2. misc-audio
  3. 1311809179

Should the best systems sound almost identical?

If the overall goal of audio equipment and the various media types is to reproduce recorded music the way it sounded when it was being recorded, then it seems that as an audio system gets closer to achieving this goal various systems should sound more and more alike.

For example, in a utopian world my stereo system would so perfectly reproduce a singers voice that if they were standing between the speaker you couldn't tell the difference in an A/B test. If the equipment is adding a characteristic sound the listener would be able to tell a difference. The less of the systems characteristic sound the closer to the actual singer the recording would be.

Taking this another step, does it make sense that the "better" speakers are the more they should sound the same? Should they not be getting closer to the perfect reproduction of the signal that is given them?

How about the Focal Grande Utopia speakers that retail for $180,000 vs. some of the crazy expensive MBL stuff. I'd venture a guess that they sound nothing alike. Almost seems like speakers at this level should almost be interchangeable in a system at least at the sweet spot.
mceljo
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i think that as has been stated before, there are two camps. one tries to minimize errors to the signal, the other tries to satisfies one's taste/preferences, or whatever word (subjective) you choose to select.

the former stereo systems as a group would tend to veer towards the neutral, while the latter would vary all over the place.

so, it's a matter of what your idea is as to the purpose of a stereo system. there is no definitive answer. there is no write or wrong.

this issue has plagued serious listeners for years. it is a philosophical issue and will be argued forever.

rehgardless of the approach what is considered "best" in stereo systems will present audible differences.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,673 posts
 
Mceljo:

It would seem that you may not understand my post, as your response does not make any sense in regard to what I posted (what I posted was clearly stated, IMO).

Simply put, there is no achievable "true to the source" documentation/measurement as to what the original ears/brains involved in the musical production listened to.
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
Dekay:

I may have misunderstood, but it appears that you're talking about the recording process and I'm simply talking about the reproduction of an original sound.

You are correct that we'll never be able to really know what the original sound was on any given CD.
tmsorosk
1,013 posts
 
" Should the best systems sound identical " . Do the best car's drive the same .
mceljo OP
1,357 posts
 
Tmsorosk - Audio systems would be a better comparison with various kit cars trying to replicate an original. Fiero had a few models that looked almost identical to a Ferrari, but they drove like a VW bug. Some people were very excited with this level of replication.

I think the industry has become more about "do the best car's drive the same" and are no longer working toward replication of an original sound, just their own signature sound.
More to discover