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The Distortion of Sound

Just wondering how many have viewed this presentation, by Harman International: http://www.distortionofsound.com It’s been on you tube for quite some time, as well. Another site that may be of interest to some: http://dr.loudness-war.info/
rodman99999
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
If the music companies (Columbia, Sony, etc.) were smart they would issue two different versions of CDs - one for the boom box and iPod generation and one for those that want the dynamics, audiophiles and whoever. The movie companies offer DVD, Blu Ray and violet versions of movies, actually they force you to but all three, why can’t the music industry wise up? I absolutely refuse to buy CDs with numbers like 7, 8 and 9. Give me a break!
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,969 posts
 
Great idea- GK. There are SACD titles for us audiophiles!
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
SACDs?  Yeah, like I'm going to go buy an SACD player or Blu Ray player so I can listen to audiophile recordings.  Besides SACDs are being compressed too.  Didn't you get the memo? ;-)
mechans
3,048 posts
 

Most people including boom box and car stereo owners don't play their stereos at full blast with the volume turned all the way up.  The little AM portable transistor radios of the 60s were played with the volume turned up, so I se the loudness benefit to them but t them alone and people use ear buds now with down loaded files for music, once again not played all the way up.  I am surprised that this is still an issue.

I got an OPUS 3  Show Case  sampler CD/SACD  as a gift from another forum and it's really beautifully recorded.  It shows you, CDs  can be done well if the producer wants to.

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Of course it should be pointed out just in case, that volume and dynamic range are not you can't for example reduce the dynamic range by turning down the volume. Apparently the powers that be at a lot of the big music companies got together and decided, gee wouldn’t it be great if all those young dudes and dudettes with boom boxes, iPhones and iPods could turn up the music loud without clipping their tiny little players and without destroying any speakers? Well, guess what? They compress the dynamic range and increase the level (loudness) on the CDs. That’s why some of your CDs at the same volume setting on your preamp or player are louder than others. That’s because they’re compressed. But the peaks are a lot lower. Problem solved! Lol
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