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The Best Midrange in the World Right Now


There seem to be a growing number of posts which lament the fact that hi fi has gotten too hi fi, too neurotic, and just doesn't sound good.

As I thought about this, I realized that many of the most enduring, classic audio products (Quads? LS35a's? ARC tube amps & preamps? Apogees?) were noted not for their "transparency", thunderous bass, "resolution" or high frequency "extension".

No, what seems to have stood the test of time was old fashioned, middle of the road MIDrange. Is midrange the best benchmark for our hobby?

In many threads, a mention of midrange seems almost quaint and/or apologetic:

" the classic ________ doesn't have the "resolution" of many of today's products in the $150 to $200,000 category, but it still boasts MIDrange which will put all of them to shame!.."

I find this very curious, as to me, there is no high end without glorious, gorgeous, natural, startlingly lifelike MIDrange.

Please, support midrange.

And tell us: what components or combination of components can still deliver good old fashioned midrange today?
cwlondon
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I don't believe it's possible for the average audiophile to distinguish between true transparency and apparent transparency in an unfamiliar system. I believe it'd take me, an average audiophile, many many months of listening and comparing components in my own system to even begin to determine what components have actual transparency and those that have the illusion of transparency. Even then, I don't know if I could truly tell the difference.

For years, one of the primary goals of the audiophile system is transparent playback of the source. So, it doesn't surprise me that this is a quality often highlighted in reviews.

However, I happen to believe that more listeners would be happier with less transparent and more colored playback systems if they were given the opportunity to hear a colored system and a transparent system in the same listening session.
newbee
4,093 posts
 
Tvad, One of the side benefits of being happy with a 'colored system' is you have a goal which when found allows you to relax and listen to music. Now the search for transparency is, seemingly at least, an endless quest. :-)

We agree.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Kumbaya.
pelv
38 posts
 
A speaker company that has been around for a while called "Fried", pronounced "Freed", has great "lifelike" midrange. At least in the ones I have.
cwlondon OP
1,198 posts
 

One analogy which comes to mind is that the audiophile neurosis of chasing what may seem to be "transparency" is equivalent to turning up the sharpness on a television set.

Video experts will tell you that what at first seems to be additional clarity and detail is actually distortion which detracts from a smoother and more lifelike picture.

I'm with Newbee.
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