How and where do you listen music “in general”?

[sarumbear]

Please vote the type of system and/or where do you generally listen to music. By that I mean not spend the most amount of time but where and how you listen to music, critically, paying attention to it. Like when you want to listen a new release, or a track/album you heard about, etc. This is why I haven’t included portable speakers or radios.

If you have more than one system that fit the criteria please vote for the one you use the most.

If you have a separate Home Theatre and music systems please vote for the one you use for critical listening, irrespective of music or film soundtracks.

Using a subwoofer is irrelevant for this poll.

If you use multiple speakers on your desk please use the “in a room using multiple speakers” option.

PS. Sorry for the typo in headphones. I couldn't edit it.

 

[Blumlein 88]

For me it has changed the last few years. My answer would have been in a room using stereo speakers. With my non-dedicated surround system becoming much better then a room with multiple speakers is the answer.

@sarumbear
Also, while not my cup of tea, you probably need a choice for headphones. Definitely a sizable slice of music listeners these days.

 

[Propheticus]

It's probably in my car. Second is at my desk wearing headphones. Neither are options.

 

[sarumbear]

For me it has changed the last few years. My answer would have been in a room using stereo speakers. With my non-dedicated surround system becoming much better then a room with multiple speakers is the answer.

@sarumbear
Also, while not my cup of tea, you probably need a choice for headphones. Definitely a sizable slice of music listeners these days.

Thank you. I added the HP option.

 

[sarumbear]

It's probably in my car. Second is at my desk wearing headphones. Neither are options.

I added both options. Thank you.

 

[Propheticus]

I added both options. Thank you.

Thanks. Added my vote.
It's btw not that I like listening to music in my car the most, it's just a place and time it's always on. Dedicated music listening (the mindful type) happens in a room with multiple speakers...but in stereo for music mostly.

 

[sarumbear]

Thanks. Added my vote.
It's btw not that I like listening to music in my car the most, it's just a place and time it's always on. Dedicated music listening (the mindful type) happens in a room with multiple speakers...but in stereo for music mostly.

I specifically refrained to use the term “most” and used general instead to mean the type of listening you define as “the mindful type.” Unless you specifically prefer to listen music in the car, it is akin to listening to radio — that’s what I think, naturally everyone is different.

 

[Chrispy]

What does "critically" particularly mean?

 

[sarumbear]

What does "critically" particularly mean?

Paying attention, not treating it as background.

 

[spacevector]

'Critical' listening on the stereo.
'Most' listening, however, occurs in the bar, on the jukebox. =)

 

[Jim Taylor]

What does "critically" particularly mean?

Paying attention, not treating it as background.

I voted for headphones. I definitely value the isolation they provide, which includes isolation from room acoustics as well as exterior noise. The older get, the more I value it. Jim

 

[Propheticus]

I specifically refrained to use the term “most” and used general instead to mean the type of listening you define as “the mindful type.” Unless you specifically prefer to listen music in the car, it is akin to listening to radio — that’s what I think, naturally everyone is different.

That's not what I understood reading 'generally'. Changed my vote..

 

[Berwhale]

Paying attention, not treating it as background.

The word 'listening' implies attention, so one could argue that the 'critical' bit is superfluous, but I guess some people need to be reminded

 

[Propheticus]

Well I'm not not listening to the Spotify playlist I pick when in my car. It's not like radio...but it's far from critical listening.

 

[Chrispy]

Paying attention, not treating it as background.

Paying attention to what particularly, the music or your gear?

 

[mhardy6647]

It's been rearranged, and even tidied up, a bit since my friend Nate took this photo in 2019.

 

[tomkatt]

Technically my main setup is a 5.1.2 in my living room, but I do most of my listening during the workday or when I'm exercising in my office on my 2.1 setup in there. I split my time relatively evenly between the living room and office setup, but in the living room it's usually more just background music, I listen more critically at my desk.

I'm not a fan of headphones, I spend a lot of time at work in a headset in meetings, so I'm all about using full speakers and listening in open air.

I voted "in a room with stereo speakers" instead of "at a desk using stereo speakers" though because my speakers aren't on the desk, they're on 36" stands at ear height when sitting, separated from the desk itself, and I'm using full bookshelf speakers and not monitors.

 

[Charger]

I listen more and more on my cheapo 2nd hand AV setup. Just using Direct mode through two JBL floor speakers. In the lounge room.

It just fills the space, and my house with music.

 

[Sgt. Ear Ache]

my "critical" listening is done on the headphone rig. That's where I go when I want to be blown away by sound and hearing every detail. I've got a nice 2.0 speaker rig that sounds fantastic but I live in an apartment and I'm pretty cognizant of making sure I'm not bugging the neighbors so I'm not really able to fully-enjoy the speaker set up.

But I also do a significant amount of listening in the car. I have a 4 hour round trip drive to make every week or two and so I listen to music during that ride on a bluetooth speaker since the stock stereo in my car is really terrible. I have no illusions about "fidelity" in that situation - I mean cars aren't really the place for that anyway but the Bluetooth speaker I use isn't even a stereo speaker lol. It does sound surprisingly good though! But not Hi-fi in any way.

 

[sarumbear]

Paying attention to what particularly, the music or your gear?

I'm sure both is the correct answer?