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What exactly is colored sound?

I guess the definition would be a deviation from what what was originally intended but how do we really know what was originally intended anyway?  I mean solid state mostly sounds like solid state.  I guess that would be a coloration, push pull amps and set have their own colorations.  It seems we try to denote certain definitions to either promote or dis certain sounds I guess.  We could have a supposedly neutral amp but their just is not enough bass so we turn up the subwoofer or the bass, a coloration per se.  I guess one could say that colored sound would be a good thing.  after all, each instrument has its own sound (color).  A mullard, a telefunken, I mean who knows what tubes were in the recording studios at the time of the recording.  Syrupy, sweet, rich, NEUTRAL, forward, backward I mean really...  I guess its all about certain preferences for each person.  even in the studio.  who knows, maybe a recording may be meant to sound syrupy or sweet and then we try to make it as neutral as possible.  Maybe thats a coloration in itself.  I guess what I am asking is why do reviewers use the word colored in reviews anyway?
tzh21y
inna
7,296 posts
 
Again, before the recording itself there are microphones that cannot 'hear' as well as the ear. It goes from there. We should try to recreate in our listening rooms what ear would have heard not what microphones 'heard'. Of course, it's impossible. The closer the better.
One or maybe main reason why some hi-end systems don't really sound good - too far.  They can sound impressively but that's not how it sounds in reality.
jkuc
181 posts
 
Uncolored sound is natural sound,  as close to real as possible.  It should be neither brighter (many systems are on the bright side)  nor darker than life sound. I should be neither warmer nor colder than the real..  Correct timbre... and so on.  When I go to concerts (of course not those organized in stadiums)  it happens to me to pay attention, to listen to the mentioned attributes and then compare sound of my system.. 
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
If you actually had a copy of an original master tape, for example, and you played it on two different systems, lets say they are extreme high end, I bet that master tape would sound different on each to some degree even if you used the same reel to reel device.  So, unless you were present at the actual recording and heard it with your own ears, would you really know how it sounded?
russmaleartist's avatar
russmaleartist
52 posts
 
Think in terms of the government’s claim to “transparency” -- that which obscures the TRUTH is colorization by whatever means that is used to distort, change, obscure, pervert, or even enhance the original and change what the recipient receives no matter what the media used or form of communication implemented. IF you are receiving a facsimile, no matter how “good or bad” the results appear to be to you . . . then you have been knowingly and willingly -- or unwittingly, but decidedly, have become an accomplice to the transformation . . . which is, of course, ultimately the individual’s choice and personal satisfaction.
inna
7,296 posts
 
You would know approximately or very close, depending on the recording. I have a few records of the musicians that I heard live without any microphones, I also have a few records of the musicians that I heard live with microphones. Really good recording played on high-end system in a tuned room that is big enough does bring you close. Some systems sound sterile - that's coloration too.

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