Is "detailed" audiophile code for too much treble?

Good analogy Audphile1! You just described the difference of most Samsung TV’ s( over saturated colors) vs the better Sony & LG’s. They have a blacker background & more realistic colors which can be very similar to a really good, natural sounding sound system vs a lesser one. This is often but not necessarily associated with cost either. I think we’ve all heard nice sounding, pretty high resolving systems for very reasonable $ but If you want a system to sound good & fill a big room w/ a big sound stage, deep tight bass & play loudly & dynamically, that costs a lot more. . 

Detail is how well you can pick out individual voices and instruments and how much of their timbre you can appreciate. Percussion cannot be used to determine detail as it is hyper-detailed and leads to a false sense of detail. The best test is a symphony orchestra. 

IMHE many people prefer systems that are on the bright side. This gives a false sense of detail. It also increases sibilance and makes cymbals sound tinny. 

How a system is performing requires either measurement or comparison with a known flat source such as headphones.  I prefer measurement. IMHO every audiophile should have a USB measurement microphone. 

If you want to hear a wonderfully detailed system look for ESLs driven by a powerful class A amplifier. 

Bright can mean several different things. Clean, clear, stunning. It can also mean cold, lifeless, harsh.

ffed,” or “smeared” is what you hear when you go into the venue’s bathroom
 

That’s because the higher frequencies have been lost and only the lower remain. 

Bottom line is higher frequencies are an essential part of detail. They can also be a key source of noise and distortion which lead to fatigue.   It all is needed and all needs to be done well ie have a handle on noise and distortion.  After that it’s largely a matter of tuning to personal preference.