Sitting up-front, first or second row, hearing the live performance without amplification is the standard I use. Listen intently then compare your audio system immediately after the concert using the same artist & recorded material if possible. When I heard a concert pianist live and heard almost identical results from my system I knew I was on the right track. At another concert I was able to use the recording engineers master-tapes to compare what I had just heard live with the audio reproduction on my system. That was the clincher. When the engineer heard his recording over my audio system his jaw dropped. It was as though the concert was live in my living room, something he had not expected, and this is from an engineer who makes his own tube equipment.
How do you train your ears?
How do you educate yourself to refine your ability to listening to music and being able to tell about the details of the sonic nature?
I guess, first off, one has to listen to lots of music on lots of different systems, and catch intrinsic details and subtle differences. Knowing basic music theory and being proficient in one or more musical instruments would also help.
However, simple listening may not improve one's ability unless the listening practice is guided by educated practices that have been exercised by experts and those with golden ears.
How have you refined your hearing/listening capability?
Any good source you know of to recommend to novices and enthusiasts?
I guess, first off, one has to listen to lots of music on lots of different systems, and catch intrinsic details and subtle differences. Knowing basic music theory and being proficient in one or more musical instruments would also help.
However, simple listening may not improve one's ability unless the listening practice is guided by educated practices that have been exercised by experts and those with golden ears.
How have you refined your hearing/listening capability?
Any good source you know of to recommend to novices and enthusiasts?