Hearing ability changes over time and not everyone hears music the same. If you take on of those detailed hearing examinations in an enclosed soundproof room you will see that your hearing has gaps.
it is scary. This is a good reason why equalizers are needed. not only for room correction, but more importantly, for personal hearing.
The problem comes when the equalizer is installed and set up for your hearing preferences or gaps and someone else comes over and listens and to them it doesn't sound quite right.
I'm pretty sure that I don't hear the highs quite as well as I once did. My Krell KBX crossover has adjustments for that. But, not quite as good as a decent equalizer.
I remember ages ago when I was interested in a pair of Martin Logan Sequel II speakers, I set up an appointment at Christopher Hansen in LA . Naturally they had to set up the system so I and my friend waited in another room. Well, that room had top of the line Goldmund Apologue (I believe) speakers, Mark Levinson 23.5 amps, Goldmund top turntable, etc. I brought my own music and just had to hear this system. Well the salesperson told me that it would ruin my ear for the speakers I wanted to demo. I didn't care,
This was the first time I heard the artist step out of the speakers. I closed my eyes and could see where artist was on the stage, the piano, the bass player, etc. It was amazing.
it didn't ruin my ear at all. In fact it actually helped me obtain a reference point for what reproduced music should sound like. That was my first venture from mid fi to real high end and I've not looked back.
Glubson: I saw the Mercedes S560 at the LA auto show. What a car!!! Definitely not a Versa.
enjoy
