Axiom Home Page Forums Thread Like Summary - How do you know it's better

When evaluating audio equipment and speakers by ear ...
How do you know what you perceive as "better", is really better?

Is what you're hearing a more accurate reproduction of the recording or is it one modified to your liking. Your ear-brain can say: "these guitars sound real", "this system gave this recording a presence I've never heard before" or "this speaker sounds better than that one". But can you tell if the equipment it's going though is accurately presenting the recording?

I know, Floyd Toole, did double blind testing on speakers and statistically we could tell ... but that's not the way most purchase equipment nor how we evaluations things we discuss on this board. So, given that ... how can we tell by ear alone?

For example if you take a recording which is less than perfect and put it though System A and it sounds a bit harsh but though System B it sounds great ... is System B better?

Perhaps B is distorting it, such as rounding off some harshly clipped peaks in the recording (which a tube amp would do if you ran it slightly into clip) and System A is reproducing it perfectly (clipped peaks and all)

IMO this is where measurements come into play as your ear can tell you if you like the sound but can't tell you if what was put in is exactly what is coming out. Most of us evaluate speakers by taking known recordings and trying to compare on them on different systems, usually by memory. Lots of problems with that IMO ... lots of places to be fooled ...

If System B is your reference ... what does that say for all that is evaluated against it.
What does that say for all your carefully picked reference material.

Just putting it out there ... (let the fun begin)

Love cheesy! That was rich nostalgia, evocative, beautifully written. You got a fan.

All these variables are what make this a great hobby or rather, lifestyle.

I totally agree with all the comments above.

But with anything that is considered subjective ( once we get past the initial and measurable science ) it all comes down to preference in the moment. There’s sooooo much more going on than just the measurable science. The vibrations for the woofers enter our ears and our brains react with chemicals and hormones / physiological responses that affect our whole body. Including memory and emotion. Amazing !!!

If I walk into an old barn or workshop and there’s country music playing quietly on an old single speaker on an AM radio station I go into full nostalgia of memory of my grandpa’s barn. It’s as emotional as a perfectly rendered symphony in a large space in full 24/192 on maybe the best system out here. Sometimes it’s quiet jazz in the dark with variable loudness engaged to allow fletcher munson curve work it’s magic. I guess that’s the beauty is that the music can transport us anywhere so to speak. So it’s subjective. I wouldn’t want to listen on a single AM band speaker all the time , I want it to be as close to the real thing as possible just like the next guy but it’s fun to be ok with it not being perfect. Sometime I play early 90’s rap and back the ports right up to the wall and drop the bass and treble knob both into the 5 o clock position, tint and boom! Just like my ridiculous truck that had dual subs back when I thought that was cool.

Anyway I guess we / I just need to define our goals and what is good for us and enjoy it. Sometimes it’s just the experience that is super fun.

I will admit though the most satisfying times I’ve had listening to music is definitely when the recording is superb and playing in a good quality system and the room is just working and I’m in the right emotional state and just smile and say out loud “ oh hell yeah !” And the goosebumps too!

Ha!! Glad you liked that. Not sure where those thoughts came from but that’s the heart of the matter for me anyway.

Don’t forget the old chisels left on the beaten up workbench The oaken handle, dark with years of sweat. The fractured metal top, with a tang of patina, cracked from years of peening.

Oh and it’s gotta be early 80s country playing as well.

Thanks for the compliment! I almost erased that post before sending it. Thought it was too cheesy.