Unnatural Detail?

[Zanth]

There is an interesting thread over at AA found here

I tend to agree that there seems to be some folks who are all about detail to what I consider the detriment of musicality. For some (R10 and RS-1 fans), these phones more than any others I have had the chance to hear, are musical while not sacrificing detail. The instrument separation is not as great with the RS-1's in particular as compared with other phones (HD650's) but the sound is more realistic to my ears.

This could be a main reason why some do not enjoy the hyper detial of electrostats and the Ety's in particular. I do enjoy the Ety's (particularly for what they are and can do at their price point) but I would not say they are overly musical.

What say you all?

 

[elnero]

I agree, I think there is a fine balance between detail and musicality but when push comes to shove I'll lean towards musicality any day of the week.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

I'd like to write a more detailed reply, but lets just say I like my music lively and detailed. It needs to be flowing toe-tapping magic with slam and no traces of harshness or sibilance. So, both musical and un-veiled.

Biggie.

 

[Zanth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotoriousBIG_PJ I'd like to write a more detailed reply, but lets just say I like my music lively and detailed. It needs to be flowing toe-tapping magic with slam and no traces of harshness or sibilance. So, both musical and un-veiled. Biggie.

Agreed

 

[KR...]

The perfect headphones will let you listen to every single last detail on a recording. Nothing added, nothing taken away, just pure music.

 

[Zanth]

Does that detail include the sound of a trumpet player's nasal intake, air rushing past a particularly crusty piece of booger, only to have it jet out with a racket on the exhale through the brass instrument?

Know what I mean? Sometimes, I don't need to hear it all

 

[KR...]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zanth Does that detail include the sound of a trumpet player's nasal intake, air rushing past a particularly crusty piece of booger, only to have it jet out with a racket on the exhale through the brass instrument? Know what I mean? Sometimes, I don't need to hear it all

If that how it was recorded, then I suppose so

That is more of a problem with close mic recording techiques than your headphones!

 

[Edwood]

I often hear details with my R10 that I have a difficult time hearing(if at all) with my Ety 4S.

-Ed

 

[daycart1]

Interesting question: do we want recordings that present more detail than is available in good seats at live concerts? Usually even front row seats will not get breathing, bow scratching noise, etc.. There is also a lot of ambient audience noise at even a classical concert--not to mention whirring air conditioning systems, traffic noise from outside, etc..
And do we want our reproduction systems to approximate the concert experience, or what the studio mikes pick up?

 

[D-EJ915]

Recordings are technically supposed to emulate live performances (the whole reason why they made them was to save time from going to performances back in the 30303030 million years ago). So, they're supposed to sound like performances, imperfect, but clear.

 

[Leporello]

Yesterday I went to see "Das Rheingold" in the Finnish National Opera. Once again I was reminded how harsh and "un-musical" live music - the real thing -can occasionally sound. The singers' voices particularly sounded quite loud and projected. Soundstage? There was practically none. No solid tight bass, no silky smooth highs. Mainly just ear-blasting midrange.

But of course the sound was perfectly enjoyable (in "Die Walküre" next saturday I will have even a better seat). To me it seems that many recordings (and perhaps hi-fi in general) try to prettify the rough reality.


Regards,

L.

 

[john_jcb]

One thing the recording industry has done is move to the close miking everything. IMO this results in a very detailed but unnatural recording. I much prefer the old recordings where the sound was as you would hear it in the audience with a natural soundstage

 

[john_jcb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leporello Yesterday I went to see "Das Rheingold" in the Finnish National Opera. Once again I was reminded how harsh and "un-musical" live music - the real thing -can occasionally sound. The singers' voices particularly sounded quite loud and projected. Soundstage? There was practically none. No solid tight bass, no silky smooth highs. Mainly just ear-blasting midrange. But of course the sound was perfectly enjoyable (in "Die Walküre" next saturday I will have even a better seat). To me it seems that many recordings (and perhaps hi-fi in general) try to prettify the rough reality. Regards, L.

One thing that I have noticed around Chicago is that many venues are simply terrible for listening. Loudspeakers placed such that the sound is a jumbled mess and poorly amplified. I attended a Bruce Springsteen concert at the New United Center a while back and it was a great show but the sound was nothing special. I am glad I was in a suite with free food and drink. Many times seat selection is critical and the contributing patrons have all the best ones wrapped up.

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood I often hear details with my R10 that I have a difficult time hearing(if at all) with my Ety 4S. -Ed

I often hear musical instruments with my R10 that I didn't notice in a recording when listening with other headphones. It's the added musical content that makes it apparent that the increase in detail is important. It's possible to add apparent detail without adding content (turn up the treble). That's the blind alley that needs to be avoided.

 

[adhoc]

imo if a headphone lets you hear what was recorded - it's doing it's job; i dont think it should take any flak for that.

and why cant detail and musicality co-exist anyway?