"Breathing" of the air

'Air' is one of those things that, IMO, all audiophiles think that they are talking the same meaning, when I think you will find that there are several predominate meanings.

For me, 'air' is the ability of speed in a system, in a way that allows for good high frequency detail without harshness. This allows for the reproduction of subtle high frequency cues , part of the harmonic structure of the instrument(s), but also the higher frequency ambient cues that are part of the instrument(s) location and reverberant field in the soundstage.

Systems or equipment that lack this ability can sound either dark or bright; 'air' is not a function of simple tonality. Generally though if the system is bright, it will seem so while at the same time not seeming to have much extention on top.

I would not take my comments as the last word on this subject and I'm interested to see others opinions on the matter.

Mrtennis, its true that you don't hear air, its simply the medium. But- the audiophile term 'air' means something different from what you are getting at in your comment. When audiophiles use this term, it implies a quality that the system is doing that is also something you experience in real life. At least this is true for me; refer to my earlier post.