Posted by Bob Brines [ 148.63.220.187 ] on December 19, 2005 at 07:16:26:

In Reply to: Critical Listening posted by MWG on December 17, 2005 at 20:25:06:

From what I read, it is my impression that "critical listening" means listening to the equipment. More specifically, it is a possess of comparing two amps, two cables, whatever. You will most likely be involved in "critical listening" at an audio meet or when you go to a salesroom. Other than the former, I hardly ever do the latter, I will do "critical listening" when I QC a newly built speaker or as I tweak a new design.

Listening to the program material in detail is a totally different process than A/B'ing two components. Now you are listening to the individual performers, their technique and the overall balance of parts. This becomes a highly subjective procedure where objectivity is irrelevant. Who is your favorite singer and why? What sounds better, a Beethoven symphony played on a 100-member modern orchestra or a 40-member period instrument group?

One thing about listening to the music rather than the equipment: I can enjoy the music on an atrociously bad system. While listen on a good system, and I think my home system falls into that category, does enhance the experience, the music transcends the equipment.

Bob

Replies: