What exactly is colored sound?


I guess the definition would be a deviation from what what was originally intended but how do we really know what was originally intended anyway?  I mean solid state mostly sounds like solid state.  I guess that would be a coloration, push pull amps and set have their own colorations.  It seems we try to denote certain definitions to either promote or dis certain sounds I guess.  We could have a supposedly neutral amp but their just is not enough bass so we turn up the subwoofer or the bass, a coloration per se.  I guess one could say that colored sound would be a good thing.  after all, each instrument has its own sound (color).  A mullard, a telefunken, I mean who knows what tubes were in the recording studios at the time of the recording.  Syrupy, sweet, rich, NEUTRAL, forward, backward I mean really...  I guess its all about certain preferences for each person.  even in the studio.  who knows, maybe a recording may be meant to sound syrupy or sweet and then we try to make it as neutral as possible.  Maybe thats a coloration in itself.  I guess what I am asking is why do reviewers use the word colored in reviews anyway?
tzh21y
Isn't the definition of neutral that it does not add to or subtract from the real thing?
it's sound that comes from most home audio components so you will feel differences.
Whatever we hear comes out of speakers. Strictly speaking, we don't know how everything else 'sounds', it doesn't sound at all.
coloration in itself.  I guess what I am asking is why do reviewers use the word colored in reviews anyway?tzh21y10-08-2017 8:10am~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your Q actually is in the wromg category, Your Q belongs in speakers, not amps. 
Amps only  add  tints, 
Speakers are the colors,,,whether nice beautiful colors like wide bands,, or disgusting grey's, pukish browns, ugly mauves and such, From other designs.
Amps do not make coloration,. 
Speakers do this **coloration*
What we mean by *coloration* is usually spoken ina  negative sense, Like adding distortions, muddiness, dullness, , worst of all, Fatigue.
But color of a  speaker can also be a positive, Such as pure whites, bright golden hues, lovely shadres of reds, blyes, greens, 
These colors of a  speaker = super high fidelty, Such as wide  band high sens speakers voice.


A tube amp, never colors the sound, only adds slight hues and tints.
So  this **colotation* translates into fatigue, muddy mids and such. 
Meaning nota  good choice in speakers, 
Which is why I've jump the xover ship 1 year ago, and have no plans to get back on that MerryGoRound of waste. Wide Band is proven to be the least colored sound of any speaker design. 



inna
6,585 posts
11-02-2017 1:11pm
Whatever we hear comes out of speakers. Strictly speaking, we don't know how everything else 'sounds', it doesn't sound at all.


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I've expanded on your thesis , see  my post above.


willemj
1,036 posts
11-02-2017 9:36am
Isn't the definition of neutral that it does not add to or subtract from the real thing?

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EXACTLY
Speakers that add = coloration,  murky greys, dark browns, and such = fatigue, And also take away, = can;t gear all the subtle fq's hidden within ciomplex (Classical) passages = takes away.
For these 2 weaknesses, adding and subtracting,,,  are 2 major faults I have found in xover traditional speakers..
ONly wide band will  cleanly, neutrallly pass the signal to the human ear. 
No xovers, just straight from the amp to your listening room. 
No coloraTIONs. 
Just pure music.