I think for some people "complex" is just another word for "muddy". As far as "colors' are concerned my tech said something like "all good pianos change color as the dynamic is increased". It may very well be true that Steinways do this to a greater degree than most other top tier pianos.
Although I phrased the above as statements, I'm interested in other people's opinions on them.
Several years ago I suggested here on the PW forums that someone make a CD recording of the various "classic" grand piano sounds, i.e. the "Steinway" sound, the Yamaha "bright" sound, the so-called "European" sound etc.
Playing the same samples of music, with the pianos mic'd identically.
This would be for people who do not have access to all the well-known brands to get a grasp of what people are talking about.
Because using words to describe nuances of piano sound/tone is like the old saying about "dancing about architecture"...i.e dancing does not explain architecture, and words regarding piano sound characteristics have no common exact definition understood or accepted by all, so they do not clarify much...words such as "color" or "complex" or "woody".
For that suggestion, I was hooted down by some expert, and the suggestion ignored.
I still think such a CD would be helpful, and I would certainly want one.
