How do you know when a stereo sounds good?

Great post

denverfred....

My deepest respect....

How do you know when it sounds "bad" ? And if it sounds "good" do you worry about whether it could sound better?  And then what?

If your stereo sounds bad, it may have permanent damage should you have been playing anything by Adele.

You won’t need to worry about it ever being able to sound better on account of the criminal negligence you have inflicted upon it and possibly yourself.  Seek professional help.

How do you know when it sounds "bad" ? And if it sounds "good" do you worry about whether it could sound better? And then what?

No matter how good you think your rig might sound, if you don't have the right fuses.... well, that's a whole other discussion.

I know my system sounds good when all the little annoyances that get in the way of the music disappear. When all the resolution and detail adds to the musical experience instead of calling attention to itself. 

I judge the stereo hifi system as enjoyable to listen to as follows;

1. Produces big room-filling sound at realistic scale that extends well out of the speakers to me the listener, with no sense of strain at either high volume or low volume levels. If i get up and walk well away from the sweet spot it still sounds great. If I listen from the balcony outside (having a drinky-poo and a guilty-pleasure smoke once in a blue moon) to what’s playing inside it still sounds reasonably good. When I go to another room it sounds convincing even from there.

2. Listening at lower levels is as satisfying as listening at loud levels

3.Dynamic impact, which ties closely with pace, rhythm and timing is spot on and very satisfying

4. Sound is not homogenized, adding to perceived reality.

5. Lots of ‘air’ giving the sound freshness, vibrancy and beauty

6. Density of sound especially in the lower-mid, mid-bass frequency range helps me really feel emotionally involved with the music. I like Indian music, Afghan, Turkish, Arab, R&B, Rock, New wave and even some Punk, so given a lot of richness comes from bass and propulsive percussive foundation comes from the drum beat, I know my system is singing when all that is right.  I love Western Classical too and that benefits from very good lower register performance.

7. Clear and present high frequencies giving the music clarity and resolution

8. A broad open fully fleshed out midrange

9. Playing music that can give me goose bumps.

10. Sharing the experience with friends. Singing along with the music

When the hifi system gets all this right, usually later into the evening, then the audio gods have looked kindly on me. I find it so enjoyable its hard to pull away.

that’s my answer Ted

It was 1977 and I and a couple of others decided to head into the loop (Chicago) and near north to make a day of it, getting high and just enjoying ourselves. We were graduating high school in a few days. One of the things we did was head over to Orchestra Hall ( B-4 remodel, name change) to see the Chicago Civic Orchestra rehearsing as my brother played in it as a student.  We moved around the entire place, sitting virtually everywhere; main flr, 1st, 2nd balconies, the gallery, and box seats.  On the way out we hung out just outside the center doors leading into the main floor.  We then headed to what was at the time one of the two top audio dealers, Victor's Stereo.  Never been in an audio place like that before.  Now all of us were already starting out audio junkies (everybody actually owned real stereos back then) and heard quite a bit of stuff or so we thought. So when we walked into the main listening room, midway in the room I stopped turned towards the system playing and my jaw dropped.  Original Quads were performing and the sound was basically like hanging out just outside the doors to the main floor at Orchestra Hall.  All these years later I still remember that.  And honestly, I have had few moments like that after hearing that system and it is never some ultra uber-expensive setup.  Once it was a three thousand dollar rig.  Even a $500.00 all in one package has done that for me.  But that first visit to a true specialist dealer was ground zero for me and the hobby I guess.

My gear sound v good when it adequately masks the tinnitus!

It is my passion to listen to music. Listening to music is one of my favorite things to do. I am a student studying for my degree at paragon education. I began to study music when I started studying. It is a good combination for me. 

  Music is one of my favorite things to listen to. When I hear it, I feel stylish and cool. I'm a student at the Bright Vision Portal. Music night at our school is also a lot of fun.  

@vitussl101 good answer.

@roxy54  I think it is very important question for any listener.

I guess I was thrown off by the way that Ted asked the question. I frequently read while I'm sitting in the listening chair, but I am able to read and listen, and I often realize that I am completely unaware of my large speakers. I'm Only aware of the music being recreated in front of me, and I'm absorbed in it.

I suppose that's when I know it "sounds good".

 Music is my passion. It is one of my favorite activities. As a student at Paragon Education, it is one of my favorite activities. Since I began studying, I have been studying music. I enjoy both.   

when I forget about the system entirely