Is your system perfectly matched to your music?
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- For audiophiles It's NOT about amassing the best stuff, it's selecting the RIGHT stuff!
For speakers Steve referred to:
Klipsch www.klipsch.com
Magnepan www.magnepan.com
JBL horn speakers www.cnet.com/n...
Pure Audio Project www.pureaudiop...
BBC LS 3/5A en.wikipedia.o...
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Dynaudio www.dynaudio.com
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Another great topic Steve. You're really getting creative during the pandemic. Your blog brings a smile on my face when you present new ideas like this.
I listen to crappy music on a crappy system in a crappy room. I do drink expensive beer.
Definitely the most effective “tweak” to improve sound... 🍻
At least you have your priorities right.
That exspensive beer will make anything crappy sound like heaven hahahaha
yes thats the reason ur music is crappy, Keep the expensive beer, get a new high quality system, tidy your room and ur music will stop sounding crappy
there is way too much emphasis on gear. I really enjoyed rock in the 70s on my portable record player for years. really big speakers with big shiny mega buck amps and wires are stupid. I have expensive naim gear and Im really bothered by the complexity and cost. Im selling it.
That's my nightmare, I listen a lot of music genres and what works good for Mozart's Clarinet Quintet doesn´t work for Depeche Mode's Music for the Masses. I listen Mahler symphonies and very delicate acoustic music, some jazz, piano solos, but also Simply Red or South American folk music. The worst part, I live on a small flat and my "listening room" is the living room.
Small living room is good due to it's low reflections at low range. All you need is to prevent symmetry in speaker setup and for bass you need to position one of speakers at chosen end of longest distance in room .Anyway it is only first part of possible troubles which may originate in 90% in amplifier, connections and in general in speakers system. Many do not suspect how bad may be outcome from high quality components and how good may be outcome from just enough components.
Makes sense. Your taste in music should guide your choice in gear. Great point Steve.
What if you have a wide range of taste in music?
It’s probably not a big issue with most audiophiles because the music is often secondary to the perceived neurotic sonic output if their gear.
Apparently only 17% of audiophiles emphasise the “music” and creative composition of the artist in their listening experience.
It’s why very wealthy and brilliant musicians generally have modest sound systems in their homes.
Being an audiophile is ultimately a hobby like almost all non professional activities that people pursue in their private lives.
I'm forever fiddling with my system. There's nothing wrong really, it sounds fine. But I listen to everything...
I have an obsession with vintage music going right back to the 1920s. (no not my 1920s!)
But I also have newly recorded classical CDs, also various modern female singers, Sade etc. I also collect African music from the 1950s up to today, oh and Latin music too. And old blues records - some of those records really rock. Jazz - all the greats, love Duke Ellington. And I adore opera. And 60s soul. I even like Pink Floyd. And old Rembetika records.
So I go through phases when my system is happiest playing jazz, a few months later I might have some different cables and I'm listening to classical every day.
But you're right, I need two systems... possibly three.
Impossible. My music is ALL over the place.
Same here.
Get some Klipschorns and some KEF LS 50's. (joke)
@@gurdyman1 Get some Klipschorns and some KEF LS 50's. (joke)
Yeah, I'm with you, Roman. If Person A only listens to classic jazz and classical music and Person B only listens to rock and hip-hop, then, yeah, they should have different sound systems. But, for most of us music lovers who have a wide range in listening tastes, this subject has little practical application.
@@Justwantahover Perfect 🤩
As for me, for the jazz I prefer solid state amp with paper driver speakers.
Why paper?
@@gregt.3987 I could afford it at the moment and I really like what I got, I have Heco speakers.
@behexen250 no, Heco.
I prefer paper speakers, too, but prefer push-pull tubes. Compromise between class A tubes and solid state.
@@gurdyman1 I suppose it sounds good.
Living in a small apartment has relegated me to head-fi instead. It’s not a bad place to be!
It's funny; for years I was, too, or just listened to music at a much softer listening level through speakers. When I bought a house, I cranked up my system only to find I prefer lower volumes unless listening to cans.
head-fi is not bad. you can get pretty good quality reproduction with cans plus they're hard to beat for immersion.
I love headfi . I have loads of headphones but probably recommend my Sundara the best😀
@@jimbobbank The Sundies deserve praise for their price point and performance.
My daily driver is a Diana V2 through a really good streaming set up.
The Sundara scale wonderfully through a nice rig tho.
@@jpined14 I can imagine it sounds amazing👍
Man, I am really enjoying this channel. Just found it and didn't even know I was needing it!
Dynaudio’s excel when played loud with lots of power on tap.. They don’t excel in low level listening IME.
Orchestral? ....Full range! (speakers - not drivers that is...)
