2. misc-audio
  3. 148401-20253

Well maybe it IS my hearing

Hi everyone,
Lately I've gotten into some lively debates. One thing which I'm afraid we don't take into account enough is our own personal hearing. Truth is there's now way I can hear like I did when I was 20 something. So, quite likely I hear very differently than other A'goners. Just because I personally can't hear a difference in a power cable / tweak doesn't mean you don't. I don't make that claim. 

However I think it is also unfair to accuse me of having an agenda if I can't.


Lastly, if I can't hear a difference, the financial value I place on a more expensive tweak = zero. That's just the way my wallet operates. I'm not buying to impress others. My stereo is not my Mistress whom I must serve with more and more expensive shoes.  I just made her a very pretty red and carbon fiber and aluminum power and she's going to have to be happy with that.


I do take exception to over broad, fact less claims of performance however, or people working very hard to explain to me how wrong a person I must be if I can't hear a difference.


I think this is good for you as well. Buy what your ears tell you have value, and don't be swayed by crowds.


Best,
E
erik_squires
jrpnde
271 posts
 
All great responses except one....sfar. Take an audiogram taken by an audiologist of two people with exactly the same hearing ability. Then, take those two people to audition music equipment and music styles and see how much they agree on everything. Probably not a lot.
Sound and music perception and taste is so subjective that no real comparison can be made. Sure, really bad sound can be heard by most but aren't we splitting hairs when it comes to finite details as pertains to different individuals?

rrs711
3 posts
 
You can learn to listen.  Start with 
Critical Listening Skills for Audio Professionals https://www.amazon.com/dp/1598630237/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3qrWCbFY97CFX

erik_squires OP
16,908 posts
 
I agree with the perception issue.


As I've mentioned, we can learn a great deal from Machine Learning and Deep Learning about how perception is something we learn.

Do I really want to be the person who can taste a difference in $300 bottles of wine, or one who enjoys $30 every week?


We do that to ourselves a little too much.

Best,

E
jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,620 posts
 
Sometimes I wish my hearing was less acute.My savings account would be happier:)
prof
3,535 posts
 
bdp24,

Yes audiology test are, or would be, sobering for many.

I get tested pretty regularly.  I'm 55, can hear up to 14k.  (Good for my age, no doubt because I've worn earplugs for loud events since the 90's).    Slight notch at 4k. 


Still, it's surprising how much deviation people's hearing can exhibit while still allowing a surprising recognition of sound quality.  I have a musician friend who has some pretty bad hearing in one ear, and just ok hearing in the other, but he's able to hear and describe most of the relevant characteristics of different sound systems.


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