Avoid Direct Comparisons

The reason for avoiding these two terms are simple - both are subjective assessments. Here are the Stereophile glossary terms again, but with some key points in bold:

Accuracy - 

The degree to which the output signal from a component or system is perceived as replicating the sonic qualities of its input signal. An accurate device reproduces what is on the recording, which may or may not be an accurate representation of the original sound.

Musical -

A personal judgment as to the degree to which reproduced sound resembles live music. Real musical sound is both accurate and euphonic, consonant and dissonant.

Musical and Accuracy is really a proxy war of objective vs subjective, but argued under a different guise by bending the definition of the two words. Accuracy is often portrayed as objective while musical is often classed as subjective on the Internet. Note however the above definitions consider both to be subjective. Twisting one word and then turn them into a debate is pointless because the original goal posts have moved.

You may have sat on the sidelines and observe these debates, perhaps even participate in some of them. Nonetheless you should get an impression that people in the accuracy camp consider themselves “objective". Others who do not fit their opinions are cast as the musical group, something “subjective".

This form of label taunting creates an imaginary made up quasi caste system where one camp is made out to be ‘better’ or ’superior’ to the other is. If our kids are doing this in the playgrounds, we would say it’s name calling and they should stop. Yet we are doing exactly the same thing, on the Internet playground. This has got to stop.

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