You bring up a very good point many people don't think about. Optimization is a very interesting thing and I rarely find one system that does everything well. Some very expensive systems can just about get there but short of having $100k to spend, I have two pairs of speakers and two amplifiers and two CD players so as to combine them in the right way to suit a particular genre of music I fancy at one time. I listen to all kinds of music so I have to cover many bases.
People will say "oh, my system can play everything well" but then they will have all sorts of tools in their toolbox, all sorts of clothes in their closet, all types of shoes, etc. You get the idea. We optimize all the time but then when it comes to the stereo, all that gets tossed out the window. There are many forces at work here - otherwise, every cable would sound the same, every amp would sound the same, etc. To think that one setup does everything well is to miss the most obvious.
My two speakers make the case very well. Their specifications look basically identical but they sound completely different. My big JM Labs have immense space and soundstaging, have kick-you-in-the-face bass, and never seem to get loud no matter how much I turn up the volume. My little Monitor Audios are basically the opposite in all aspects. Which is better? Ah ha! There is no answer of course, other than "it depends on the music." Jazz and acoustic music in wonderful through the MAs and sounds kind of lost with the JM Labs in comparison. But then I will slap some bombastic techno and the MAs sound like they are choking when the JM Labs are stretching their legs.
I also want to point out that if I didn't own the two pairs of speakers, CD players, and amplifiers, I NEVER would have been able to realize their individual strengths. The accuracy of human auditory memory sucks so you never know what you are missing unless you experiment with your system.
I suppose it is my career that is to blame but I tend to optimize way beyond simple cable and component selection. I even have my speakers on brass cups so I can move them around to adjust the soundstage to fit a particular recording style. I also move my listening chair quite often. Some music clearly favors near-field sighting whereas other music falls apart in that circumstance. Afterall, no two recordings are done exactly the same way.
So, you are definatley heading down the right path if you ask me. Philosophy of the big picture is a key ingredient in this hobby if you don't want to get lost. My advice to you is to trust yourself. You are on the right track - now all you have to do is jump in. Enjoy!
Arthur
People will say "oh, my system can play everything well" but then they will have all sorts of tools in their toolbox, all sorts of clothes in their closet, all types of shoes, etc. You get the idea. We optimize all the time but then when it comes to the stereo, all that gets tossed out the window. There are many forces at work here - otherwise, every cable would sound the same, every amp would sound the same, etc. To think that one setup does everything well is to miss the most obvious.
My two speakers make the case very well. Their specifications look basically identical but they sound completely different. My big JM Labs have immense space and soundstaging, have kick-you-in-the-face bass, and never seem to get loud no matter how much I turn up the volume. My little Monitor Audios are basically the opposite in all aspects. Which is better? Ah ha! There is no answer of course, other than "it depends on the music." Jazz and acoustic music in wonderful through the MAs and sounds kind of lost with the JM Labs in comparison. But then I will slap some bombastic techno and the MAs sound like they are choking when the JM Labs are stretching their legs.
I also want to point out that if I didn't own the two pairs of speakers, CD players, and amplifiers, I NEVER would have been able to realize their individual strengths. The accuracy of human auditory memory sucks so you never know what you are missing unless you experiment with your system.
I suppose it is my career that is to blame but I tend to optimize way beyond simple cable and component selection. I even have my speakers on brass cups so I can move them around to adjust the soundstage to fit a particular recording style. I also move my listening chair quite often. Some music clearly favors near-field sighting whereas other music falls apart in that circumstance. Afterall, no two recordings are done exactly the same way.
So, you are definatley heading down the right path if you ask me. Philosophy of the big picture is a key ingredient in this hobby if you don't want to get lost. My advice to you is to trust yourself. You are on the right track - now all you have to do is jump in. Enjoy!
Arthur
