[George Prentice]

Originally Posted by bart

George, I think we'll have to agree to disagree.
My wife and I attend 15-20 classical concerts a year (middle of the 4th-5th row are our seats), and some 10-15 jazz concerts.
Small ensemble music can be reproduced quite faithfully on a good system, like we enjoy at home (5.0).
But a large symphonic orchestra, sorry but no way.
Not even on an MBL reference system (in my personal top 3 of the systems I've heard).

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, although I don’t think it is based on experiencing my system. While I have a pretty good set of components which are very synergistic the overwhelming component that contributes to its success with classical music is the room. While I can’t claim great credit in crafting it, it is the best listening area I have heard. I purchased the house without tremendous thought to the audio area. It just turned out perfectly. It is large, 28’ by 35’ but it is a Z shape. It is asymmetrical on all sides. Behind the back and side walls on three sides is concrete and are underground, giving the backdrop dead silence... quieter than the concert hall. All the asymmetry seems to really help. My speakers are over six feet back from the wall an make a 9’ triangle. I have added some tube traps and large Afghans to the remaining bare space. It is not all about power and money. I stumbled into owning this space and am very thankful for it. I will not be moving because of it. So for classical, it very very closely reproduces the symphony hall, any differences are not remotely material.