Macca
05-05-2024, 12:09
PQ of Audionote speaks:
https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/0601/audiohell.htm
What do we all think of this? For me some sense mixed with some nonsense.
The quiz is interesting. If you answer three or more in the affirmative you're on the road to hell. Apparently. What are your answers? Here's mine:
1. Do you try to arrange instantaneous A/B comparisons of brief segments of music to maximize your memory retention?
No, that's too much like hard work. But it's a good idea since although we think we remember what that cowbell at 4.59 sounded like before we swapped whatever it is we're comparing, we don't really.
2. Do you bring the same group of "reference" test recordings to each audition in an effort to sort out specific performance capabilities and to prevent any disorientation of confusion which could result from using music with which you are unfamiliar?
I use recordings which I know will sound bad if the system has problems. So 'Yes', I suppose.
3. Do you avoid using music of which you are particularly fond so that you can properly attend to objective analysis rather than be distracted by the music's pleasures and passions?
No.
4. Do you believe that the true function of an audio system is to re-create music; and that therefore you can only accurately evaluate audio playback if you have an extensive knowledge of live music performance?
No.
5. Do you believe that if your evaluation addresses such matters as frequency range, signal/noise ratio, stage size and depth, instrumental separation and balance, timbre, and textual clarity that whatever other purely musical considerations there may be will take care of themselves?
Yes, mostly.
6. Has it been your experience that some speakers are especially suitable for rock, others for classical, and perhaps others for intimate jazz? How do you explain this phenomenon? Is this more or less inevitable?
Yes. My explanation is that many loudspeakers are not very good at all.
7. When you ask yourself; "What should be the correct reference, live music or the recording session?" Do you conclude that it is one or the other? Are you comfortable with you answer to this question?
The correct reference isn't either of them. For playback there is only signal integrity, or lack of it by degrees. There is no reference to another 'event'.
https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/0601/audiohell.htm
What do we all think of this? For me some sense mixed with some nonsense.
The quiz is interesting. If you answer three or more in the affirmative you're on the road to hell. Apparently. What are your answers? Here's mine:
1. Do you try to arrange instantaneous A/B comparisons of brief segments of music to maximize your memory retention?
No, that's too much like hard work. But it's a good idea since although we think we remember what that cowbell at 4.59 sounded like before we swapped whatever it is we're comparing, we don't really.
2. Do you bring the same group of "reference" test recordings to each audition in an effort to sort out specific performance capabilities and to prevent any disorientation of confusion which could result from using music with which you are unfamiliar?
I use recordings which I know will sound bad if the system has problems. So 'Yes', I suppose.
3. Do you avoid using music of which you are particularly fond so that you can properly attend to objective analysis rather than be distracted by the music's pleasures and passions?
No.
4. Do you believe that the true function of an audio system is to re-create music; and that therefore you can only accurately evaluate audio playback if you have an extensive knowledge of live music performance?
No.
5. Do you believe that if your evaluation addresses such matters as frequency range, signal/noise ratio, stage size and depth, instrumental separation and balance, timbre, and textual clarity that whatever other purely musical considerations there may be will take care of themselves?
Yes, mostly.
6. Has it been your experience that some speakers are especially suitable for rock, others for classical, and perhaps others for intimate jazz? How do you explain this phenomenon? Is this more or less inevitable?
Yes. My explanation is that many loudspeakers are not very good at all.
7. When you ask yourself; "What should be the correct reference, live music or the recording session?" Do you conclude that it is one or the other? Are you comfortable with you answer to this question?
The correct reference isn't either of them. For playback there is only signal integrity, or lack of it by degrees. There is no reference to another 'event'.