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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


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glupson
7,842 posts
 
geoffkait,

Did you buy Grado 80 after not-so-long-ago mapman's recommendation to you to upgrade from SR 60, or you had had them before that and he was incorrect in assuming you had SR 60?

On a more important note, what model of Panasonic CD player is it that you have and why did you decide on that one?
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
As fate would have it they were Grado SR-80s the whole time. Duh? You were probably napping when I mentioned it earlier somewhere. As fate would also have it, I picked up brand sparking new Grado SR-60s just three days ago for $5 which I’ll be using for my portable cassette player. Once I get rid of the abominable ear pads and foam, of course. What was Joe thinking? See, there’s my perception of sound thing again. 

Thanks for asking. 😬 Questions, you have questions? Shirley, there must be some others.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,202 posts
 
Grado sr80es are very easy to drive and are amazingly detailed and revealing especially for their paltry price. Can’t do better perhaps in regard to being able to listen into the music for <$100. I use them mostly with portable devices (ipad, Iphone) and often but not always  with Chord Mojo DAC/amp which tends to up the game of most things it is used with.






glupson
7,842 posts
 
mapman,

Thanks for the explanation. As fate would have it (I hope that is not copyrighted), I attempted to listen to SR-80 at the store that was so noisy that the only thing I was able to conclude is that they do not isolate from the store noise that well.

geoffkait,

I must have been in deep sleep when you mentioned about SR-80. I apologize for redundant question and am thankful for answer.

However, what Panasonic CD player do you have? And, while we are at it, what Walkman?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,202 posts
 
Grado SR80e is open back.   You can hear everything around you and others around you can hear them.
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