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Accurate vs Musical

What is the basis for buying an "accurate" speaker over a "musical" one? I am very familiar with most audiophile jargon but this is one that confuses me. Musical to me means that the speakers convey the "air" or/and overtone of instruments.

"Accurate" on the other hand is what, the accuracy of a single note? If accurate does not convey the space of an instrument, how can it be defined as accurate? I can understand why an "accurate" speaker can be used in a recording studio or as a studio monitor but for casual listening/auditioning?

Thiel is an accurate speaker but Magnepan is more musical so which would truly be more faithful to the original source? Someone please clear this up for me. Thanks.
ebonyvette
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
well designed speakers ALWAYS deliver on both counts. legendary brands names have 'many' examples that are proof...quad, duntech, dunlavy, rogers, dahlquist, ar, hales, chapman, essence, apogee, mcintosh, tannoy, jbl, advent, epi, ohm, harbeth, castle, spica, cizek.....and the beat goes on. the debate as well. each of these brands(i'm sure i've forgotten some) have built flagship and entry level speakers alike that still compete with the most expensive speakers today on the musical and accuracy fronts. they also don't fall apart with an even larger variety of tube or ss components. god bless this hobbyjaybo
aball
2,016 posts
 
Well how about that!?! We have no clear answer! haha.
ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
Here's another view to add to the confusion. I used to have amps that drew images with razor sharp edges and I thought they were great until they were eventually replaced with ones that weren't quite as precise but tied everything together into a whole. I found the latter much easier to listen to and less distracting. While it sounded more natural, it lost some attention.

It's hard to listen to the sound with all that music going on. My system isn't trying to impress me anymore, despite the five and half foot tall speakers and 300 pounds of amps.
baroque_lover
102 posts
 
I without a doubt believe there is a difference. I have heard speakers that reproduce a recording perfectly but sounded sterile doing it. Musical to me is one that can reproduce these nuances with fluidity and emotion.

I still believe speaker building is one part science and one part art.
gregm
3,396 posts
 
Baroque:
I have heard speakers that reproduce a recording perfectly but sounded sterile doing it
How can they reproduce a recording "perfectly" and yet sound "sterile"?
Unless: a) the recording itself is sterile OR
b) you prefer some non-linear distortion in the reproduction:)?
You probably mean s/thing else
Cheers
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