Why I like my home system better than live music

While I enjoy music over my system quite a bit, it cannot match the enjoyment of a live concert (I listen to mainly classical and small folk and jazz ensembles). I think a big part of it, apart from the sheer volume and power of an orchestra going full tilt which no system can match, is that every so often the stars align or whatever and you experience a magical moment where all the musicians are on the same page, or a performer just gets it right, and you hear true inspiration, both in the playing and in the music. Those moments are rare, but I find far more of them in live performances than on recordings.

Irv-I find my setup to come very close to my standard of reproduction that being the Pink Floyd concert in Mpls,Mn during the delicate sounds of thunder tour,extreme dynamic swings probally not at the level of a full orchestra though.My M2's are not the newer panels but I am still very happy with them and are the finest speaker I have owned thus far.I think if you get a chance to hear a soundlab again do so as it might change your opinion;I have never heard the Revels or B&W but I know they get excellant press and owners swear by them.

Rleff, as I mentioned in my posts, I think there's a lot to love in Sound Lab speakers. They are remarkable. But when your wife is a drummer you get a tendency to judge speakers by how realistic they make drum kits sound. I've also been fascinated over the years by how rare the "shock and awe" feeling of realism is in audio. I'm honestly not trying to even imply that the Revels (or the B&Ws for that matter) are really better than the SLs, they were just better *for me* at the time I made the decision.

Irv 10-4

I like the ability to control the volume and replay the same original performance again-n-again with the muscians changing stuff.