[low.pfile]

Jazz, Classical, Rock, Classic Rock, Prog Rock, Jam Band, Alternative Rock, Acoustic Rock, Rock & Roll, Traditional, Standards, Folk, Country, Opera are commonly referenced on the major audio forums.

Being very open eared myself (though not a fan of all--I'll listen to anything once) I've noticed a discrepancy. In audio forums there is a definite leaning towards certain music genres. Is it a demographic (including online demographic), socio-economic factor, or just coincidence?

I thought of this as I am listening to a neo-soul station this afternoon on last.fm station, which includes bands/muscians such as Ledisi, Van Hunt, Raphael Saadiq , Floetry (some may call this R & B.) And just like any genre there are good and bad recordings. I think that this genre, which balances the instruments with the vocals, the recordings have a wide dynamic range--approaching classical and some vocal jazz music are rarely mentioned on audiophile forums.

I've have experienced at least one punk/hard core audiophile in the SF Bay Area, which I think is an anomaly. Based on my personal observation audiophiles seem to be fans of mainly well recorded and comfortable music.

Just an observation from a 44 yr. old multi genre music fan with more audio equipment than 10 of his friends combined...unfortunately.


[I am not sure which circle this thread belongs, I will start it in the Music Circle, please feel free to move it as necessary]

[Scott F.]

Based on my personal observation audiophiles seem to be fans of mainly well recorded and comfortable music.

Unfortunately that statement rings true across this hobby, and I think I know the reason why. Like all other audiophiles, I've got a ton of well recorded music in my collection. Some of it is extremely engaging and some of it is...well...audiophile music...just well recorded.

Audiophiles have turned their backs on great tunes and nearly complete eras of music (ie; most 70's rock) because it can be literally painful to listen to on their rigs. Reason? We don't have tone controls. Sure you can listen at low levels which doesn't hurt our ears but when you crank up [say] Mahogany Rush to the ear splitting levels we uses to listen at back in the 70's on our Pioneer receivers, we could balance the sound out with tone controls or an EQ.

EQs have become digital and a pain in the butt to adjust (though you do had presets) and tone controls are non-existent with the exception of one or two brands that come to mind. Me personally, I use an active crossover, crossed at 150hz which allows me to reach over, switch the XO point (if need be) and crank the gain on the bass amp if I happen to want to listen to some bass-lite recording.

Somewhere decades ago, somebody decided the purist route (no tone controls) was the only 'approved' way to listen to music. Well, in an absolute sense, they were correct. In the real world, this excludes a very large portion of music rendering it unlistenable.

Me, I want to listen to all of my music collection. Perfect example that I use over and over again. If I want to listen to Oingo Boingo's Dead Mans Party, it would normally be relegated to my car because the recording is so bass shy. With a modest amount of XO tweaking and about 8db of bass gain, it can suddenly turn into a fabulous album that I can listen to at screaming volumes allowing me to bop 'til I drop.

Personally, I say bring back tone controls. For all their sonic detriment they still can make even the worst recordings enjoyable. And if you really freak out over a few extra caps and resistors in your signal path, install a bypass switch.  Besides, audiophilia isn't just about sitting still and being mesmerized by by the sonic reproduction of a musical instrument, it's about the love of music....ALL music, not just the audiophile approved recordings.


Oh and on your other topic of genres, There is a TON of great music out there waiting to be consumed. You just have to drop your pre-conceived notions and music biases. Take Country for example. Heck nowadays it's nothing more than 70's country rock with a hard twang. Lyrically, country does stuff that rock never does (with the exception of Weird Al). Where else can you get lyrics like;

She's in love with my tractor
Honky tonk, bedonkedonk, slap your grandma
I ain't as good as I once was, But I'm as good once as I ever was
And I'll never smoke weed with Willie again

Get into some of the older stuff like Texas Swing (Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys or Asleep at the Wheel) and it will take you down a whole new path of musical enjoyment. Those guys are just plain fun to listen and dance to....yes I said dance.


