What does “musicality” really mean?

To me, I think it means the faithful (to the extent possible) reproduction of the recording. Given that the recording is the music is presented to your system, I don't know what else it could mean. It is the absence of artifacts that can produce top end glare, which some hear as detail and may actually enjoy. Its also the absence of the sweet or veiled sound that some systems produce that some may enjoy, but is a departure from the music.

Beyond that, I think its one of the many audiophile terms that have no universal definition-audiophiles tend to backfit these terms to match what they like-or don't.

Musicality is what causes the release of endorphins when listening to music.

I tend to agree with the above. 🐬🐬

Dolphins released into the wild after close contact with humans can have great musicality. I wonder if because of any hi-fi influences, they may not sound as cold or screechy as their born free cousins.

Musicality is...when you are not sitting there  checking out the soundstage, space between instruments, tonal balance, detail, etc whatever....your mind got shut down and you got completely absorbed in the music.

If you chose to look amd focus, its all there (the nitpicky audiophile attributes)

I would wager that most audiophiles can't get there and keep tearing it apart

You can either be fully absorbed in the beauty of a flower or keep tearing it apart...all the "noise" is in the cluttered up minds of the audiophiles...

@deep_333 

+1