[Early B.]

As audiophiles on a forum like this, we enjoy suggesting gear purchases. The first question is: "What kind of music do you like?" That's the wrong question. We shouldn't buy gear based on the musical genres we prefer. Instead, we should buy gear based on what we want to hear. For instance, being a consummate jazz lover says nothing about how you like to hear it. Do you prefer bright or muted highs? Smoky, luscious, or meaty vocals? Thunderous bass? Soft or loud? A super large soundstage or pinpoint imaging? Do you want to hear every single detail? Front row or six rows back?

A better question is: "How do you want to feel when you listen to your music?" Audiophiles aren't chasing a sound, but a feeling. Yes, it's a conundrum -- we need to assemble the gear to generate the sound that will transport us to the feeling we want, but we focus more on the sound than the feeling. For instance, our reviews of gear are 99% what it sounds like, and 1% what it feels like.

It's analogous to watching a movie and afterward, describing the acting, directing, plot, etc. That's fine, but did you enjoy the movie or not? That's all that matters. There are plenty of A-list actors who aren't very good, but we watch them anyway. Likewise, there are plenty of pieces of gear that may not have the highest technical proficiency (most tube gear!), but we like them anyway.

     

[Mag]

I think my answer is just as complex.
First off, having gone to the Dealer to listen to gear. I know I prefer Solid State over Tube gear. Speakers I want to have bass slam and capable of piercing highs. Like I had speakers in the past that just didn't do it for me with rock guitar, sort of rolled off highs, I want guitars to sound like guitars.

As for how it should sound I suppose it depends on the genre I'm listening to. I want the sound to be delicate when it needs to be, slam bass when it needs to be. The overall sound though I prefer lively, sound bouncing off the walls. I noticed this when I use to work at a Casino. Different bands would come in and play. Now I'm not sure what it is but one band in particular as they walked around sounded lively and energetic. I would guess that their instrument tone just blended well with the boundaries of the room. That's the sound I'm after.

As for genres, I can find songs I like in almost any genre. For me it's song structure and if I like the structure I usually like the song.

[richidoo]

I've learned that I like music best when it sounds how the artists and recording team wanted it to sound. So I go for full range, large dynamic range, low distortion type gear. I like all genres of music, but the most innovative and groundbreaking works in a given genre are my favorite.

[SET Man]

Hey!

   I don't think it is a stupid question asking "What kind of music do you like?" Especially when you are being asked to recommend them audio component, especially with speakers. Well, if someone asked me to recommend them a new speaker and I know that they like to listen heavy metal at 85-90dB peak... I won't tell them to get the little LS3/5 monitor or a 4" fullrange speaker because they have great mid for that kind of music and SPL.

   Yes, I do agree with you about music... to me music is art and eternal. And it should make you "feel" something. I could have care less about how loud a system can play or how deep, how low the THD is and etc. If it doesn't make me feel anything when I'm listening to music that component/systems means nothing to me. And I've heard big expensive systems that lack the emotional inducing ability.
   
   By the way... talk about technical proficiency...  my system now for the past 22 years or so is based on SET amps, tubed pre, turntable, CDP with DIY DAC based on 30+ years old TDA1543 chip in NOS mode and 6" Fostex single driver speaker. So, yeah... don't ask me how they are all measured. Just looking at the system is enough to make anyone from ASR people to run away before even listening to it Well, the system is stable, but by today's standard it is...  measurably incorrect but emotionally correct... to me.

    Well, like that that Ella Fitzgerald's song "It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing"

[opnly bafld]

Nice post SET Man 

[Early B.]

I don't think it is a stupid question asking "What kind of music do you like?" Especially when you are being asked to recommend them audio component, especially with speakers. Well, if someone asked me to recommend them a new speaker and I know that they like to listen heavy metal at 85-90dB peak... I won't tell them to get the little LS3/5 monitor or a 4" fullrange speaker because they have great mid for that kind of music and SPL.

If you ask someone who likes heavy metal -- "how do you want to feel," they may say something like, "I want to feel an adrenaline rush" or "I want intense sounds to help me release pent-up frustrations," then you probably won't recommend a little LS3/5 monitor or 4" fullrange speaker.

Also, if you ask people what kind of music they like, most people will say they like many different genres of music, so that response doesn't offer enough information to recommend specific gear. I like jazz mainly, but I also listen to pop, country, R&B, and a little bit of rock. What gear do you recommend for me?   But if I tell you I want to experience the most realistic emotions expressed by extraordinarily gifted singers on a wide stage, then you'll have a lot more to work with.       

[Craig Young]

I don't listen to rap music. Rap music is enjoyable for me when it is lightly embedded in a song. I don't have long sessions with electronics music, but I do make an effort to get out of my rut. I do like oldies from the 50s and 60's even though I wished that they were sound mixed differently. I usually don't have long sessions with the old style Hawaiian music, but I do tolerate it because I was brought up with it. In the Hawaiian style I like Hapa, Keale Riechell, Iz, Kalapana, C&K type of music. Once in awhile I will listen to country, reggae, opera, symphony, classical... so I do make an effort to bend my old ways. Long listening sessions is spent with jazz, rock, r&b.