Chamber classical or acoustic, there is a strange band of full-range driver enthusiasts - Frugalhorn/Mark Audio/Lindgren designs etc, (or Pearl acoustics Sibelius). - I believe they all belong to the same coven on the mysterious North Yorkshire Moors. - Maybe you're safer with the Falcons!?
Got my little budget desktop system going and have been thoroughly enjoying my music ALL weekend. Gotta give thanks to everyone in the community like Steve and friends for all their content, reviews, suggestions and nuggets of wisdom. Listening to mostly digital files, a lot of 24bit vinyl rips through a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic Plus ($350) to a Harmon Kardon HK3390 stero receiver ($400) and Sony SS-CS5s ($100) on Kanto 6" desktop stands ($90), dual Sony subs SS-CS9s (2x$100), WBC Mogami 2497 interconnects ($120), Mogami headphone cable ($60), and Phillips X2HRs v2 ($250), 14awg pure copper speaker wire ($50). This will be it for now until I can purchase a house and get a more serious system. I listen to everything from Rock to Electronic, Metal, Jazz, Classical, Instrumentals, Vocals... everything sounds amazing, can't wait to experiment with more expensive stuff D;
I think the combination of the detailed Cambridge DAC with the musicality and softness of the HK3390 and resolving cables going out to the sony's and phillips' is pairing/working really well together.
what's good speaker for Classical and Jazz? I have Denon pma800ne and Fluence rt84.
I have 500 lbs of speaker in a small room and it sounds awsome. Tannoy Churchill speakers about 240 lbs each. They Rock and are super detailed.
2 speaker combo option is a smart way to go.
Am I in the minority here? Jazz speakers, rock speakers, classical speakers, etc., I want ACCURATE speakers, that add as little "color" to the music as possible. Steve, do you have any recommendations in that area?
The ls5a speakers Steve mentioned are a reference series I believe. I had a pair of kef 101s which were made in the same vein as the ls5as and I listened to those for 30 years. Again a reference series speaker. My dynaudio evoke 20s are a much less forward speaker and I had a hard time adjusting to them, but now my listening has changed and I feel less fatigue when listening for extended periods. I never thought I would want anything but the “pure sound” of a recording but now I think I am enjoying my listening as much as if not more than I did before... just my 2c.
Sorry ls35a speakers
Different genres place different demands on speakers and the definition of "accuracy" may not be the same between them. Loud rock, amplified, distorted electronic music sometimes has no detail to be accurate about, but dynamic impact makes it sound more real.
Jazz, classical, etc has more natural instruments...requiring tonal accuracy so strings sound like strings and you can hear the musicians breath as they play.
Many speakers that give you that incredible detail cannot convey the loud, dynamic onslaught of dance, technology, etc.
So yes..genre does have something to do with it.
My taste in music ranges from
Punk to dub to metal to classical to spiritual jazz to prog to hip hop to experimental noise.
So what system "matches" all of that?
Can be done. I have two systems that cover that kinda range. The key to both systems being able to do it is acoustics, both systems sounded like utter crap until extensively setup and the rooms being acoustically sorted fixed and then developed for great sound. No system can do it until the setup is done right and the room is sorted and made right.
Always been a rocker but have used and loved Maggie’s for years. I have tried other speakers but nothing satisfies me the way the huge Maggie sound does.
The problem is I'll listen to Burt Bacharach, and then listen to Pantera......... Then Mozart..... Then Kraftwerk..... Then Zeppelin...... Then Louis Armstrong...... Then Diana Krall....... Then Marilyn Manson...... Then Lionel Richie....... Then Richard Wagner....... Then Pat Metheny......
Second Steve's advice on multiple pair of speakers. Sometimes rotate them, and will give you very different sound, and you will want to lusten to different kinds of music on different speakers. Also, each pair of speakers have strengths and weaknesses, and flipping back and forth you always have an "I have upgraded my system" feel to it whenever you flip them. :)
My music library is all over the place, so I need a pair of K-horns and a pair of big Maggies and a pair of LS3/5As. Oh, wait. I'm a retiree on Social Security living in a downsized 3 room apartment. [Emily Litella font on] Never mind. [Emily Litella font off]
Great points. Like lots of folks, I listen to a range of music- jazz, acoustics guitars, but also some serious rock ‘n roll when the mood strikes me. My solution is having two pair of speakers. Most of the time I listen to Magnepan LRSs (with a mono blocks and a REL sub). For me, the LRSs can deliver a wide range of music with a high degree of satisfaction. When I really want to rock (e.g. Little Feat “Waiting For Columbus” or Keith Richards, “Talk is Cheap:), I bring out the Klipsch Forte II’s. I call my Forte’s my “weekend” speakers. This works for me.
