Your vote: Most Useless Audio Adjective


From what I've seen in online audio discussion forums such as Audiogon, words like warm, taut, wooly, and forward can upset even died in the wool audiophiles. While some may have a hard time getting their arms around them, most of the terms seem quite appropriate to me. You have to develop some list of terms in order to convey a description of a component's sonics, or to delineate it from another component.

However, I have noticed the description "self effacing" creeping into more and more reviews, and it flat out boggles my mind. Initially, it seemed to fit into the context it was being used - affordable or downright cheap gear, that was fun and lively. However, now that I've read the term being used to describe quite a serious piece of high end kit, the time has come to point out how ridiculous things are getting.

I had to laugh out loud thinking of the snootiest, most condescending audio dealer I know who was carrying this brand. Using the term "self effacing" with anything had to do with this guy was akin to describing Phyllis Diller a young, hot sex symbol.

What is your most useless audio adjective???
trelja
Newbee, I thought musical meant engaging, tubelike, tuneful with lots of PRAT ;-)
hi trelja, i try to follow the motto "do no harm" .

since most adjectives are ambiguous because the intended meaning may not bge the same as the perceived medium, it may do more harm than good and motivate a decision involving an investment of funds and then disappointment.

referring to your food analogy.

it is sufficient to indicate the cut of meat without any adjectives. i will taste it and form my own opinions.

if there is fat surrounding the steak, say so. anything which is easy to confirm is useful, but often subjective comments could be tricky.

i know, life is dull without adjectives, it's hard not to have an opinion where adjectives are used, however, i guess one accepts opinions with good graces and makes the best of them
"Inner Detail", "Leading-edge Transients", "Attack", "Fast". I find the terms are pretty cool but I'm just not sure I can attribute them to a component.
not an adjective but the phrase 'what do you think?" as opposed to listening yourself.

DOOHHH! (spoken like Homer)

:^)