Is it too bright or is it high resolution?

Decades ago TAS had an anecdote about an audiophile who goes to a live symphony concert and turns to his companion and asks, "where are all the high frequencies?"

Too bright being high resolution is a generalization. To get high resolution, you need a system where the source and amp can actually reproduce the fine detail, and then speakers that can deliver it as well.  Many budget and vintage speakers simply can not.

One can have a harsh/bright sounding system that can't reproduce fine detail.

Too bright being high resolution is a generalization ...
One can have a harsh/bright sounding system that can't reproduce fine detail

I agree completely. There's no inherent link between brightness and resolution. In fact, some of the highest-res recordings I have - the ones that are filled with detail and nuance - aren't bright at all. They may be extended on top, but never bright. Brightness is actually often the result of distortion, not detail.

Brightness can also be caused by tipped up upper mids which does give the impression of more detail. I hear this tendency in some systems, speakers, silver wire etc... The same detail is there, but it is tipped up a tad and a tad more noticeable to our ears. I call this brightness. 

@onhwy61 "an audiophile who goes to a live symphony concert and turns to his companion and asks, "where are all the high frequencies?"

So true! I find many hifi systems present the treble region in greater volume than live. That is brightness, and shouldn’t be a goal. In a full orchestra from the very back of the stage a delicate triangle can be heard throughout the hall, often cutting through louder passages of multiple strings or woodwinds. Great systems can do the same, allowing that clarity & detail without overemphasizing it. That’s transparency, not brightness and more is almost always better. Brightness is fatiguing and amusical, but transparency isn’t. As I’ve learned to become better at separating the two, my enjoyment and involvement in the music increases. Oh, and the brighter gear had to go! Cheers,
Spencer