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Talk but not walk?

Hi Guys

This isn't meant to start a fight, but it is important to on lookers. As a qualifier, I have my own audio forum where we report on audio issues as we empirically test them. It helps us short cut on theories and developing methods of listening. We have a wide range of systems and they are all over the world adding their experiences to the mix. Some are engineers, some are artist and others are audiophiles both new and old. One question I am almost always asked while I am visiting other forums, from some of my members and also members of the forum I am visiting is, why do so many HEA hobbyist talk theory without any, or very limited, empirical testing or experience?

I have been around empirical testing labs since I was a kid, and one thing that is certain is, you can always tell if someone is talking without walking. Right now on this forum there are easily 20 threads going on where folks are talking theory and there is absolutely no doubt to any of us who have actually done the testing needed, that the guy talking has never done the actual empirical testing themselves. I've seen this happen with HEA reviewers and designers and a ton of hobbyist. My question is this, why?

You would think that this hobby would be about listening and experience, so why are there so many myths created and why, in this hobby in particular, do people claim they know something without ever experimenting or being part of a team of empirical science folks. It's not that hard to setup a real empirical testing ground, so why don't we see this happen?

I'm not asking for peoples credentials, and I'm not asking to be trolled, I'm simply asking why talk and not walk? In many ways HEA is on pause while the rest of audio innovation is moving forward. I'm also not asking you guys to defend HEA, we've all heard it been there done it. What I'm asking is a very simple question in a hobby that is suppose to be based on "doing", why fake it?

thanks, be polite

Michael Green

www.michaelgreenaudio.net


michaelgreenaudio
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
prof
Viva La Revolution geoff!

You go girl!

>>>>>Start the revolution without me.

How is work going on your new scientific paradigm?

>>>>I’m already at least two paradigms ahead of you so what’s the difference? A sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from voodoo.

I’m rooting for you, but in the race to overthrow staid and dogmatic science, there are so many others bidding to tell us science is wrong for not validating their theories.

>>>>>I realize you haven’t been paying very close attention but I actually use real science to validate my theories. Can I help it if English majors shrug their shoulders? I am the King of Science and the King of Pseudo Science. The only real question is, why can’t there be more like me?

>>>>Looks like the Flat-Earthers are are getting their message out a lot more effectively, and they seem pretty good at making videos, so maybe time to up your game?

>>>>I don’t need no stinking videos. All the tired horses in the sun, how’m I gonna get any riding done? 🐎
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prof
3,535 posts
 
glupson,
I typed a detailed reply to you, but my computer froze and lost it.Taking with it a bit of my soul.
I will have to regroup....and get back to you.;)
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Update:
 
I lost one of the rocks...

Instead of mourning my loss & having pity-party, I placed the remaining rock on top of my amp.  Immediate SQ improvement.  More to follow on that shortly.. 
drewster88
4 posts
 
Often we don't know what we don't know. Yes it's a cliche but that's because there's much truth in that statement. In my 30+ years as a self-defined audiophile and committed recorded music listener, my listening awareness has grown by listening to and hearing things that I didn't know existed or were possible. I've had many systems and listened critically to many different components and tweaks, controlling for other changes in those listening sessions. As I gained more listening experience, my preferences often changed as well. I enjoy knowing the theory behind a design, but I rely on my ears to tell me if it works for me.

About 30 years ago I purchased a set of Michael Green Audio RoomTunes corner tunes. They are the only piece of audio gear that I have held on to until the present and still use. From that purchase I experienced first hand the importance of room acoustics to the sound of my system, and learned that I had the ability to tune the sound of my room if I desired (which I did). I have engaged in the MGA forum and learned and tried recommended cost-free tweaks that had substantial valuable effects in my systems. I've used other RoomTune products as well with great success. Michael's overall approach is to have each part of the audio reproduction process from the source to the room be tunable if possible, just like the musical instruments that produce music. This certainly makes sense to me logically and intuitively, and has been shown effective many times over in my systems throughout my experience as an audiophile. Also, folks on that forum actually discuss and show what they did and how it works for them in their individual systems and if you want to you can get input on your system there too from Michael and other members.
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