Hmmmm what is this SQ thing all about?
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
so, what about when i hear a siren and i thought it was for real and i look at my rear view mirror and the sound moves from rear to front then i realize it's from the damn radio and i dont have rear speakers...or a sound clip that seems to float between the front seats as if i'm in the middle of a "3D" sound....is that considered good soundstage and imaging?
0 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 17
Imho
What type of sound an individual wants or expects from a system is a very personal choice and a subjective thing. But true SQ is not subjective, 'in the eye of the beholder', or dependent upon personal tastes in any way shape or form. It really comes down to some very simple, basic principles. Does each sound have tonal accuracy or sound the same as it would if it were being produced in real life in front of you rather than being artificially reproduced? Is the music coming from where it would be coming from if you were listening live? Do different aspects of a song sound like they're coming from the proper place on the soundstage?
The answer to all three of these is either yes, or no. That is SQ, plain and simple. You may find you like things a little different. Doesn't mean it's good or bad, it means you're not into SQ, you're into whatever other type of sound reproduction you're into.
The confusion comes because alot of people have never heard a true SQ system. It's fear of the unknown, unwillingness to try something new, and a lack of familiarity with basic principals. 'Loud music all around you' is what people know and understand. Speakers in front and none behind is contrary to the popular wisdom of what they always were taught good sound should be. Loudness controls and maxed out bass boost and treble sound 'good' to some because they don't have the resources or the time to invest in components needed for naturally accurate sound production. Or maybe they go for 2-3 sets of high powered tweeters because 'more highs are almost better.' They take something that is not SQ and claim that it is because it fits their subjective taste and/or their budget and space constraints, and they feel better defining what they have achieved as some 'variation' of SQ.
Any statement about SQ being subjective is pure BS and is usually made by people who have no idea what it really sounds like, or who have limited themselves in their ability to achieve it but would like to re-define it as something that it isn't so they can feel better about their system.
The answer to all three of these is either yes, or no. That is SQ, plain and simple. You may find you like things a little different. Doesn't mean it's good or bad, it means you're not into SQ, you're into whatever other type of sound reproduction you're into.
The confusion comes because alot of people have never heard a true SQ system. It's fear of the unknown, unwillingness to try something new, and a lack of familiarity with basic principals. 'Loud music all around you' is what people know and understand. Speakers in front and none behind is contrary to the popular wisdom of what they always were taught good sound should be. Loudness controls and maxed out bass boost and treble sound 'good' to some because they don't have the resources or the time to invest in components needed for naturally accurate sound production. Or maybe they go for 2-3 sets of high powered tweeters because 'more highs are almost better.' They take something that is not SQ and claim that it is because it fits their subjective taste and/or their budget and space constraints, and they feel better defining what they have achieved as some 'variation' of SQ.
Any statement about SQ being subjective is pure BS and is usually made by people who have no idea what it really sounds like, or who have limited themselves in their ability to achieve it but would like to re-define it as something that it isn't so they can feel better about their system.
^^"Does each sound have tonal accuracy or sound the same as it would if it were being produced in real life in front of you rather than being artificially reproduced? Is the music coming from where it would be coming from if you were listening live? Do different aspects of a song sound like they're coming from the proper place on the soundstage?"
and this is determined by....humans, using their subjective brain...ask 1000 people and you'll get a slightly or greatly differing answer from each one...does that flute sound like a flute..yes, no, well I think it does, no I disagree...humans hear differently....back to square one! Even at an SQ event with 100 like minded folks, I'll bet their choice of speakers, components and positioning for proper tonality, imaging, and staging will be different...as slight as it might be!
A good sounding system is one that most unbiased people will agree sounds good!! That's SQ!
and this is determined by....humans, using their subjective brain...ask 1000 people and you'll get a slightly or greatly differing answer from each one...does that flute sound like a flute..yes, no, well I think it does, no I disagree...humans hear differently....back to square one! Even at an SQ event with 100 like minded folks, I'll bet their choice of speakers, components and positioning for proper tonality, imaging, and staging will be different...as slight as it might be!
A good sounding system is one that most unbiased people will agree sounds good!! That's SQ!
Last edited by veeman; Feb 20, 2009 at 01:25 PM.
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[QUOTE=eharri3
Any statement about SQ being subjective is pure BS and is usually made by people who have no idea what it really sounds like, or who have limited themselves in their ability to achieve it but would like to re-define it as something that it isn't so they can feel better about their system.[/QUOTE]
could the same not be said for those who dont belive its subjective
Any statement about SQ being subjective is pure BS and is usually made by people who have no idea what it really sounds like, or who have limited themselves in their ability to achieve it but would like to re-define it as something that it isn't so they can feel better about their system.[/QUOTE]
could the same not be said for those who dont belive its subjective
it absolutely IS subjective, you can't measure "Sound Quality"
Yes, there are general characteristics about it that can be agreed upon, but a 2khz note can take on many forms, some appealing to some people, others hating it.
...but then, it's also Objective in that sound quality is identifiable.
most everyone will agree that a good sounding car sounds good, it's where you compare it to another good sounding car that SQ becomes subjective.
Go to an SQ show and listen to all the cars, keep a score sheet to yourself and see in the end that it won't match up with the judges scores.... IE: subjective (heck, even the judges cant agree)
....also note that you were probably right about the bottom few cars, as a bad sounding car is just bad.
Yes, there are general characteristics about it that can be agreed upon, but a 2khz note can take on many forms, some appealing to some people, others hating it.
...but then, it's also Objective in that sound quality is identifiable.
most everyone will agree that a good sounding car sounds good, it's where you compare it to another good sounding car that SQ becomes subjective.
Go to an SQ show and listen to all the cars, keep a score sheet to yourself and see in the end that it won't match up with the judges scores.... IE: subjective (heck, even the judges cant agree)
....also note that you were probably right about the bottom few cars, as a bad sounding car is just bad.
