[bob]

On Jan 25, 2:18=A0pm, "Arny Krueger" wrote:
"bob" wrote in message

One reason that's been suggested is that they are
optimizing for the earbud listener, not the owner of a
good in-room audio system.

I wonder if people are talking about what they don't understand. In gener=
al,
good quality IEMs perform not that much unlike good speakers.

I don't know how one would optimize SQ for good quality IEMs without also
doing a good job for loudspeaker listeners.

Who said anything about "good quality IEMs"? I said "earbuds." Think
also boomboxes, cheesy "computer speakers" and factory-installed car
stereos.

If that's what you think the bulk of your intended audience is using,
then at the very least it seems to me you can be a lot less careful
about the sound quality of the final product. Certainly realistic
spacial imaging becomes a whole lot less important. You can either
live without the subtle details or crank them up till they're not so
subtle anymore.

Now I can't say whether that's really a factor or not. Maybe they just
want those 30-second streamed samples to sound as loud as possible so
people will hit the "Buy Me Now" button.

bob