The Distortion of Sound

Ironically, the video presents a slightly "distorted" view of reality by generalizing and blurring the details to help make its argument.  Much like most of the media does these days as well.  Is there no shame?

I've recently heard some mp3 steams that sound quite good, on both headphones and good quality home audio gear.  So it does not always have to be as bleak and dismal as one might be convinced to believe.

In absolutely quiet room with great audio system uncompressed music is great, but for the rest of the people who listen on smaller systems, radios, in the car etc. it would be a disaster.  Even piano solo has such high dynamic range (in order of 90dB) that would make smaller speakers buzz all the time.  HDTV sound is compressed beyond believe because it is intended for tiny TV speakers, most people use.  There is a reason for everything.

Is not that the CDs are compressed, they have always been a little compressed, just like vinyl. Everything is relative, but obviously most systems, ever audiophiles systems could not take unrestrained dynamic range. There are some but not very many examples on the dynamic range database of CDs with exceptionally high dynamic range, much higher than the average normal CD that we would probably call uncompressed. But what I’m referring to is not the average normal CD with some compression built in, I’m talking about CDs that are aggressively compressed. If you take a look on the Dynamic Range Database you’ll see what I mean. Instead of having LOW, AVERAGE, HIGH dynamic ranges in the GREEN which is high dynamic range, or even YELLOW which is marginal Dynamic Range, the numbers are all in the RED, which means the recording is overly compressed. If you look for recordings that are your favs on the database you will probably find they are not overly compressed.

I bet, that owners of small boomboxes (that buy more CDs than audiophiles) would prefer red over green. 

My intention was NOT to address boombox or car stereo users, though(I'm certain) SOME AudiogoN denizens could probably satisfy their listening tastes with such.   Those live music afficionados, that check the sites, may find information useful to them.   Especially if the aim in their listening and assembly of their system, is suspension of disbelief.