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Evaluating a system - what do you listen for?

I have been in this hobby a long time and my opinion of what I want to hear in reproduced music continues to evolve. Having owned many systems - and critically listened to many, many more - I am now looking for an overall sound that as accurately as possible captures the tone and tempo of the music with enough of a bass foundation to convincingly portray an orchestra at full tilt or club beats while still nailing the timbre of an upright bass. Decent portrayal of leading and trailing edges is nice, and a high end that’s fully present and balanced without stridency is a big plus. Detail’s good, but hyper detail without musical flow can be distracting. Airy treble and pinpoint or large soundstage are also nice to have, but if what’s coming out of the speakers doesn’t make me want to tap my toe or cry a little bit when a vocalist holds a note just so, then what’s the point? That’s what I’m looking for these days - what about you?
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wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
The best is not to try and focus on any particular frequency or sounds at first. I am a mastering engineer, and the best technique I use is to almost not focus too much initially. It sounds counter intuitive, but this approach allows you to get an immediate first impression on the overall track, especially if it is one you know. 

I'm no mastering engineer but I've also found this is the approach that works best for me. It seems listening without focus highlights what's wrong (or right) rather quickly, at times it's immediately apparent.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I would use the words, realism or holographic, as the essence of what I am now hearing. My last four years have been eye opening to me. I am now hearing very precise locational information, such as where all musicians are, in the case of piano solos even knowing where the high notes are in space, a real sense of ambience in the hall, bass reverb. In addition every note from 20 hz to immediate leading edge, and human noises of the musicians. Sibilants with no breakups and sounding real.

Frankly I never expected to hear what I'm hearing. It is a real thrill to hear performances that I could hear as the musicians are now dead.

I must say that this is all very fragile. Some records don't have this information and sometimes my system is not fully ready, such as having to be on for longer after being off for thunderstorms. But when it is right, wow!

raymonda
855 posts
 
I want an accurate timbre  recreation of what's on the recording. That and 3 demensionality,  as well as, the ability to handle dynamic swings.

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,580 posts
 
Right On! bdp24-

after the Piano, the violin and cello, is next on the timbral scale of importance.
mward
102 posts
 
At this point in my hi-fi journey, the best system is the one that reveals the talent of the musicians  and the instruments they play. 

When I consider upgrading my system, I want new components that will reveal more of what the musicians are holding in their hands.  I want to hear what their instruments are made of and the sound of their bodies on those instruments.  And I want it in a natural and realistic way.    The last part makes it a difficult dream to achieve.    Is it possible to have ultimate detail while maintaining ultimate realism?
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