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

@hkcharlie 

"Musical" / "Musicality" is a catch-all phrase that implies a likeable, positive sound quality and leaves it open to the reader to interpret what it actually sounds like. That the sound contains nothing that is non-musical or objectionable.  I agree that many people think of warmth and more of a softer sound which if overdone can also sound objectionable- but that is seldom if ever mentioned.  

Regardless it comes off more as a marketing phrase than something the audiophile community would embrace fully.  It isn't a coincidence that the first time I heard it mentioned was at a dealer.  

Dear @hkcharlie  : I'm sorry but it's almost absurd that after 170 posts ( in your first thread ) where gentlemans with very high knowledge levels share all what you are asking in this thread.

 

Seems to me that you understand NOTHING of all those posts. 

 

170 posts, Go figure ! ! ? ?

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS.

 

R.

It means a warm walk in the rain bare foot with your best girl by your side.  That’s what “musicality” is all about, @hkcharlie brown. 

“After 50+ years in this hobby, I realised that many reviewers use musicality to describe a warm system. “ I guess I never came to that conclusion at all. Therefore I can’t agree with your assessment to begin with.

“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.” Not sure I can agree with this either. 
 

Not sure what musicality is to you. But labels and preconceived ideas certainly don’t help.