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What is this term 'analytical' ?

I see this routinely in reviews & comments and so do you:

It’s too analytical. It’s so analytical that it’s not musical. Etc.

What does this mean? You can actually hear stuff? You picture math problems on a chalkboard? A shrink’s couch?

Isn’t the entire point of this hobby to hear music clearly? But apparently: not too clearly?

zufan
zufan's avatar
zufan OP
563 posts
 

What does sterile sound like? What does character sound like? What does connecting emotionally sound like? 

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,326 posts
 

Everything is subjective (see any number of other threads). But analytical is when you are listening to a recording and you find yourself perceiving the individual instruments/voices more and the overall ensemble effect less. It’s not the same as tipped-up treble, but there’s definitely a link/overlap.  Your "detailed" might be my "analytical" or vice versa.

tuberist
951 posts
 

Antonym is Musical. BTW, some enjoy microscopic detail. To each their own

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
2,142 posts
 

@twoleftears,

+1 Great explanation!

Mike

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,376 posts
 

Sometimes hard to explain, but listen to an inexpensive Topping component that has amazingly great measurements and you might get a good idea of what 'analytical' as opposed to 'musical' is. Or not. Lots of people love Chord gear; I find it too 'analytical' for my tastes. 

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