Why 'flat earth'? The term was originally used in a somewhat derogatory manner by many in the UK hi-fi press when the Linn / Naim axis that had dominated the industry during the 80s gradually began to loose momentum. It is used by those who like pretty sounding hi-fi that usually can't hold a tune or play in time, more of which later on. Things now have moved on to the stage where 'flat earthers' are rather proud of the term! How can we take offence? Our hi-fi actually plays music!
Linn and Naim both sold their hi-fi using the concept that the actual portrayal of music was the most important factor -- this brought forth the concept of the 'tune dem'. The idea is that in any A / B dem of two components, one usually allows the listener to 'sing the tune in their head' far easier than the other. This component is the better one, regardless as to how pretty the other may sound -- i.e. musical content over presentation. Now 30 years on it is hard to believe how radical this approach was, but bare in mind that hi-fi was then still being sold almost entirely on specifications. It is still sadly very often the case that an expensive high end audio system actually holds a tune far worse than a basic transistor radio.
The other key concept that both companies firmly believed in was 'front end first' i.e. that the source component is by far the most important element in any audio system. If the information is not there at the start it can not be brought back later, no matter how good the amplifier or speakers are. Garbage in, garbage out. With any budget the majority of cash should be sunk into the source components, it is absolutely amazing to hear what quite affordable amplifiers and speakers are capable of when fronted with a real heavyweight source. This is in my opinion unquestionably the correct approach to selecting a audio system that is enjoyable to listen to in the long term.
Far too much audio equipment sounds unnaturally pretty: Hi-fi systems that produce 'smooth' or 'liquid' hi-hats and cymbals are inherently wrong. Hi-fi systems that produce 'soft' snares are equally wrong. A cymbal is in effect a bit of sheet metal formed into a slightly conical profile that is repeatedly hit with a wooden stick... sweet, smooth, delicate... yeah right. A snare drum is a metal or wood cylinder with a taut tuned skin on the two flat ends, with a series of tensioned metal springs on the underside, picture this construction in your mind, now hit it hard with a wooden stick. Did you get a soft sound? Audio systems with great gobs of bass may at first seem impressive, but try following the actual tune the bassist is playing, or hearing how the bass line grooves in with the drums. Slow fat bass is wrong bass.
The mainstream hi-fi press seems to be in a very sorry state at present, lacking any real direction, consistency or continuity, and giving the impression that advertising revenue is the sole driving force. The ideologies and products portrayed within the glossy pages are for the best part questionable and often laughable. The qualities that seem to hold the most appeal to reviewers seem to have little or nothing to do with the accurate reproduction of music. Bland systems to play bland AOR music on would appear to be the order of the day. I'll have none of that round here thank you!
For more information on "Flat earth" google a forum called pinkfishmedia. [The above text is the forums manifesto!]
