What is the purpose of a high performance audio system?
Simple question, this, in some ways. However the answer is often overshadowed with complex tech talk about ideal specifications and assumed essential features. In basic terms a good audio system should take you into the performance to the greatest possible extent. Does that acoustic guitar sound real? Is that voice there – would you believe that the singer was present (or that you were present at the original venue)? Most people can easily tell when a real instrument is playing as opposed to a recording. Yet many feel that they havent got a good enough ear to tell the differences in audio systems. If you can tell the difference between someone making live music and a portable audio system playing some tunes, then you have a perfectly fine ear for a good audio system! Things get a little more intangible with electronically created or modified music and with movie soundtracks, since there is no absolute reality to recreate. However, there is still an identifiable artistic intent – a good
