[SoundGame]

I just read this interesting interview with Alan Parson's, sound-engineer and lead of the Alan Parson's Project.  There are some very suprising comments he makes, such as:

"I don’t listen to much music recreationally - it’s almost always for professional applications. I do listen in the car, but that’s about it."

"I’m not sure vinyl is selling beyond audiophile purists, and I’m not really one of them."

"Everybody has their budget; the hi-fi world will tell you if money is no object you can get better results out of every component - even the surface the amplifier sits on. Pro sound people have different expectations; they are only concerned that a piece of gear works and allows them to do their job. Hi-fi people spend huge amounts of money for tiny improvements, and pro sound guys will say, 'I can spend half as much and get the results I need' "

"The pro audio guy will prioritize room acoustics and do the necessary treatments to make the room sound right. The hi-fi world attaches less importance to room acoustics, and prioritizes equipment; they are looking more at brand names and reputation."

"I’m simply not very familiar with the latest domestic hi-fi equipment. I don’t go to hi-fi tradeshows and I don’t have sophisticated equipment in the family areas of my house for music, but there are things that make sense like good speakers and a decent amp."

"The techniques used to make many modern pop records involve a lot of compression and that’s what those consumers want, according to the labels. A lot of the processing that audiophiles criticize is a style thing and part of the music itself."

Here read for yourself: http://www.cepro.com/story/alanparsons.html

I thought such a person, a muscian, sound-engineer would have a greater and broader love for music but it sounds like he keeps that to professional bounds.  Also, it's interesting to read his perspective on pro vs. audiophile.  I believe some of this rings true.

[Devil Doc]

I'm not surprised. When I was playing music for money I never listened for recreation, only to learn my part. Since I retired I listen all the time.

Doc

[sfraser]

Reading through it quickly, I think i agree with most everything he says. What really rings true for me is the room acoustics. That's one of the reasons I have never spent much time on "tweaks" such as interconnects and speaker cables. I buy well constructed cables but nothing more than that. I can't be bothered with that stuff when i know my money/time  would be better spent  improving my listening environment. But like a lot of us i can't build a sound room either....compromises compromises. Therefore do i want to stay married, or do i want my PSB's 6 feet out from the rear and side walls of the family room? LOL

Another interesting aspect of parson's quotes is it really highlights in my mind how a company like Bryston has appeal in both camps.

Cheers,

Cheers,

[redbook]

 A lot of valid points in this write up. I know myself what room acoustics can do for a system. I tend to go with the pro approach to hi-fi : that's why I love Bryston components! 

[klao]

Thanks for sharing, SoundGame.

[JLM]

Sounds very practical, but not like they have fun at how well it sounds (too bad).  Overall I'd say for sure that we audiophiles are the odd ducks, not the professionals.

Don't mistake lack of fun for lack of resolution (detail/tone/imaging/etc.).  Studio monitors are notorious for being extemely detailed (to the point of being unenjoyable).  Unfortunately the mass market dictates hyper close miking, dynamic compression, and weird/lack of imaging (for headphone/earbud/car applications) so most of the resolution is for naught. 

[redbook]

 I guess that's the sad truth in most cases. 

[JBLMVBC]

The tone is a tad too "blase" for my liking, but sometimes professional life has a way to bring out a sense of been there-done that.

That said he is pretty darn right on many levels. It is funny to read HiFi magazine reviewers falling over backward months after months for the same Vifa or Scanspeak average drivers repackaged one way or another and sold for 5 or 10 times the value depending on the veneer of the cabinet or the golden plated spikes on which it rests... and this regardless of the price level. When one think that $20k a pair can buy some of the best JBL Pro studio monitors such as the 4 way, bi amped 4348 -japanese market-, heir of the legendary 4343, you'd have to get the $150k Wilson's to try competing with these and given their drivers dynamics, fall short.

As for amps, Bryston is the clear demonstration that pro stuff is all you need at the right price.

[Waker]

"I’m simply not very familiar with the latest domestic hi-fi equipment. I don’t go to hi-fi tradeshows and I don’t have sophisticated equipment in the family areas of my house for music, but there are things that make sense like good speakers and a decent amp."

