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Speakers that are very accurate sounding but don't produce an emotional connection.

I have listened to a few speakers over the years that impressed me with their accuracy and presentation of the music, but just did not create an emotional response or connection. I have often wondered what that quality is in some speakers that produce an emotional connection with the listener. This quality has been identified by audiophiles, as "magical", "engaging"  "just right"  "euphonic"  "natural"  "true to life". " "satisfying"  "musical"....  I am sure there are at least 50  other  adjectives that could describe this "quality" of  sound . 

Considering the various aspects  of achieving  good and accurate sound by component synergy, is there a way to explain this so-called magical element that often eludes so many of us??.  I don't think such a feeling is temporal, conditioned by personal moods, or the phases of the moon or sun.  

Like to hear from members who have given some thought to the same issue.    Thanks,  Jim   

BTW, I know the thread is a bit out there, but  I don't think the topic is pointlessly pursuing the genie in the bottle. 


sunnyjim

Showing 3 responses by shadorne

shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
Oxymoron. "Very accurate" is going to convey the music as intended and deliver the full emotional impact. Anything else is just a goofy coloured lens that makes everything sound similarly sweet or harsh or boomy or whatever colourful and eventually tiresome inaccuracies that the inadequate design brings.

Leading to the problem for many which is the constant switching of gear from one form of coloration to another - instead of remaining focussed on adding to the music library or new recordings of favourite material.

I get plenty of emotion listening to what the artist & producer intended without trying to second guess, correct or filter that. A great speaker will be like a chameleon - it will sound different according to each track played.
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
For those of you replacing equipment or spending your $ chasing more "palpable" sounds of particular instruments on particular recordings - you won't ever stand a chance of achieving overall improvement on each and every recording. The only way to achieve greater performance overall  is through equipment that is as accurate and transparent as possible. Equipment that works on each and every track and presents them as faithfully as possible.

For sure a colourful speaker can make some recordings more enjoyable (to your taste) or lend themselves to a particular genre - if your tastes in music are extremely narrow then this approach may work for you.

As for what was "intended" and trying to second guess that - well this just confuses the issue of high fidelity further instead of accepting the recording is what it is (imperfect and all that)!
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,491 posts
 
For sure more color is attention grabbing just like a speaker with boosted bass and treble can seem wonderful in a short audition and particularly with certain tracks like Daft Punk. Over the years though, an accurate response will better portray your entire collection and lead to greater enjoyment. 

Think of of it like a partner - for the long haul, do you choose the sexy crazy insane person that is exciting and full of surprises but proves totally unreliable in many situations or a balanced person who is solid and just right in all the important ways both inside and out. 
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