I'm dealing with this now in my newly remodeled basement audio room. It's pretty small and my beloved vintage Cerwin Vega's just overpower the room. I've been playing with various speaker replacements. So far a pair of vintage OHM's are working well. But I miss that crisp and deep bass from the Vegas.
Maybe some extra room treatment will help you tame down the vegas enough to enjoy them in your basement listening room. You're overloading your limited space with energy, could be if you damp and restrain that energy it'll work. No guarantees but there's not much to lose.
I had the rp600m... It sounds very exciting and dynamic.... But the imaging is just blah... I sold it and end up with the ls50.
much better you think you getting from ls50
@@bingzhao78yup... Rp600m imaging is a blurry... You know something is there but can't pin point it.
I have a pair of Dynaudio and couldn't agree more.
My Dynaudio BM5 MKIII plays everything you throw to them exept from bad recordings
Dynaudio evoke 20s work for me but make sure you wait til they break in if you get them new. They open up and reveal greater detail after a few hundred hours of play..
@@jasonvandermeer354 you'r right abouth breaking in. It takes longer than usual with Dynaudio speakers
Great advice steve thumbs UP ✔👍🍻
I have the Dali Concept 10 s when i want loud then i have the Dali Zenzor 1 s for everyday listening with
my NAD 275bee power amp they are still loud enough anyways .
Since recently acquiring the RP-600M II’s, I appreciate listening to vocals and small combos like Shelly Mann more. On the other hand they are not for listening to Kenton and Maynard! I use my original Cerwin Vegas for that. So using the A or B option on the amp is a must.
For some reason assumption that 'rock' means 'loud' and 'concert'. I HATE concert sound and most sound technicians are long deaf. Every time I tell sales rep I listen to rock he starts talking about impact and 'loud' and gets completely baffled when I say that I listed to AC/DC quiet and no, I don't want my ears to hurt but I do like to head instruments and not a wall of noise.
I've listened to horns (Klipsch) and I just can't get past the brightness/harshness. I'm a Paradigm guy.
Dilemma; A/V surround vs 2-ch stereo.
Since the 70s my system wound up being a bang-for-the-buck set of compromises. I still have the 1st old Marantz integrated amp working in the shop.
Back in the mid-80s when hifi publications recommendation was 'if you want a good turntable better get one now' & by the time I reacted most of the vintage models were gone and only Dual available was the CS 5000 & 80s vintage Shure V15 type V-MR (checkedout/tuned up recently by George Merrill)
Onkyo TX-SR805 A/V receiver b/c remote control+ HDMI + surround sound + phono inputs.
Klipsch Chorus b/c the Cornwalls would not fit in my room + 5.1 set of surround speakers by Infinity w/ sub = 7.1
My 1st of 3 & only surviving Pioneer laserdisc player (909) and a PS3 for bluerays & CDs, and a Linsoul XQ-50 bluetooth 5.0 receiver (+ver. 1.9 update) TOSLINK to stream internet stuff, FLAC and mp3s from my laptop. An old '04 65" Panasonic 1080i as monitor [still w/ NTSC tuner], soon to be replaced.
Other than classical and Jazz I listen to everything from experimental music to heavy rock through edm and pop so I've given up trying to find something that does it all.
I love this video report! It is true, and for some strange reason, I do think that mine does. You all out there tell me if I am wrong? ADS L810 speakers. I have have had them for close to 40 years. McIntosh MHT200 A/V SYSTEM CONTOLLER, NHT Sub. ADS surround speakers. Polk Audio Center Channel speaker. Samsung Blu-ray and Pioneer Elite CD player.
Thank you for reading, GREG
And, R&R and Jazz. Also, "Bolero" by RAVEL! Best thing ever written! Mark Isham sounds great as well, CASTALIA
“Concerts. Remember concerts?”
“Yes....yes, I do....”
*stares longingly into the distance as a tiny violin plays*
Life is slowly coming back...looking forward to live music coming back this summer. #HappilyVaccinated
Hi Steve,
I love all sorts of music and have a system built around a Klipsch R28F's. Obviously they sound great with loud dynamic music. I have decided to buy a set of B&W 606 S2's for all the other quieter, classical stuff. I use an Onkyo RZ810 AVR for this. Thinking of getting a separate Stereo amp. What do you think?
Which speaker construction is better??? Closed (enclosed - without bassreflex hole), or with bass-reflex hole?????
