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High expectations when listening to an orchestra

If you listen to an orchestra and expect to hear the real thing, you’re certain to be disappointed.
There’s no way you can come close to that experience  with your equipment.  An orchestra in your listening space is an impossibility. Therefore you have to adopt a “suspension of disbelief.”  In other words, trick yourself into believing it’s the real  thing.  You have to bring your imagination to the equation.
The degree to which you can suspend your disbelief, will determine how much enjoyment you get.
Of course, the better the quality of your equipment, the closer you will come.
With lesser forces than an orchestra, such as a few instruments or solo instrument or voice, the easier it becomes to approach reality.
rvpiano
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
There’s no way you can come close to that experience  with your equipment.

Diapers! Er, what I mean is, depends. One time way up high in a back balcony at Benaroya Hall I was struck by how much this sounded like my system at home. Violin sounded virtually the same. Put it this way, more difference between different recordings than what I was hearing here live vs at home. This was 20 years ago. 

Another time, sitting a lot closer more like center floor 10-15 rows back, that I could not do. Not then. Now? Different story. So nowhere near easy, but you can come awfully close. Come and listen. You will see.
mickeyb
591 posts
 
Of course, there aren’t 60 musicians in your room. Your equipment and mind will provide you with the necessary illusion. Still awesome to hear the reproduction. 
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,559 posts
 
I just listened to La Mer from Debussy directed by Solti w/CSO on original London FFRR. While not like being in the concert hall, played with my newly acquired PBN Montana XPS speakers, the instruments were placed all over the front wall with fantastic separation. That's plenty good enough for me. This record grows on me at each listen, superb experience. 
jdane
183 posts
 
True of all music.  Full blaring orchestra just makes it more obvious.
jimofmaine's avatar
jimofmaine
41 posts
 
Yes, it can be done. The world needs to get the time-domain fixed. Up until now, fr and radpat. Soon it will truly be 4 dimensional. 
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