Reference vs. Preference: What's more important in Hi-Fi Audio?

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[joentell]

Update: at the end, I meant to say, "if you want to watch my video about DISPERSION using light" not directivity. I might have to make another video about that.

[JosephTongret]

Joe, the reason why I enjoy your content so much is because you're really into understanding the philosophy of how we experience audio. You're clearly a thinking man (for lack of a better description on my part). Somebody who always wants to know "why" and open minded enough to consider all possibilities. These are traits that usually make people interesting, likeable and relatable in my opinion. Thanks for video, I enjoyed this one! 👍

[adamjj]

Totally agree. Start with reference and a well engineered speaker and then tune to your preference and room! Not a fan of speakers that have "signature" sounds built into them, flat anechoic with a smooth off axis response should really be the goal.

[irish]

"Too much bass is the forgiveable sin in audio" haha love it. So true.

[TheReverendSlim]

With home audio, there are three factors: The speaker, the room, and the listener. The perfect speaker in the ideal room may not sound great to a particular individual. A mediocre speaker in a great room could sound fantastic to someone else. The sound you get is going to be a synergy of those three aspects. And as I think you're saying here, that's why a reference is such an important thing. We have to know what standards the authors crafted their mix using if we want to attempt to recreate the intent of that mix in the home.

I used to be the straight reference guy, because I wanted to hear just the mix that was crafted, warts and all. But the more I dig into things, the more I have found a general tailored solution for my room and speakers that both remains generally faithful to the source and has the character of sound that I appreciate across the majority of content. MultEQ-X went a long way toward that, and I've found myself not tinkering with my setup as much lately since finding a sweet spot target curve that works for my speakers, in my particular room, and to my particular ears. Good stuff, Joe!

[yoster]

I like the point you make in your reviews about speakers taking to EQ well or not. Feels to me that of a speaker takes well to EQ, then in some cases the default speaker measurement (whether or not it's flat) doesn't matter as much. For instance you could pick up your "preference" speaker and use it "stock" most of the time, but then EQ it to make it flat or "reference" if you ever wanted to (provided you have measurements and an EQ). Win-win in my mind and really opens up some flexibility in your speaker choices.

Your other point on a speakers ability to HANDLE reference volume is spot on. I've mistakenly purchased speakers that "reviewers" rave about (because of measurements) only to find that the woofers bottom out, or some other form of distortion, when pushed to the levels I need/want them at.

[mzltprs]

Great discussion point. Reinforces why I prefer reference or neutrality in my equipment so I can adjust the sound settings based on the input source and quality of the recording. I adjust sometimes from album to album or song to song depending on what sounds good to me - my preference.

[davidcarr]

You're one of the very few good guys in the "game" Joe. The majority of the "HiFi" industry don't care what they sell you - after all, they want a return sale from you in six months. " It's not reference ? It's better than that mate. It does this and sounds like this etc. Most pro speakers do have basic treble and bass trim (as you know) and often come with software for DSP adjustments. How many HiFi speakers do ?

100% agree on DSP. Not only to finetune speakers, but also for roomcorrection.

[TylerStout]

Agreed. I honestly can't think of anything to add as you covered it all lol. I look forward to the Arendal review, a lot of other reviews like them.

[chefchutardo]

Another great video, keep up the good work.
We love your simple honest explanations. No mathematical overload on my head while drinking my coffee. Just fun learning,

[matta]

Is your theater in your garage? How do you manage temps so it stays comfortable?

[WindomRettes]

Preference over Reference, Thank You.

[AmericanConstellation]

The biggest variable in audio is your ears. It's what you can hear and what you like.

[HiFiMods]

I was left confused why the background changed so many times.. 😅🤷‍♂ Thx for your videos though, loved the light for sound dispersion analogy video - brilliant!!

[warrenbailey]

There are so many personal auditory sound levels to each audio owner - so presence will always win out - how you came into the hobby-Bass is most disrupting universally but Top end is as annoying depending on the genre or fidelity of the source (sound signature) - if you play to groups of people then reference wins out to suit the wider palette- reference is mostly for image or hi end dollar level audio buyers

[DAVID-ionj]

No question that preference is the key. All human sense is personal preference. That is why there is so much variety. My background is photography. There are scientific standards in photography. The main standard is neutral gray. But people will still prefer colors that are not neutral gray. Japanese color preference tends towards green. American goes for warm yellow. Germany goes for cyan.

[UnitedRedDevil]

Joe, random but, i was planning on getting Dirac on sale this week for Black Friday. I thought you’d recommend full band? Also, I think you mentioned in a video about possibly using specific numbers as an email in case we need to pass on the license?

[hifi-photo-Brian]

I am a big fan of the Parasound New Classic 200 pre-amp. It has Bass management (cut off at 80 Hz) with subwoofer volume control on the remote along with treble and bass tone control adjustments on the remote. Magic! I listen to a lot of different types of music where Bass is very boosted(Drum and Bass and trance music). Check out the crazy track called: Overture by Camo & Krooked -> drum and bass track! Enjoy the bass!

[Audio_Simon]

Reference is my preference, lol. When I've liked speakers with a tailored response it can usualy be explained as balancing the directivity. E.g. mid-woofer has increasing directivity at the high end, so a slightly rising response will help balance the off axis.