How close to the real thing?

Many variables. Type of music being a very important one. I have never heard any system capabable of reproducing the almost physical low bass energy you experience live in a Jazz club. Thenagain, solo instruments and small acoustic ensembe music can come pretty close in a high end system. Recording quality is also a huge factors. Ironically, the closest to "the real thing" I experience in my system is actually a multi channel surround sound SACD solo piano recording on the Norwegian 2L label (Mirror Canon) - no Chopin though. This is as close as having a Steinway in my room as it gets.

I also remember walking in a show floor and believing there was a live ensemble playing around the corner, only to find out they were playing a studio master tape over JBL monitors - so 5% seems a rather conservative number.

Petrayer,

Coincidentally, the Meyerhoff in Baltimore is one of the venues I have used extensively as a sound quality reference over the years.

You, know the sound quality there as with most venues varies considerably depending on how teh performers set up and where you sit?

Most classical performances tehre from most seats have some of the best sound quality I have heard IMHO.

however, once I heard Steve Winwood there from way up in the top level, slightly right of center and I could not have been more disappointed.

I used to feel very good about my system when I came home from the Meyerhoff and compared to my rig running magnepan mg1cs at the time, in every sense save absolute dynamics and impact perhaps. If I closed my eyes, it cam way better than 5% I would say, enough so that I did not care.

Nowadays, with my newer OHM floorstanders, I think I have upped the ante considerably.

I also run good monitors and they are nice but I have yet to hear a pair of standalone monitors deliver large scale classical convincingly. Chamber music and the like, perhaps...

Mapman,

I agree with you that there is nothing like the sound in good seats at a well designed hall. I don't think I'll ever get my Mini IIs to deliver large scale classical music convincingly or certainly not a rock concert. My room and those monitors are just too small. However, with a great recording and the right music (small scale and acoustic) the sound is pretty darn good and I dare say almost believable. Well, close enough to be emotionally moving.

Sure it's not the real thing, but it's one minute down the hall, available anytime and able to play any of my LPs with a simple lift of the tone arm. Muddy, Miles, Starker, or Arrau. Playback has come a long way.

Someday, I'll invite my buddy Edseas2 back over and ask about that 5% again.

Peterayer:

Yeah, and if you still have the piano in the same room as your stereo system I'll slide the cover off the keyboard, play a single note and say:

"Gosh was I being generous when I said 5%!"

Edseas2

Peter,

Recorded music in most people's homes and live music in a large well designed concert hall are two different beasts that will never be the same. I think realizing this helps manage expectations when experiencing either. Each can have its unique charms that endear themselves. Sometimes it is possible for the two different things to strongly resemble each other.

I think if an experienced listener is satisfied with both on their own terms and in relation to each other, then that is about as good as it can get.

I think I've arrived at that point in the last year or so finally, so I am a very content listener at present.