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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's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
I agree with twoleftears. Suggestibility is insidious.
rvpiano's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rvpiano OP
2,666 posts
 
geoffkait,

That is what I have in mind.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
That’s what I am gathering. That’s called superstitious. Problem solved! 🤗
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,887 posts
 
External factors abound in audio life but as time passes, one must develop a thick enough skin to shrug it all off. 

Whenever my choices were challenged or disputed, my first reaction was disbelief. After hearing what others considered the correct sound, my reaction turned to relief. Relief that I was right all along.

Yes, I've heard better systems but they were over 10X the cost of my system. So, in the context of what I know and how it accounts with my wants and situation, I'm very content now and not subject to others criticisms. 

This reminds me of that old Devo song, Freedom of Choice and this passage:

In ancient rome there was a poem
About a dog who found two bones
He picked at one
He licked the other
He went in circles
He dropped dead

All the best,
Nonoise



mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,102 posts
 
Auto suggestion is an important factor in the perception process...if you make a move introducing some new factor in the room or the audio system, you enhance your normal perception process "per se"...Independently of the action, real or ficticious of the new device or factor introduced, perception is always enhanced in abnormal situation...Superstition is only the artificial re-enactment of this original scenario when something new is introduced that make an improvement for perception ….
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