The myth of "best" in audio needs to be addressed by all of us


After spending a year and half deeply immersed in audiophilia (with so much enjoyable benefit), I've identified my tendency (seemingly share by many) to chase the fantasy of "best" in this perfectionistic hobby/pursuit.  It leads to obsessiveness, second-guessing, acrimony between audio tribes, and personal insecurity when reading these forums and all the reviews.  

But, thinking about it, how could there ever be a "best" component, cable, or speaker for listening to music.  This is a subjective experience!!! 

From a purely measurement/engineering perspective -- "best" could mean a lot of things (but they don't automatically mean more enjoyable sonics). 

In listening and enjoying music, there is no "best" -- only "favorite".  And even "favorite" can change -- it certainly has for me.  I've gone back and forth multiple times on all sorts of gear preferences. You can like what you like, you don't have to defend it, and nobody should mess with it!

Anybody else want to fight the harmful myth of "best" in audio?
redwoodaudio
I once stopped and ate at a burger joint that advertised itself as "The World's Best Burger."  I went in with a 'Show me' attitude.

It was, in fact, the world's best burger.

Go figure.
Thanks for your responses so far.

Rather than “best,” what if designers, manufacturers, and dealers were better at really describing what their products actually sound like?  Would that have to mean acknowledging imperfection in some areas?  The death of hype!  Sign me up!

Anybody already doing this?


I have gotten my system to sound better and better. Wouldn’t the limit of “better” be “best”?
@redwoodaudio 
Rather than “best,” what if designers, manufacturers, and dealers were better at really describing what their products actually sound like?  Would that have to mean acknowledging imperfection in some areas?  The death of hype!  Sign me up!

Benchmark Media does this and even says some people may not like their approach. The articles with these quotes are in the APPLICATION NOTES of the BM web site.