i don’t feel a complete, enlightened, well rounded discussion about sound quality of hifi gear would focus heavily (much less exclusively) on the notion of presented 'detail' in the music ... relative noobs tend to go for that, but if they stick with it and learn what’s important over time, experience real music, they start to include many other sonic qualities in their criteria for what's good music and sound
Should We Prioritize Detail In Our Assessment Of Audio Quality?
So many times I’ve read posts, measuring the audio quality of components and recordings, by how much detail they offer. Especially where it pertains to DAC’s and streaming devices. Whenever there’s a thread comparing Qobuz with Tidal, etc… I find multiple posts attempting to win an argument, based on the claim that one streaming service offers more detail than the other.
I like detail but to me, it’s just one characteristic among many. If I sit in different parts of a concert hall, I may hear more detail in one place over another but it doesn’t make or break my desire to sit in one location over another. So many Audiogoners have stated their preference of analogue over digital but in my experience, digital playback usually reveals the most detail. How do others interpret the emphasis of detail when evaluating the level of audio quality in their listening experiences?
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+1 MC on deffinition of detail. Perseptions differ. +1 jjss49. i still have much to learn regarding criterion. There is much that is left out in what some consider detail. For each note an articulate attact is a start, the harmonic overtones provide the finish. There is so much detail in the latter that is overlooked. |
This is an article from Stereophile many years ago that changed how I looked at equipment. The summation of detail doesn’t always give you the same musical performance. Its about music and performance for me not about sound. Some equipment heightens or highlights details in distracting ways that makes them seem better initially. My trick when I’m evaluating equipment is to not directly listen, I see if it subconsciously draws me into the performance. Well reproduced music will do that, I can’t ignore it. If it can’t draw me, or I’m distracted by a specific detail then its just a wall of sound. |
a number of potentially useful and valuable perspective (some more some less so, but all worth a read) https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2020/09/12/hi-fi-how-do-we-listen/ https://www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/training-ear-learn-listen-like-audiophile/ https://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DEVELOPINGCRITICALLISTENINGSKILLS-.pdf.pdf https://hub.yamaha.com/audio/a-how-to/how-to-develop-critical-listening-skills/ https://audiophilereview.com/audiophile/teaching-myself-to-listen/ |
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