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?
128x128rvpiano
Back in the day I sold high-end equipment and learned that there are people who more listening to the equipment and others who more listen to the music.
I believe we all hear differently and have different ways we enjoy the audio system experience.  So, to me, neither "accurate" or "musical" is "right".
If I were to give any advice, I'd say pick the equipment that gives YOU the most enjoyment.
A big part of this is personal preference for what kind of sound you want. You can definitely get the lush and liquid coloration of Class A amps. Or go towards the unique (but not accurate) coloration of most tube amps. In either case, it’s what makes you feel good.

----
That being said, I have been able to obtain a VERY accurate and very musical system. This is a lot harder than it sounds. It is very easy to put in a forgiving "Class A" or other warm sounding amp and have things sound good. But it is extremely difficult to make a "very accurate" system sound good. There is a "fine line" that you are chasing here where you need to get enough accuracy to make the instruments/voices sound "real" and "in your room" without crossing that line into the "too harsh" and "too sterile" area. A good analogy to this is the sharpness adjustment on your tv. This can definitely increase the sharpness and crispness of your image, but if you push it too far, it can easily become over-sharp where it’s just painful to look at. In my system, changing a single fuse can be enough to "push it over the line" into too fast/bright.

1. Everyone hears differently.  One person's accuracy is another person's musicality.  Recommendations only get you to a long short-list.

But then 2. False dichotomy.  True binaries would be accurate vs. inaccurate, or musical vs. unmusical.  Linking the two terms on opposite ends of a single scale muddies the waters...

I think it's about the music that you want to hear.

The music that comes out of my system makes me happy every time I press "play".  There are performers making music I love in a 3D space. The vocals and instruments sound real. The speakers disappear. 

I've heard so-called "accurate" systems that were horrible to listen to. I've also heard "musical" systems that weren't. Trust your ears.

If your system makes you happy, don't worry about anything else.

My way to relax and enjoy, musicality. 

Got sick of living on the edge of a chair to examine equipment and cables.