outperformed easily. 

 

Carlos:  

" My “test-bed” system takes on the sound character and sound qualities of the components in use and it is excellent for evaluating what new components have to offer or bring to the table in terms of sound qualities. But with the Acapella TW-1S ION plasma super-tweeters extending the high frequencies, the TBI Emperor subwoofers extending the low frequencies, and the highly detailed & nuanced Digital Audio Denmark AX24 DSD dac streaming HQPLAYER as the source, the “Test Bed” system is a highly resolving system "

 

Over the thread already been a dialogue where not only in your test bed system you only bragged but the true is that you have not a "  highly resolving system " and  neither in the Oktan and the Waar. Problem? the deficient low bass manegment with not only high THD but with deficient handled of bass as in the TBI that goes -9db at 36hz what could means -3db at 45-50hz: if for you that is " highly resolving " good and fine with me but I quibble about for the other gentlemans take care about what you posted. Friends never mind if you just don't care about, sorry.

 

R.

jrareform's avatar
jrareform
199 posts
 

@rauliruegas maybe there's a bit of a language barrier here.  I was agreeing with you!  I was saying others should not quibble - it's all about enjoying the sound!!  And yes I agree, THD is an important consideration that is often overlooked in the sub frequency realm.  That's part of why I elected to go the Rhythmik subwoofer route because they use a servo based design that is incredibly good at reducing distortion.  Have a nice night!

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
15,058 posts
 

I dont need to upgrade at all...

Because i reach a minimal balance with my low cost system..

I could reach a higher balance with a 10,000 or 15,000 bucks system for sure and i know how... but i am not envious and satisfied with what i call "the minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold".. When you reach it with a system at any price, you are done with the upgrading obsession or frustration...

If i win lottery i will upgrade but before that it will be foollish...All my time is listening music now not thinking about upgrade...

My best to you ...

@mahgister I love the passion for your system.  I think until curiosity bites you and you have the funds to be able to create a world class room, you should keep just enjoying your probably fantastic sounding system.  The key is does the music reach out through your system and make you feel it.  And do you not have any desire to upgrade.  If you've accomplished those two things, you've done more than many have on this forum so kudos to you on that yes

 

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