Newer R&B is a genre I'm just starting to get into. I've only found one or two good groups so far. Leela James is pretty pretty good. Got any suggestions on a few others?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j5NgbKV-Pg

[low.pfile]

[excerpt]
Oh and on your other topic of genres, There is a TON of great music out there waiting to be consumed. You just have to drop your pre-conceived notions and music biases. Take Country for example. Heck nowadays it's nothing more than 70's country rock with a hard twang. Lyrically, country does stuff that rock never does (with the exception of Weird Al). Where else can you get lyrics like;
 [snip]
Get into some of the older stuff like Texas Swing (Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys or Asleep at the Wheel) and it will take you down a whole new path of musical enjoyment. Those guys are just plain fun to listen and dance to....yes I said dance.

Newer R&B is a genre I'm just starting to get into. I've only found one or two good groups so far. Leela James is pretty pretty good. Got any suggestions on a few others?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j5NgbKV-Pg

Thanks for your perspective. I know that you're well versed in a variety of genres


I've been listening to these newer soul/R&B artists recently (various styles)
Ledisi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9E4nExa38o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUd4nE8Gn_Y
Aloe Blacc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rge8p1Nc_8Y&feature=related
Nneka http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmwXaPW6wG4 sorry about the ads.
Raphael Saadiq http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJY2NSSU1g
Charles Bradley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTy7ugrSFz4

You must've read between the lines, but I just cant get into most country (e.g. toby keith god love her) But as I said: I'll listen to anything once. the past couple of years I've been into some folkie rock, roots, americana etc. albeit mostly pop tinged. Yeah, I'd tap my foot to Bob Wills & TPBs' swing stuff, but just not to toby. And fiddles are cool!

cheers, ed

[SlushPuppy]

Jazz, Classical, Rock, Classic Rock, Prog Rock, Jam Band, Alternative Rock, Acoustic Rock, Rock & Roll, Traditional, Standards, Folk, Country, Opera are commonly referenced on the major audio forums.

Being very open eared myself (though not a fan of all--I'll listen to anything once) I've noticed a discrepancy. In audio forums there is a definite leaning towards certain music genres. Is it a demographic (including online demographic), socio-economic factor, or just coincidence?

I thought of this as I am listening to a neo-soul station this afternoon on last.fm station, which includes bands/muscians such as Ledisi, Van Hunt, Raphael Saadiq , Floetry (some may call this R & B.) And just like any genre there are good and bad recordings. I think that this genre, which balances the instruments with the vocals, the recordings have a wide dynamic range--approaching classical and some vocal jazz music are rarely mentioned on audiophile forums.

I've have experienced at least one punk/hard core audiophile in the SF Bay Area, which I think is an anomaly. Based on my personal observation audiophiles seem to be fans of mainly well recorded and comfortable music.

Just an observation from a 44 yr. old multi genre music fan with more audio equipment than 10 of his friends combined...unfortunately.


[I am not sure which circle this thread belongs, I will start it in the Music Circle, please feel free to move it as necessary]

Wow, you need to take a better look at the "What are you listening to right now?" thread here on AudioCircle. I belong to many audio related forums, and that thread is the most diverse I've ever seen. Covers every genre I'm aware of. As of 9:55PM it has 37674 posts of the most interesting music I've ever heard. My music collection has doubled since I joined this forum a couple of years ago. Please add to it and make it even better!

[jimdgoulding]

Post em up, low.p!  I listen to music from all over the globe and am interested in learning and sharing.  Think we need a new topic?  Just finished listening to a Philip Catherine album . 

[low.pfile]

hey pup. I know that thread. I check it on occasion and do add to it every blue moon too.

My main point was not that there isn't a range, just that certain genres seem to be missing. I identified R&B/Soul as an example. And looking at the last ten pages of that thread, I still stand by my observation of the lack of R&B/soul in audio land. No biggie. Just came to me last night and thought I'd see other's thoughts.

I have expanded my collection [and listening habits] quite a bit too, though more from mail lists, ezines, and streaming music stations. Only occasionally do I discover music based on posts from the few audio forums I'm on. Actually, I need to slow down my acquisitions.

cheers, ed

[mjosef]

Well, I think its quite simple to simply start a thread with whatever genre that suits your fancy...if there are others who share similar affinity, they will simply contribute to your postings. My stereo/music formative years was the 70's, and I often post funk/soul music of that era and the bands that continue to make new music of that genre today.
This Circle is The Music Circle...not the rock music circle or any specific genre, to me that encompasses all types of music. Its up to AC posters to make it what it is.