Audio gear, sonic quality when you listen in less (or non-) focused ways
I'm wondering about how folks listen to their audio, and to what degree the quality of the sound is important, or, perhaps how it differs.
Here are four kinds of listening I can think of. (Did I miss any?)
FL - Focused listening -- sitting at focal point, concentrating on music and/or acoustic qualities.
SFL - Semi-focused listening -- listening is the central but not only activity (sitting in front of audio, listening but also reading, playing games, emailing, etc.)
CL - Casual listening -- listening to music but also involved in equally important tasks (cooking, doing dishes, laundry, etc.)
AL - Accidental listening -- music is on but it is in the background, mostly (music at party, just on for ambience)
For the kinds of listening other than FL, what do hope your audio gear can produce? What kinds of tonalities, soundstage, lows/mids/highs, transient response, dynamics, etc. does it need to produce? Are there other things that this gear needs to do that is different than your main rig? How good does the sound need to be? (In other words, how cheap a solution are you willing to get away with for those other kinds of listening? What do you use?)
“What do you listen for, sonically, in your non-FL system?” In one word, Coherency. If you don’t have this part right, rest is all downhill from there. IMHO, Sub is an integral part of music and movies alike. Other than the obvious need for a sub in movie playback, the sub greatly improves music in all aspects; texture, definition, bass extension and air around vocals and instruments. |
@hilde45 , the SQ depends on the room, the kitchen I am standing, the dining room I am eating, the patio I am moving around, the bedroom is generally laying down. One speaker that has adequate volume (I use various play-fi active speakers) that is better than a boombox is fine. The office/desktop I use 2.1. a pair of speakers and a sub (The Klipsch Powergate/PLayfi integrated works well in this setup). The mancave is an onkyo receiver that has Playfi built in and I use it in a 5.1.4 setup. In the HT I use a paradigm Link streamer via toslink out into my Sony TAZH1ES DAC in critical listening mode. I use the app for all my control functions and a windows based tablet PC is OTT because ANY content available on my PC I can stream wirelessly wherever I want. If I am in another room than the HT I use my phone as an interface. In the office I use my desktop. |
FL with vinyl and CD/SACD, SFL with radio FM (when material is interesting turns to FL, though now and again caught myself in FL mode). SFL, office Micro system, a 4 component one with a warm and engaging sound, clear, open mids and highs, good imaging, connected to pc or tablet, really a pleasure. CL, cooking, through another Micro system. Only place i would not care for precise or good imaging but want mids and bass. AL, main system with the aid of the 2 Micro systems all tuned to same FM station (old fashioned). Garden, desktop portable speakers with their integrated amp connected to mobile or tablet. Music everywhere.
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At our place FL and SFL are all done on my main system as that room is quiet and easy to relax within. When it comes to CL it’s all Sonos- there are a few in the house that can be moved around if needed (as well as outdoors). They’re great for that purpose. If all else fails I’ll queue up music on my Android phone. The only AL would be what my wife is playing on Sonos or the occasional unfortunate IPAD blast. |
