Types of Audiophiles

The Dynamics Fanatics

A good stereo is like a thrill ride at a carnival. If I’m not jumping it isn’t worth listening to.

The sad part is that to many an audiophile being presented to a dynamically capable setup (just by the mere look of it or otherwise knowing about the components used) is that they assume it's all there is to it. Dynamics as a "thrill ride" (at a carnival, no less, just to leave out any doubt); something funny, easy to impress, calorie light, entertainment for the masses, etc. Myself I value great dynamics as a vital part of a more authentic presentation (oh wait, there is no attaining "authenticity" in audiophilia and all that jazz, I just forgot - my bad), just as a relatively unrestricted size of presentation, full-range ability, ease, tonality, resolution, coherency and so on. Dynamics have more or less become the word and trait verboten in hi-fi, because coming down to it most hi-fi systems aren't capable of delivering anywhere near realistic dynamics, in fact lack of dynamics has become a habitual mode in domestic sound reproduction, so much so that when being presented to very good dynamics (or the prospect of it is being implied) it's really subtly ridiculed into something being an effect or exaggeration, and one that doesn't sit welcomed in hi-fi "sophisticato." What a shame. Labeling and reductive takeaway is easy and even defensive, but so much is left by its wayside. 

@erik_squires wrote:

My point in highlighting this listener was that while there are systems that can produce great dynamics, there are also those who exaggerate everything. Imagine a HT system where the subwoofer is so high that a human footstep sounds like a T-Rex. Music in real life never makes me jump. If a system is making me jump on every track it’s probably not realistic.

For some reason it’s also frequently assumed that with large subs it has to mean they’re dialed very "hot" (just like high SPL-capable speakers are often assumed to just play LOUD), and while bass craving cinephiles may be inclined to do so, for my own part that’s not the case. It’s about balance of presentation where large size (and efficiency) of speakers is about scale, ease, bandwidth and a sense of physicality/power of music, and movies. I don’t look for "jump factor" as an effect, but rather what’s relatively unrestricted to and dictated by the source, and for that proper dynamics are vital to my mind.

Of course some of this is a matter of perspective, literally. As a listener at a jazz club I will probably never hear the sound of the reeds vibrating the same way as a player on stage will. Same for drums and cymbals. If you are used to being on the stage your view of normal is going to be different than a listener.

Sure. I usually fuss about finding the proper placement at a concert. Again, it’s about balance; too close and there’s a lack of cohesion, and too far away a shortage of immersion - of course all the while trying to sit as centered as possible. Perhaps I’m a bit of a pedantic in that regard..

There are also systems which always make their presence known. Others that vanish and get out of the way.

Here size is a factor as well. The popular notion is that smaller 2-way "monitors" can be made to make for an effective disappearing act, and they can. Except size and overall fullness and height of presentation, or lack thereof, is a giveaway whether to what degree what’s heard is actually perceived as a reproduction or not. Which is to say: smaller speakers may be able to get out of the way in regards to their own presence as speakers, but the illusion of it being less of a reproduction is still left wanting, at least compared to much bigger (and taller) speakers - to my mind. It would seem there are different ways of "getting out of the way" here.

Personally I am not a musician, my perspective and system choices are for the back of the hall, closer to the bar. 😁

Maybe the fact that I don’t drink alcohol myself, and never really have, has been a deciding factor with regard to my sonic preferences as well 😉