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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
jf47t
116 posts
 

Hi Prof

We live in a cool place just off the strip on the edge of the Arts District in Vegas. There are 4 audiophiles and a few other musicians that all live within a few feet of each other. This whole area is basically an entertainment hub and Vegas is pouring a lot of money into making from Sahara to downtown one giant arts center. Lots of music playing all the time and when MG moved in we all got systems and it's been one big listening party ever since. Many times MG doesn't even lock his door folks come in and jamm out, it's a cool hang. It's gated of course with good security. It's been nicknamed TuneLand on the Strip. I think MG's going to put in a tunable room here which will probably be open to anyone.

jf47t
116 posts
 

Hi Glupson per whole cd as the engineers usually make each full playback source a package. Some best hits you will find the song have different settings but for the most part if you tune to the LP your good to go. It’s very much like adjusting a turntable slightly per vinyl. Or you can set the tune to one particular sound and leave it till you want to make a change.

You say not for you? OK next time you change out an amplifier think about it. Or as far as that goes anything in your system. Tuning is much more practical and easier than HEA plug and play and you end up with better sound and sound the way you want it on your whole music collection.

Beats the heck out of never quite being content with a piece of music or a piece of gear. One system and your done. Pretty appealing to me. Oh and for about 1/5 the price. Not for you? That’s cool no harm done.

futility? More like hobby saver!

jf47t
116 posts
 

Hey guys gotta go. Have a great and safe night!

Jay

glupson
7,842 posts
 
jf47t,

I am far from being a rabid audiophile and understand that people have different passions and desires to dedicate effort and time to something. However, I find it hard to believe there is any significant number of people who change amplifiers for different CDs. Maybe once, twice, while playing with it on some Saturday afternoon, but on a daily basis it cannot be true. I would expect that most of the people have their amplifier and play music through it after pressing on/off button without doing much else. I may be wrong about it, that is definitely true. It may be possible to change sound by whatever means tuning works, but to do it even for each CD seems like a lots of work and time.

Out of curiosity, what is the price you quoted as "1/5 the price"? Many people have very expensive equipment and some do not. That Bell Curve is so huge that I really do not have an idea about a ballpark figure.

"Not for me" is not that important although you guessed it right. Still, I would like to once hear what it is all about. Maybe I get impressed. More important is that I still think that having to make continuous adjustments is at least time-prohibitive for many who would otherwise be interested. Maybe, if someone would invent auto-tuning room that changes automatically based on the recording properties, the world of tuning would take off.

If there are really no bad recordings, why do they sound bad through the headphones? There should be no room issues involved. It is pretty inconvenient to tune/tweak ear canals.
prof
3,526 posts
 

Does anyone else here think it unreasonable to ask a Michael Green devotee how the Tuneland forum would react to a post with the character of the one Michael made here?

I doubt it.

Is anyone here, at this point, surprised that a Michael Green devotee evaded, evaded and evaded again answering this reasonable question?

I doubt it.


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