Crisp sound

[prerich]

I hear a lot of people on the forums describe their sound as "crisp". When I hear that word - I have a tendency to cringe (that's just me). I would describe the sound in my system as tight, fluid, and smooth (there are some that would not use those words to describe their systems either ). For example, I 've heard Rded's speakers in a demo room before and they are definately on the smooth end of things - I would never call them crisp - but they are detailed and percise! Those that have "crisp" sound, please describe what your meaning of crisp is - does it mean detailed (I would definately describe my speakers as detailed but not crisp)? I'm kinda old school and just getting used to the way the new breed describes their sound. So all of you crispy people out there - chime in and let me know what your definition of crisp sound is. Theres also a difference between clean and crisp - I think some are actually meaning clean when they say crisp - or am I wrong

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by prerich

I hear a lot of people on the forums describe their sound as "crisp". When I hear that word - I have a tendency to cringe (that's just me). I would describe the sound in my system as tight, fluid, and smooth (there are some that would not use those words to describe their systems either ). For example, I 've heard Rded's speakers in a demo room before and they are definately on the smooth end of things - I would never call them crisp - but they are detailed and percise! Those that have "crisp" sound, please describe what your meaning of crisp is - does it mean detailed (I would definately describe my speakers as detailed but not crisp)? I'm kinda old school and just getting used to the way the new breed describes their sound. So all of you crispy people out there - chime in and let me know what your definition of crisp sound is. Theres also a difference between clean and crisp - I think some are actually meaning clean when they say crisp - or am I wrong

Just my 2 cents, but I have translated "crisp" to mean "tight", which is the way you use describe your system. Personally, I have relied more upon the words "tight" and "clean" to describe my sound.

EDIT: I use the word "clean" to mean a more "natural" sound, and not something that sounds processed by the many technological means we use.

[langn08]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Just my 2 cents, but I have related "crisp" to mean "tight", which is the way you use describe your system. Personally, I have relied more upon the words "tight" and "clean" to describe my sound.

I use tight and clean to describe something TOTALLY different

In all seriousness, I use "clean" more often than not when describing my audio setup. It sums it up for me.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Here is the definition of CRISP in audiophile terms:

Crisp: In reproduced sound: sharply focused and detailed, sometimes excessively so because of a peak in the mid-treble region.

John

PS~ See this Glossary of Audio Terms thread for more definitions

[aramis109]

The problem is in defining something that is by nature difficult to assign a static interpretation to. Honestly, as a whole, all the "tight, detailed, crisp, fluid, etc" terms as a whole crack me up. I've tried to describe my speakers to people and frequently find myself using "open" and "airy" but realistically does that describe them?

I think part of my amusement in the use of these terms stems from things like a recent audiophile catalog I got from Mapleshade. No matter how minor the tweak, everything was described as an unbelievable improvement. These terms are so general that they can't accurately pin down a sound. If people call something "crisp" as a positive, then hey knock yourselves out.

...excuse me I'm going to go lisen to my open and airy speakers now.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by aramis109

The problem is in defining something that is by nature difficult to assign a static interpretation to. Honestly, as a whole, all the "tight, detailed, crisp, fluid, etc" terms as a whole crack me up. I've tried to describe my speakers to people and frequently find myself using "open" and "airy" but realistically does that describe them?

I think part of my amusement in the use of these terms stems from things like a recent audiophile catalog I got from Mapleshade. No matter how minor the tweak, everything was described as an unbelievable improvement. These terms are so general that they can't accurately pin down a sound. If people call something "crisp" as a positive, then hey knock yourselves out.

...excuse me I'm going to go lisen to my open and airy speakers now.

Very well said indeed aramis! Remember also, that sometimes it depends on the recording. The source material most definately plays a factor in all of this.

John

[StimpsonJCat]

I describe my sound as obsequious, purple, and clairvoyant.

[Steve]

I think Aramis summed it up nicely. However, having said that, I've always thought of "crisp" to mean "precise" or "deatiled".