Love all recommendations made here. Over the years I found system synergy with components and the room are vital considerations. Albeit, I have some reservations on the Maggie being recommended for Classical. I found them wonderful with Chamber Music, and Singer Songwriter pieces. In a word, one of the best systems for intimate music that is out there. However, on large bombastic pieces from likes of Wagner- Beethoven - Stravinsky etc.... I found the Maggie 3.7i not capable of producing the energy these type of pieces need to have. For me on a piece like Flight of the Valkyries they do everything right. Except, deliver the dynamics such a piece has. What was missing for me was the rumble that gives the illusion of a big Orchestra & Choir in a big hall. I would have thought something from Golden Ear, Tekton, Wilson or some other large tower would also be on the list.
My focal 706v bookshelf do a decent job with many genres of music, movies and so on. I paired them with an active subwoofer 🔊 fed though a dedicated sub output, and reduced their individual bass response through DSP since I can’t drag them into the room (more power to the mediums then). The amp is a class-D B&O IceModule (not an AV-R. Think Ps-Sprout, Yamaha WXA...). I know Focals and class-D have a reputation for « harsh » upper-mids and trebles, but I don’t really hear it. I’m listening to modern Jazz, acoustic and some ambiant electronic and classical , mostly non-opera, instrumental, music. I save Rock for my car trips and spend more time with a wireless Headphone than this system. Since I know my living room and family life bring limitations to this experience, I’m rather considering going into hi-end Head-fi for desktop listening. What do you guys and gals would say Focals are good (and bad) for genre-wise ?
Steve,I had about 4pairs of Apogee's. The original Apogee's.7ft high,3ft.wide.the speakers that inspired Mark Levinson,Krell to develop powerful class A amps.they weighed a ton.the mid/tweeter array weight over 250lbs alone! I also owned the Apogee Mini Grands,.Centaurs,centaur minors.they didn't gel with the room,or the transition from Woofer panel to tweeter ribbons.all overkill!!!.they all went by by fairly quickly.(well built however!!). It was after that I went in another direction.
Which drugs for which music?
However,Solid State Class A designs only seem to sound great with Planar speakers or sealed box/inefficient type designs. Efficient Horn Designs,AKA : Klipsch, Electrovoice,JBL,ALTEC,etc... don't work well with those type of amps.Tube amps,and believe it or not,the best solid state amps that work the best for Horns is good Crown amps.Pro Audio people have known this for some time!
I wish to donate $$... you are worth it.
From th e'70s I had a pioneer sx 780, floor standing JBLs, a turn table and 100+ vinyls. Lost it all in a divorce except for the pioneer. Hooked up a pair of cheap Bose to it and called it done. But with your help I am keeping the sx780, adding Klipsch RP-600M, and a Fluance rt80 table. I would never have figured out my direction without your videos. I went high with 600ms in case I ever buy an amp upgrade. Sorry, this is the only way I knew to thank you.
Hope not that type of Ezekiel2813 horn speakers... And two systems in one house...? Wasn't that why there were Dems and Republicans in the first place...? Lol
Can wait to hear what AL has to say about all that...and yes, classical is good.
Yep, thats what i did, 2 speakers evo 4.2 and b&w 707 s2 then 2 amps ps audio sprout 100 and burson funk. I just mix and march if i get tired of one kind of sound. At this time im pretty happy of what i have, never gets tiring. Maybe after some time I’ll dabble for more expensive electronics.
Nice video as always steve.
As someone who has been involved in the audio industry for about 35 years, this is - more or less - nonsense. Of course, your system should be appropriate to the dimensions of your room. But any idiot knows something that basic.
The goal is to reproduce the recording. So the place to start is with a speaker that has a relatively flat - which means accurate - frequency response. From there, some people will prefer the transparency of electrostatics, some people will prefer the dynamics of a highly efficient speaker, some will appreciate more bass or less bass, etc. But this has absolutely nothing to do with the type of music. A well-designed speaker will reproduce music well. Period.
What I can recommend with certainty, as someone who sold Klipsch speakers for years, if you want an accurate reproduction of music (that's what the fidelity refers to in "high fidelity", fidelity to the recording), then you definitely do NOT want Klipsch speakers. They have terrible on axis frequency response, even worse off axis reflections, meaning that the tonal balance changes between the direct sound and the reflected sound, altering the tonal balance and smearing the image/soundstage. And the Klipsch Heresy model is the worst of the bunch. It is indeed heresy to good music reproduction. Aside from efficiency and dynamics (and the ability to play really loud), Klipsch are a terrible choice for anyone who appreciates quality music reproduction. They are, in a word, terrible. And anyone who prides themselves on their "audiophile" bonafides with quality hearing and listening skills knows well enough to look elsewhere. But good systems reproduce music well, and the type of music is not system dependent. It's an audiophile assertion without any basis in fact.
@1:28 (Steve G.)" - Youu caaann't..."
