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What will it take to have live music for everyone?

Given that the best of equipment in the best of rooms can produce live sounding music under certain circumstances. Not live musicians in real amphitheaters, but reproduce the sound, feeling, air of the experience.

That leaves a rare few with that experience sometimes.

What will it take in audio for everyone to have that at a price that they can afford and are willing to pay?
lakefrontroad
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
I don't think it's just the expense (up to a point of course.) I mean, I see folks spending gobs of money these days on stuff I consider frivolous things, or experiences with short-lived stimulation/rewards.

I think the real reason for the limited appeal of high end audio (at least so far) is not the cost so much as the difficulty.

If you want proof, look at all the inquiries in this forum -- especially from beginners who sincerely crave the great results you mention, but realize they have no clue where to start. Most people want instant gratification, and don't wish to make a study of the subject or become passionately immersed in it.

I wish it were easier to achieve the "live music" thing. Remember B&O? Not cheap! Big seller! I'm sure there'd be a huge market for a system you could just bring home and plug-and-play -- you know, like a big 72" plasma TV. Now that's instant stimulation! -- and about the cost of a very nice little audio system.
aball
2,018 posts
 
Most people don't care about great sound - they want a great TV instead. Nsgarch is right.
rives
953 posts
 
I think the other aspect is knowing that it's even possible. I had a musician in my home and he listened to my system and was amazed. His comment was "If Sonny Rollins was any closer he'd be spitting on me." He had no idea that kind of reproduction was even possible. I think most poeple believe that sound reproduction is what you can get at Best Buy--and they don't even sell 2 channel audio to speak of, it's all home theater in a box.

I would love to see a study of people that go to regular live events, such as symphony, acoustical, opera, jazz, and see what percentage have a high-end, or just respectable 2 channel system for reproducing good quality sound. Secondly, I would want to know how many are even aware that you can reproduce music at the level we are talking about. I'm betting these percentages are relatively low.

What will it take? I say education, both the type the Nsgarch spoke of but also awareness that it's even possible.
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