2. headphones
  3. 168196-159850

So how much do you think the placebo effect impacts our listening preferences?

My hypothesis is that for ~%97 of us, the more a headphone costs the more we will enjoy the headphone.

My secondary hypothesis is that the more I told consumers a headset cost, the more they would enjoy the phones. i.e. a $30 headphone < $300 headphone < $3,000 headphones <<< $30,000 headphones.

I’m willing to bet that if I put the kph 30i drivers in the focal utopia’s chassis and told participants in this fake study that the phones cost $4k.... Everyone except for the 3%ers would never guess something was up. The remaining 97% would have no clue and report that it was the best set they ever heard.

Then if I gave them the kph30i and explained it was $30. 97% of people would crap on them after hearing the same driver in a different chassis.

My ultimate hypothesis is that build quality and price are the two most important factors in determining if people will enjoy a set of headphones. This how I rationalize the HD8XX getting crap on when only 3 people have heard it and publicly provided their opinion lol. "It’s a cheaper 800s, of course it’s going to sound worse!"

mikedangelo
mastering92
870 posts
 
@sokogear

We're not arguing about headphones or speakers. I enjoy sharing my impressions with others and learning new things as well. So many awesome posts here!

@mahgister 

Thank you for explaining the reasoning behind the concrete slabs. While I have not seen this type of application before, I must say it's a unique way to achieve better performance. Perhaps your application is superior to a common speaker stand. (and also much more cost effective). 

High internal loss characteristics may also be improved by added weight (on or below the speaker). Resonance and vibration control could also be positively impacted. I can see how this would help with performance.

Likewise, thank you for your posts. All the best with your system and any upgrades you make in the future...Your posts are appreciated.
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
@sokogear 

You said, ...


"I can't believe you guys are arguing if speakers are better than headphones. They are DIFFERENT and do different things.

I don't know anyone who prefers headphones unless they either have no decent stereo or can't play music out loud because it annoys someone."

Didn't you just contradict yourself there? 

unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
984 posts
 
In my view, emotions are to blame for much - maybe most, maybe all - consumer decision making in ways that are largely subconscious. 

The placebo effect is emotion driven. 

It is inevitable that decisions get made about the purchase of any and maybe all products that are driven by factors intrinsic to psychological projection of personal needs and desires as opposed to any objective assessment of the characteristics of the product itself. The task of the consumer is to keep that process to a minimum, the task of the advertiser is to inflate the process, and the placebo effect is one of his or her tools. 

Happy listening. 

theaudioatticvinylsundays.com
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
In my view, emotions are to blame for much - maybe most, maybe all - consumer decision making in ways that are largely subconscious.

The placebo effect is emotion driven.

It is inevitable that decisions get made about the purchase of any and maybe all products that are driven by factors intrinsic to psychological projection of personal needs and desires as opposed to any objective assessment of the characteristics of the product itself. The task of the consumer is to keep that process to a minimum, the task of the advertiser is to inflate the process, and the placebo effect is one of his or her tools.


well said, and spot on imo
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
...any objective assessment of the characteristics of the product itself.
But here's the problem.  You can have a mental checklist of things you want the component to do, and how well it does each one of them.  But the response to music is at least 50% emotional, which means that a large subjective element is going to come into the evaluation.

The trick is to keep separate the emotions inspired in you by the music played by the component, and other emotions you might have about the company, the advertising, the attitude of the dealer, and a host of other factors.

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