ComfyCan
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Posts
- 860
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- 14
In describing the characteristics of headphones (and other audio gear), there is a language that is spoken here by more experinced people that is largely meaningless to me, which is frustrating.
As an illustration, here's a quote pulled at random from a recent post from a very experienced headfi-er:
don't like: K701's splitting apart of the layers
- don't like: K701's deadening of the sound
- don't like: K701's over-airiness
- do like: K701's fast tight bass, slightly-warm mids, and spike over female vocal range
- don't like: DT880's slow attack
- do like: DT880's detail retrieval and textured bass
- don't like: HD600's darkness
- do like: actually I'm not sure what I like about the HD600
- don't like: K81DJ's over-boomy bass
- do like: K81DJ's fun factor and portability
- don't like: boomy bass, brightness, sibilance
- like: clean sparkling highs without brightness, accurate bass, and a non-forward presentation[/QUOTE]
I am not being at all critical of this; I just don't know what people mean when they say things like "textured bass" or "non-forward presentation," although I'd certainly like to.
I have read definitions of audiophile terminology on this and other websites, and over time I pick up clues about what I *think* people mean from the context in which such terminology is used.
What would really be handy would be an FAQ/stickie with links to Wav. files that would illustrate the characteristic (where practical). Subjective terms that are not tied to objective examples are really difficult to understand.
Does anyone know of any such reference(s)? Alternatively, links to sites describing audiophile terminology that others have found helpful would be appreciated.
Thanks for any help you can offer; I'm sure I'm not the only one here who finds this language confusing.
Finally, let me emphasize that I intend no criticism of the individual who posted the language quoted above; it is used only as an example.
As an illustration, here's a quote pulled at random from a recent post from a very experienced headfi-er:
don't like: K701's splitting apart of the layers
- don't like: K701's deadening of the sound
- don't like: K701's over-airiness
- do like: K701's fast tight bass, slightly-warm mids, and spike over female vocal range
- don't like: DT880's slow attack
- do like: DT880's detail retrieval and textured bass
- don't like: HD600's darkness
- do like: actually I'm not sure what I like about the HD600
- don't like: K81DJ's over-boomy bass
- do like: K81DJ's fun factor and portability
- don't like: boomy bass, brightness, sibilance
- like: clean sparkling highs without brightness, accurate bass, and a non-forward presentation[/QUOTE]
I am not being at all critical of this; I just don't know what people mean when they say things like "textured bass" or "non-forward presentation," although I'd certainly like to.
I have read definitions of audiophile terminology on this and other websites, and over time I pick up clues about what I *think* people mean from the context in which such terminology is used.
What would really be handy would be an FAQ/stickie with links to Wav. files that would illustrate the characteristic (where practical). Subjective terms that are not tied to objective examples are really difficult to understand.
Does anyone know of any such reference(s)? Alternatively, links to sites describing audiophile terminology that others have found helpful would be appreciated.
Thanks for any help you can offer; I'm sure I'm not the only one here who finds this language confusing.
Finally, let me emphasize that I intend no criticism of the individual who posted the language quoted above; it is used only as an example.