Describe the "new HiFi sound"?


Recently had a discussion with an audio friend over the word "musical" and what this word means to each of us with regard to sound from different amplifiers and speakers. Some debate too.  And, reading this other comment on Agon once in a while...how some equipment has the "new HiFi sound".  

ASK: 

Can someone describe this, in your words, what is the new HiFi Sound to you?  Examples? Or, opposites of the new HiFi sound, what does this sound like?

 

 

 

decooney

Harry Pearson appraised audio equipment by its ability to approximate the sound heard from the best seat in the best concert hall, presumably under conditions of optimal temperature and humidity.

The "new" sound is something entirely different. It aims not to simulate live concert performance, but to do aurally what molecular gastronomy does gustatorily: to create, via sophisticated technology, sensory experiences NOT to be found outside the laboratory. Visual media, of course, achieved this first, in all those movies I have no wish ever to see. ("I hold most dear my sight; yet would I choose / to hear no more the music of your voice? Or could I bear the thought that I might lose / the touch of you? I could not make a choice.")  

*S* I’ve noticed a preference in the way I’ll tweak the eq ’off flat’...and 8k > 14k is about right.  *tizz 'n sizzle*  Feel it on ones' skin. ;)

Partially due to aged ears and synapse to match, it’s just ’how’ I prefer it; esp. with ’older muzac’ that still bemuses’...

@nonoise , and very much that. *5s’*

It sounds better...because it is, and it’s being reproduced (on average...a broad one, but...) Better, overall.

A win... *G*

@jjss49 ... perfect synopsis of this is to compare the old school spendor classic 100/sp100/r2 sound vs their modern sound d9 or d7 series

..."am sure he will correct me if i am wrong on this"

 

 

Nope, not wrong at all, no correction necessary. Spot on. And, I thought your example is a good one.

Reading responses here in this thread, perhaps I tend to prefer a "natural" and "neutral" presentation from a system - one that does not sound forced or call any particular attention to itself. 

 

 

The somewhat recent integration of subwoofers and sub arrays into many systems, including my own has significantly changed the "sound" of those systems. Consequently, my musical tastes have evolved to maximize this. 

 "New HiFi Sound" is being mildly disappointed in the gear you've just bought and hoping it's going to blossom once it's broken in.