How to get the impact of a live concert?


Yes, I know, big speakers, lots of power. : ) But I really am looking to "feel" the dynamics of the music, like you would at a concert. I'm not only talking about bass, although that is certainly a part of it. My wife and I were at Dave Matthews Band concert last night and it always amazes me, how impactful music is when it's live. Obviously, I understand they have a LOT of power driving a LOT of speakers, but they were filling the whole outdoors (outside venue). I'm only trying to fill my listening room. Would a good sub help? Different speakers?

I currently have Gallo Reference 3.1's and Klipchs Forte II's (Crites mods) driven by a Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista M3.
ecruz
Thanks for the thread Ralph.

and that most elusive part--a sort of baseline energy in the room even during the silent passages.

This is the substance of it. Nicely described....
Music is only composed of harmonic content so yeah...but I don't think distortion necessarily increases perceived loudness. Example: I can play electric guitar cleanly or with various types and degrees of distortion (ss stompbox FET or Mosfet, or amp tube overdrive) and keep the loudness the same, and the level sounds the same...doesn't cut through a mix any more or less. Also, "loud and clean" can be perceived as louder since nothing is compressed...distorted tone will get lost in the mix easier. I might be wrong, but this is what I've experienced as a guitar player and live sound mixer for decades...If I'm mistaken please deduct 6 points from my score.
There are certain parts of the sound spectrum (upper mid range I believe) that human ears, particularly male, are more sensitive to. Distortion that occurs in this range is of most significance towards a pleasant listening experience.

Thanks to evolution and natural selection, this range also happens to correspond to that of the female human voice. Apparently, someone out there wants us guys to respond when our wive's are calling. Strange, but true.....:-)