Alan Parsons also says in the interview the art of listening is the key, as well as how different pieces of studio equipment sound--it seems he  relates more to sound engineering in the studio than to the sound we all hear at home.  That's cool, I just hope he enjoys music listening.  As an example of high-quality sound, he is impressed with Dave Grusin's label, GRP, or Grusin/Rosen Productions.  Yes, jazz artists on their label receive high production values. These guys committed to pure digital in the early 80's. Get something by Special EFX, like "Slice of Life," or "Harlequin," featuring Grusin himself, and you will be very pleased.  Even then, they did digital right--CD players had to catch up with what they were doing over 25 years ago. 

[DaveNote]

Thanks, SoundGame. Excellent article. In my recent experience with headphones, and near field pro speakers, I discovered that while gear designed for pro work is very accurate and detailed, it often is not not enjoyable, especially with respect to headphones. As in all things audio, it never really is a matter of right or wrong, good or bad, but rather, preferences. Pros have different preferences because they have certain needs, and the Parsons article helps understand them. The problem with many audiophiles, including myself, is that in addition to liking music, we love gear as much. The pros I've met, on the other hand, as Parsons points out, focus on the sound, and sometimes ironically, don't care about either the gear or music!

Dave

[Freo-1]

There is much truth in Alan’s observations.  Agree with the assessment that room acoustics play a larger part than most audiophiles pay attention to.  We obsess about nuisances of which NOS tube to use, yet a slight adjustment in the speaker placement may in fact yield much more dramatic results.

Recently assisted my brother in law with his home theater setup.  While the equipment he owns would not be considered high end, after running through the calibration routine built in the receiver, we listened to his latest DVD concert purchase.  Surprisingly, it sounded quite nice for non audiophile approved gear (LOL).  The calibration routine in the modern receiver does flatten out the response quite well.  It was an interesting object lesson.

[Russell Dawkins]

...  We obsess about nuisances of which NOS tube to use, ...

Do you refer to nuances?

[Rocket_Ronny]

Most musicians I have worked with do not have high end gear at home. In fact most use ghetto blasters. They experience, and make, live music and that is their high end.

I contacted Randy Bachman of BTO (Bachman Turner Overdrive) who hosts the radio show on CBC called "Vinyl Tap" to find out what home system he uses and what is in the studio. Randy seems to be such a music lover I thought he would have a great rig to listen on, but at home it's some cheap ghetto blaster. In the studio he uses Klein Hummel 0300 self powered, 3 way, monitors. Now Russell, I think you are going to like that bit of info. 

Rocket_Ronny

[PRELUDE]

This post drive me insane because I do have his picture in his living room with his stereo stuff but I cannot find it.So far this is 5 hours now that I am looking for it and listening to music.

[Laundrew]

This post drive me insane because I do have his picture in his living room with his stereo stuff but I cannot find it.So far this is 5 hours now that I am looking for it and listening to music.

 

What works for me is to start looking for something else - then within a short period of time, you locate what you were originally searching for.

 

Be well...

[Wind Chaser]

This post drive me insane because I do have his picture in his living room with his stereo stuff...

Scroll to the bottom of... THIS PAGE

I don't see anything in the system or the setup that says "I'm an audiofool."

[PRELUDE]

Scroll to the bottom of... THIS PAGE

I don't see anything in the system or the setup that says "I'm an audiofool."

[PRELUDE]

What works for me is to start looking for something else - then within a short period of time, you locate what you were originally searching for.

 

Be well...

That is a good solution
But this time I put a relaxing music and sit down with a cup of coffee

[1oldguy]

This is a classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees.
And yes I am a huge fan of Alan Parsons.

He doesn't have truly great gear at home,but he does have truly great gear,location is irrelevant.

[SoundGame]

This post drive me insane because I do have his picture in his living room with his stereo stuff but I cannot find it.So far this is 5 hours now that I am looking for it and listening to music.

I believe you can rest now PRELUDE - found a pic of Alan Parson's home system, as of 1998 at least - see bottom pic on this page:

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gammaelectronics.com/images/1999-01_AP-98-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gammaelectronics.com/strphl_1999_Alan_Parsons.html&usg=__EoIjN3z-yAUi5PXt9uc05uJ6Tts=&h=467&w=195&sz=32&hl=en&start=18&sig2=4I4yVn76ermoVzTnftBEqg&zoom=1&tbnid=CzIwG4Grrw4UjM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=53&ei=TEo5T_XWB-L30gHgpIWdAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dalan%2Bparsons%2Bhome%2Bsystem%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnso&itbs=1