General Asylum

Meaning of Refind Sound

143.244.44.170

tube524

Hi,
I often hear reviewers refer to a piece of an audio equipment as being "Refined" and I want to know what do they mean exactly. Do they mean, organized soundstage, well-defined instrument positioning, gentle sounding with rounded, soft and somewhat equilized high-frequencies.
Thanks,
t.

Edits: 01/18/25

Follow Ups:

RE: Meaning of Refind Sound - Leo loves music 07:33:29 01/26/25 (0)
I listened to class D bi-amp Crown XLS2502 for a few weeks. Then I switched back to Plinius class A SA-102. I immediately notice the refinement of the Plinius. There is no comparation. The mid-range and treble of the Plinius are so good that even better than a tube amp. Purely an enjoyment.

Listened to Diana live at Place des Arts was equally enjoyable. However the one at Tilles Center LIU NY was painful. They totally destroyed Diana's voice.

Edits: 01/26/25 01/26/25
Closely related to refried and refunded. Nt - Geoffkait 08:05:18 01/19/25 (4)
Nt
- Too much "refinement" might mean "bland ", "boring", "processed", "restrained"... - peppy m. 06:26:51 01/23/25 (3)
  A tiny drop of the Tincture of Tenderness is all that's required in any recipe. It's possible to overdo it.
  - I get it, you mean like CDs. Nt - Geoffkait 07:08:56 01/23/25 (2)
    Nt
    - Or some people's ears.... (nt - peppy m. 07:18:53 01/23/25 (1)
      .
      - Like LBJ's? Nt - Geoffkait 11:52:06 01/24/25 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Or some people's ears.... (nt posted by peppy m. on January 23, 2025 at 07:18:53
        
        Nt
When the word "refined" is used... - mlsstl 14:21:04 01/18/25 (2)
...in reference to people, products, or pretty much anything, it means the person or item is sophisticated, tasteful, and not overstated or garish. With reference to music reproduction, I take that to mean the sound quality is smooth and clear, not peaky, in-your-face, harsh, or distorted.

That said, I know many people who are more impressed with peaky, in-you-face, harsh and distorted sound than they are by smooth and clear. It's party-time!
- I find your definition spot on and its use is one i understand plus use - Edp 08:29:09 01/19/25 (1)
  JBL L100 is opposite of refined should be related to by all.
  
  I don't find the definition to be vague at all.
  
  I might find someone's use of it to be too broad though
  - RE: I find your definition spot on and its use is one i understand plus use - Krav Maga 22:12:15 01/22/25 (0)
    Perhaps the new JBL L100 Classic MkII are "refined". :-)
    
    Per reviewer Mark Henninger at Sound&Vision (link below):
    
    "Powerful yet refined sound"
    
    "Censorship is never over for those who have experienced it. It is a brand on the imagination that affects the individual who has suffered it, forever."
    
    - Noam Chomsky
    - https://www.soundandvision.com/content/jbl-l100-classic-mkii (Open in New Window)
I'd try to email the individual reviewer.(s) with that question... - peppy m. 12:36:59 01/18/25 (2)
"Refined" is a vague term, it might mean different things to different people.

My guess is that might be the opposite of "brash", "grainy", or "boom and sizzle" sound.
- Agree. It's a vague and lazy cop-out by reviewers - nt - AbeCollins 16:33:40 01/18/25 (1)
  .
  - And yet, it lingers on the palate somehow... - peppy m. 02:21:22 01/19/25 (0)
    Oh, the taste and the fragrance of that simple word !
    
    Edits: 01/19/25

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