[woodsyi]

I put mine together to do Opera right.  From Baroque to Bel Canto to Wagner, you have to have touch and punch.  I recently heard a well known and respected pair of "full" size speakers bottom out on a Telarc (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Shaw) recording of Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from the Opera, Prince Igor.  Mine does just fine.   

[bummrush]

   absolutely not if it cant do all types of music, what's the point

[bunnyma357]

All designs have compromise, so tailoring a system to your music preferences and personal sonic preferences makes total sense. Just pick the compromises that make sense, I don't need subterranean bass for my tastes, so I can focus on a better midrange presentation. The music I like often sounds somewhat harsh/bright, so I might pick gear that gets tone and timbre correct, but sacrifices dynamics or a revealing top end. I like a big soundstage, but don't need precise imaging, since most of the stuff I listen to wasn't recorded in one distinct acoustic space or time.

My taste in music tends to be more exuberant sloppy rock, I'll tend to prefer the first few albums of an artist while they are discovering things, rather than their later works where they are mastering them.

That said, I do believe that a decent system should sound good with any type of music  -  classical, opera & jazz sound good on my system, but I can notice some shortcomings that are beneficial for the rock/blues I usually listen to.

Jim C

[emac]

I listen to mostly electronic music, so I've tailored the 3 main systems I use (living room, listening room, and computer) for resolution and soundstage (since being able to give the spacial cues in floating synth lines is very important to me).  The only thing I can say that I've bought with these goals in mind are a pair of GR Research O-3's.  Otherwise, I constantly tinker w/ my systems (mods, positioning, etc).  And if what I do help w/ resolution and soundstage, then I stick with it.  Been pleasantly surprised w/ the results so far.

[Ronm1]

I've gone out of my way to ensure it is very, very good across all genre's.  Since I listen to them all.  The better food I feed it the better the sonics, never tizzy, irritating or fatigueing. Can't ask for more in my book!!!

[roscoeiii]

I've gone with the different sound in different rooms approach, so that my main system is very revealing, dynamic, detailed with lots of punch, that can handle big complex, layered pieces with aplomb. My bedroom system on the other hand is tuned towards a warmer lusher sound that shines with vocals and smaller scale acoustical and more mellow works. Nice to be able to switch between the two.

[Nuance]

Just curious about something, and I mean no offense by asking this: For those that do tune their systems for music, how do you do it?  The reason I ask because there is no standard for the recording industry, so some material might sound awful, while other stuff sounds great.  Which do you chose to "tune" to?  Where do you draw the line?

In theory, shouldn't we be "tuning" our systems to be as accurate to the source as possible?

[werd]

Just curious about something, and I mean no offense by asking this: For those that do tune their systems for music, how do you do it?  The reason I ask because there is no standard for the recording industry, so some material might sound awful, while other stuff sounds great.  Which do you chose to "tune" to?  Where do you draw the line?

In theory, shouldn't we be "tuning" our systems to be as accurate to the source as possible?

I never thought that tall narrow floor standers with pinpoint imaging was great for Metal. But thats just me. Sounds great with classical and jazz but not so for metal. It doesnt sound bad though. But metal really is best through a big boxxy speaker imo. I like all types of music but when i invest in gear i consider my jazz when buying.

[Wayner]

Absolutely not! Mine is built to play what is put into it. Wire with gain, would be the goal, tho I'm sure no one has come to that point yet, but we are collectively inching our way closer and closer.

I think some folks like to load the bottom up a bit more then I do (with multiple subs) and I respect their wishes to do so, but that is something of a different story, another thread.

The good news is that most voted "no" and that is a good sign.

Wayner

[toobluvr]

My current preamp doesn't have tone controls, and I actually regret that. I would like to have tone controls, as long as I can switch them completely off when I'm not using them. A loudness button (or even better an adjustable loudness control) would be really nice for late-night listening too.

http://www.vasindustries.com/Product_Name.asp?Category=25:30:17

All the controls, buttons, doo-dads, contour filters, tone controls,  switches, equalizers, and other non-audiophile approved stuff you can handle...in or out of the circuit!

Very cool... very 70s'ish  -- site it next to the lava lamp.  Reported to sound nice, too!   

[bunnyma357]

In theory, shouldn't we be "tuning" our systems to be as accurate to the source as possible?

Only if you find "accuracy" pleasing. I think accuracy is highly overrated, I'd much rather have enjoyable.

There is also the debate over what accuracy means, every link in the recording chain colors the sound you hear, many intentionally -  at which point is the sound "accurate". I see no reason that as part of that chain I shouldn't tailor the sound to make listening a more enjoyable experience.


