Is "detailed" audiophile code for too much treble?

Brightness and detail are two separate issues, although often finding both in some systems.  Also, people have different tolerances for brightness.  The fix is better/different components. 

@g2the2nd 

When I listen to speakers or components that are described as "detailed". I usually find them to be "bright". I like a balanced response and if there is an emphasis, I prefer a little more mid-bass.

Perhaps it's just that the gear you've happened to hear WAS both detailed and bright. I have similar tastes in sonics -- I prefer more present upper bass/low mids to accentuated upper mids/highs. The buzz-words I watch for in reviews are "lively" and "energetic". Those often indicate a more tipped up, forward presentation. As others have said, detail in and of itself need not be fatiguing. As @kennyc states, we vary in our tolerances for brightness. I have little tolerance for brightness but that doesn't mean I like a dull top end. I want a cymbal to sound like a cymbal. The only sure-fire way to find out what pleases you is to listen to a variety of gear. 

Increased detail can be nothing more than dropping the noise floor with better components or better room absorbing/dispersion control.

Brightness can usually be traced to the high frequency transducer, offen experienced with metallic tweeters like beryllium, but not all metallic tweeters sound bright- depends on the execution.

Another way to look at this, does “reality” have too much detail? Barring the use of excess hallucinogenic drugs, the answer is “no”.
High-end audio is simply a facsimile of reality, so you can have detail without the shrillness - it all depends on the execution

Another way to look at this, does “reality” have too much detail? Barring the use of excess hallucinogenic drugs, the answer is “no”.

But in music, what is reality?

Just one example that we’ve probably all heard.

When I listen to my system, I often hear a piano miced so that I can hear the action/thump of the pedals and sometimes even the hammers retracting.

I don’t think I’ve ever listened to someone play a song on the piano where I had my head in there and could hear this stuff.

So this IS reality, but who’s reality?

The best test is a symphony orchestra.

+1 Many audiophiles will shake in their pants before they touch the orchestra though ....because that’s when their million dollar rigs fall apart (all gear sold by the emperors with no clothes shall get exposed).