What % of your listening is 'critical' listening?

I listen to the radio - mostly Radio Four - for hours each day of non-critical listening.

I never listen to music unless I have a span of uninterrupted time to give it.

Listening to Radio Three concerts can be the best. In a way it is the closest approach to going to a concert.

Listening to recordings is different in that they have all been listened to many times, and so the "critical" aspect is hardly ever significant. It is just listening to the music in a semi-meditative way without the sometimes disruptive element of spontaneity that can mar live concerts. Only recordings never listened to before can bring the surprise element.

I find that listening to a known performance from a recording has the advantage that the performance cannot surprise me, and disrupt my connection with the music itself.

Replay can have some real advantages as one gets closer to the composer's thoughts when not surprised by a performance.  Of course this requires a first class performance, but most of the greatest music has by now benefited from superb recorded performances that fit the music well.

I find that if the replay is as fine as the performance being listened to, then the replay aspect recedes below the level of being noticed. Same with a great and fitting performance. Neither the performance or replay have to be perfect, which is just as well as no replay is and the best performances of any music are always in the future, but I am lucky that the quality of replay and performance are such that I can listen to the music I love without any distraction inherent in the method.

So I would say that all my music listening is one hundred per cent of the type called serious, or critical listening. And it brings the greatest pleasure I know in life. Only the telephone can destroy the time!

ATB from George

It's an interesting topic.

For me it begs the question whether too much time can be spent getting caught up in analysing the hi fi kit and its shortcomings / strengths, which recordings sound good, which don't and why, rather than simply forgetting the equipment and enjoying the music.

I guess the correct answer is that the right kit allows you to do so.

Almost none. Maybe a few hours after an upgrade.

The majority of my listening at home is concentrated, in other words for the sake of listening rather than background etc but it is nothing to do with analysing the system. If the 'system' gets in the way of the music it is failure to me. 

Bruce

I do a lot of critical listening (as in listening without doing anything else), but it's almost always critical to the music and not to the stereo. 

Once in a while when something in my system no longer feels right (usually my speakers), it detracts me from critical listening, and it's at that time I turn to forums like this one for assistance.

None.

I'm done with critical listening. And it's a good place to be happy in the knowledge that no matter what I'll play, the reproduction will just be about the music. However I actively listen to music.

Not being smug, just say'n!

It is clear to me that "critical listening" can be interpreted as listening with completely undivided attention to music [as I did], or it could be as for listening to the replay system in a fashion where the listener is able to review the replay system with a hifi-critic’s ear!

If it is the former fashion - listening to music - then I am a 100 per center as I suggest in my post above.

If I find myself listening critically to the replay system, then I'd call that a replay system a complete failure, as Bruce suggests. It amazes me that people are able to dissect the sounds of their replay and delve with precision into the differences between, for example, vinyl and digital, and yet never mention the musical significance of these differences! I know people who find the differences in various replay systems fascinating, and have been treated to the various cartridges in various arms on various turntables in quick succession, and I rather watch paint dry. It is such a boring thing for me. especially as it frequently involves listening to the same music over and over again - sheer madness! Get a good replay set that gets out of the way and listen to music, is my philosophy.

The most successful replay I have ever had is what I currently have. It arrived and I was immediately immersed in the music! I tried to describe the sonic effect and was unable to as it has nothing notable about it at all. Entirely not impressive in any way at all.

Incidentally, I have posedt extremely rarely, and can see no reason to ever post again, in the What Are You Listening To Now thread, as I am absolutely certain that no one is remotely interested in what I may have listened to in the preceding hours!

ATB from George

I should have been clearer - I meant critically listening to music, not the hi-fi per se. G

Between 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock each morning after dropping the wife at work.

I would agree with that about 80%. I find I need to create the time and place to appreciate what I'm listening to. Somewhat perversely I enjoy music most when I feel I have worked hard and 'deserve' some time with it, but then I was brought up to eat my greens first!!

I would say that it's most probably 50%, as that's the time I am really listening to music as the main activity. The rest of the time, the music is a background for other activities... With sparks of critical listening.

100%.  If I'm not 'listening critically' then I'm not listening, I'm hearing.  Two different things.

But I'm only human and I do like a bit of Davis and Hancock in the car.  Those two can really get me into trouble on narrow Norfolk roads. 

similar her Bert

I would be interested to hear what you are listening to G. So would many others I suspect. I love that thread - other people's listening is a source of endless fascination for me (and others on the forum) - it can also be the inspiration for the start of a musical journey of one's own.

+ 1 what Kevin said.