I did not get a whole lot out of the article....however, reading the responses, a couple of things were mentioned, more than one time, that I am in entire agreement with, and have been stating for years. ( 1 ) A product that measures well, can sound mediocre; A product that measures poorly, can sound quite good ( 2 ) The recordings, are, and have always been, the limiting factor, in recreating that " reality ", that, we all are looking to recreate in our homes. This is why I listen to the musicianship, the performances. The " playing and singing ", is a given, but once the microphone picks this up, and the recording, equalization and mastering process is introduced, we are truly clueless, as to the " reality ", of what things should sound like. So, we buy, this, or that, to get that string instrument to sound a particular way, to get those drums, etc., to move us, like we " were there ". Enjoy ! MrD.
Art Dudley's column in November Stereophile
https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-203
It seems to me there's some provocative stuff here. I liked the contention that all systems in all rooms produce some kind of distortion, so our preference for system A over B has most to do with which distortions we prefer.
He also lays into acoustic suspension designs, and some other stuff.
Discuss.