Queen song question?

I have a modest Queen collection. I have no problem at all. I use ATC SCM 100A and an SCM active 0.1/15 sub. These speakers can practically make you deaf if you so desire. Very few consumer speakers play loud enough or dynamically enough with low distortion and hence can replicate the excitement of what you hear live. ATC are different. The smaller ATC's like the SCM 20 play amazingly loud but are not convincing enough to fool you into thinking you are at a concert. I think the active 50's would be suitable in a small or medium sized room. 100's (with the biggest ATC mid range magnet and coils) coupled with a 15" sub are pretty convincing. Without a sub I think you need at least 150's or perhaps the new 110 A might be enough - concerts have oodles of bass that you can "feel" and loads of undistorted bass is not cheap.

A word of warning: Not everyone's taste for sure, some find them too forward or harsh (make ear's bleed) and a bad recording will sound bad (no sonic warmth, improvement or sugar coating) . I find the presentation very natural sounding, especially on vocals, percussion and horns - where most speakers tend to sound laid back or lack a certain forward edge - kind of a horns sound without the horns...i.e. that live sound without the usual honkiness.

Live at Wembley is my favorite DVD of Queen. My uncle's son went to school with Roger Taylor's son. I know for a fact that Roger Taylor (Queen Drummer) used ATC speakers in the past (not sure if he still does). If it works for Queen then it may work for you...although no guarentees...some audiophiles don't like ATC's at all. If you like the warm sound of tubes then ATC's may not be for you.

Thats the question is it the recording or the speakers?

Queen are not that well recorded live (like most bands...it is a rare gem when a live recording sounds just like the real thing). So I would say it is the recording.

Queen's studio stuff is ok. Also not the best I have heard. Not close to really well recorded bands like INXS, Tom Petty, Pink Floyd ,Simple Minds, Dire Straits, The Police, Keb Mo....etc. (There are more but the seriously and consistently well recorded bands are fairly obvious)

Some bands like a dose of deliberate distortion...like the Rolling Stones.

I still enjoy all the music but distorton sounds more grating on a better system than over a car stereo.

You have some pretty big awesome powerful speakers....perhaps you can post some PICS of the setup and we can all dream and play air guitar!!!!

I think, if I recall correctly, Brian May uses PMC speakers. You probably won't like these speakers either as they are quite similar designs to ATC's but with a TL bass that gives them more bass ouput. A little less forward in the mid range perhaps but a similar dynamic sound.

...just a thought. And don't forget to post a few pics...it is really unfair to make us all drool over your great speakers and system but no pics! (you sound like you are really pushing the envelope in the SPL department!)

I think, if I recall correctly, Brian May uses PMC speakers. You probably won't like these speakers either as they are quite similar designs to ATC's but with a TL bass that gives them more bass ouput. A little less forward in the mid range perhaps but a similar dynamic sound.

...just a thought. And don't forget to post a few pics...it is really unfair to make us all drool over your great speakers and system but no pics! (you sound like you are really pushing the envelope in the SPL department!)

Kelton,

Ooops I forgot to add that Brian May is the lead guitar player for Queen.

As you can see from the link I am not one to BS about this stuff.

I am sorry if this info about Queen might not be what you wanted to hear. It makes sense (to me) that what the musicians like best is how they prefer it to sound (closest to correct) and I respect that more than just idle opinions/chatter on a thread.

Anyway, please don't forget to show some pics of all your awesome speakers. I got a tissue box at hand to catch the drool ;-)

Kelton,

Here is a photo of me setting up my system. It plays Queen "Now I'm Here" quite well. It seems to have plenty of headroom and may be what you are looking for. A picture is worth a thousand words!

Ha! I tricked you...just kidding. That is actually someone who works for Meyer setting up a Mythbuster test for the TV series where they tested the myth of really big powerful speakers and whether it is just BS.