Clean, clear, wide range (highs to lows), no emphasis on any part of the musical spectrum (boomy bass, sizzling highs), open sound (does the music sound like it is coming out of a box), can you understand lyrics (forget rock recordings, listen to sinatra, bennett, horne, bassey, fitzgerald, etc.
How do acoustic instruments sound? Look at (and invest in) components thus: (1)speakers, (2)amplification, (3)source.
Cables, power systems, etc. are important, but not as important as the first three. LISTEN to LIVE MUSIC. Go to a classical or jazz recital/concert. If you turn on music as background for reading, and you are compelled put the book down to listen to the music, that is a good system. Above all, enjoy listening to music coming from the system, don't listen to the system itself. There is always room for improvement; but there is always the law of diminishing returns.
How do acoustic instruments sound? Look at (and invest in) components thus: (1)speakers, (2)amplification, (3)source.
Cables, power systems, etc. are important, but not as important as the first three. LISTEN to LIVE MUSIC. Go to a classical or jazz recital/concert. If you turn on music as background for reading, and you are compelled put the book down to listen to the music, that is a good system. Above all, enjoy listening to music coming from the system, don't listen to the system itself. There is always room for improvement; but there is always the law of diminishing returns.