In my youth I went to Berkley then played in the Navy Band, then went to college and became an engineer. I still have a set of drums and a piano in my music room along with a six figure sound system. I consider myself neither a practicing musician nor a true audiophile although in retirement I spend hours a day immersed in music. For a span of about 10 years while in college and after I worked in HE audio retail and was a TT setup man among other things. I offer the following qualified observations with the caveat that it is not possible to categorize either musicians or audiophiles. In general musicians who sit in sections, such as in bands or orchestras tend to like immersive listening sound experiences. Multi-channel systems, dipolar speakers like Maggies or electrostatics for example. Rock people like loud, so horns are popular, big amps and so on. The piano, bass and drums players tend to be the most likely to listen critically, which of course makes sense if you think about their role when playing ensemble at least in a small group improvisational setting. In a general sense it has been my observation that musician/audiophiles tend to take more time selecting their kit and then settling in with it. Another way of putting it is musicians tend not as prone to audiophile nervosa. So there are a few thoughts on this old topic.
what system musicians prefer? Do they care?
I have never aspired to be a musician, although I am very artistic. I am bad at singing and never enjoyed dabbling at playing an instrument. But I enjoy listening to music tremendously and I always wondered if being a musician would improve my experience as a listener. It seems to me that musicians (good ones) would have a lot more expertise in sound, what is good quality sound, a good system, a high fidelity speaker.... but I have never seen any proof. Am I just imagining it? Are good musicians mediocre listeners? Are they not obsessed with good sound? Any musicians out there to comment?
One example I know is the Cambridge Soundworks Mick Fleetwood Speaker System, which I finally purchased last year, I knew my collection would not be complete without it. It's evidence of great talents crossing paths: a genious speaker designer Henry Kloss, and Mick Fleetwood, one of the greatest drummers of the century (and the previous one). But I don't see musicians weighing in on what are good systems are, how much is it worth spending and what to focus on. It's much more like rich douchebags bragging about the price of their systems on these forums.
One example I know is the Cambridge Soundworks Mick Fleetwood Speaker System, which I finally purchased last year, I knew my collection would not be complete without it. It's evidence of great talents crossing paths: a genious speaker designer Henry Kloss, and Mick Fleetwood, one of the greatest drummers of the century (and the previous one). But I don't see musicians weighing in on what are good systems are, how much is it worth spending and what to focus on. It's much more like rich douchebags bragging about the price of their systems on these forums.