[rded]

Originally Posted by prerich

I hear a lot of people on the forums describe their sound as "crisp". When I hear that word - I have a tendency to cringe (that's just me). I would describe the sound in my system as tight, fluid, and smooth (there are some that would not use those words to describe their systems either ). For example, I 've heard Rded's speakers in a demo room before and they are definately on the smooth end of things - I would never call them crisp - but they are detailed and percise! Those that have "crisp" sound, please describe what your meaning of crisp is - does it mean detailed (I would definately describe my speakers as detailed but not crisp)? I'm kinda old school and just getting used to the way the new breed describes their sound. So all of you crispy people out there - chime in and let me know what your definition of crisp sound is. Theres also a difference between clean and crisp - I think some are actually meaning clean when they say crisp - or am I wrong

Thanks for the compliments Rich Everytime I hear the word "crisp" to decribe my system it takes me back to the days when I had my Bose acoustimas 16 as everyone said: "oh!!! its so crispy"

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by rded

Thanks for the compliments Rich Everytime I hear the word "crisp" to decribe my system it takes me back to the days when I had my Bose acoustimas 16 as everyone said: "oh!!! its so crispy"

See, without knowing the "official audiophile" definition of crisp, I'd definitey take "crispy" as a negative.

[rded]

Well I had my buddies over last night and we listened for a few hours on my system and he was saying how "crisp" it was and I've was trying to educate him on terminolgies that we use like detailed, airy and precise. I believe his notion of crisp is how accurate the treble(not hot or laid back) is. But he did say that the bass is "tight" and I gave him a high five.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by aramis109

See, without knowing the "official audiophile" definition of crisp, I'd definitey take "crispy" as a negative.

I'm the same way...to me I've always interpreted "crisp" as a slightly negative characteristic. I don't want to say that it means "harsh" in any way, but certainly a slight overextension in the mid-high frequancy range.

John

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by aramis109

See, without knowing the "official audiophile" definition of crisp, I'd definitey take "crispy" as a negative.

Just make sure it isn't Crispy Cream as opposed to crisp and clean!

Rich

[jdc115]

Sometimes I think describing the sound of speakers (or components) is like describing the tastes of wines, it means almost nothing to most people. At some point I think it is just easier to say I like the sound of this without having to describe why.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by John72953

Here is the definition of CRISP in audiophile terms:



John

PS~ See this Glossary of Audio Terms thread for more definitions

That's an interesting link..... Some of those I would change a little.... but good to see what others think nonetheless.

I describe the sound I'm getting as "Accurate" at least that's what I always strive for.... Much trust is left in the hands of the Audio Engineers etc. that make the tracks up, because I feel if there is a sound, or dialog, that sounds very natural and "correct" for what I feel it sounds like in person, like the crackling of leaves, hiss of moisture escaping a burning log as steam, etc, then I assume the sounds of things I have never experienced, like Lightsabers, hovercrafts, and mythical creatures, are being heard by me the way the director intends them to sound......

[prerich]

Originally Posted by John72953

Here is the definition of CRISP in audiophile terms:



John

PS~ See this Glossary of Audio Terms thread for more definitions

That's my definition of crisp also So I would assume that most people do not have crisp sounding systems.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by aramis109

The problem is in defining something that is by nature difficult to assign a static interpretation to. Honestly, as a whole, all the "tight, detailed, crisp, fluid, etc" terms as a whole crack me up. I've tried to describe my speakers to people and frequently find myself using "open" and "airy" but realistically does that describe them?

I think part of my amusement in the use of these terms stems from things like a recent audiophile catalog I got from Mapleshade. No matter how minor the tweak, everything was described as an unbelievable improvement. These terms are so general that they can't accurately pin down a sound. If people call something "crisp" as a positive, then hey knock yourselves out.

...excuse me I'm going to go lisen to my open and airy speakers now.

Excellent comment!!! I like "open and airy" also

[prerich]

Originally Posted by John72953

Very well said indeed aramis! Remember also, that sometimes it depends on the recording. The source material most definately plays a factor in all of this.

John

Oh yes!!!! A good speaker can make a bad recording sound real bad!!!! This discussion is getting interesting indeed!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Just make sure it isn't Crispy Cream as opposed to crisp and clean!

Rich

Hey!!! I like Krispy Kreme especially when the fresh sign is on!!!! !!!!

[rded]

Originally Posted by prerich

Oh yes!!!! A good speaker can make a bad recording sound real bad!!!! This discussion is getting interesting indeed!

Sheesh!!! My speakers are brutally revealing that I find myself listening to different genres and less rock/metal/alternative because I can only pick out a handful of rock recordings I have that sound good.