This "brightness or resolution?" question has been on my mind a long time. When I first got interested in high end audio in the mid-1980's, I visited many high-end audio stores around the country. I was struck me how, very often the most expensive equipment was (to me) noticeably & unacceptably bright--and often was also lacking in upper bass/lower midrange content. I ultimately found very high resolution systems (preamp/amp/speakers) that weren't bright in the least,
had realistic warm/impact in the bass region, yet managed to
convey all the details on LPs, FM radio, or CDs.
I am now repeating this journey in desktop audio & headphones, where many highly respected products are literally treble cannons.
My objection now, as it was then, is that elevated treble (whether in pursuit of "resolution," or just the pleasure some get from amped up treble) sounds nothing like real music. I've been in music halls, jazz clubs, and other performance spaces countless times, and barring music that's entirely electronically conveyed (which plays by different rules), the treble sounds nothing like it does on audio systems. IRL, treble from things like triangle, violins, and high notes of the piano shimmers & sparkles, but disappears quickly; while bass instruments create sound that lingers, while also impacting one's body. In actual performances, details are all simply there, as produced by musicians, with no emphasis needed in any part of the frequency range.
Only in audio equipment does elevated treble impersonate detail.
I am now repeating this journey in desktop audio & headphones, where many highly respected products are literally treble cannons.
My objection now, as it was then, is that elevated treble (whether in pursuit of "resolution," or just the pleasure some get from amped up treble) sounds nothing like real music. I've been in music halls, jazz clubs, and other performance spaces countless times, and barring music that's entirely electronically conveyed (which plays by different rules), the treble sounds nothing like it does on audio systems. IRL, treble from things like triangle, violins, and high notes of the piano shimmers & sparkles, but disappears quickly; while bass instruments create sound that lingers, while also impacting one's body. In actual performances, details are all simply there, as produced by musicians, with no emphasis needed in any part of the frequency range.
Only in audio equipment does elevated treble impersonate detail.