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That is NOT 'microdynamics'

Posted by mikenificent1 on February 25, 2001 at 12:06:05

In Reply to: Perhaps I wasn't clear about 'microdynamics' posted by MR on February 25, 2001 at 09:43:40:

Get your definitions, terms, whatever, straight.

> another way to describe what I mean by microdynamics might be 'speed,' the ability of a component to draw dynamic contrasts in both directions (loud to soft and soft to loud) in a hurry.

What your are describing is dynamics or more specifically MACRO-dynamics, not "micro". Micro-dynamics has more to do with tiny fluctuations in sound that give the music nuance and it's liveliness, NOT the ability to swing from Loud to Soft (and vice versa) quickly, that’s macro-dynamics. That ability to swing fast from loud to soft CAN be changed by changing the output/bass level (although falsely, but this is what people think they are hearing at the first listen to reduced boom and output level).

DON"T CONFUSE THE TWO.

For a good example of how the word SHOULD be used, here is an excerpt from the Brian Damkroger/Stereophile August 2000 review of the Maggie 3.6 (the full review is available on their site):

"At the other end of the scale, when the 3.6/Rs were paired with a muscle amp like the Classé monoblocks, they did a first-rate job of capturing microdynamic shadings. On "What a Dif'rence A Day Made." from her Never Make Your Move Too Soon (Concord Jazz CCD-4147), Ernestine Anderson often floats the faintest, subtlest traces of vibrato on the very last breath of notes. A lot of speakers, even some excellent dynamic models, can't capture that vibrato, but the 3.6/R did it beautifully. I'd often find myself holding my breath, just to make sure I didn't miss these delicate whispers."

Notice the words "shadings" and "subtlest" are used. Get the Point?

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