After many years away from the hobby, I'm attempting to re-enter in retirement. A kind member here has answered a bunch of my back-channel questions. However, I don't want to continue to bug him, and some of what I'm still curious about may be worth an open discussion. To keep it brief, I'll just ask the questions:
1. Does measurement-based, science-oriented, Toole-approved audio mean that we no longer buy because others said an item "sounds good?" Dealers once gave advice & a demo. Trusted friends with similar sound quality tastes filled the gaps when the dealers were gone. How do we find the items that have been verified as "not bringing a sound into" our audio systems?
2. Does any manufacturer besides Harman follow Toole's suggested measurements & tell us they do? Are there any other "measurement-oriented" suppliers of speakers besides the JBL, Revel, etc., group?
3. Decades back I had "highly recommended" systems costing many thousands of dollars, but connected them with cheap interconnects and zip cord for speaker wire. I don't recall a single time that my decisions were made around science. All of it was "perceived sound." I didn't like it then, but I'm eager to apply this new approach to a search for a $1000-$6000 entry system that doesn't add anything to the sound of the recording. Paraphrasing Toole, I'd like to leave the art to the artists & recording engineers, and let the system/components be based on science & measurements. Any tips on making this happen?
I like this place & what I've read thus far. Thanks to each of you.
[disclaimer: I'm a noob here & have been searching & reading, but if this is the wrong kind of question, or belongs elsewhere, I'll let a moderator move or delete it.]
1. Does measurement-based, science-oriented, Toole-approved audio mean that we no longer buy because others said an item "sounds good?" Dealers once gave advice & a demo. Trusted friends with similar sound quality tastes filled the gaps when the dealers were gone. How do we find the items that have been verified as "not bringing a sound into" our audio systems?
2. Does any manufacturer besides Harman follow Toole's suggested measurements & tell us they do? Are there any other "measurement-oriented" suppliers of speakers besides the JBL, Revel, etc., group?
3. Decades back I had "highly recommended" systems costing many thousands of dollars, but connected them with cheap interconnects and zip cord for speaker wire. I don't recall a single time that my decisions were made around science. All of it was "perceived sound." I didn't like it then, but I'm eager to apply this new approach to a search for a $1000-$6000 entry system that doesn't add anything to the sound of the recording. Paraphrasing Toole, I'd like to leave the art to the artists & recording engineers, and let the system/components be based on science & measurements. Any tips on making this happen?
I like this place & what I've read thus far. Thanks to each of you.
[disclaimer: I'm a noob here & have been searching & reading, but if this is the wrong kind of question, or belongs elsewhere, I'll let a moderator move or delete it.]