Why are most 'audiophiles' into jazz or classical?

[chillysalsa]

Just something I've noticed: the majority of people concerned with hi-fi are into one or those genres.

Sure, probably just because they like it, or it's good music. But does it appeal to (us) audiophiles because it allows them to enjoy their system more, by hearing 'real' instruments and performers reproduced on equipment (since hearing live stuff every night is not possible for most). Perhaps it's just that people turn into their parents as they grow older, and start listening to stuff their parents to liked.

Any other theories?

 

[KR...]

pretty much a little of everything that you said.

 

[Ebonyks]

Probably all of the above, simply because there's plenty of good classical/jazz. Other generes, such as rock, (Atleast IMO) seem to be lacking in great new artists. I know i'll get flamed for that last comment, but i don't much care. The only band i've found recently that even compares to the classic rock legends, like pink floyfd and led zepplin is the flaming lips.

 

[markl]

Probably because in order to be able to afford audiophile grade equipment, you are more likely to be from a social class that is less inclined to listen to Jay-Z and J-Lo. Also, they are mostly older (again gainfully employed adults with the disposable income for expensive gear) who have probably graduated from pop/rock and moved on to jazz/classical.

Mark

 

[chillysalsa]

Part of me expects to see audiophiles really into electronic music. This is because most of it that I've heard, really demands good equipment to play properly, as the sounds are so removed from anything in nature. I can't think of anything more taxing on a system than playing Autechre's Tri Repetae at rip-snorting levels.

Maybe in 20 years that will become the music of choice for audiophiles? Probably not... Jazz/classical seem to have more staying power.

As for rock... I don't think rock is dead, I think it's just gone on retirement and let the kids run the show (and some are better than others).

 

[HD-5000]

Probably because people who listen to poor quality music don't mind poor quality sound.

 

[Ebonyks]

HD-5000, now that's an elitist attitude

To say that there isn't anything good outside of classical and jazz is as ingorant as saying that classical and jazz suck. All genere's have their goods and their bads, it just that a lack of a mainstream to introduce crappy classical/jazz to muck up the good stuff.

I'm sure my shortsighed attitude is wrong, but it only proves my point farther. I shouldn't have to look long and hard to find great music.

 

[dngl]

Classical music tends to be recorded with better microphones and goes through much less needless processing than pop/rock music. I, too, am surprised that there are not more audiophiles who like electronic music... not pop-electronic, but stuff like AFX, BoC, Animals on Wheels, etc. Those CDs can certainly work a system...

Here's where personal opinion steps in: audiophiles listen to classical music because it's better than other genres of music.

 

[RickG]

Just listen to Mozart's Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major ("Eine kleine Nachtmusik"), K. 525 Allegro...

Nuff said...

 

[Zurg]

There are actually real acoustic reasons why classical and jazz music require better sound reproduction equipment than "popular" music.

>>>DISCLAIMER!!!<<<
The following opinion is a generalization, there are many notable exceptions on both sides of the fence.


Generally, classical and much jazz music have much more dynamic range, as a critical component of the music, than most "popular" music such as rock. Classical, jazz and much instumental music is often recorded in such a way as to try and recreate the original live listening experience. Imaging, transparency, and dynamic range are critical to achieving that effect.

>Most< "popular" music is mastered by compositing individual instrument and or vocal tracks. Often, the master recording will be reviewed for how it will sound on a "home" stereo system. Since "popular" music is, by defintion, targeted to the masses and many times it is mastered to be compatible with "typical" stereo reproduction equipment.

Many radio stations will reduce the dynamic range, (i.e. compand the signal) of the popular music they broadcast. This allows them to transmit at a higher average power rate and improves the average S/N ratio. Classical music stations, however, rarely compress the signal because it has such objectionable effect on the music.

Consider the live classical music concert. Acoustics are very important and if the audience is not silent it is a real distraction. Now consider a typical rock concert. The band is probably consistently very loud, the audience is screaming, and the acoustics are often horrible. Most rock fans are more keyed into the visual excitement of the band and the crowd than the actual fidelity of the acoustic experience.

I listen to a lot of classical, jazz, and popular music. I like them all. As a generaliztion, however, instrumental/acoustic music requires a better sound system to sound "good" than popular electronic music.

As time has progressed, however, the "typical" stereo system has improved greatly over the last 30 years. With this trend I believe there has been an increase in the amount popular music that relies on hi-fidelity/high dynamic range reproduction. There is, on average, still a large gap between the requirements of classical versus popular but it has narrowed somewhat and will likely continue to do so in the future.

 

[Sovkiller]

Is a lot easier to find a very good recording in Jazz and Classic Music that in other kinds of music, Jazz musicians and classic musicinas are more "pickin" with their recordings, I do believe that in Rock there are a lot of good musicians, with pretty good ears, but I don't know why they do not make the people behind the consoles do a decent job, OTOH most of the times the jazz and classic players are better performers, most of them are graduated from prestigious music schools and academies, I think that audiophiles are a lot more concern about good recordings and good performances....Right now I'm enjoying at two DVDs from Pat Metheny and the recording is impecable....in most of the rock DVDs the sound is horrible.....

 

[MacDEF]

Well said, zurg.

I think there are a few people who get great equipment and then change their music tastes, but I think that, by and large, many "audiophiles" become such because you can better appreciate and enjoy the much better recordings found in classic and jazz.

With few exceptions, rock and other genres simply aren't recorded well, so you don't need a great system.

 

[Lindy]

Interesting topic.

IMO, I think audiophiles may seem to prefer this kind of music because it offers more challenging / rewarding levels of harmonic and rhythmic complexity, intricate melodies, familiar tunes that are only hinted at in an improvisation, more subtlety in presentation ---- basically aquired tastes.

Perhaps audiophile types tend to have more music training, education and experience? I think my musical preferences were shaped by the amount and quality of musical education, training and experience I received while growing up.

There seem to be *many* factors that drive one's musical preferences. Perhaps income, age, upbringing, education, musical experience and training, musical aptitude, where you live, where you went to school, the quality of your gear all have an impact upon what your music preferences are. There are probably a million more factors that impact what we like.

That being said, I like a straight-forward 3-chord rock song as much as the next guy.

 

[blip]

I think a lot of it is the equipment thing. The people who tend to grow interested in audiophile grade equipment are people who are dissatisfied with their own equipement. Classical/Jazz demands better equipment and thus more audiophiles tend to be into it.

I think this also holds true for some electronica fans. I know that I have met a lot more electronica fans on head-fi than I have in the real world. (I've even become a bit of one.)

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I agree with blip that Jazz and Classical can be very demanding on a system. Classical music, for example, can go from some passages that you cna barely hear to roaring crescendo so fast that most cheapo equipment just can't handle the transients!!! I also believe that those who spend that kind of money, stereotypically, are a little more refined, and as such prefer music that suits their tastes. I personally love certain classical pieces as it is so much more emotional and relaxing to listen to. I also find that classical music lifts my spirits in a way nothing else can. Don't know why, I just know that.

Just my stereotype .02 worth!!!