Learning To Listen
I’m frequently astonished when I hear the description of a soundstage by someone who really knows what he’s talking about. The Stereophile crew, Steve Gutenberg, and countless others hear—or claim to hear— when one violinist’s chair is out of line from the others and when the percussion players were forced into the bathroom because the studio was full. Issues like where the mices were placed, who stood where, and where the coffee pot was located are child’s play for these guys.
Is it “mices” or “mikes?”
This seems to be a skill, like juggling, which one could learn with a little knowledge and a little practice. Some of the super listeners have said as much. But search though I might, I can’t find the key to the kingdom, the door to the fortress, the . . . all right, I’ll stop beating that particular horse.
But if someone could point me to the Cat In The Hat, The Horton Hears Who, the McGillogoty’s Pond of the subject you would have my eternal gratitude.
Is it “mices” or “mikes?”
This seems to be a skill, like juggling, which one could learn with a little knowledge and a little practice. Some of the super listeners have said as much. But search though I might, I can’t find the key to the kingdom, the door to the fortress, the . . . all right, I’ll stop beating that particular horse.
But if someone could point me to the Cat In The Hat, The Horton Hears Who, the McGillogoty’s Pond of the subject you would have my eternal gratitude.
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- 35 posts total
A PhD thesis that seems right on point. Note that in the abstract, of all places, the author notes that he’ll be using “vector base amplitude planning” so it may be a slog. http://lib.tkk.fi/Diss/2001/isbn9512255324/isbn9512255324.pdf |
As I see it, there are three possibilities why this “journalist” sees precision that I can’t even begin to grasp: 1) My $3,000 system doesn’t buy me admission to this phenomenon, 2) It’s all BS, 3) I lack knowledge or understanding that the “journalist” has. It could be a combination of all three. Your system, but more likely, your setup of your system may not be capable of some of the described phenomena. The audiophile world is filled with hyperbole. Sonic differences are typically described as dramatic and not subtle. Finally, the better reviewers have heard far more systems in more circumstances than the average audiophile. It's possible that they have truly heard something that you have not. Some even have the writing skill to describe it. Regardless, learn what you can, but don't take it too seriously. Let me use this story, possibly true, to illustrate. A sports writer for a Philadelphia newspaper is in a bar early in the evening and spots the music critic falling down drunk. That night Ormandy is premiering some classical work and the music critic clearly is not able to attend. The next day the sports writer picks up the paper and reads a detailed review by the music critic of the Orchestra's performance. The sports writer searches out the music critic and asks him how could he write such a thorough review of a performance he didn't attend. The critic replied, "I'm a writer." |
I’ve been helping a friend get into the hobby lately. He doesn’t have very good listening skills, but his system is getting more transparent. I’ve found it’s easier to start with the differences between speakers when getting him good listening experience. Then later on he’ll have a better foundation for listening to amps, dacs, cables. Speakers can be so dramatically different it really makes it easier. |
- 35 posts total