So I don’t have a super high-end system by any means. I have JBL L36 speakers. They sound awesome. There is some music that sounds absolutely incredible on them. The Beatles – Abbey Road. Oscar Peterson - We Get Requests, Robag Wruhme - Thora Vukk, Lorde - The Louvre…
There is some of my favourite music however, that sounds completely non-impactful and wimpy on the speakers as well. Depeche Mode - Never Let Me Down Again, and in fact most of their catalogue. Bowie - Berlin trilogy sounds weak but it slams in my car…
I would really love to know if someone has a great system and Depeche Mode/Bowie sound fantastic on it.
I went with the entry level the studio monitor route with Tidal + DAC + treatment and more than anything it showcases how shitty some things were recorded. Everyone warns you about it so it’s not a huge surprise - just disappointing on mainstream albums. I’m not insufferable so I’ll still listen, I’m just conscious of quality.
I think if I went the “easy listening” or “living room 2 channel” audiophile route I’d notice it less and appreciate the warmth more than my ‘naïve first-timer purchase’ into critical listening.
What studio monitors did you get? I actually have done most of my listening in my adult years on studio monitors.