I’m trying to follow, so is this what you said, basically? (I tried to rephrase it.)
"While personal preference plays a role, it’s ultimately secondary in optimizing an audio system. Developing a discerning ear takes practice – just ask any musician, acoustician, or experienced audiophile.
The key to optimization is achieving a specific balance between all acoustic factors within a room’s limitations and using your equipment to achieve a desired sonic concept. Timbre, the character and quality of a sound, is the cornerstone of this concept. Next comes the spatial information encoded within timbre, which creates the perception of a sound’s location and movement.
Following that, the listener’s sense of envelopment and the ratio of source width to auditory scene width (LV/ASW) are crucial for creating a realistic soundscape. Surprisingly, few reviewers discuss these factors. Why? Their focus is often on selling products, not on teaching proper acoustic integration and optimization for peak performance.
Without a grasp of these acoustic principles and experience, you might resort to throwing money at unnecessary upgrades. This approach, much like a child struggling with a complex dish, leads to the dismissive statement: "I don’t like it, it’s just not my taste." However, taste can be developed and refined.
Forget David Hume’s philosophy of taste; for audio optimization, we turn to Hermann von Helmholtz. By neglecting this crucial aspect, you miss the opportunity to truly appreciate the nuances of your system.
Marketers and reviewers exploit this lack of knowledge by emphasizing personal preference to push products instead of acoustic education. They cater to the consumer’s desire for grand, sweeping sound, all while ignoring the importance of acoustics. The word "taste" becomes their mantra."