What is "critical listening"?

Critical listening is what you do when you're trying to evaluate or decide between components. Listening is what you do the rest of the time. We've all been "critical listeners" since the day we started shopping for our first system. How much time you spend on "critical listening" vs. "just listening" is a personal decision. This being a hobby, there is no right answer.

I think one form of critical listening just means dedicated listening - you're listening to music as your primary and only activity, usually in an environment that is set up to provide the best sound - ie, fully utilize your system. Or, perhaps, this is better known as "serious" listening. I like Bomarc's concept of "just listening" as it sounds a lot more light-hearted.

I think there is another form, often used by reviewers and, hence, re-used by audiophiles, of critical listening meaning that you're looking for strengths and flaws, and trying to determine how to maximize the former and minimize the latter. This is more listening to gear than listening to music and, as you suggest, is aking to trying to find nits on a bald head. It undoubtedly detracts from the experience of listening to music because it changes the whole scope and focus. Many reviewers, in an attempt to show their excitement over a particular component while evaluating it through critical listening, admit that they just "got lost in the music" - ie, they started "just listening". Whoops!

Haven't read the above answers, but here is my two cents:
Critical listening is when I switch from music lover mode to audiophile mode. I then listen to the system and use the music as a means to this end. Contrary to that in music lover mode, the system is a means to the end of listening to music and forgetting about the system. In order to achieve that, you have to do critical listening first. If in music lover mode, you suddenly switch to critical listening, something is generally amiss. Cheers,

That's interesting Detlof, cause for me it is the opposite. I am much more a critical listener in music lover mode. This goes beyond the audio system and into live music.

I realized other people noticed back when I lived in Rhode Island. A year when the Philharmonic was auditioning new Music Director candidates, a friend who is on their Board of Directors invited me to every concert that was conducted by a candidate for the position. (Their premium seats). They wanted my feedback. They said I was the one person they knew who was not a subscriber who would be able to rank them properly and be able to explain why. I guess I was like Simon on American Idol (but nicer)!!

As far as recorded music; given a choice between CD-A and CD-B; CD-A has the better sound; CD-B has the better performance. I always choose CD-B.

Shortly saying, it's when you're in critical condition but you still can listen :)