Good seats in many places (like Chicago Symphony) are reserved for subscription buyers only. In my suburban Chicago village we had nice auditorium (500 people) and great concerts. Last one was John Mayall with fantastic band, but the sound was way off. At one point John Mayall stopped the concert and complained to audio booth. It was much better after that, but that is the reality of such small venues and traveling bands. At the Frank Zappa concert in Chicago Bismarck Theatre (1984) I got seat so bad (way to the side) that I couldn't see or hear well. Nothing will replace live performance experience* but for the sound I stay at home.
* I was able to get into Biddy Mulligans bar (Sheridan Rd. Chicago) for $5 cover charge in 80s. Main performer was John Lee Hooker with Coast to Coast Blues Band while his invited guests who performed as well were Chuck Berry and Willie Dixon. All three for $5 from 10' distance - cannot beat that.
Get out and listen!
Yesterday my wife and I went to the Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall. It had been far too long that I'd heard live instruments that weren't rock or country, thus greatly amplified. There's something very different about the symphony or chamber or classical music in general when it's live than the aforementioned genres.
We were in row L, just off center and had a great place to enjoy the performance. Not too close and yet close enough to hear nuances. Of course the second thing I did right after letting myself be immersed was to consider the contrast between my system and a live performance. I'm not going to say that my system rivals a live performance! I am going to say that within the limitations that we all deal with (space, budget, esthetics) that it acquits itself acceptably. If anything, it might be a bit heavy on the bottom end. I need to dial back my sub a bit.
Anyway, the reason for my post is simply to encourage audiophile to get out and listen to the real thing. There is a movement in Handel's Water Music that begins with a pair of french horns that literally brought tears to my eyes. Despite all the time, effort and money we spend on our rigs, there is simply nothing that compares to the real thing. Nothing... Happy Listening.
https://seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/calendar/2022-2023/22bar1