I think I know exactly what you mean, kenjit.
I think there are certain things or sets of things, within the range of audio characteristics that some of us listen for more intently than others, and vice versa for other fans of audio of a different stripe. So within that overall range of performance characteristics there can be some disagreement as to what trades one may be willing to make to achieve greater perfection in one’s strongest areas of desire.
In my particular case, I have always been thrilled with the palpability of sound, particularly quite transient sounds, when reproduced by devices capable of maintaining above average temporal alignment of information. Earbuds, while they might be found deficient in other areas, can do this time alignment business with ease.
As to speakers, long ago I was relatively pleased with panel types. Magnepan and then Martin Logan electrostats. Ended up moving on for other reasons. Moved on more than 20 years ago to Thiel, 3.6s and then 3.7s. So I do agree with any number of above commenters suggesting you concentrate on these types of speakers.
An interesting story of the type arose out of my last visit to an audio show. Through my long career I have moved in fits and starts. Going through a year or so frenzy of a few upgrades then to sit back for a LONG period of just enjoying the listening. In one of those long periods I attended a show. My attitude was one of relaxed interest where I was inviting myself to explore things outside my normal envelope of interest and see what I heard w/o paying much attention to the particular products, many of which I was not too familiar with, having been “out of it” for a while.
I was also at the time paying a lot of attention to a family semi-crisis unfolding by texts and emails. I wandered into one room and took a good listening seat in front of some speakers I recognized in appearance but honestly and distractedly did not right away place to any one manufacturer. My attention was momentarily drawn back to my phone for some of those texts/emails. As I listened with only part of my mind, I rather rapidly came to realize I was hearing things that, to me, were sounding exceptionally good. After I brought more of my focus back—well of course… I was sitting in front of some of Richard Vandersteen’s best units—with good time coherence being one of his areas of devotion. Good luck!!
Cheers, John
I think there are certain things or sets of things, within the range of audio characteristics that some of us listen for more intently than others, and vice versa for other fans of audio of a different stripe. So within that overall range of performance characteristics there can be some disagreement as to what trades one may be willing to make to achieve greater perfection in one’s strongest areas of desire.
In my particular case, I have always been thrilled with the palpability of sound, particularly quite transient sounds, when reproduced by devices capable of maintaining above average temporal alignment of information. Earbuds, while they might be found deficient in other areas, can do this time alignment business with ease.
As to speakers, long ago I was relatively pleased with panel types. Magnepan and then Martin Logan electrostats. Ended up moving on for other reasons. Moved on more than 20 years ago to Thiel, 3.6s and then 3.7s. So I do agree with any number of above commenters suggesting you concentrate on these types of speakers.
An interesting story of the type arose out of my last visit to an audio show. Through my long career I have moved in fits and starts. Going through a year or so frenzy of a few upgrades then to sit back for a LONG period of just enjoying the listening. In one of those long periods I attended a show. My attitude was one of relaxed interest where I was inviting myself to explore things outside my normal envelope of interest and see what I heard w/o paying much attention to the particular products, many of which I was not too familiar with, having been “out of it” for a while.
I was also at the time paying a lot of attention to a family semi-crisis unfolding by texts and emails. I wandered into one room and took a good listening seat in front of some speakers I recognized in appearance but honestly and distractedly did not right away place to any one manufacturer. My attention was momentarily drawn back to my phone for some of those texts/emails. As I listened with only part of my mind, I rather rapidly came to realize I was hearing things that, to me, were sounding exceptionally good. After I brought more of my focus back—well of course… I was sitting in front of some of Richard Vandersteen’s best units—with good time coherence being one of his areas of devotion. Good luck!!
Cheers, John