Can your system be optimized to sound better for classical or non-classical?

@artemus_5  Technically, the term 'classical music' refers to a specific era. It specifically excludes Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, and other eras. Nevertheless, some wonderfully involving and interesting music was composed at these times, and repays serious attention. I call this 'serious music'.

This includes, but is certainly not limited to, such giants as Tallis, Bach, Wagner. Modern examples of serious music are David Hykes' New Harmonic Choir, Gorecki, and Paert.

This contrasts with Dylan (which I also like), and U2 (which I do not).

Classical is the most demanding genre for a Hi-Fi because of its dynamic range and wide frequency spectrum. During quiet passages you want a jet black background without a hint of hiss but you need the power in reserve for the louder sections. Generally other types of recording have more compression so a bit of background noise could go unnoticed. Also, the range of frequencies (from a pipe organ to a piccolo) is going to need a pretty flat 20Hz-20kHz response to sound natural. Pop / Rock / Electronic music will have been mastered to sound good on a wide range of systems so is likely to be more compressed and have less sub 80Hz content.
So I guess I’m saying that if you have a system that sounds good with classical music then it should sound good with most other genres.

Pragmasi,

I tend to agree with you. Whereas I’ve heard horrible representations of classical music on some sets that excel in rock, there is much less of a drop off (if at all) in the quality of sound of rock on a good classical system.

Mr. Pass (Pass Labs) once said that stereo reproduction is an entertainment and not dialysis.  What he meant was that in a sense, whatever it takes to sound good.  I do believe if a system is optimized for rock, pop and so on, will probably won't sound as good in classical and likewise.  

Just like anything in life, if something is optimized to perform optimally in one area, will fall short in another.  A really great sport car won't feel comfy in a long journey like a Lexus.  I have never seen a great artist and a great physicist exist in one person.  

I don't think Einstein can play as well as Beethoven, but that doesn't mean there isn't a person who possesses both qualities (if not equally), just that if that person exists, he or she won't be remembered as well as if they were separately.  Likewise, a system can sound "good" in both classical or rock/pop, but it won't excel in either area.  I guess the word is "compromise".