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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
kota1
2,706 posts
 

@hilde45 , the SQ depends on the room, the kitchen I am standing, the dining room I am eating, the patio I am moving around, the bedroom is generally laying down. One speaker that has adequate volume (I use various play-fi active speakers) that is better than a boombox is fine. The office/desktop I use 2.1. a pair of speakers and a sub (The Klipsch Powergate/PLayfi integrated works well in this setup). The mancave is an onkyo receiver that has Playfi built in and I use it in a 5.1.4 setup. In the HT I use a paradigm Link streamer via toslink out into my Sony TAZH1ES DAC in critical listening mode. I use the app for all my control functions and a windows based tablet PC is OTT because ANY content available on my PC I can stream wirelessly wherever I want. If I am in another room than the HT I use my phone as an interface. In the office I use my desktop.

petg60
1,486 posts
 

FL with vinyl and CD/SACD,

SFL with radio FM (when material is interesting turns to FL, though now and again caught myself in FL mode).

SFL, office Micro system, a 4 component one with a warm and engaging sound, clear, open mids and highs, good imaging, connected to pc or tablet, really a pleasure.

CL, cooking, through another Micro system. Only place i would not care for precise or good imaging but want mids and bass.

AL, main system with the aid of the 2 Micro systems all tuned to same FM station (old fashioned).

Garden, desktop portable speakers with their integrated amp connected to mobile or tablet.

Music everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

I only have two types, critical and non-critical. This can often be the same system or a lesser system for non-critical. 

designsfx
788 posts
 

At our place FL and SFL are all done on my main system as that room is quiet and easy to relax within. When it comes to CL it’s all Sonos- there are a few in the house that can be moved around if needed (as well as outdoors). They’re great for that purpose. If all else fails I’ll queue up music on my Android phone. The only AL would be what my wife is playing on Sonos or the occasional unfortunate IPAD blast.

sns
3,003 posts
 

FL is only mode for main system. Don't really listen much to music with other systems available to me, therefore, work system, home theater and car. I'm far too easily distracted by music so work is out, home theater is for video and car I'm usually listening to NPR. Concentrated listening with my main system supplies vast majority of fulfillment I get from music, every session a real treat, sessions last a minimum of four hours. I get withdrawal symptoms when I don't get time for my intense listening sessions, don't get the same connection to music and artists when listening to music via these inferior systems so don't much bother with them.

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