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Accuracy vs. musicality

I imagine if you have an unlimited budget you can have both ultimate accuracy and musicality.
For those of us whose budget is somewhat limited, we usually have to make a choice.
I very recently obtained  speakers (which I prefer not to name so as to avoid debate.  Some of you do know them.) These speakers were criticized by an Agoner for not being accurate.
Now, I heard the speakers he liked better and they we’re fine, and maybe more “etched,” but they did not convey the musical message as well to me.  Indeed I compared many such speakers recommended by members (there was little love for mine) and I found them not to have the sound I hear in a concert hall. They did not communicate to me as well.
So, what’s more important: precise accuracy or musicality?
128x128rvpiano
audiokinesis
2,740 posts
 

This past weekend I showed a speaker at RMAF that incorporates an unusual amount of adjustability.

Its frequency response curve can be "accurate" (approximately flat), or it can be "something else".

A significantly "something else" curve was preferred by a huge margin by those of us involved in setting up the room. We adjusted by ear (and I trusted younger ears more than my own). After the show I modeled what the response curve was after our adjustments, and it sloped gently downward by about 3 dB per decade north of 200 Hz. This isn’t news - this sort of curve has worked well for others.

Point being, the ears don’t necessarily perceive what the eye expects from looking at a curve.

Duke

dealer/manufacturer

jond's avatar
jond
5,845 posts
 
I am sitting here listening to "Bags and 'trane" recorded in 1959. How am I supposed to know if what I'm hearing is accurate? It sounds great to me on my system and it's great music. That's all I can personally ask for in my system.
joes44's avatar
joes44
132 posts
 
Wait a second can I believe my eyes? Audiophiles exhibiting rational thoughts rather than obsessive anal retentive examination of the accuracy of a auditory reproduction? O.k, let me get this straight, LISTEN to the music. ENJOY the music. Where's the fun in that?
Only kidding! no need to respond.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,170 posts
 
Many times the quality of your sourse can make a even bigger difference in both musicality and accuracy lfor Everything 
starts with the sourse.any information obscured, and not correct 
from the start to your liking it will effect Everything downstream.
from there then you have the quality of your starting point.
markalarsen's avatar
markalarsen
652 posts
 
I think musicality and accuracy are the same thing; they are not mutually exclusive. 
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