Deep Listening: Why Audio Quality Matters

soyjoyboy · « **on:** 10 Mar 2011, 01:45 am »

Dear All,

Here's a youtube link to a fascinating (albeit long) roundtable discussion on the current state of audio quality in the music industry. It's chaired by Greg Calbi of Sterling Sound and includes Steve Berkowitz of Sony as well as Craig Street, well-known record producer.

Enjoy!

Peter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY5hI98HEi0

Napalm · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Mar 2011, 03:04 am »

I won't bother to watch. Sterling Sound is one of the most prominent offenders in the "loudness wars".

Nap.

vegasdave · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Mar 2011, 03:50 am »

Thanks for the link.

skunark · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Mar 2011, 06:58 pm »

Quote from: Napalm on 10 Mar 2011, 03:04 am

I won't bother to watch. Sterling Sound is one of the most prominent offenders in the "loudness wars".

Nap.

They actually talk about the loudness wars along with "redbook" is awful, SACD is close to 96/24 PCM (but it's closer to 96/20 PCM if you look at the bit rates). They also indicate that you can't get any better than 96/24 in terms of playback. They discussed how different studios sound different, the recording moments, etc. Should you remaster from the original unaltered tapes or master copy which has the sound that they were going for at that time.

Don_S · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Mar 2011, 07:13 pm »

Not arguing either way about it being the best but I am curious why they said you can't get any better than 96/24. ???

Personally I wish 24/96 had been the standard from the start. I am not saying it is the best but I think it was good enough that we could have avoided the SACD/DVD-A war. I also think it would have been a much better standard for the "masses" (including me). I have no desire to get involved with hi-rez downloads.

Quote from: skunark on 10 Mar 2011, 06:58 pm

They actually talk about the loudness wars along with "redbook" is awful, SACD is close to 96/24 PCM (but it's closer to 96/20 PCM if you look at the bit rates). They also indicate that you can't get any better than 96/24 in terms of playback. They discussed how different studios sound different, the recording moments, etc. Should you remaster from the original unaltered tapes or master copy which has the sound that they were going for at that time.

soyjoyboy · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Mar 2011, 01:00 am »

Quote from: vegasdave on 10 Mar 2011, 03:50 am

Thanks for the link.

Your welcome, vegasdave. Hope everyone else has enjoyed the discussion.

Peter

Napalm · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Mar 2011, 01:38 am »

Mhhh. Idea for James:

Take a look at a notebook DVD drive unit. Yes, the thin ones that you can insert in the notebook's bay. See, it has a SATA connector on the back.

Now take a look at some notebook manufacturer web sites. They offer an empty tray into which you can install a 2.5" hard drive. After you do it, you'll notice that you have again the same SATA connector in the same position as the DVD drive. And you can insert the thing into the same notebook bay.

Now think BDP-2. How about a bay of similar size and specs as the notebook ones? And I could install a DVD or Blu-ray unit or a hard drive. And I could play 24/96 files from them. Or plain audio CDs. And you don't have to worry about CD unit failures. It's user replaceable.

Oh, and please include a DAC inside the BDP-2 too.

Nap.

Napalm · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Mar 2011, 01:39 am »

S**t. I forgot to mention: PLEASE ADD TONE CONTROLS too.

Just kidding.

nap.

P.S. I can't wait Werd's comments on the soundstage spaciousness of Toshiba drives vs. the visceral bass of Matsushita. Not to mention the endless reviews of various writable DVD disc. Hey we could have fun again!

BrystonFan · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Mar 2011, 03:30 am »

Are you starting BDP-2 rumours again!

Napalm · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Mar 2011, 02:48 am »

Quote from: BrystonFan on 11 Mar 2011, 03:30 am

Are you starting BDP-2 rumours again!

We can always try!

vvv · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Mar 2011, 04:10 am »

Audio quality matters.
Great acoustics is an important step towards it.
Great videos by Ethan Winer:

How to set up a listening room:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLVjHfHahg

On audio myths (see from 15:09 and forwards

) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ

Winer is working at RealTraps.

jaxwired · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 02:08 am »

The room in the real traps vid looks like rubbish. In fact, I'd call it ugly to point of being comical. No thanks.

Napalm · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 03:13 am »

Quote from: jaxwired on 14 Mar 2011, 02:08 am

The room in the real traps vid looks like rubbish. In fact, I'd call it ugly to point of being comical. No thanks.

Agreed.

Nap.

Napalm · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 03:51 am »

So my question now is: how can you build a visually non-intrusive sound system in an existing room and get good sound quality?

While die-hard audiophiles will actually like room dominating speakers and large displays of macho looking equipment, 99% of the potential customers would rather go for less visible setups.

Nap.

werd · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 04:55 am »

Quote from: Napalm on 14 Mar 2011, 03:51 am

So my question now is: how can you build a visually non-intrusive sound system in an existing room and get good sound quality?

While die-hard audiophiles will actually like room dominating speakers and large displays of macho looking equipment, 99% of the potential customers would rather go for less visible setups.

Nap.

By using headphones.. doosh.....

vegasdave · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 08:40 am »

Quote from: soyjoyboy on 11 Mar 2011, 01:00 am

Your welcome, vegasdave. Hope everyone else has enjoyed the discussion.

Peter

mclsound · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 10:03 am »

Funny thing,while I do own several good discs(Telarc SACD,etc.)...I broke out some old favorites on the wknd such as Molly Hatchets Grts hits,Blackfoot,Frank Zappas Strickly Commercial.....and what a difference in SQ. The old redbooks are a tough sound at about 100db but with a little sub in there,Not Bad!!!

95Dyna · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 02:06 pm »

Quote from: mclsound on 14 Mar 2011, 10:03 am

Funny thing,while I do own several good discs(Telarc SACD,etc.)...I broke out some old favorites on the wknd such as Molly Hatchets Grts hits,Blackfoot,Frank Zappas Strickly Commercial.....and what a difference in SQ. The old redbooks are a tough sound at about 100db but with a little sub in there,Not Bad!!!

After spending about $35K last year for new CD, BP26, 7's and some WireWorld cables my old redbooks are sounding pretty good right now for the most part, but wait a minute.......I could have replaced the entire collection with new or remasters for around $5K. What was I thinking.

I think I'll now purchase one of those $3K record de-warping machines.

werd · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 02:12 pm »

Quote from: 95Dyna on 14 Mar 2011, 02:06 pm

After spending about $35K last year for new CD, BP26, 7's and some WireWorld cables my old redbooks are sounding pretty good right now for the most part, but wait a minute.......I could have replaced the entire collection with new or remasters for around $5K. What was I thinking.
I think I'll now purchase one of those $3K record de-warping machines.

Don't forget the Torus...hehe. Dyna are you thinking of getting a bda/bdp combo or anything that plays files?

Napalm · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Mar 2011, 07:12 pm »

Quote from: werd on 14 Mar 2011, 02:12 pm

Don't forget the Torus...hehe.

Yeah, it apparently fixes bad mastering too.

Nap.