An interesting demonstration

As a mental exercise can you do it all at once? I certainly can not.

Nobody can do it all at once ...But the point is the ability to do it is there not all at once but in an ongoing process...

I can't do it at once. I move through the various modes.
Thanks, Mahgister. Interesting ideas, there.
I think the hifi podcast guys, Darren and Duncan, also remarked on how you can tell a room/gear setup sounds good from out in the hallway. That's an interesting indicator of how sensitive we are.

Have a conversation with someone at a party, in a noisy room.

There is no problem paying perfect attention to what is being said.

We can easily isolate the details.

Put an Omni directional mic in the same room,, record everything and then try and pay attention to a singular discussion.

Good luck.

We are hardwired to listen for specifics. So what?

Watching a tv with static, if it is something we want to watch, we will keep watching, and eventually not notice the static any longer. So what?

Guess there is no need/reason to audio gear anymore…

@nonoise , no, I would say we are down to wishful thinking and reality.

mahgister, did you mean, "trunk" of an elephant? 

Somehow I have to get through to you guys that listening to the sound and listening to music are two separate things. You can listen to sounds other than music like Gun shots, baby's crying, 18 wheelers passing by. an MRI machine, an F22 flying over, etc. When I am listening to music I am not analyzing the sound. You can switch back and forth. I usually listen to the sound at the beginning of a record as a short analysis of the quality of the recording. Once I have that down and maybe make an adjustment or two I'll settle back and enjoy the music. If a new instrument or voice comes in I might analyze it for a second then settle back again. What I or anyone else for that matter thinks of the sound is totally different from what I think or anyone else thinks of the music. Just listen to any Robert Johnson recording. Pretty bad right! Ah, but the music is another story. 

mahgister, did you mean, "trunk" of an elephant?

Thanks for the correction mijostyn ...

You read my mind or i spoke very bad english or the two....





When i worked for these last years creating my audio system and room, my only goal was to reach the day when i will listen music without be bothered by the sound... Mission accomplished !
I dont paid much attention now to anything pertaining to gear or audio matters... I like to discuss with friends here but i only am marginally attentive to new audio matters....

When I am listening to music I am not analyzing the sound.