2. misc-audio
  3. 1011277325

What are we listening to...for...with?

As a long time audio enthusiast and former professional musician (double reeds) I'm interested in hearing opinions on a couple of related observations.

First obbo: A few years ago I had the privilege of visiting with the principal conductor of one of the major US symphonies--one of the biggest of the biggies. I was doubly blessed that among the guests was the music director of another orchestra in the same league. Between them, these guys probably account for a hundred or more recordings. I found my host relaxing by listening to his home equipment--an Aiwa all-in-one-box system that sounded to me like a miniature car crusher hard at work. When I questioned him, his offhand reply was, "Oh, I know what it is supposed to sound like." I pressed further: "So then are you listening for performance practice or interpretation or what?" "Nah," he replied, "I'm just enjoying the music." At which point the other internationally famous conductor chimed in to say that his home system was 30 year old HH Scott....

Second obbo: A few nights ago, I went to a friend's for an evening of listening. His system is primarily Krell electronics and a pair of Vienna Mahlers. Among other things, we heard the Slatkin/St. Louis/Telarc recording of the Vaughn Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Tallis, Barber Adagio for Strings, etc. Conversation ranged over several topics including Telarc engineering, "Krell sound," cables (what else?), and the suitability of the Mahlers for orchestral music. Finally I said, "Isn't anybody bothered by the crappy playing and conducting on this disc?" Blank looks all around. Finally, one friend, an oratorio singer, ventured, "Well, the strings WERE a bit out of tune on the Barber." Out of tune? They sounded like cats screwing on a tin roof! Slatkin failed to totally realize Grainger's luscious harmonies on the Tune from County Derry, and the playing throughout was tentative, almost hesitant.

My question for you folks: Are these observations two sides of a common coin? Do some of us listen only to the sound and others only to the music? Are these common phenomena? What's going on?
bishopwill
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
1. These are very common phenomena. All audiophiles go through the "am I listening to the music, or the equipment" self doubts every so often. I wouldn't worry about which you're listening to so long as you enjoy it.
2. I'd suggest that there are actually 3 sides to this coin, since enjoying the music and analyzing the music (what musicians tend to do) are not always one and the same. Being a musician myself (though only an amateur) I find that the analysis sometimes increases my enjoyment of the music, and sometimes detracts from it, but I just can't turn it off.
3. The ratio of postings and threads in the different subject areas suggest that the majority of the visitors to this board are into the sound quality before the music.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Of course the trick is to put together a high quality sound system that is also truly musical. I'm too damned old to tolerate just listening to good "sound". I'm in it for the music and have built my system acordingly-- well, IMO. Cheers. Craig
zt000
30 posts
 
Sean,
I'd suggest that there are actually 4 sides to this coin:
-Enjoying music -Analyzing music
-Enjoying sound -Analyzing sound
But, its one coin. While I'm writing music I'm also thinking about what sound I want to create with it. Sound and music can not be separated. In order to build we analyze and experiment. Once we build one thing it become tool for the next creation. Building audio system is a creative activity. I'm very happy that we have so much used building block available to us via internet.
brulee
564 posts
 
Bishopwell, IMO you are going to be a very good addition to Audiogon. Great thread. I hope I have not offended you with my previous posts. I look forward hearing from you often. Again, I apologize if i have offended you in my previous posts. My best to you.
bishopwill OP
369 posts
 
Thanks, Brulee, but no need to apologize, you haven't offended me at all. This is a great community, mixing equal parts of good humor, bad humor, genuine expertise, and very high quality bullshit. I'm delighted to be a part of it. Doesn't take too long to figure out who to put on the ignore list....
More to discover