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Bronze Member Username: I_am_kirkPost Number: 24 Registered: May-08 | I have never played an instrument or anything like that so I have no idea if I have an ear for notes or anything sophisticated. I listen to a TON of music though. I was wondering if anyone could explain where I would notice the difference in an upgrade of speakers/beginning to use a separate dac, amp, etc. I understand it will be better and everything, but I am just wondering in what way. Beyond just saying go an listen to them. I am just trying to get my head around it conceptually. Please avoid the "go in and listen" concept. I understand I need to do that, and I will continue to. I hope someone understands what I am trying to get at, awkwardly lol. |
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Gold Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 1963 Registered: Nov-05 | We can't aavoid the "go and listen" concept if we are to give you the right advice. Firstly, everyone is different and some listen for different things. If the music itself is what is important to you other than listening to sounds (like boom, boom bass etc) then you should listen to as much live music as you can -and in doing so try for some live acoustic music as well. Then listen to gear that comes close to your ears that sounds like live music. Whether or not you notice differences will depend on a number of things, such as what are you using now for music, is your listening room ideal, what sort of budget do you have and so on? It really is about "go and listen" though. But don't get swayed by big store salespeople - go to the smaller audio dealers, set appointments so they have the time for you and tell them your budget and what you are aimimg for. Remember, it's your ears and it doesn't matter what others think or hear - listen to live music and let your ears, budget and good dealer advice help you decide. |
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Platinum Member Username: Jan_b_vigneDallas, TX Post Number: 12796 Registered: May-04 | . You have to listen. The question is what do you listen to. Live music is the best place to start since music is what you want to replicate in your playback system. There's always plenty of music to hear for free or at least cheap. Find it and get familiar with what appeals to you about music. What you hear may not be what your friends hear - so take some friends when possible and discuss what they heard to get ideas of how other people listen. They probably can give you good ideas about how to listen even if they have no more experience than you. It really doesn't matter if the sound is great or just OK, you're there to hear the music not the sound system. If you get the chance, talk to the musicians or just some musicians about how they play and what they try to accomplish when playing. Read these posts, they will tell you some important things about music; https://www.ecoustics.com/cgi-bin/bbs/show.pl?tpc=1&post=1533198#POST1533198 https://www.ecoustics.com/cgi-bin/bbs/show.pl?tpc=1&post=1533226#POST1533226 https://www.ecoustics.com/cgi-bin/bbs/show.pl?tpc=1&post=1533252#POST1533252 Ignore most of the rest of that thread, it's not generally worth the time to read. What you need is a reference point from which to move forward. That's why you should use live music as your reference point. If you aren't sure what you will obtain with better electronics, you're not ready to invest in them. Then you need to read reviews from competent sources. Learn the language of audio and how it is applied. http://www.stereophile.com/ http://www.soundstage.com/ http://www.6moons.com/ There are others, you'll have to find them yourself. Finally, determine where you are at. Know what your present system does well and not so well. Avoid broad qualities such as "tight bass", "clear mids and clean highs". Those words say nothing. Read and listen and you'll know what you need to own. . |
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Bronze Member Username: AfjGaboroneBotswana Post Number: 90 Registered: Jan-08 | where i've learnt the difference (and its after joining this forum) is from comparing whats playing to what you would perceive to hear it live. once you do that you can easily tell whats good and whats not. you dont have to play an instrument to know this (i dont), but am sure you would know what a guitar sounds like or a piano sounds like being played by someone sitting across from you. pick out the individuals sounds at first and hear if it matches up to the instruments in reality. and then listen to it as a whole to hear if it is musical to you and not disintegrated. to me these are two main issues i listen for in a music system |
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Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 10482 Registered: Dec-04 | kirk, music is meant to entertain, but does so on a deeperlevel than say, a film. Music can stir very strong emotions in different ways. If a piece of music makes you want to play air guitar in your underwear, or conjur up memories from a great time, then let the music do so, and gain the pleasure that is afforded to you. You will find that emotions vary from one kit to another. When you feel the impact or emotion of Mozart, Elvis or Van Halen feeling stronger, then you are getting the potential that reproduction equipment can offer. Remember, a very emotional piece of music can come off as Ben Stein in a bad listening space. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 1146 Registered: Feb-07 | One thing I like to go when I upgrade or add a new piece of gear is to put on a CD that I'm very familiar with. Sometimes I'll hear something in a familiar song such as cymbal crash that sounds different or hi-hat I've never heard before, or some reverb in a pause I've never heard before. To me this is very satisfying and validates my upgrade. |