Why not horns?

Atmasphere, thanks. Not to belabour the point, but, I don't think "Sketches" is harsh, but it does sound as though the mike is right in front of the bell of the trumpet, hence hard. Truth be told my speakers are not too forgiving of such things. Interestingly enough, I consider the Threshold to excel in reproducing horns. Perhaps, it didn't transfer to digital disk too well? A bit of odd sound staging with this recording, deep and narrow. All in all, a bit unique, if not down right weird. Love the music though.

Weiseas, yes the very same as the reveiwers, although Mr Hughes has done a few modifications to his pair over the years that he has owned them.I have not done any mods to my pair.I believe he also uses the Townshend super tweeter with them.

06-28-10: Unsound
'Gawdbless, I philosophically disagree with you, as I don't believe it's reasonable to expect speakers to "enhance music". If a speaker accurately portrays a recording for better or worse, I think it very fair to blame the recording in some instances.'

Thats the difference between a really good speaker and an extremely average pair.
I mean, do you not want to hear every possible tiddly pom and nuance of every Instrument and vocals to die for when you play your music?
If not, you should have bought a $100 boom box instead and saved yourself a lot of money.
Seems like we have different views on the track you mention regarding hardness.

Gawdbless, I'm sorry, but I don't know what "pom" means. As for a speaker that can play every possible nuance of every instrument and vocals to die for (a bit over the top, wouldn't you say), well if a speaker is truly capable of such detail it will also demonstrate the warts on a recording. I've yet to hear a boom box capable of either. The Thiels certainly don't gloss over the subtleties. As for the financial advice and shopping help, I'll manage on my own, thank you very much.

"do you not want to hear every possible tiddly pom and nuance of every Instrument and vocals to die for when you play your music"

Yes.

Also I find few recordings so bad they are not listenable. In fact, when things are going well on my system, I find most tracks to have something appealing enough to offer to make it worth a listen. When not, then I find myself discounting a lot of recordings that in fact should be quite enjoyable if not still far from perfect.