How Much Does your Room contribute to overall listening Experience?

[timmy.timmy]

Room - Zero.

I've never paid ANY attention to the room.

Why ? Since you listen with your headphone eyes wide shut

 

[bluesky]

Why ? Since you listen with your headphone eyes wide shut

The room never had anything to do with it. The stereo was there 'for the audio part of the party'. I'm an old timer.

We didn't 'listen' to the music then the way audiophiles listen to music now-a-days. There wasn't much critical listening going on, just enjoying and having fun. I mean, we were seeing sometimes 2 concerts a week ($3 each). It was just... normal. (late 60s - 70s). But... in the 80s we actually listened to and watched the bands! . Different times.
...what were we talking about? Oh yeah, the room!

I can fully understand why folks like room treatments. It does make total sense. But for guys like me... we just set up the componet system and play music, that's all.

 

[timmy.timmy]

The room never had anything to do with it. The stereo was there 'for the audio part of the party'. I'm an old timer.

Yes, I totally understand difference. Different earbuds, different sensitivities, capacities and understandings. Believing it's important to understand, explain and claim those peculiar and specific differences we have. Different customs, ages, times and places. Even relating to the musical supports and playback gear. And I am some of that as well.

With my passion since a teen for sixties and seventies 45 rpm records, my quest in the proper to the better phono gear has always buggered me. Reaching half a Century by now, I finally gathered what truly suits my records, ear buds and listening sessions best. But it proved a long and hazardous pilgrimage. And a bigger budget than expected.

Records collectors around me are clueless on those matters, Hi-Fi shops the other way around but no better for most. And anyway, to get into it seriously, unless you have people around you giving you their wonderfull "vintage" phono gear to fiddle with, not my case, it's a real budget on it's own to build and test those phono gears.

Now, after all those years, I'm reaching where I want to be. Although I had to study, thanks the net for that. This goes to show there can be some good even in the worst things. All along I got to be well and not so well advised. I had to overcome the opposed phono fanatic "tribes" dogma's standing only for "modern" V/S "vintage" and vice versa.

Now my gear is half bought used (vintage) DIYed tweaked and half over 21st Century (modern) bought new. It's suits me better than all the gear I dreamed about but couldn't afford to be honest. And it does justice to my beloved 45 rpm records collection more than ever in a sublime way. Only I pity my neighbors at times...

We didn't 'listen' to the music then the way audiophiles listen to music now-a-days. There wasn't much critical listening going on, just enjoying and having fun. I mean, we were seeing sometimes 2 concerts a week ($3 each). It was just... normal. (late 60s - 70s). But... in the 80s we actually listened to and watched the bands! . Different times.

Well I am not considered "old" yet nor "young" anymore. As a teen I had mostly elderly friends and have always preferred the music "from the past". So I could't relate to "my generation" as I was "rebellious" toward them as well as I was toward the "establishment". Always trying to find my way to fit into my "shoes" rather than, in any "group", "society" or "institution". Remaining rather "sole", "intuitive" and "devoted" I'd say.

...what were we talking about? Oh yeah, the room!

I can fully understand why folks like room treatments. It does make total sense. But for guys like me... we just play the stereo.

Even if I always knew when I heard "playback" definition I liked, it took me this time to come around it and to understand better how it can work home or not so much. And with time, cash investments and perseverance (a lot of that harder bit is actually crucial when you don't have the "easy" money) while the "flame "still burns, I'm currently in the process of finalizing my future 'music room/basement' to be.

For my music playback sessions can be long and loud. To enjoy it without ear bleed do comes to that cost. Never have I thought I'll go that far into it. My love flame for my music (that also evolves through time), my "crate digger" thirsty spirit in the quest to discover "new" records and the best conditions to enjoy to play and hear them, all is that very important to me. And I respect those who do otherwise accordingly.