An audiophile dilemma

It's annoying to see this straw-man debate over and over.

Yes, there is often an audible difference between two pieces of equipment. But, we're all human and therefore our perception is influenced by non-audio factors. These include visual aspects, brand, comments from others, our mood, surroundings, and so on.

Both factors are always present to some degree. That's why "enormous" differences often shrink substantially when the non-audio influences are removed or reduced.

Our ego, however, likes to think our own perception is the penultimate standard. This often leads people to belittle those who don't hear as they do.

The problem with non-audio influences is the subconscious factor that heightens one person's perception may be meaningless or even a negative for another.

So, yes, you should buy what you like and not someone else's preference. Then enjoy it, but don't expect the world to bow before your sublime and sophisticated taste.

Let me give you some additional information: I'm an owner of Soundlab A-1 PX speakers. Prior to the Soundlab I had Dunlavy SC-V's.
So I'm quite familiar with "high end sound".
I know you can't compare apples to pears but I have heard with my own ears how the JBL PA speakers sounded. They sounded unlike the typical PA speakers. Yes, they are capable of sounding loud and dynamic but they also have a natural sounding treble and midrange (although the bass is a bit murky in my ears, but this could be related to room acoustics).
I would like to say that even PA speakers can sound excellent today even when audiophile criteria are being used.
I feel that the gap between this kind of speakers and the real "high end" ones is closing. What do you think?

Chris

09-14-12: Rok2id

'Once you stack them side by side with great stuff though, you can hear the deficiencies.'

Only if you can see the equipment, will you be able to 'hear' the imagined differences / deficiencies. Put everything out of sight and NO ONE can tell or hear a difference. Not wanting to revisit this 'sensitive' subject, except that there might be new people here who do not know the history of blind testing. I am primarily speaking of electronics.

You have to be joking. I don't have to see what amp is hooked up to know what it sounds like. Out of sight, out of mind... LOL.

A lot of blind testing was done with a strange system, and in a strange environment. That "Carver Challenge" years back, would have had totally different results if it was done in their home, and using their own system, in my opinion.

09-14-12: Rok2id

'Once you stack them side by side with great stuff though, you can hear the deficiencies.'

Only if you can see the equipment, will you be able to 'hear' the imagined differences / deficiencies. Put everything out of sight and NO ONE can tell or hear a difference. Not wanting to revisit this 'sensitive' subject, except that there might be new people here who do not know the history of blind testing. I am primarily speaking of electronics.

You have to be joking. I don't have to see what amp is hooked up to know what it sounds like. Out of sight, out of mind... LOL.

A lot of blind testing was done with a strange system, and in a strange environment. That "Carver Challenge" years back, would have had totally different results if it was done in their home, and using their own system, in my opinion.

'YEah Rok2id, we are actually all just pretending to be able to hear any differences'

AHA!! just as I have always suspected!

And don't trash YORX, I plan to upgrade to a YORX system one day, once the kids are outta college.