I love the music… the result, regardless of the skill of the musician. It inspires my subconscious and causes me to appreciate it. I have a relationship to the music not its creator. Some music is not musical or beautiful in a musical sense, but a musician showing off his skill… for instance how many notes he can cram into a unit of time. I remember when The Art of Noise came out with their first album… what a revelation. Music created with noises. When I go to the symphony, I go to listen to music… I close my eyes. Sure it is fun to watch the performers sometimes… but that is not why I am there. Many people go to see the performers, I understand.
So, a reviewer just said something I need to talk about.
I will not mention the reviewer, nor the specific equipment being reviewed, but this statement was made, talking about sax and strings: "the strings had real body, and it sounded like real strings being played". The tonality of the instruments was what he/she was talking about. I get this. The tone, the spatiality of the instruments, the stage that was presented. All well and good. What about the engagement between the listener and the musician. I have stated so many times here, ad nauseam, that the most important aspect of music listening, for me (and not enough with other listeners) is the "playing of the instruments". The artistry of the musician behind those strings. I just don’t get it. When I listen to Jeff Beck (RIP), using him as an example, what I am attracted to, FIRST & FOREMOST, is his PLAYING. Reviewers talk about "sound". Most people here talk about "sound". I spend more time now on other sites, that speak about the music playing and, the compositions. For whatever reasons, I seem to be realizing, that A’gon members, as so many reviewers, talk about sound. They very rarely mention MY most important aspect of listening. The musicianship and the compositions. Another rant from me. What are your thoughts on this? How do you listen? What do you listen for/to? What does your system convey to you? I know I am out of line again, but........My best to everyone. Always, MrD.
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@hilde45 +1 @ghdprentice +! Audio reviewers aren't discussing the production of sound, they're discussing the reproduction of sound. |
I may be missing the OP's point, forgive me if so but, if I want to explore or discuss music for music's sake, I read music publications and online resources; if I want to explore the potential of a hifi component with a view to that component relaying the music I love, to me, in a manner I happen to prefer, I'd read HiFi publications or forums such as this. I don't expect HiFi review publications/reviewers to wax lyrical about an artists virtuosity, or the profundity of their lyrics; I need them to relay to me how the equipment they're reviewing works and how it conveys music On the flip side, when exploring for new music or reading music publications and reviews, I don't really need or want them to give me a review of their hifi system, only the artist and the music they are reviewing. But that's just me 🤔😊
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Regardless of what any reviewer says (or anyone else, for that matter), fact is, the world of high end audio is and always will be all about subjectivity when it comes to the reproduction of sound. I just concentrate my own audio system, in the comfort of my own home, and how it musically and emotionally connects with me. Nothing else really matters. Happy listening. |
- 60 posts total