" - Your room is really tiny!!! "
- By New York city standards, well, I don't know... 12 x 14 fts at best."
- And you get this... 6 ft tall Apogee's"!???
😂😂😂🔥🔈🔉🔊📢🔇
Interesting! I know what you all are saying "pic your system to make your music taste sound better", but what you are doing is actually tweaking, like EQ, your system to make your favorite artists sound better (from a very subjective point of view) - right??? What about a system that sounds natural, of course in a treated room, and is playing sounds as they meant to sound and take this, if achieved, as the end of the road? No more hunt for amplifiers/speakers/cables bla bla bla? I am listening to a variety of music genres myself and many tracks is not sounding good, but I cannot change the input/recording so it is what it is. If I tailor my system to sound better on bad recordings it will not sound as brilliant on well recorded ones... I´ve been in this lovely hobby for decades and I say it again. Speaker and room acoustics is the way to spend money on. Everything else is mostly marketing. Period.
When I saw the title of this I knew I would hate it. I recently sold my Elac Unifi and went with a DIY mini tower version of their kit. Promoted by I'm a sure you know who...NRD. So I invested about $600 with really nice veneer, etc. and took me over 1.5 months to build so a health investment emotionally, in dollars and time. Only to find out they don't really work with a number of my musical choices nor how I listen. Now what? DIY speakers are really hard to sell on Craigslist, pennies on the dollar when no brand name and very few reviews. Luckily I have a great and understanding wife who agreed to get me the Unifi 2.0 for Christmas and to figure out what to do with the DIYs. Yes we are on a budget!
I love rock, heavy metal, and dense speed. I also like it loud. I hate Klipsch and horns. They sound harsh and shrill. Along with 90% of metal dome tweeters.
Horns can work great in smaller spaces. Dipoles maybe not so much so. I use a 45 set and first-watt amps on my horns and they objectively play at higher SPL than a 600-watt amp on conventional audiophile dynamic designs. So to sum horns work great for high or low-level use, horns do justice to all music types, horns are used in most professional installs, much of the library of music was mastered using horn systems, horns work great for home theater use since real theaters use horns, horns can run off high or low-power amps. So I would ask why are more audiophiles not using horn loading?
I have klipsch rp150m speakers with a mordant short sub. And temple audio mono blocks from my Ak sr15 and most things sound pretty great from pretty quiet to pretty loud🙂
I actually have two systems one dedicated to two channel and the other to 5.1 So when l like to listen to female voices, jazz acoustical and some rock l listen with my Maggie's But when l want real slam and real visceral music l disconnect my Maggie's and connect my Definitive Technology Mythos ST's with built in sub woofers to my two channel system
Good points. I have a car that has some of the best sound I have ever heard. These are stock Toyota JBL speakers from Toyota mind you. For the first time in my life I actually HEAR what the vocals are saying! They are clean and accurate and I prefer the listening to classical music. The funny thing is that most people complain how bad the sound of these car speakers! Seem that most people just want bass and noise. Give me low volume clean and clear.
i found moving from 90db efficiency to 88db unported stand-mounts really improved the mid/bass for my smallish room
i have wave-guide tweeter w cone mid/woofs
My ideal system would have to do anything but rap. I am mostly classical but that ranges from chamber music to opera to symphonies to baroque ensembles to pipe organ. That said I also like blue grass, classic rock, gospel and barbershop quartets, ...
OBs with a subwoofer and tube power seems to be the best so far.
My taste is to eclectic, EDM to van morison. Muddy waters to metallica. I just need decent bass response without pissing off the downstairs neighbors. I swear I'm going to hang my sub from the ceiling.
No. It's not perfectly matched. My music taste is too divers for that. But this item kind of makes me think, so : thanks ! perhaps I should reconsider what kind of music I'm gonna prefer playin through my setup for actually listening, and what when I just need some sounds in the background. This all reminds me that it's not simply a matter of travelling towards 'perfection', but also about reconsidering your goals every now and then.
i bought a pair of Western Electric 755A 8 inch drivers at a yard sale for 30$ new old stock in the original box, i put them in a set of paradigm cabinets and was blown away how good they sounded! ide never even heard of these speakers before so i went on ebay and was going to by more of them until i saw the price! i found one speaker priced at over 3 grand!!! i now understand why they sound so good! but could never afford to replace them! i can barley afford to keep them! but im going to!
This is a very good point, Steve. This reminds me of the most recent Paul McGowan (PS Audio) video, which coincidentally is on a similar topic. Someone asked him which are better, Wilson or Martin-Logan speakers. His answer was that for him and the kind of music he listens to, he would prefer the Wilsons because of their superior dynamics. However, he indicated that someone who listens to different kinds of music might prefer the transparency of the Marin-Logans and not miss the lack of dynamics. I have eclectic musical taste and try to choose speakers that are good all-rounders,
It's all about the speaker: JBL-- the sound of rock!
