MetalManCPA
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2005
- Posts
- 598
- Likes
- 14
One of the main reasons this site is so wonderful is that when I want to learn something about a particular piece of equipment, I generally find a decent review here. As I read through the reviews (headphone, amp, etc), I notice a common thread between all of them - the search for that perfect sound. That got me thinking about how I listen to music. My thoughts here aren't about the particular equipment, but more about the musical environments that surround me. In all cases, I have spent a decent amount of money for each environment, and I feel I have decent equipment.
In order of amount of time/pleasure in music listening, here are various slices of listening heaven (not all, but the top of the list):
1. My car: I listen to music here the most, and took great care in getting the right equipment for my particular vehicle. It took (4) trips to the installer to get it right.
2. Portable: whether at the casino, mowing the lawn, or travelling.
3. My office: the music is on all day, but at lower volumes, and I don't always concentrate on listening, but have it more on as background music.
4. Live concerts
5. My living room (surround sound setup w/sub)
6. My home/office (surround sound setup w/sub)
7. My bedroom (surround sound setup w/sub)
As I prepare in the next week or so to write a review on my newly acquired MiniBox-E, I read other reviews here and see what type of impression I get from reading them. For instance, when I read headphone reviews, there is plenty of discussion of where the music comes from - in your head, in front, etc. There is talk of spatiality, bass and treble response, tired after long listening, etc etc.
I am really only setting up one thought here - what my search for "perfect" sound really means. My thoughts are in generalities, so I know there could be deeper discussion, but I am thinking big picture. I am starting to realize that each environment offers its own interpretation of music. As far as overall sound presentation (exclusive of a particular concerts equipment and venue), the live music experience presents the largest soundstage. My car, even though the listening area is a small enclosed box, offers up nice spatiality and a very full and invigerating listening experience. My portable rig puts the music tight in my head. No big room feeling here, but, the music iteself is still represented well, and isolating the outside world makes it private and easy to concentrate.
In my many years of purchasing/upgrading equipment, I believe I have been thinking mostly about clarity and range of the sound at low volumes, decent tight bass at higher volumes, and an overall clean sound. I don't think I have been searching to make my living room as close to a live experience, nor have I been actively trying to make one environment sound like another. And as I think about it more, why would I? If I want the live sound, I experience that at a live concert. This is the rarest and most satisfying experience, for many of us may only get to see our favorite band once, if at all, and it makes the concert memory a special one. Beyond the overall quality of equipment, each of my environments presents music differently. I listen to music constantly, and it is important to me. The most $$ are spent on my main A/V system in my living room. Movies & music - the system must handle both, and I am very satisfied. I am in my car the most, so I spent a lot of money here too to give me a sound I was happy with. Headphones to me provide the most interesting pursuit, as the representation of music can be so different. I like the ATH-A900's as I feel they represent all music very well. There may be another that offers more bass or a bigger soundstage, but something else will change like treble roll-off, etc. I don't think I can even define perfection, so I guess I'm not sure what I'm searching for beyond just being happy.
For those of us, which I assume are most head-fi'ers, how the music is represented is vital. Music means something to us, it's not just a passing fancy. I know there will always be better equipment than what I have, but since economics play a role, I can only go so far, so I work hard within my bounds. Others can go farther because they are richer (I wish I was). I have tried to define my own personal music listening experience in guiding my purchasing decisions. I like the fact that each place I listen to music sounds/feels different, yet in the end the songs are still the songs, and it's the actual song that gives me the most pleasure of all. If I was forced to get rid of everything except for a cheap GPX MP3 player with $5 buds, I would still be happy that I had my music. We are all fortunate enough that we can feed our needs with all of the wonderful equipment out there in the world.
In order of amount of time/pleasure in music listening, here are various slices of listening heaven (not all, but the top of the list):
1. My car: I listen to music here the most, and took great care in getting the right equipment for my particular vehicle. It took (4) trips to the installer to get it right.
2. Portable: whether at the casino, mowing the lawn, or travelling.
3. My office: the music is on all day, but at lower volumes, and I don't always concentrate on listening, but have it more on as background music.
4. Live concerts
5. My living room (surround sound setup w/sub)
6. My home/office (surround sound setup w/sub)
7. My bedroom (surround sound setup w/sub)
As I prepare in the next week or so to write a review on my newly acquired MiniBox-E, I read other reviews here and see what type of impression I get from reading them. For instance, when I read headphone reviews, there is plenty of discussion of where the music comes from - in your head, in front, etc. There is talk of spatiality, bass and treble response, tired after long listening, etc etc.
I am really only setting up one thought here - what my search for "perfect" sound really means. My thoughts are in generalities, so I know there could be deeper discussion, but I am thinking big picture. I am starting to realize that each environment offers its own interpretation of music. As far as overall sound presentation (exclusive of a particular concerts equipment and venue), the live music experience presents the largest soundstage. My car, even though the listening area is a small enclosed box, offers up nice spatiality and a very full and invigerating listening experience. My portable rig puts the music tight in my head. No big room feeling here, but, the music iteself is still represented well, and isolating the outside world makes it private and easy to concentrate.
In my many years of purchasing/upgrading equipment, I believe I have been thinking mostly about clarity and range of the sound at low volumes, decent tight bass at higher volumes, and an overall clean sound. I don't think I have been searching to make my living room as close to a live experience, nor have I been actively trying to make one environment sound like another. And as I think about it more, why would I? If I want the live sound, I experience that at a live concert. This is the rarest and most satisfying experience, for many of us may only get to see our favorite band once, if at all, and it makes the concert memory a special one. Beyond the overall quality of equipment, each of my environments presents music differently. I listen to music constantly, and it is important to me. The most $$ are spent on my main A/V system in my living room. Movies & music - the system must handle both, and I am very satisfied. I am in my car the most, so I spent a lot of money here too to give me a sound I was happy with. Headphones to me provide the most interesting pursuit, as the representation of music can be so different. I like the ATH-A900's as I feel they represent all music very well. There may be another that offers more bass or a bigger soundstage, but something else will change like treble roll-off, etc. I don't think I can even define perfection, so I guess I'm not sure what I'm searching for beyond just being happy.
For those of us, which I assume are most head-fi'ers, how the music is represented is vital. Music means something to us, it's not just a passing fancy. I know there will always be better equipment than what I have, but since economics play a role, I can only go so far, so I work hard within my bounds. Others can go farther because they are richer (I wish I was). I have tried to define my own personal music listening experience in guiding my purchasing decisions. I like the fact that each place I listen to music sounds/feels different, yet in the end the songs are still the songs, and it's the actual song that gives me the most pleasure of all. If I was forced to get rid of everything except for a cheap GPX MP3 player with $5 buds, I would still be happy that I had my music. We are all fortunate enough that we can feed our needs with all of the wonderful equipment out there in the world.
