What is a "reference" system?
OK, most of us have an audio system, mine even works some of the time. But I see that some members have "reference" systems. This has to be better than the assorted junk that I have piled together. Probably a lot better than your rig as well.
But really, what distinguishes these folks "reference" systems from the pedestrian systems that the rest of us have? There must be something, or they could just save the keyboard time and drop the word when discussing their gear. And I am not referring to reviewers, that is a different story and one to examine more carefully in the future.
By context, I have usually understood that "reference" means the system the speaker or writer knows best so as to be able to gauge other pieces of gear and recordings etc. It's not specifically a superlative but presumably people go to their best setup for that. Manufacturers use the term as a kind of superlative. It implies the buyer will add it to their reference system I assume. People that think their system is "a" reference system rather than "their" reference system...well that is a different discussion I choose not to start today. |
@viridian - You forgot Wild Irish Rose. A reference system is one that you've played your best and worst recordings on and are familiar with its capabilities. The payoff is, when you play some new music, and hear distortion or something funny, you're confident that your system is not responsible (fuzz is built into the recording, etc.). Happy Easter! |
