How many of you still actually "LISTEN" to music?

[pentatonic]

Every day. I used to watch 1 or 2 movies a night for the longest time but found myself missing something. Now, music is with me all the time and I would say that at least 1 hour a day is dedicated to it. Even when I'm on here, I still listen to music and I mean listen. Nothing more rewarding than playing that special album that fits the mood. I actually rarely if ever listen to songs, it's albums. Even in the car, no radio for me (except the occasional times) it's albums on a USB key.

I am at a point where I might catch 2 movies in a week now. Music is life, and it never lets you down.

[LMN8R]

One of my favorite things to do when I'm home alone. Put on some music, kick back in my recliner, close my eyes and listen. My favorites are surround format Blu-ray audio, DVD-A and SACD. Nothing better than getting totally enveloped by the music. Give me 45 minutes, the blu-ray of Wish You Were Here, DVD-A of Farewell to Kings or Brothers in Arms SACD and all the cares of the world are gone.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy watching a good concert on Blu-ray or DVD and listening to a good 2 channel CD. I had got to the point that music was mainly a background thing until I upgraded the home theater, mainly for movies at the time. But having a decent sound system again has rekindled my interest in music. 5.1 Hi-Rez music is just the icing on the cake.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by morriscroy

I haven't had this experience yet.

Most of the music I listen to, sounds just as horrible today on my modern a/v system, as it did back in the 1980's on my old crappy ghetto blaster. My present system reveals just how horrible the original sound production was, on many of these albums I regularly listen to.

I've come to the realization that many of these albums I listen to, were produced by guys who were either totally incompetent, drunk, really stoned, etc ...., or they deliberately sabotaged everything to make it sound like shit. I strongly suspect these particular record producers and/or studio engineers also really didn't give a damn about what they were doing.

That's a pretty strong statement you're making here and goes against what most music lovers are finding when they have a decent setup. What music are you listening to that brings you to this conclusion?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by morriscroy

Less popular 1980's speed metal albums like:

- "Darkness Descends" by Dark Angel
- "Seven Churches" by Possessed
- "Obsessed by Cruelty" by Sodom
- "Rrroooaaarrr" by VoiVod
- "Welcome to Hell" by Venom
- "Live Undead" by Slayer
- "Morbid Tales" by Celtic Frost
- "Game Over" by Nuclear Assault

Thanks. I can't comment on those as speed metal or metal in general is not something I listen to anymore. However, please remember that most musicians, producers, mastering engineers are hand-cuffed by the labels. It is they who decide what ultimately appears on the LP/CD.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by morriscroy

It goes to say that what comes out of the speakers in regard to sound quality, is only as good as the original source material. If the original source material was really crappy sounding in terms of sound fidelity (not songwriting or musicianship abilities), then there's really not much one can do about it. It's not much different than "polishing a turd".


In principle an album can be remixed to sound slightly better, if the original parties (and/or estates) are willing to put the time, effort, and money into it.

For example, the original Megadeth "Peace Sells ... But Who's Buying" album had a garbage sounding production when it was released back in the mid 1980's. Around a decade ago, they went back to the studio and remixed the entire "Peace Sells ..." record, where the end result sounded somewhat clearer and a lot less trashy sounding. (A purist may object to such "revision"). Despite their efforts at upgrading the sound, it still is not a crystal clear sound production.

What comes out of your speakers is surely predicated to a large degree by the content you are feeding those speakers, but also by the quality of the system one may own. Crappy recordings will sound really crappy on a good system, but perhaps less so on something that isn't quite as revealing. In the end, a crappy recording is a crappy recording and nothing will fix that.

As far as remixes, reissues and remasters are concerned, they are often a crapshoot as well, and oftentimes they don't offer anything better than what the original put out. In fact, many originals are highly prized over their later reincarnations. A case in point would be the original UK Pink Island label pressing of Cat Stevens'-Tea For the Tillerman. It is still the de-facto standard!

[CRAZYKAT]

Count Me In.
I listen to almost everything, DooWop, Classic Rock, Country, R & B, Gospel, Soft Rock and more. I Love it and music is on everyday.
It's not everyday though that I can really sit down and enjoy some serious listening , maybe two or three times a month and usually for 4 or 5 hours.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by pentatonic

Every day. I used to watch 1 or 2 movies a night for the longest time but found myself missing something. Now, music is with me all the time and I would say that at least 1 hour a day is dedicated to it. Even when I'm on here, I still listen to music and I mean listen. Nothing more rewarding than playing that special album that fits the mood. I actually rarely if ever listen to songs, it's albums. Even in the car, no radio for me (except the occasional times) it's albums on a USB key.

I am at a point where I might catch 2 movies in a week now. Music is life, and it never lets you down.

Yeah pentatonic, I recently had installed a Pioneer stereo with a USB port in my truck. I took the time to rip all of my CD's (lossless WAV format) onto my USB thumb drives and let me tell you, I have not looked back!! It is so refreshing not having to fool with CD's in the car! Don't get me wrong, I still buy CD's but I rip the music to my USB drives and then shelve the CD. That way the CD's stay in perfect condition and I have all my music in full CD quality right at my fingertips! Now I take my entire collection with me everywhere! At home, at work, on the road, etc. My music never leaves me! It's awesome!!

[mrr1]

I do, probably every other day.

Never more than about 20 minutes at a time, though.

[Intamin]

I try to listen as much as possible, which usually amounts to 3-5 times a week. It's a hobby of mine that I enjoy, so I try to make time for it.

[pentatonic]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Yeah pentatonic, I recently had installed a Pioneer stereo with a USB port in my truck. I took the time to rip all of my CD's (lossless WAV format) onto my USB thumb drives and let me tell you, I have not looked back!! It is so refreshing not having to fool with CD's in the car! Don't get me wrong, I still buy CD's but I rip the music to my USB drives and then shelve the CD. That way the CD's stay in perfect condition and I have all my music in full CD quality right at my fingertips! Now I take my entire collection with me everywhere! At home, at work, on the road, etc. My music never leaves me! It's awesome!!

hey Steel, yep remember talking about that with you, it's cool isn't it?