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Real Music vs Audiophile Mumbo Jumbo

Lets talk about music when we hear hear it played live in contrast to our home systems. I have been going out lately seeing rock concerts but none the less, it really makes me think about listening at home vs what i hear when i go out. I read with the respect the vinyl supporters and how the digital sound will never touch the warmth and other special qualities of vinyl. Well, when you go out and hear live music and close your eyes, believe me, it does not sound like a vinyl rig. In my opinion, the sound has an in your face kick that is more like solid state systems. You can hear the bass lines and the pounding of the drums and the fire of the guitars. There is no tube glow and and warmth to it. It is alive and much different.
pettyfeversk
oakleys
78 posts
 
a rock concert is never going to sound like a digital or vinyl rig, either driven by sand or valve. at best a rock concert is going to sound like the sound reinforcement system at the venue, and for what its worth most of these are driven by solid state gear. not much use to compare to our home stereos unless our home stereo is comprised of pa gear.

an unamplified concert is a more worthwhile comparison to our home stereo's.

as far as the audiophile mumbo jumbo, it helps advertiser's market product...and maybe also helpful when we try and describe what we are hearing to someone else, or sell our old gear online.
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
I wear earplugs when attending rock concerts, especially indoor concerts. My preference is to get as close to the stage as possible and soak up the experience. The sound quality is very low on my priority list.
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Agree with posts so far. No way is a Rock Concert 'live' (sound wise) PA system and very high dBs. Way to get that at home is a bunch of 1,000 watt amps and big pro sound speaker stuff.
You neighbors as far as two blocks away will either love or hate you though! And shortly you will be deaf anyway....
Now a chamber music concert, or acoustic instruments with no amplification, or a small Jazz group in an acoustic environment IS a comparable thing.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
i assume that any serious listener , o.e., hobbyist or audiophile is interested in enjoying a musical performance, whether it is live or recorded.

manufacturer's advertising is just a form of economic activity. some are more successful than others, it depends upon the credibility of the message.

in any case it is designed to create sales. some are influenced by it , while others are not.

hopefully our ears are the final arbiter of what we own and buy, regardless of attempts of persuasion, which , i believe is what is meant by "mumbo jumbo".
tiggerfc
150 posts
 
Don't forget the amount of processing that goes on in the studio before it gets mixed down. I was in a studio several years ago and remember seeing a stack of processors literally from floor to ceiling that were for vocals only. You don't get that much attention at a live venue. I don't care how big the soundboard is it isn't studio recording gear.
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