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

Hi Roberjerman, hey I’ve got even a better one. Now get a load of this one.

Delusional: a couple hundred thousand guys buying $500.00 amplifiers in $10,000.00-$50,000.00 chassis. Now that’s a good one. LOL oh oh I have another one. This is a hoot so hang on. I heard this one the other day. Guys buying $10,000.00-$250,000.00 speakers and (get a load of this, this will kill ya) and putting them in a living room, against the wall with (I’m not joking, I swear to God I'm serious lol) with a huge equipment rack in between them. Oh man there’s a million of em.

you said it oh man delusional is right

But I got 1 more, you’ll like this. It’s one thing that these guys were fooled into buying these $500.00 amps for 25 grand lets say, but when they get these amps home, they look at the front cover and there is only a volume control. $25,000.00 and only a volume control? Shoot I’m no fool, if it’s me I’m taking it back and getting the rest of my amp. lol

Oh geeze now that’s some funny stuff.

mg

roberjerman
"You can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish" said by some rock band whose name escapes me at this moment (NRBQ?). LOL!

>>>>Was it Hot Tuna? Country Joe and the Fish?
They are 'tuning' the atmosphere with methane. : )

Restore 'balance' with seaweed tweaks?

Though written in partial jest, I did have a point...which supports one made here by some...that solutions are out there and being open to exploring the possibilities is rewarding.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/people-and-culture/food/the-plate/2016/11/seaweed-may-be-the-solu...
Trivia time.

You can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish was actually the title of an album by Reo Speedwagon. No idea if they were first to use that phrase but there you go.

Now I will be leaving this thread as MG is quite right, I have no place here as I will never be walking HIS walk by HIS terms.

Just an example.
I returned home late last night from my daughter’s graduation and after having had to deal with real live people all night(yuk!), I plonked myself down in my fave sofa, turned on my music maker and just drifted away to heavenly sounds and relaxed.

Now if tuning involves moving blocks around under components, opening up covers and snipping cable ties around caps etc to optimise each recording then I am never climbing on that bus and freely admit it.
Anything of that nature would have taken all the instant gratification and relaxation out of last night.

Please note I am not saying that MG tuning is not real or has its place and gets results, it is just not for me. But good luck to all who walk that path in all sincerity.

I will stick to just being a tweaker.

So long and thanks for the fish!
Sorry, dudes and dudettes, listening to music is not really a hobby. It may be enjoyable and you may do it frequently and you may do it for long periods of time sometimes but it’s not a hobby. Any more than watching Model trains go around the track is a hobby, without building the tracks, painting the train cars, the scenery, town, adding automation, whatever, etc. The audio hobby means rolling up your sleeves and actively seeking good sound, and better sound. Unless you believe audio is a plug-and-play experience. In which case you’re not in the hobby anyway. Or if you wouldn’t be more entertained by better sound. In which case you’re not in the hobby, either. A hobby should be active, interactive. But maybe this a a good definition of hobby for some of you,

“A hobby is something to keep you busy and stop you from getting into mischief.”