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
if they are accurate and no emotional connection the problem probably lies elsewhere.
mapman, audiophile speakers must color signal to generate such emotional connection and so is other components. 
Mapman-

I can't speak for the OP, but since I feel I understand the gist of his post, I'll attempt it anyhow;-)

I don't think the issue is this feeling of no emotional connection with accurate presentations, but rather that some "systems" (I won't write "speakers" here) come across as so detailed with much focus on precise soundstaging that some elements can be "lesser" than with some systems that are clearly not as accurate. I take my Wilson Sophias as an example. The Sophias sound wonderful, but not accurate in the sense that they soundstage with much precision. Vocals and instruments are too forward than seems accurate to me, and depending upon the frequency range covered often too loud relative to other aspects of the recording. Not enough depth but imaging convincing enough that they get me by for now. It's not the sound I prefer since 90% of the time it's not the realistic soundstage that I need. However, and often enough, I hear something that simply sounds outstanding like a piano key strike from Lyle Lovett's "I've been to Memphis" from Joshua Judges Ruth, or the bass from Diana Kralls "My Love Is" off of the Love Scenes album. In both examples the instruments captivate me - involve me in the music more than when I've heard these played on accurate systems. Those things are louder and the strikes and plucks have more impact than I think is realistic. It's true this is only 10% of the time perhaps, but that 10% is an emotional enough encounter that it sticks and is why I haven't let the speakers go. Yet. Am still waiting for my pre-owned Raidho's to appear at the right price;-)
Sure. If one has accurate speakers and not connecting, system is one possibility. There’s all the other usual contenders you can read about all the time on sites like this as well.

Its harder to sort through than the Republican Presidential Candidates. Much more fun though.
pryso-

This kind of detail is exactly what I feel this discussion needs. I've been messing around with my SPL meter lately to try and see what range it is where my Wilson Sophias do their coloring, and though I can't be exact it's clear to me that it's in the above 160 hz and below 600hz range. It's a range that presents power to the impact of percussion, key strikes, string plucks and also provides more body to vocals that have this lower range (most vocals do - even female). It's also a range that can impart a sense of space around instruments and vocals. 

But is it accurate? Well, it would be somewhat accurate if the recording space emphasized this range during the recording and then THAT was played back on a more accurate system. It makes me wonder if a large part of this discussion is about our preferences with respect to venue rather than sound reproduction. I'm not the first one here to suggest that.