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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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nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,887 posts
 
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.

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

All the best,
Nonoise


geoffkait's avatar
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???
mahgister's avatar
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...
bigkidz
3,390 posts
 
IMO I find that most people cannot tell what sounds good until one points out what the system is actually sounding like.  I also find that most people have not actually heard enough to understand what makes a system sound the way it does and how to change it for the better.

I was at recently at a friends home and we swapped in another piece of equipment.  The other people there right away said I like that better.  The person whose system it was said well I don't think that way and pointed out why he felt his piece sounded as good or better.

So I realized that his opinion is just that, his opinion.  I could have sat there and explained what and why but why bother.  Each of us likes what we like.  I don't need anyone to say anything different.  Go with what you prefer which could be a more warm musical system versus a more resolving system, etc.  It doe snot matter.  If you like what you are hearing and it makes you want to listen to music, then that is all that matters.

Happy Listening.
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