Based on this discussion, I think I’ve been using (and reading in reviews) the term “revealing” very differently than others.
I’ve had speakers in my system that were more “forgiving” in my view, and less “revealing” to me, in that a meticulously recorded album (e.g. Steely Dan Gaucho), compared to a poor recording (e.g. Rush All the World’s a Stage), would sound better, but not dramatically better.
My current speakers are far more revealing and unforgiving, to where Gaucho sounds fantastic (better than through my old speakers) and All the World’s a Stage sounds dramatically worse in comparison. The speakers are better at revealing recording/mixing/pressing flaws, which is a double-edged sword, as it showcases the greatness of great recordings but also the issues with poor ones.
I’m not sure how reviewers use the term, but that’s how I’ve understood it.
I’ve had speakers in my system that were more “forgiving” in my view, and less “revealing” to me, in that a meticulously recorded album (e.g. Steely Dan Gaucho), compared to a poor recording (e.g. Rush All the World’s a Stage), would sound better, but not dramatically better.
My current speakers are far more revealing and unforgiving, to where Gaucho sounds fantastic (better than through my old speakers) and All the World’s a Stage sounds dramatically worse in comparison. The speakers are better at revealing recording/mixing/pressing flaws, which is a double-edged sword, as it showcases the greatness of great recordings but also the issues with poor ones.
I’m not sure how reviewers use the term, but that’s how I’ve understood it.