Accuracy vs. musicality


I imagine if you have an unlimited budget you can have both ultimate accuracy and musicality.
For those of us whose budget is somewhat limited, we usually have to make a choice.
I very recently obtained  speakers (which I prefer not to name so as to avoid debate.  Some of you do know them.) These speakers were criticized by an Agoner for not being accurate.
Now, I heard the speakers he liked better and they we’re fine, and maybe more “etched,” but they did not convey the musical message as well to me.  Indeed I compared many such speakers recommended by members (there was little love for mine) and I found them not to have the sound I hear in a concert hall. They did not communicate to me as well.
So, what’s more important: precise accuracy or musicality?
128x128rvpiano
The more the sonic illusion of a full orchestra is created, the more it's going to fight with your perception (or at least knowledge, if eyes closed) that the room you're in could not get close to housing a full orchestra.  I think that's why I tend to prefer speakers that project a more laid-back or distant soundstage--the impression is of listening from a row further back in the auditorium, from which point the image of the orchestra would be narrower.
jhills,

Fascinating.

My impressions of the Raidho monitors vs the Gershman speakers I've heard was precisely the reverse of yours.

The Raidho sound actually has a reputation for not being in the "strictly accurate/neutral" school of design.   They deliberately depart from flat and are more designed by and for the ear, and have a dip in the upper midrange giving them a smooth, middle or further hall sound, though highly resolved.  

That's exactly what I heard when I auditioned them.  Unfortunately I found the frequency scoop a bit too obvious and all sorts of transient information I new well (e.g. cymbals, guitars etc in certain tracks) were reduced in vibrancy and presence.

On the other hand I find the Gershman sound to be competent, but more in the "fatiguing after a while" category.

Go figure!


Twoleftears,

Point well taken.  If you close your eyes, you can imagine “being there” with a more distant perspective.  This applies to the engineering of the recording  as well.
However, some labels have such a distant image, it’s hard for me to believe I’m there (e.g. Reference Recordings.)
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The more the sonic illusion of a full orchestra is created, the more it's going to fight with your perception (or at least knowledge, if eyes closed) that the room you're in could not get close to housing a full orchestra. I think that's why I tend to prefer speakers that project a more laid-back or distant soundstage--the impression is of listening from a row further back in the auditorium, from which point the image of the orchestra would be narrower.
The model I use is that my stereo has the ability to move my room, not just my listening chair, through time and space to graft on to a musical event. IOW the illusion is that the event is happening at or behind my wall (depth), and in some cases somehow my room is wider than it looks :)