Accuracy vs. musicality


I imagine if you have an unlimited budget you can have both ultimate accuracy and musicality.
For those of us whose budget is somewhat limited, we usually have to make a choice.
I very recently obtained  speakers (which I prefer not to name so as to avoid debate.  Some of you do know them.) These speakers were criticized by an Agoner for not being accurate.
Now, I heard the speakers he liked better and they we’re fine, and maybe more “etched,” but they did not convey the musical message as well to me.  Indeed I compared many such speakers recommended by members (there was little love for mine) and I found them not to have the sound I hear in a concert hall. They did not communicate to me as well.
So, what’s more important: precise accuracy or musicality?
rvpiano

Showing 1 response by ngkt

A musical system is balanced (through component matching) and sounds natural to our auditory senses. It’s not necessary accurate which requires true reproduction of music through each elements of the system chains (from source to speaker to room acoustics).

On the other hand, a musical system with more accurate (or faithful) reproduction should be the goal towards the Nirvana since the listener will hear from recording what’s closer to true music. 

In my own experience, my 1st priority is to find the new balance in each attempt to upgrade my system (e.g cable switch, realign speaker placement, etc after I replaced my digital source) so I can rediscover the musicality I enjoy before the change was made. Hopefully, the “new” system will also be more accurate to give more of the key elements (e.g more dynamics, less noise) after each exercise of tweaks of mix and match is done.

A truly accurate and musical system takes time, effort and dough to build. That’s what makes the journey memorable (think about how you started from day one).