GoodSoundClub - Romy the Cat's Audio Site

In the Forum: Playback Listening
In the Thread: A random neutralness

Post Subject: Who needs real high end?Posted by rowuk on: 12/3/2015

I often wonder who REALLY needs real high end? Maybe this is the wrong description. If we look at custom made trumpets, violins, guitars for musicians, there are parameters that can be played with to reach a desired goal. The artisans results become the working capital of the musician. More instrument does not always mean more money!

What are we doing in audio? What purpose does a custom builder serve? What is the meaning of a custom midbass horn? What does a higher end DAC do for us. IS MP3 or AAC even a problem?

The problem is that we do not have a language for audio requirements. It is not possible to predict what a bass driver with 15BL will sound like. Specifications have been raped by the industry so we cannot know what we are getting. The word "High End has been confiscated, we will never get it back. We need new words. I do find quite a few here at the Good Sound Club.

Does random equipment really mean that we lose neutrality? Can it be that absolute, or is the only issue "no control" over neutrality? Is neutrality a desirable goal? Not from my viewpoint. I like "row 15 sound" where the hall adds its signature to the performance without me losing immediacy. It is also a preference away from pinpoint localization of sonic events. Is the sound of an instrument colored by the hall effects still neutral?

I think that neutrality is a bullshit argument for the brainless. Music worth listening to is not "neutral". The performers have intentions, the recording engineers and producers have sonic goals. At home we also have expectations based on our relationship to music and audio. Just like I have specific goals when I choose an instrument for a specific playing job, my audio at home also advertises my prejudices, laziness, audio awareness.

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