How do you know when a stereo sounds good?


When do you know your system is pleasing to listen to? How do you conclusively prove to yourself that your system sounds good to you? How do you determine that you enjoy listening to music through your stereo? Do you have a suite of measurements that removes all shadow of a doubt that you are getting good sound, sound that you enjoy? Please share.

128x128ted_denney
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I’m a music lover first and an audiophile second. For a long time this served me well, until we bought a house and moved from a flat. Prior to that I sat near field and I was happy listening to music. After moving to a much larger space the room became a huge part of the equation.

To that end, and to the point of the OP’s questions, I initially relied on my own subjective opinion. And I knew it didn’t sound right.

I needed new cables and power cords because of the changes in my equipment location, etc. So I tackled that first.

Next I knew my cartridge was long in the tooth. As part of the upgrade, I enlisted an expert to analyze my new cart and set up my table using math, science, physics and subjective criteria.

Then we moved on to the room and the main speaker interaction. Again, I went with the same expert who deployed a scientific, data-driven approach to optimizing the room as we did with the table. Ultimately, a combination of room treatments and a distributed bass array we’re deployed to optimize the sound. (I made other changes to isolation and cable/power cords.)

Essentially, through this process which took about a year, I have seen the light in terms of combining data and measurements with the subjective to get closer than I’ve ever been to musical nirvana. (Okay "nirvana" is a leap but you get the idea.)

I now have a rock-solid system built on data--starting at the source. My toes tapping is the subjective part that tells me, Eureka, that’s what a good-to-great stereo should sound like.

But I know there is more to get out of my system.

I don't like to whine, and Adele is a great singer and extremely listenable. Good thing people can have different opinions without one having to be wrong. 

I used acoustic devices instead because i dont have any other means ...

I am satisfied....Acoustic is underestimated...But someone can use the two for sure.... Passive material treatment and DSP...

I use also a homemade mechanical equalizer inspired by Helmholtz resonators and diffusers....I am satisfied with these 40 and more grid of resonators and diffusers.... Location is the crux and fine tuning....According Hass law i directed the wavefrontd asymmetrically modifying it with different pressure zones with some resonators located around each speakers...My S.Q. satisfy me ....Nothing very costly even better will convince me to upgrade because when we listened music with a smile we are there...

For me the goal is to appreciate music and all acoustical cues coming from each recording....

When all albums are interesting acoustically even the less well recorded YOU ARE THERE...

My system value is under 500 bucks and is not the best at all but is  one of the best quality /price ratio...

Controlling vibrations, decreasing the electrical noise floor and passive material treatment and especially mechanical acoustical equalization of the room in relatiuon to the speakers was my way...

i would be very curious to listen to your systrem...

my best to you....

 

 

Here is the crux, everything, including my turntable goes through DSP.