What is this term 'analytical' ?

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.

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

@twoleftears,

+1 Great explanation!

Mike

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. 

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

About all I can add is that it is the opposite of musical. Have you ever heard a system that you would describe as more musical than most? You just get caught up in the music and it makes you want to keep listening? Then go across the spectrum, past the ordinary amount of musicality, way over to where the music is just sound, not music. It just doesn’t engage you. That’s analytical.

Surely you understand connecting emotionally.  Compare your response to your favorite music with your response to music that you just don't care for.  The former is connecting emotionally with you.

Some have pointed out that going for detail can lead you to an analytical system. There’s a similar pitfall on the musical side. When going for as musical a system as possible, you can end up with an overly lush, overly romantic, slow and thick sounding system.