The hidden message is clear.BUY ONLY SPEAKERS with horns.
Thank you Steve. This particular video helps support my passion (wife calls it "obsession") to my wife. I am fortunate to have put together two systems. One for the living room which doubles as home theater consisting of Yamaha NS1000 and a variety of Klipsch for surround powered by a Pioneer Elite 47tsx, older but continues to impress. The smaller system in a small dedicated listening room consisting of Totem Arro powered by Carver 275 tube amp and Rouge RP1 pre with a VPI Scout turntable. Looking to add a streamer/DAC in the future as I am new to that aspect of listening. Great work on your videos, I have gained a lot of insight from them mostly in the appreciation of the art of listening.
In terms of classical music, hifi will always disappoint - certainly in a domestic setting. You cannot recreate the size and depth of sound of the number of people and instruments. Not sure I'd want it to - that's why I go to see an orchestra live.
The principal repertory here is opera, piano concertos, and symphonies. My listening in the nearfield is completely satisfying. Very happy camper here! Lucky to have made good choices over time!
I got lucky when I stumbled upon Tektons. They literally do everything really really well. Then I got tubes and now its game over!
@Georgie C Moabs in a 2.2 music system and the Pendragons in a 5.1 movie system.
I listen to everything from blues, jazz, classical, some rock and folk
Better than horns in your opinion?
@@MrBlueBrains I have Moabs and haven't heard Avantgarde's or Oma's but I'll take these over Klipsch any day. I won't say Klipsch are bad , not by a long shot, but these Moabs are just so effortless with their dynamics. As far as my ears are concerned. I'm still shocked at myself for spending $4700 on speakers I've never heard before. Definitely got lucky there. To my ears they out-Maggie Maggies.
Tektons are definitely on my radar for my next upgrade.
Compromises:
Not to 'big' for the room ✔
Tube & SS mix ✔
Music & Movies only in stereo ✔
steve yes, "we can talk"....fyi this is not 'a private line' like a telephone.... it can be seen by anyone with internet ...not sure if you know that.....
Awesome do-it-all speaker - Audio Physic Virgo III
That was my dilemma back then. I like a lot of jazz, blues, soft music, acoustics but i also like electronic and live performance sometimes.
My bowers and wilkins 607 was great with live and electronic music but too harsh for my taste for my primary genre of jazz and blues. Then got the wharfedale 4.2. Thats really really good for jazz.
Thought of selling the bowers but held off and now 2 different speakers serves me well. I dont have to be disappointed with any music im in the mood for. Life is great.
Great topic steve! Always go for the setup that will make you happy, not someone else.
No I have an exquisite audio system, but I only play suck music...
did you ever review phase technology speakers if you did what didyou think
Aaaarrrh ....Steve.....a system should give back all types of music well ! Full stop ! Otherwise people would never progress in their listening and discover another music style !
And what's about someone who like many many different types ? Like me ....
Personnally I don't know of any music having no dynamic, it is the basic of music.
So your system might not shine in every situation but it should be everyone concern it does.
it is more a question of how you like to listen to "music" in general. For example, some may prefer to think they are in a concert room somewhat far away from the musicians, some would prefer to be in middle of them as though they can even join the band, and this is completely independant of the type of music. But often enough, recordings don't give you the choice....so your likes or dislikes.
To sum up, a good system should play the music the way it was recorded and not adapted to your liking.
I often feel like I must be broken in some way when watching your show and other audiophile channels. I dont like the sound of Klipsch and JBL horns. I find them too bright and in your face. Is it because I'm British?
No, it's not you...it's because they are. Obviously many other factors play a role, but generally speaking, it's what they do best (brightness). Home theater applications are where they excel.
@ Wayne Mackie
Brit here.
Yes probably.
Like the BBC?
We don't like being shouted at....(or ending a sentence with a preposition;-) so horns are out.
Enjoying Rega Naos/RELs British sound.
Brightest I got was the original ProAc Tablettes. They moved to a new home in the Philippines last month. Very happy with my LS50s/RELs setup for the last 11 months.
Liked the MMGs and hoping the LRS repaired & upgraded MMGs en route will be a clearer window to the music.
Nah, its just what klipsch horns are known for... bright and in your face. Personally not a fan of them too but a lot of people like them because they sound impressive. But in reality they are very fatiguing after a couple pf hours.
Here's the secret. Room treatment dials them in and tones them down.
