High expectations when listening to an orchestra


If you listen to an orchestra and expect to hear the real thing, you’re certain to be disappointed.
There’s no way you can come close to that experience  with your equipment.  An orchestra in your listening space is an impossibility. Therefore you have to adopt a “suspension of disbelief.”  In other words, trick yourself into believing it’s the real  thing.  You have to bring your imagination to the equation.
The degree to which you can suspend your disbelief, will determine how much enjoyment you get.
Of course, the better the quality of your equipment, the closer you will come.
With lesser forces than an orchestra, such as a few instruments or solo instrument or voice, the easier it becomes to approach reality.
rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by rvpiano

Very thoughtful and probing responses.
in my case I have to “talk myself into” listening in a certain way. I imagine myself in a seat in the hall not too close to the stage. The sound level there is not as overwhelming as it is up front. In that way, if the volume on my stereo is turned really high up the parameters become closer to what I hear in the hall. Of course, when the orchestra is playing loudly at full tilt, the sonic pressure is unmatchable.
A large dose of imagination is necessary.