What define "musicality" ? And what constitute "musicality" in audio ?

The Linn turntable people used to call it "pace." I think it goes beyond that.

So many times when I’m listening to music, whether its a full classical orchestra or a jazz trio, I find myself thinking "boy what a tight group." That’s musicality.

Musicality has to do with pace, the expert playing of the musicians, the correct tonality of the instruments, the layering of the instruments, and/or the proper positioning of the players on the sound stage. When it all comes together, that is musicality.

I don’t think musicality has much to do with audiophile terms, like transparency, and such. I’ve heard musicality on the car radio, even to such a degree that I’ve stopped the car, written down the name of the artist, then driven over to the nearest record store to buy the music.

Conversely, I've heard super transparent systems before that are amazing in that one regard. But, after 20 minutes of listening, one is left wondering ... where is the musical involvement? Where is the musical emotion? Why am I bored listening to this system? Where's the exit? 

Like in the famous pornography case, when asked how he would define pornography, the judge said: "I know it when I see it." With musicality, I know it when I hear it.

Frank

It seems to happen when all distractions have gone away.

I don’t think musicality has much to do with audiophile terms, like transparency, and such. I’ve heard musicality on the car radio, even to such a degree that I’ve stopped the car, written down the name of the artist, then driven over to the nearest record store to buy the music.

Conversely, I’ve heard super transparent systems before that are amazing in that one regard. But, after 20 minutes of listening, one is left wondering ... where is the musical involvement? Where is the musical emotion? Why am I bored listening to this system? Where’s the exit?

Oregonpapa,thanks for your point, very interesting for me, because this experience of yours we have lived that also most of us and it is some food for thinking...

Thanks to the others also, interesting beginnings for tought...

I am going to have to agree with this, with the caveat that a quality system can intensify the feeling.

Oregonpapa
Musicality has to do with pace, the expert playing of the musicians, the correct tonality of the instruments, the layering of the instruments, and/or the proper positioning of the players on the sound stage. When it all comes together, that is musicality.

I don’t think musicality has much to do with audiophile terms, like transparency, and such. I’ve heard musicality on the car radio, even to such a degree that I’ve stopped the car, written down the name of the artist, then driven over to the nearest record store to buy the music.

and this, without the emphasis on the system

millercarbon
Musicality I think is one of those terms people use for when the system or component sounds good in a way that you are trying to think of exactly how it sounds good but its hard because your foot starts tapping and your heart starts racing and your mind keeps returning to how goddamn good it sounds so quit bugging me man just go away and oh yeah damn that sounds good!

Musicality has peaked when that chill runs down the back of you spine.