Accurate vs Musical


What is the basis for buying an "accurate" speaker over a "musical" one? I am very familiar with most audiophile jargon but this is one that confuses me. Musical to me means that the speakers convey the "air" or/and overtone of instruments.

"Accurate" on the other hand is what, the accuracy of a single note? If accurate does not convey the space of an instrument, how can it be defined as accurate? I can understand why an "accurate" speaker can be used in a recording studio or as a studio monitor but for casual listening/auditioning?

Thiel is an accurate speaker but Magnepan is more musical so which would truly be more faithful to the original source? Someone please clear this up for me. Thanks.
ebonyvette

Showing 1 response by opalchip

Loudspeakers are reproducers, not "creators". At very best, they can be "accurate". The more accurate they are, the more they will produce that "air" you refer to - if it indeed exists on the recording.

Calling a loudspeaker MUSICAL is not much different than it it would be to call a Laser Printer "ARTISTIC".
"Oh yes, don't you just love how that Dell creates space around the black areas...The background is SOOOO White! The Hewlett Packards are just too resolving for me. Their lines look so etched." HUH????

IMO when someone calls any piece of audio equipment musical it means:
1. They just like how it sounds, and/or
2. Their reasoning has probably been impaired by reading too much gobbledygook in Stereophile and 6Moons.