Would classifying hifi brands in relation to each other as revealing/bright up to warm/forgiving be helpful?

[Superaintit]

Sometimes when I read posts from forum members it seems to me they don't have a good idea of the major differences in presentation between certain brands.

I understand it's quite a challenge to convey a hifi component's strenghts by writing a review. I'm just wondering if a general classification in the hifi components section would add to the understanding of whifi's readers. Something like, from bright/upfront to warm/forgiving: cyrus-quad-naim-musical fidelity-arcam. (Or is it too subjective to agree on this)

What do you think?

 

[Anonymous]

I for one think this would be very helpful. For someone who isn't experienced at system matching, it seems an almost impossible task without the assistance of others. You could fairly easily choose two sets of a 5 star amps, speakers and CDPs and get completely contrasting results. A short section in each review, something along the lines of "a warm sounding amp, best suited to bright to neutral speakers" would be very helpful IMHO.

 

[manicm]

No, no and NO. This would not be helpful at all. Remember the aim of any good hifi is to convey music in the best possible light. By classifying components as such one completely disregards their potential strengths within a complete system, and unfairly condemn them when they would actually be beneficial to the balance in some systems.

I would find such classification horrifying.

 

[Helmut80]

to subjective IMO. Having said that, you should always aim to demo amp and speakers together (I know this is not as simple as it sounds). Too subjective because I think that room acoustics and speakers have the biggest influence on sounds by quite some distance. I know there's a lot of talk about warm/bright/sterile/musical/*insert audiophile speudo jargon of the day* sounding amp, but you never hear an amp on it's own, it's always through speakers, in a given room.

 

[Andrew Everard]

insert audiophile speudo jargon of the day

You're wearing audiophile Speedos?

 

[Craig M.]

Sometimes when I read posts from forum members it seems to me they don't have a good idea of the major differences in presentation between certain brands.

What do you think?

i think the sound of any one part of a hifi system is completely dependant on the partnering kit, so what sounds one way to you might sound completely different in a different system. and that's before you take into account room acoustics and speaker positioning. because of this, i think most forum members recommendations are completely useless, as are reviews. the only way to be sure something will match well is home demo.

 

[plastic penguin]

Sometimes when I read posts from forum members it seems to me they don't have a good idea of the major differences in presentation between certain brands.

I understand it's quite a challenge to convey a hifi component's strenghts by writing a review. I'm just wondering if a general classification in the hifi components section would add to the understanding of whifi's readers. Something like, from bright/upfront to warm/forgiving: cyrus-quad-naim-musical fidelity-arcam. (Or is it too subjective to agree on this)

What do you think?

As Craig says it's down to correct combination. However, what's more significant is how do you convey a sound via computer by a translation? You and I and everyone translates sound waves, and we all hear something different. Not only is partnering essential but room size and acoustics is equally important.

Most people say, for example, that Arcam is a warm amp but not to my ears. The DIVA is as neutral and open as one could hope for... certainly with MA speakers.

It's all very personal and, perhaps, that's what makes this hobby (and this forum) so interesting. Like a favourite sweet shop, there's always something different, including views.