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Audio gear, sonic quality when you listen in less (or non-) focused ways

I'm wondering about how folks listen to their audio, and to what degree the quality of the sound is important, or, perhaps how it differs.

Here are four kinds of listening I can think of. (Did I miss any?)

FL - Focused listening -- sitting at focal point, concentrating on music and/or acoustic qualities.

SFL - Semi-focused listening -- listening is the central but not only activity (sitting in front of audio, listening but also reading, playing games, emailing, etc.)

CL - Casual listening -- listening to music but also involved in equally important tasks (cooking, doing dishes, laundry, etc.)

AL - Accidental listening -- music is on but it is in the background, mostly (music at party, just on for ambience)

For the kinds of listening other than FL, what do hope your audio gear can produce? What kinds of tonalities, soundstage, lows/mids/highs, transient response, dynamics, etc. does it need to produce? Are there other things that this gear needs to do that is different than your main rig? How good does the sound need to be? (In other words, how cheap a solution are you willing to get away with for those other kinds of listening? What do you use?)

128x128hilde45
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,603 posts
 

“How good does the sound need to be? In other words, how cheap a solution are you willing to get away with for those other kinds of listening? What do you use?“
@hilde45

Other than the FL in my dedicated room, my SONOS system provides plenty of thrills for casual listening. My home is wired with 7 speakers and 3 subs that doubles up for casual music listening and TV watching. I could easily build 2nd or 3rd system with conventional audio system but my thought process is not every room in the house should look like an audio demo room…LOL!

IME, a wireless high quality speaker system like SONOS is less intrusive, simple, remarkably good and reliable. And yes, there are cheap alternatives to SONOS but it’s the next best thing I’ve found to my main system without sacrificing my enjoyment. Did I mention a big thumbs up from wife on keeping the living space uncluttered :-) 

kota1
2,706 posts
 

@lalitk +1, I did the same thing using DTS Play-Fi ecosystem. I use simple mono speakers in the kitchen, dining room, patio and bedrooms, stereo in the desktop/office system, a Play-Fi capable 5.1.4 receiver in the mancave and a play-fi streamer in the 9.2.7 HT. Love the flexibility.

That reminds me, gotta add a garage system next, suggestions?

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,030 posts
 

When listening to music, all my listening is FT. Otherwise, I'd just as soon have silence. 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,042 posts
 

@lalitk @kota1 

What do you listen for, sonically, in your non-FL system? Do you find you care about a sub in those areas or is it enough just to hear the main melody and perhaps some clarity in the mid to upper regions?

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