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Perception

I’ve been very happy with my system lately, since I added new speakers and a new amplifier.  I felt it was totally balanced and almost anything I played on it sounded good.  Then a friend came over who had greatly admired my previous system configuration.  This friend owns decidedly mid fi audio equipment  and listens mostly on headphones.
 In short, he didn’t like my current system.
Now, I’m starting to listen to my system through HIS ears and have wondered if it was a mistake to upgrade.
I don’t know if this is a question of perception or weak-mindedness.
So much of the enjoyment of our rigs is in our head.  The system didn’t change.  My perception of it did.
 I now have to fight off his perception and get back to my own.
 I don’t think I’m a unique case. So much of what we perceive in audio is controlled by our psyches.



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rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
My larger point with this post (other than my friend’s opinion) is how our perception of sound can be influenced by outside factors.
 I’m sure many a system has been modified by a bug in the head of a perceived flaw that does not necessarily exist.  In other words, extraneous factors can go into the appreciation of an audio system.  
Sound is such an amorphous thing.  One day we can love our system, the next day, hate it.
 I just believe that’s one of the bugaboos of being an audiophile for a lot of people.
If that’s not you, more power to you.
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nonoise
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nonoise:"Not that I needed a reason to eat cheese, now I have an excuse. Thanks for the link."

Hello nonoise,

    I don't mind you eating all that cheese, either. It's all that cutting of it you're constantly doing that bothers me.

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Think how bad it would be if I had 4 stomachs and a cud to chew.

All the best,
Nonoise


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geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

rvpiano OP
My larger point with this post (other than my friend’s opinion) is how our perception of sound can be influenced by outside factors.

>>>>Danger! Danger! Memory buffer register limit exceeded!!
snapsc
676 posts
 
Purely from a psychological standpoint, it is much easier to create doubt than affirm correctness. 


My system is for my enjoyment... it’s job is to emotionally engage ME. With this this in mind, I NEVER ask guests if they want to listen or what they think. 


If they request a listen... fine... I will “play requests if possible”... but I still don’t ask for an opinion. 


And, this has never been an issue... I’m guessing less than 1% of guests care enough about audio to even ask... which you might expect would be the polite thing to do.... show interest in your host???
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mahgister
13,102 posts
 
I just make an experiment that modify the imaging of my speakers from the place I listen to them, with a little copper bell and 2 pieces of stones(shungite+herkimer diamond) suspended from the center ceiling of my audio room; if I ask for someone opinions I invite sarcasm and scepticism... My experience and listening are guenine for me, for others they are at best placebo and illusory...
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