I can disprove "Oxymoron" in one simple experience. The time I went to see Cheap Trick, with the little drum set player, and my ears rang for three days afterward. And that was an outdoor concert. I could clearly hear the little drum set along with the rest of the instruments and vocals.

Some of you guys may have infinite time to spend here, but I have to do things like work, go on trips to AES meetings, etc.

I'm not sure why anyone who doens't want to pick a fight thinks that there is disagreement.

The drum set stuff simply does not understand how hearing works, sorry.

And yes, having harmonics is an artistic part of instruments, otherwise music would be boring. Yes, harmonics increase loudness of the instrument. Yes, guitarm amps are overdriven AS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS (and this is quite intentional, artistically driven, etc, so what's the problem).

As to designing speakers to be analytic, well, do you want to hear what the producer intended or what you want to hear? Take your choice.

ETA: The "loudness war" goes back beyond 30 years, back to the change from clavichord to harpsichord (increase in loudness) to pianoforte (increase in loudness AND expression).

One of the marks of a Strad is its ability to put out a LOT of energy vs. some other instruments.

Etc.

The war has been going on for a long, long time, but only lately, I think, has it become detrimental. This actually happened with 45's in the 1950's and 1960's, and is happening again with CD's now, partially due to the domination of the CD manufacture business by people who only consider the 3-month short-term.

Another goddamn whining John Cougar.