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At This Time Can We Recreate Full Range Live Music In The Home?

I read on this web site some members claim they go to the symphony orchestra and are "convinced" their system reproduces the experience. I agree with vocals, light percussion, acoustic music, light jazz, the best systems come very close. My experience comes from being a semi professional drummer for 40+ years. I currently have acoustic and electronic drums in my home. I play in a huge open space with 20 foot cathedral ceilings. I think I can state that I know what live drums sound like. Can even the six figure systems reproduce the attack and decay of a 20 inch crash cymbal? I say "maybe" in the future but not now! What makes me laugh is we audiophiles myself included will spend many, many thousands of dollars trying to reproduce the sound of a $20 triangle or a $15 woodblock or a $10 shaker. Play the song Aja by Steely Dan. I can play on my system the drum solo by the great Steve Gadd at realistic volume levels-if you dare -but it is not the same as real drums!! I don’t know if I can’t convince people that are not musicians. Not putting non-musicians down. Quoting my dad, "You don’t have to be a horse to be a horse doctor." Another quote by John Lennon. Someone asked him what he was listening to. He responded, "Dripping water."  It would be interesting to know how many of the greatest producers/engineers are or are not musicians or vocalists.
Some statistics: Soft drums 105dB, hard drums up to 130dB, kick drum/timpani 106-111dB, ride cymbal 101dB, toms 110dB, ride bell 115dB, crash 113dB, snare 120dB, rimshot 125dB. I have a system that could produce 125dB, would I -NO WAY I value my #1 instrument -my ears. So the drums are playing at 125dB peaks, now add in the other 80+ members of the symphony orchestra-how loud now? I ask again, can we at this time reproduce accurately the power of a symphony orchestra in the home? For many of us this is the Holy Grail of being an audiophile - Keep Searching!
wweiss
audiodwebe's avatar
audiodwebe
241 posts
 
No be my answer.  No friggin' way to be exact.

The real question is who would even want to create a live band in their listening room?  Even a simple acoustic guitar played eight fert away is loud.  

I want something that sounds good to my ears in my room at my listening level.  
cmariner1
14 posts
 
Certainly. All you need is a concert theater and a full orchestra. It's easy.
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello, I agree with Mijostyn, The recording has to be really good and correct. My system and room are very close. I recently auditioned the Ayre KX-R $30,000 preamp. I know if I had the matching mono blocks and the right speakers it would be right there with the right recording. I have already experienced it. One thing that really helped was the Puritan PSM156. Before I bought that the decay on my system was on the light side. Now, the gap between tracks is a lot less. I’ll bet you didn’t know there was music in that space. There is! I also bought the Puritan Ultimate XX power cable to go from the Puritan to the wall. Please audition this thing if you can. You need subs. Sorry but you do if you want to reach this level of sound. All of your equipment has to be on on par. Also, all of those tweaks MC says to do, do them. They all make a difference if done right. Also, you need a full range speaker. Those open baffle speakers are awesome. I think with those and a couple of subs that hit a true 20 hz you are there. That being said. Not everyone is trying to believe they are at a live concert. Most are just trying to reproduce the recording the way the artist intended it to be heard. This is why I still like the idea of the audiophile coffee/ bar. Coffee shop in the morning, sandwich shop in the afternoon, and listening club with alcohol at night. The only negatives I heard are theft and smoke. We don’t allow smoking inside in the Chicagoland area. As far as theft figure it out. That’s why we have insurance. If you are in the Chicagoland area then you can audition the Puritan at:
https://holmaudio.com/
if you are in the Atlanta area:
https://www.11stereo.com/. 
There is a YouTube video about this by Mike at 11Stereo:
Mike goes by OCDHifiguy on YouTube. He has two videos about this Puritan PSM156
for the speakers. 
https://www.spatialaudiolab.com/shop





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rauliruegas
13,060 posts
 
Dear @mijostyn: This is the OP question and my answer was specific to that question as what  other gentlemans posted: @phusis  or @asvjerry  and others :

"""  I ask again, can we at this time reproduce accurately the power of a symphony orchestra in the home?  """

You posted several things ( as other gentlemans did it. ) but you did not gave a precise answer, even in some ways you posted a " polyte " ( your word ) critic of my answer.

After some posts you finally accepted that you are talking of a way different concept to the OP question and here your statement about:

""  Maybe you and I are talking about different things. I am not saying that I can exactly mirror a live performance.  """

Certainly not. You continue with other statements:

"""  I am saying that I can reach and frequently pass that level of musical involvement and pleasure.......................

 Creating a situation where if you closed your eyes you could easily envision yourself at a live performance.   """


The first statement is the target of almost any music lover/audiophile. I created that in my room system as thousands and thousands of audiophiles all over the world.

I don't have to close my eyes to imagine I'm at a live performance when it's not something real but only " imagination " and this is not what the OP posted but I respect your opinions.

@mglik  posted something of ART and MUSIC is a true ART and that's why has the POWER to moves any one of us deepest feelings/emotions ( in different way to each one of us. ) and MUSIC is so powerful about that even if you listen some recording through any media, inclusive radio or a walkman, maybe could move you because that recording perhaps makes that comes out " memories " or vintage times full of hapiness or unique in our life.

That's why MUSIC is an ART and room/systems are enjoyable as malik said.

R.










asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,618 posts
 
"Live music" is Performance Art; 'downstream' (pun? maybe....) is a reproduction, as is a recording of a 'live' situation.

Sure, you may be able to listen to a squeak in the kickdrums' hardware on your home system....just like hearing Van Morrison go 'Uh' in a song.  

A funny 'miscue' on his part, but it made its' way onto the LP....and the CD...and beyond.

Done live after that?  I really doubt it, but you can be sure Van got ribbed about it.....;)

The roar of the footlights, the smell of the crowd....all that.

I don't care a rodents' butt how good your system is or isn't...it's Not Live, nor ever will or can be.

I don't expect perfection from my pile of misc.  If it 'gets me there', in some fashion that pleases (for now), I'm good to go.

Please Note:  I consciously refrain from commenting upon whatever and however you're applying to enjoy what boats your float.
I can't hear it, nor not likely ever having the opportunity to do so.
The only thing I 'hear' is your commentary in my head.
Sometimes the neurons 'short out'. but I won't hold it against you...the breaker hasn't tripped yet.

Note #2:  'You' is used in a 'collective' sense, 'blame' could be directed, but I'll keep my keys to myself.....
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