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The myth of "best" in audio needs to be addressed by all of us

After spending a year and half deeply immersed in audiophilia (with so much enjoyable benefit), I've identified my tendency (seemingly share by many) to chase the fantasy of "best" in this perfectionistic hobby/pursuit.  It leads to obsessiveness, second-guessing, acrimony between audio tribes, and personal insecurity when reading these forums and all the reviews.  

But, thinking about it, how could there ever be a "best" component, cable, or speaker for listening to music.  This is a subjective experience!!! 

From a purely measurement/engineering perspective -- "best" could mean a lot of things (but they don't automatically mean more enjoyable sonics). 

In listening and enjoying music, there is no "best" -- only "favorite".  And even "favorite" can change -- it certainly has for me.  I've gone back and forth multiple times on all sorts of gear preferences. You can like what you like, you don't have to defend it, and nobody should mess with it!

Anybody else want to fight the harmful myth of "best" in audio?
redwoodaudio
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,001 posts
 
@mijostyn - my point is that "best" in audio is impossible, given the subjectivity involved. There is no "best." Even with all the optimal measurements involved, my "best" will differ from yours. It’s a flawed concept, a myth, that serves only to keep up insecure in our pursuit.
You are right...

The best cannot be established by measures in electronic design ONLY like some pretend nor mainly by  pricing....It is an illusion at best and blinders at worst....

The best in audio is determined by a ratio: S.Q./price...

I own one of the best system if i use this infaillible criterion....

The S.Q. is defined by the qualitative presence of the main acoustical factors: imaging, timbre perception, soundstage, listener envelopment and source width mainly...If they are there in a relatively satisfying way at low cost the goal is reached....

And it is my sole criterion....
redwoodaudio OP
413 posts
 
I can think of one counter-example to my above screeds. The AM/FM tuner. There has to be a "best" in terms of picking up radio frequencies with most clarity, precision, and sensitivity. All measurable and I arguable, I'd imagine. Other parts of the audio chain, I don't think the same applies. 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
FM tuners ?....nope....MR-85 measures better than my 1965 Mac in every parameter you mention, except sound quality.... You will get a host of arguments on FM tuners.... There are probably ten that have achieved cult best status...Dynalab, Sequerra, Mac, Schotz, Tandberg.....I could go on...
redwoodaudio OP
413 posts
 
@tomic601 I take it back, I'm no tuner expert 
keegiam
731 posts
 
redwood & Tomic;
FM tuners. How amazing was FM so early on? Yep, we learned long ago that good measurements aren't necessarily predictors of the best sound.

A friend recently mentioned he still has his Magnum Dynalab - hoping to hear it soon.
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