2. misc-audio
  3. 194477-20042

What is the most overlooked consideration?

What is the most overlooked consideration when buying a piece of audio gear? We all buy gear and we all have to make choices as to what component to get, what brand, etc. What is at the top of your criteria for choosing a piece and why? Synergy? reputation of brand ?hype your heard? it’s the best compliment to my system? warranty and service? I just wanted to try a cable? I only buy brands from the UK? Etc 

So you can tell what’s at the top of your list but mostly I want you to share what you think is a much overlooked consideration and why?
 

For myself I often think customer service gets overlooked as being very important.

2psyop

Showing 3 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
7,740 posts
 

@jsalerno277 

Agreed, there are other sonic aspects that must be correct as well.

ghdprentice
7,740 posts
 

@freediver

Musicality, technically comes about primarily from the properties of rhythm & pace and midrange bloom. Understanding the elements are not necessary. You can gauge the from auditioning products and systems, reading reviews and listening to live music. Learning this aspect of music...  is probably one of the most overlooked aspects since it is really a gestalt thing and most folks turn on their analytical skills and examine the minute details of the sound as opposed to the overall presentation. Hence, we brought it up as an often overlooked consideration. 

ghdprentice
7,740 posts
 

Musicality. The gestalt of the component... overall presentation. It is too easy to concentrate on fine details, transients, micro textures, width of the soundstage, image size, etc, and completely miss stepping back and considering if it creates compelling music. 

I have owned high end / audiophile audio equipment and home theater components for fifty years. In that time certainly owning many more than 100 components and only two needed service of any kind (one audio and one home theater). Many pieces of equipment I have owned for over twenty years. 

More to discover