Transparency is an interesting concept. In audiophile terms, what does it mean? And what do we mean when we describe a system as "transparent"?
I have read two definitions for the term:
1. Lacking color and distortion. A transparent component or system, adds little or no identifiable signature to the sound.
2. Being able to clearly hear the front of the stage through to the back and sides with all areas distinct and audible.
I am trying to rid my own system of colorations and distortions. I also want to be able to hear individual instruments spread around a stage as separate and distinct with their own place in space and how their sounds define the space in which the recording was made. I also like the idea of hearing the information on the recording and hearing differences between various recordings. This latter idea has been discussed quite a bit recently.
I have heard systems recently which purport to be "transparent". However, each of these systems has a very distinct and characteristic sound. If a system "sounds" a particular way, can it really be described as "transparent"? Perhaps by "voicing" our systems to our own liking, we are moving away from "transparency".
I have read two definitions for the term:
1. Lacking color and distortion. A transparent component or system, adds little or no identifiable signature to the sound.
2. Being able to clearly hear the front of the stage through to the back and sides with all areas distinct and audible.
I am trying to rid my own system of colorations and distortions. I also want to be able to hear individual instruments spread around a stage as separate and distinct with their own place in space and how their sounds define the space in which the recording was made. I also like the idea of hearing the information on the recording and hearing differences between various recordings. This latter idea has been discussed quite a bit recently.
I have heard systems recently which purport to be "transparent". However, each of these systems has a very distinct and characteristic sound. If a system "sounds" a particular way, can it really be described as "transparent"? Perhaps by "voicing" our systems to our own liking, we are moving away from "transparency".