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What the heck do these terms mean?

I read a lot about audio equipment and some descriptions come up occasionally about the components sound qualities that to me are confusing. Most of the time I regard these descriptions as by someone with little knowledge about audio equipment that are trying to sound impressive.

Most of these terms are used in describing speakers but I have also seen them used on cables, amps , electronics of all sorts etc..
So, can someone help define these common descriptive terms?

1. Treble/ bass is dry- Huh? What does this mean?
2. Treble/bass is wet.- Huh? Again, what does this mean?
3. Organic sounding- Huh, huh?
4. Musical sounding.- What? Compared to non musical sounding?

The last one can be used with just about any description of any component or speaker performance.

There may be more...

ozzy

128x128ozzy
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
OK, here are a few more terms for you guys to ponder over.

Congealed
Generic
Two dimensional
Boomy
Like papier-mâché
Compressed
Grainy
Entertaining
Convincing
Liquid
Hollow
Strident

slaw's avatar
slaw
21,491 posts
 
@geoffkait,

You forgot
... Like fox chasing a hound.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,468 posts
 
I think you guys have done a great job trying to define these various terms. 
However, sometimes the reviewer may use the same terms to describe something that sounds good and sometimes not so good.
I do wish there was a consensus as to how they use the terms.

While I am on my soapbox, why are so many reviewers using obscure recordings to describe the sound? If I have never heard the recording how can I relate?

ozzy


rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 
I had speakers that were wet in the lower regions once. Some nice adult undergarments did the trick. 
jond's avatar
jond
5,811 posts
 
ozzy the lack of reviewer consensus is why it's good to find a reviewer you like, and stick with that person. That way you get to know their biases and what they mean when they describe something.

In terms of obscure recordings not sure if you stream but these days I can often find the recording a reviewer is using on Qobuz or Tidal.
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