Why isn’t more detail always better?

Detail is definitely not always better. Lots of "high end" systems excel at transparency and detail and completely miss at the music. 

The detail must be there, but it should be represented in proportion to the overall presentation. If the detail gets highlighted then the venue and mastering is disproportionalely highlighted. This can make all but the best recordings sound bad, in the worst case fatiguing. 

An important aspect of overly detailed systems is lack of midrange bloom... this makes the details stand out from the basic instruments and vocals. In all but the very best it also dries up the presentation and makes the music soulless. 

@ghdprentice what does “bloom” mean? How do you know it when you hear it? Is that something other than attack and decay? Doesn’t more detail help with that as well? Is detail not relevant for “bloom”? Eq can help adjust midrange tonality. I’m thinking it’s an artifact of tubes. Does detail with tube gear not matter?

I’m truly having trouble understanding how detail done well can be a bad thing.    Done wrong…I get that. 

Here’s a summary of what I can find regarding bloom in hifi sound.   But what is the relationship to detail?   I don’t see how detail done right (low distortion?) can negatively influence bloom.   I’ve read reviews of SS gear as well as tube gear that reviewers rate highly on attack and decay.  Not sure about bloom.  

In the context of high fidelity sound, "bloom" refers to a specific auditory phenomenon that enhances the listening experience. It is often described in relation to musical instruments, particularly pianos, but can also apply to audio equipment and recordings. Here are some key points about what bloom means in high fidelity sound:

1. **Definition**: Bloom is characterized by a temporary increase in volume or richness of sound that occurs shortly after a note is struck. This effect can make the music feel more vibrant and engaging.

2. **Natural Occurrence**: In acoustic instruments, bloom is a natural result of how sound waves develop after the initial strike. For example, when a piano key is pressed, the sound may initially decay but then swell slightly before fading away, creating a sense of fullness and depth in the tone [[3]](https://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2453646/bloom-exactly-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-achieved.html).

3. **Emotional Impact**: The experience of bloom can evoke strong emotional responses in listeners. It allows certain musical passages to resonate more deeply, making the music feel more immersive and lifelike [[2]](https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60257.0).

4. **Influence of Equipment**: In high fidelity audio systems, the quality of the equipment can significantly affect the perception of bloom. Well-designed audio gear can reproduce this effect more accurately, enhancing the overall listening experience [[1]](https://oeksound.com/manuals/bloom/).

5. **Variability**: The presence and quality of bloom can vary between different instruments and recordings. Some pianos, for instance, are noted for their ability to produce a pronounced bloom, while others may not exhibit this characteristic as clearly [[3]](https://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2453646/bloom-exactly-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-achieved.html).

In summary, bloom in high fidelity sound refers to a desirable auditory effect that enhances the richness and emotional impact of music, influenced by both the instrument and the audio equipment used.

---
Learn more:
1. [bloom user manual - Oeksound](https://oeksound.com/manuals/bloom/)
2. [What Exactly Is " Tube Bloom" ?](https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60257.0)
3. ["Bloom"...exactly what is it and how is it achieved? - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums](https://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2453646/bloom-exactly-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-achieved.html)

Accuracy is cited as a factor in how gear produces “bloom”. Accuracy to me has similar meaning as “low distortion”. So it seems that low distortion would help produce accurate “bloom”.

I’m thinking since bloom (and/or attack and decay) is generally considered to be favorable, some might prefer gear that adds an “extra dose”. Like a little added sweetness to the tea. That’s where I think tube gear comes in. Extra bloom would seem to not necessarily mean less detail. Two different but related things.