Sampling of Audio Gear

[E-Stat]

I've never been to a classical music concert, so I can't compare.

Never? You're missing out on a lot.

However, I've been to plenty of rock concerts. Even the best rock concert I've been to couldn't compare to their studio album.

I listen to plenty of popular music, but most *live* venues sound positively horrible.

With that, I'm assuming that classical and/or jazz concerts sound much like the studio recording...Is this correct?

Only the best. The majority still rely too heavily upon the multi-tracking method that destroys natural depth.

Of all the equipment reviews I've read, I wonder how many of those Critics really know what each instrument should sound like?

Read those who make direct comparisons to live unamplified music.

If this is true, then either my recording and/or equipment or my hearing is bad. Do you know of any Links that offers more explanation on this?

It's not a simple question to answer or can any article do the same. It is all about experience and exposure.

I was thinking more about frequency response. Its a specification that tells whether the AV gear provides a neutral/flat reproduction of the music and not add to it.

Once again, the measurements are largely useless because they are done with each component separately. The combined result can be very different. Speakers cause many amplifiers to react differently because of their load characteristics. Some amps are able to drive difficult loads and change their character less.

Man, there has got to be a way to make this process objective instead of subjective like it seems.

After nearly forty years in the hobby, I sure haven't found a way.

rw