2. misc-audio
  3. 170693-1069

If a " system " cannot do this, I move on........

I have been advocating on here for some time, that horn speakers ( properly designed, tweeked, executed and set up ) are the only speakers that my brain and ears find acceptable, for the enjoyment of music listening. My listening standard has been live, unamplified music, for now over 50 years. I have also stated on many occasions, that as an audiophile ( as well as being a music listener ), that we are hindered by the recordings themselves, minimizing what we actually are hearing. There has been much talk lately about engineers using " auto tune " ( specifically with vocalists ). Adele ( I am a fan ), with her new hit " Easy On Me ", does not use auto tune, and I am thrilled. Besides being a great singer, she sounds " natural ", less processed. Most recordings in the past 20 years, have used this other electronic " equalization " if you will, that we find embedded in out prescious recordings. The strive for perfection, that " audio nirvana ", we all seek, with the purchase of a new speaker, amplifier, cables, etc., gets us only so far. So yes, dynamics and details are very important to me. Tone, coherence and spatiality are also very important. But the reality is, our recordings, by the time we receive / hear them ( whatever format ), have been severly altered from being close to the real thing. Yet, audiophiles continue to spend big bucks on their gear, their rooms ( their systems ), to get to that place of enjoyment. The title of this thread, " If a system cannot do this, I move on ", has a specific meaning. What I listen for, most of all, with every recording I listen to, is an engagenment between me, and the performers. Following the individual rhythms and musical lines, by the artists, is the number one factor I strive to hear. My system allows for this. My question is : how many of you actually listen for this, or even know what I am speaking of. My personal experience listening to so many high priced systems, has been very disappointing in using this criteria. I am not anticipating this thread to develop into a very large or popular one, but I have not participated in Agon for a while, and I just wanted to shine a light on a subject that is crucial to us and our time listening to music, which some of us spend much time doing. Enjoy, and be well. Always, MrD.

mrdecibel
mrdecibel OP
3,065 posts
 

@au_laitΒ +1

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,164 posts
 

Yes, the better the audio system is the better all cds are....There is no bad or good recording anymore....All recording are simply different and each one of variable qualities on a vast number of aspects...

A good audio system is not necessarily a pricey one.....

You are able to reach the goal only when you know already, to begin with, what this goal is... And this goal is listening music and forgetting sound,system,upgrade.....

Some reach this goal very soon...

Other like me not so much soon...  😁😁😁😁😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

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toddalin's avatar
toddalin
272 posts
 

I have horns speakers (JBL L200/300s, JBL 4430s, Altec Super Reds) but I have found it better (smoother and more linear) to use cones and a Heil AMT.

While a horn will supply more than enough volume at the seating area, it does so with much directionality such that "a little goes a long way."

So, to do this, it doesn’t really require that you move much air through the room.

OTOH, if you use a "relatively" big cone to do this, you exite a much greater volume of air in the room and this is perceived as "slam" that you just don’t get with horns.

This is why I created the "Ethyl Mermans" that use a JBL 2241H (18") JBL 2251J (~10"), and Heil AMT. The soundstage, imaging, and involvement are unreal and these feel more like the performers are in the room than any other speakers I have (including JBL L112s and Chartwell LS3/5As).

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This is in "CD Direct" mode (Red Book CD, Oppo 95 through a Yamaha RX-Z9 RECEIVER) with no eq, room correction, digital processing, etc. The room is big (26’ x 16.5’ x 7.5’ -->16’) and open to the entry way/dining area in one corner. But these can play at concert levels without breaking a sweat.

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https://youtu.be/qz4d17nPMDA

fiesta75
1,378 posts
 

Great thread!Β I love my older Altec's and use them everyday. Concentric drivers are my preference and of couse high efficency. Large Heil AMT's and JBL's good too, even at low to moderate volume levels.

mrdecibel OP
3,065 posts
 

I just listened to " Romantic Warrior ", and the playing of these 4 ARTISTS is simply uncanny. NO, they are not in my room, as I know and am aware of, a recording is what I am listening to. 1st, the total lack of any noise, distortion, hiss, hum, at full throttle( music not playing ). Now,Β  the quickness, the agility, the sharp, non compressed, slurred transients, the balanced tonal richness and coherence, the " tightness " of all 4 members playing in sync together.......just wonderful. This recording, in my opinion, is a real test. Enjoy !

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