Jim C

[Wayner]

Jim,

I think our current state of measurement helps us in the direction we all seek. If every component we owned had wildly variable disorders, where would we start to achieve our "perfect systems", even if they aren't perfect. I understand your point, but there are too many variables. Is it the pre-recorded music, the player (CD, LP), the amplification, the speakers or the frickin room. I do think if it sounds good, you might be close, but it reminds me of the old 70's saying, "if it feels good, do it". We all know now that that can lead to all kinds of trouble.

Just rambling.

Wayner

[toobluvr]

Only if you find "accuracy" pleasing. I think accuracy is highly overrated, I'd much rather have enjoyable.

There is also the debate over what accuracy means, every link in the recording chain colors the sound you hear, many intentionally -  at which point is the sound "accurate". I see no reason that as part of that chain I shouldn't tailor the sound to make listening a more enjoyable experience.


Jim C

I couldn't agree more.  Accuracy smaccuracy.  The objective is to maximize listening pleasure.  Whatever it takes to achieve that is OK.  There are no rules.

I prefer the word "realistic" anyways, and I equate that with enjoyment.   Whenever I nudge my system towards a more "real" sound, my listening enjoyment always increases.  I don't get caught up in what the recording engineer intended or any of that other "accurate" nonsense.  I simply focus on making my system sound as "real" as possible.

[eclein]

No particular type of music for me and my stuff, I do try and keep as much color out of the tone as possible.
I have also always enjoyed listening to the type of sound that JBL speakers produce ever since I was a kid, its just my Thang!!!!

[flintstone]

No, my system is full range, so it sounds good with everything..... (except bad recordings of course).


Dave

[Nuance]

I never thought that tall narrow floor standers with pinpoint imaging was great for Metal. But thats just me. Sounds great with classical and jazz but not so for metal. It doesnt sound bad though. But metal really is best through a big boxxy speaker imo. I like all types of music but when i invest in gear i consider my jazz when buying.

I respect that opinion, even though I disagree (listen to Revel, B&W, Kef, Paradigm Signature, Salk, Infinity, Dynaudio, Aeriel, etc).  Enjoy!

[Nuance]

bunnyma357 and toobluvr,

I understand what you guys are saying, and I agree.  My question was a hypothetical one (hence the "in theory" wording). 

Thankfully EQ's and tone controls exist to make up for the poor recording industry standards.  I'd rather use those than purchase a piece of equipment to compensate for a flaw in the recording.  Said products literally let you "tune" your system to whatever you want.  YMMV.

By the way, neither of you actually answered the questions (how do you do it). 

[doug s.]

i listen to all types of music - classical, electronica, rock, folk, jazz, electric, acoustic, afro-latin, world, etc.  if my rig doesn't let it all sound good, it's not good...

doug s.

[toobluvr]

By the way, neither of you actually answered the questions (how do you do it). 

The gear merry-go-round.....trial and error....lots of it!         

[bunnyma357]

bunnyma357 and toobluvr,

I understand what you guys are saying, and I agree.  My question was a hypothetical one (hence the "in theory" wording). 

Thankfully EQ's and tone controls exist to make up for the poor recording industry standards.  I'd rather use those than purchase a piece of equipment to compensate for a flaw in the recording.  Said products literally let you "tune" your system to whatever you want.  YMMV.

By the way, neither of you actually answered the questions (how do you do it).

I did kind of answer it earlier. Given that you have a budget, and that all systems are compromises, you just align the compromises with your preferences.

If I listened to a lot of electronica, I might have beefy subs - I don't  so I can have 3 smaller subs in a sort of Geddes random placement and get tight articulate bass, but not a lot of air movement or pressurization.  I listen to a lot of harsh/bright music, so having tubes adds some warmth and harmonics (i.e. - probably distortion, but it sounds better to me).

I like a large soundstage, but since most rock albums aren't recorded in a single acoustic space or even time -having pin point imaging isn't something I care about, so I might go with bipolar, OB, or omnidirectional speakers. With multitracking, and artificial panning, I prefer a somewhat nebulous yet broad soundstage.

The music I listen too and my personal preferences mean I don't need a ton of dynamics, and prefer what sounds to me as a more accurate tone or timbre, so I prefer relatively low efficiency sealed speakers over horns.

Just like I would consider the room and how I prefer to listen (not tied to the sweet spot) when considering gear, I also think it is foolish to not use your knowledge of what you listen to to guide your decisions. I too listen to all kinds of stuff, but I definitely listen to certain things far more often. So I get good sound with everything and really good sound with my favorite types of music.

There is nothing wrong with preferring accurate sound, it just isn't my main focus, and there is no reason why the pleasing sound can't be the most accurate, but "accuracy" just isn't the criteria I'm using when I judge something. Just like I'd probably prefer a Photoshopped image with beautiful color correction, compared to an accurate one that looks dull, I like my sound to be pleasing.


Jim C