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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.

 

hkcharlie
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
2,000 posts
 

I guess warm natural sound would do it.

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
2,000 posts
 

I guess warm natural sound would do it.

phd
1,342 posts
 

When is the last time you got sucked in, I think I could go for that and for laughs I did, just picked up a B&K ST140 completely upgraded to factory specs and cheap. Highly rated by Stereophile and known for its slightly warm character, really made a huge difference on some horn-loaded speakers I have. That amp is really growing on me even when compared to some of my much more expensive amps. You see this is all subjective.

kr4's avatar
kr4
3,781 posts
 

I guess warm natural sound would do it.

Why would natural sound be warm or cold?

 

mylogic
835 posts
 

Musicality has nothing to do with hot and cold when listening, unless you love the sound of the air con.

 

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