What does “musicality” really mean?
After 50+ years in this hobby, I realised that many reviewers use musicality to describe a warm system. Warmth often comes from extra even-order harmonics, softer transients, and a bit of mid-bass lift. Pleasant for vocals, but it can also hide detail and affect timing, especially with strings and percussion.
I also found that “sterile” sound usually points to room issues or system matching, not the recording. Engineers don’t master music to sound lifeless.
These days, if I want warmth, I just play music that naturally has it, instead of relying on equipment to add coloration.
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- 46 posts total
hey @newton_john fair response. To me musicality sounds (and feels) more like the real thing. |
To me it is the emotional connection and consists of midrange bloom (meaning not a artificially lean midrange... starved from the solid state gear or emphasis on detail in the design for components) and good rhythm and pace. It sounds like music... as if you were there... want to close your eyes and get lost in it, instead of turning on you analytical side and touring tons of details like people moving their feet and squeaky kick drums. |
- 46 posts total