Upgraded to Audio Note J - and other musings.

[benil]

I didn't read even one practical idea for test driving loudspeakers that made sense that I didn't know before. What ideas did you get out of this article that were new? What's wrong with listening to recordings that you are familiar with? Within the range of music I like, classical and jazz there is such an enormous variety that there is no reason for me to listen to other genres of music to test equipment. These two genres can challenge sound systems in every aspect of reproduction you could ever want. Furthermore, the best of them are made conscientiously to "document" a performance as accurately as possible. It is other types like pop and rock which are hokied up for special effects disguising the attributes and limitations of loudspeakers.

i don't remember the authors requiring that one listen to various genres when testing equipment. i could be wrong but my understanding is that so long as there is enough variety in the recording and mastering conditions of the titles one tests, the 'comparison by contrast' method should apply. Qvortrup himself listens mostly to classical stuff, i believe.

The ultimate test of a "reproduction" of anything is to compare it side by side with the original. If that is beyond your understanding, there is no further point in dialogue between us. You should also think long and hard about what the term "high fidelity" actually means. One thing it doesn't mean and that is whatever it is you happen to like at the moment.

i understand what you say. in fact, i think that's what is generally understood as the "ultimate" test of reproduction. However, do you, at least, admit that some LIVE performances do not sound LIVE at all? if you can tell me that this statement:

"Even if we were present at every recording session, we would have no way of interpreting the electrical information which feeds through the microphones to the master tape - let alone to the resulting CD or LP - into a sensory experience against which we could evaluate a given audio system. "

is wrong, i will rest my case.