I used to feel the same way about Klipsch. When I first heard the Klipschorns back in the late 70's they sounded hard and shouty to me. But about 8 years ago I was interested in experimenting with an SET tube amp so I bought a pair of used La Scalas. When I went to the sellers to hear them he was using a little NAD integrated, and sure enough they sounded lousy to me. But they were cheap enough, so I bought them anyway. When I got them home I hooked them up to an EL34 tube amp, and they sounded like completely different speakers. Then I acquired an SET amp and I fell in love with them. They sounded terrific, no hardness, no shoutiness. Then by chance I found the perfect amplifier, a vintage McIntosh MC-225 tube amp. And that's the secret to Klipsch. They were designed and voiced using tube amps and they are the more sensitive to amplifiers than any speaker I have heard. I realized that when I had heard them before they were always being driven by 70's Japanese solid state receivers, not high quality amps. Now I also have a pair of Spendor SP 1/2 and KEF Reference 102 monitors which I love, but the LaScalas give me the purity of the Brit speakers along with a power and sense of effortless liveness the Brit speakers just cant manage.
Optimize?
Öööö, do you think that my system is optimized? 🤣
Seems like the frequently recommended horn speakers for rock are also bright and fatiguing. Is there such thing as a warm sounding horn speaker?
I've owned scores of high quality horn speakers and in the '90s introduced Avant Garde horns to America. I never found any to be ""bright and fatiguing" unless powered by a bright and fatiguing solid state amp with lots of feedback/error-correction
Absolutely aligned here! I do think, even as a speaker manufacturer, that fir people with very wide tastes, sometimes two pairs of speakers, or even listening rooms is ideal. I don’t mind admitting that our speakers are at their best when listening to acoustic music, and small ensembles.
I just gave up. I use two systems :)
…big horns with low power single end tube amp… hold my beer
My system is optimized. I am still optimizing myself to match my system
I want you to talk with my wife right now.Maybe that wil help.
Right on. Very valid point....not listening to Classical music on a Klipsch, or Rock on Harbeth!
I listen to rock on Harbeth 40.2 anniversaries and love it. Mainly Grateful Dead and it sounds great...but it was more about matching the right electronics and of course speaker positioning. Believe it or not, the 40’s in my room can go from distant and laid-back to forward and delineated, with a 1/4” movement forward or back.
@@mkwilson38Fully agree. I also have 40.2 anniversary. I bought them for the very reason that they handle heavy metal and accoustic music like bluegrass very well. But I did try out 30.2 during my research and they were too restrictive for metal.
For what it's worth, I love classical music on my Klipsch Heresys. Dynamics are what make music come alive.
I think Steve likes horns. I like horns. I like Steve.
JBL Studio 590 > Classical, Country, Jazz , Reggae, Hip Hop , Home Theater > they never fail. A great all rounder!!
My L96's play everything too.
@@MrPeeBeeDeeBee wow , ran to the reviews and those L96 are highly rated. Hang on to them😁
Love the laundry hall backdrop.
That plain black t-shirt looks a little dour on you.
I think you can extend this theme also to Cartridges. It is more subtle but on the other hand it is very easy to have many cartridges. Here is my opening statement: Classic rock - Shure cartridges
Shure is great for Classic Rock. I use a Shure V15 RS (V15 VxMR with a hyper-elliptical stylus). For acoustic Jazz and Folk, I use a Grado G-1+ with an 8MR stylus. I have two head-shells, making it only a couple of minutes to switch. Each cartridge shines on the right genre.
What's a good cartridge for jazz?
Awesome. Very well covered topic.
Maybe do a follow up video with some suggestions for systems (especially speakers) for classical, jazz, heavy metal, countr&western, rythm&blues the list goes on.
Multiple systems are great. Mine consists of JBLs, Maggies, and LS50s. All different and fun to listen to the differences between them.
I have the same speakers. I totally agree.
New to audio. Not a large budget. Smallish living room. Listen to hip hop, soul, and funk mostly...
because of that (and, tbh, in part because ofy our videos) I opted for the warm denon pma600, the emotiva b1+, and the Emotiva s8 sub for just enough bass that I can play it without my girlfriend getting angry for shaking stuff off the wall
DAMN RIGHT! youtube Josef Hi-Fi everything that may seem wrong to many is why its right the system was always made for one thing in mind and the fact that it delivers other genres effortlessly is a bonus. Does it look flash & snazzy? Do I listen with my eyes? VOTE 1 STEVE GUTTENBERG FOR PRESIDENT!
Great observations. I started with Kilpsch for main big room tied to surround TV ....listen mainly to Jazz , Dead and some classical.
