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Describe the "new HiFi sound"?

Recently had a discussion with an audio friend over the word "musical" and what this word means to each of us with regard to sound from different amplifiers and speakers. Some debate too.  And, reading this other comment on Agon once in a while...how some equipment has the "new HiFi sound".  

ASK: 

Can someone describe this, in your words, what is the new HiFi Sound to you?  Examples? Or, opposites of the new HiFi sound, what does this sound like?

 

 

 

decooney
kota1
2,706 posts
 

Nick Rives, Sound Engineer from Capitol Records

The "new hifi" atmos sound is "transformative"

Interview:

https://youtu.be/yZz-JKMW9ok

webking185's avatar
webking185
204 posts
 

New eq is very refined and accurate, digital sounding. Non stereo imagimg.  If you compare it to the 70s equipment.  Any of the 70s or 80s equipment has alot of soul to the sounds.

New Eq = more resolution and dynamics, can be dry

Vintage Eq = romatic and mellow, even colored.

 

grislybutter
3,486 posts
 

@kota1 

Sony besides the good things in technology played a big role in destroying the music business. Famous for its ruthless, tone-def (what a pun) executives. Remember the DVD region codes? It was a nightmare. If it was still up to Sony, you would be paying for digital content every time you use it. 

kota1
2,706 posts
 

@grislybutter

Yeah, betamax was another format war, agreed. When Steva Ballmer (Vista, Bing) was helming Microsoft it was awful, biggest software company in the world couldn’t build squat and lived off renewals instead of innovation. Satya Nadella comes in and they pivot to office 365 and azure cloud services, the Surface tablet, etc. Big improvement. In 2005 Sony changed CEO’s to an American guy who was head of Sony America to become Sony’s top dog, Howard Stringer, and s--- hit the fan. The guy got them back to "kaizen", or pursuit of perfection and eventually went all in on high resolution audio with the Signature line. Kazuo Hirai succeeded him as CEO in 2012 they rolled out Signature in 2016 after 5 years in development. Check out the story here:

https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/design/stories/signature_series/

overthemoon
446 posts
 

I don't know the term 'new HIFI sound' but if I was to explain it.

My interpretation is detail without coloration.

I'm in my 50s and the stereo's I heard in my younger years was enjoyable.  And when I listen to older equipment (for the heck of it I pulled out an Adcom amp and replaced my Moon amp with it) the sound is less dynamic and detailed.

Ultimately, I think the reason there's some many options is because we all have different tastes.  I hope technology has added the ability to pursue different characteristics.  

Ultimately music appreciation lies in the beholder - if someone likes it they like it.  And if they like it over Apple earpods or Boulder Audio with Wilson speakers does it really matter?

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