what is good sound ?


when evaluating stereo systems, should the performance of the stereo system itself be the reference point, or should the listener be the basis for the evaluation ?

if the instrinsic quality of sound is the basis for judgment, then such concepts as transparency, neutrality or accuracy might be the standard for evaluation.

otherwise, the listener would be the sole judge and whatever criterion, be it based upon sonic considerations or physiological/psychological states, would be the deciding factor.

whatever approach is selected, what is the justification for either one ?
mrtennis
MrT is a find mucker, plain and simple. It's how he entertains himself. Find Mucking.

Any attempt to explain what he really means is like working your way through an Escher print. As soon as you think you've found the front door, he'll twist the staircase back to the commode.
MrT is a find mucker, plain and simple. It's how he entertains himself. Find Mucking.

Futher mucking find mucker, mucked my find and now my noggin's knocked up!


i'll try one last time.

there are two ways to approach the question "what is good sound ?"

the first is based upon the intrinsic qualities of the sound of instruments produced by the stereo system

the second, is based upon extrinsic criteria, having nothing to do with the quality of the sound but rather a listener's reaction to the sound.

if a listener has a negative raction to the "sound" of a stereo system, it is not a good sounding stereo system, for such a person.

thus there are two ways to judge the merits of a stereo system.

the same stereo system could be judged as excellent in quality based upon intrinsic criteria but judged to be of poor quality based upon how the listener's response to that stereo system.

can a case be made definitively for one or the other position ?

if not there should be more tolerance of differences and less dogmatism.
mr t, are you getting the hint? Most of us are goofing witcha...it's difficult to remain on the 'gon if you have an onion skin temperment. relax and listen to some tunes, and think up an easier, answerable question...peace, warren :)
Mrtennis: To quote from a true classic, "Surrender Dorothy." Your contention, simply stated, is that if it sounds good to you, that's all that matters. That may be fine, but it's not what high-end audio is all about. There is indeed such a thing as a reference, and the closer a system can get to that sound the better. Accuracy isn't subjective. Your stated preferences clearly disqualify you from any discussion concerning reference-quality sound. Some people -- like you -- simply don't have the ability to determine whether a system is accurate, partly because you'd rather spend your time subjecting Audiogoners to your pseudo-intellectual babble than acquiring better listening skills. Now go listen to your system. Nighty-night.