My challenge was setting up smaller room (11 by 10) for vinyl listening to Jazz , Dead and Dylan. Built small system using Audio Technica LP 120 with Nagaoka 110 cart and NAD 356bee with nad phono. Thought I would start with inexpensive speakers, Elac B6’s with goal to upgrade later. After taking a lot of time to tweak set up , no longer have plans to upgrade. I am surprised that the Elac’s can handle harder louder rock and subtle jazz like Bill Evans vanguard. I believe this proves the point you are making. I really appreciate your channel and all you do.
Good topic, and one that I've just learned about the hard way- (is there any other path to true learning?). I took Steve's gospel words to heart- start with the speakers. B&W 683 floorstanding speakers. I married that to the discontinued Marantz HD-AMP1.... Now I listen to classical music. Initially I played piano and chamber works- and those sounded great, but when I played the Verdi Requiem (Solti/CSO-Decca CD) things took a turn for the worse....massed strings, and choruses sounded gritty and crumbly...there was no clarity to all the parts. Solos (highlighted in the recording) brass solos (highlighted in the recording) sounded fine...but all together it was extremely unsatisfying...my guess is that Marantz HD-AMP1 is the problem, because the headphone experience was also not good with the Verdi.... The 683's are 8 ohm speakers. The Marantz is 35 watts for 8 ohm and 70 watts for 4 ohm... so there may not be enough juice to play the big orchestral works...or maybe it is the onboard DAC? ...So yes matching music to your system isn't easy...and since most audiophiles do not listen to classical I'd say that their equipment reviews are skewed towards small ensembles... jazz, rock, etc... and not the classical blockbusters with require orchestras, off-stage brass, 4 operatic soloists, and a huge chorus...
I think my music taste is fairly diverse. Some jazz, rock, pop, house (progressive styles mainly) and I don't have a very large living room (no other room to set up a big audio system).
The house music is mainly listen on my headphones these days when I am working/gaming on my computer.
But my Marten Heritage Miles 5 seem to be able to do all genres I listen too very well. This is coupled with a Devialet 400 right now, and soon the Luxman L-590AXII.
The main downside for me is the lack of filling between my floor and my downstairs neighbors. Although I doubt anything can handle their shouting.
Anyway, I am very happy with my system, and will be even more so once the Luxman arrives.
Sources are a VPI Classic 3 Rosewood with Koetsu Black, and a Audio Research CD2 used as a transport, though player once the Luxman arrives.
Gonna need a new DAC after that.
15 years ago I got off the upgrade treadmill of swapping out amplifiers. I built an 845 based single ended amp from scratch. With custom woodworking, and custom transformers. This happened after I discovered that the 7W of power that this design was capable of was all the power I ever needed to be happy with my music choices and my living space. It's Single Ended DHT, and totally transformer coupled - no capacitors - so I actually get nice bass out of it down to 15 Hz or so. Had Klipsch RF-3s for a long time. Now have Snell J-IIs. I keep watching Steve and am now considering a spend on some speakers that will pair well with my 7 Watts. Seems like there's alot on my radar here: Klipsch Cornwalls, Zu Druids or Dirty Weekend.
I'm considering upgrading my Tangent Spectrum X6 Floorstanding Speakers with Revel F35 Floorstanders! My man cave is only 12ft x 13ft though!! The room if pretty full with furniture and kit. Would I be wasting my money in such a small room?? I mainly listen to Indie and Rock!
I need adjust my system for every song
Steve, if anyone can answer this question, it would be you. I'm trying to compare some old speakers I bought 40 years ago (Fulton FMI 100s) to speakers of today to determine the type of sound I prefer. At the time I liked the Fultons better than similarly priced Maganapans (~$500 a pair in the late 70's). How do Magnapans' sound today compared to Maggies of the late 70's? I'm trying to figure out if I would prefer something along the lines of Klipsch or that of the ELACs for example.
Steve Tommy from the met
You have left me speechless!! BRAVO!! CLAP CLAP
FINALLY. This is amazing topic. I am so glad you did this video. Its so important for people to understand this. I think the reviews should state immediately what type of music does a component or speaker works well with at the very beginning.
Some are good for natural unamplified music a others for amplified music. Thank you .
My taste vary's, from rock to metal and jazz to classic so to say. In my room, about 36m2 i really enjoy my copland csa 28 hybrid amp and the ProAc's studio 150 speakers. Tweaking the room is still on the " to do " list, and i mean acoustic's treatment. We as audiophile's spend more money on equipment then a good room treatment would cost! But thats just my opinion.
When using more than one set of speakers, do you use a switch or do you literally unplug one set and plug in another? Thanks!
Unplug-- plug in. takes less than a minute.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac And what about speaker placement? Do you leave them in place or move the pair you’re listening to to the “ideal” position?