2. tech-talk
  3. 176668-82576

Empirical Evidence?...the gap between subjective and objective

As a curious music guy without science background, I stand in awe and gratitude for audio's accomplishments in the last half-century.  From Julian Hirsch's "Stereo Review" to the here and now, Julian's measurements calling the shots vs "trust your ears."  I solidly embrace both camps.  Hard science gets us close, then the loosening of emotions in guiding us home.

Some years ago, I stood on a lower Manhattan Street corner, absorbing the cacophony.  Surrounded by moving objects, sirens, vendors, helicopters, humanity...how can 2 channel replicate this?  A distant friend with the pockets to chase high-end surround, smiles.   More importantly, how could that experience be measured and compared with any degree of accuracy?  "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence."  Thoughts? 

More Peace, Pin

pinthrift
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,579 posts
 

...and then there is this...

 

Cary Audio Design CAD-805 monoblock power amplifier Measurements | Stereophile.com

pinthrift OP
212 posts
 

russ69 ...

I made mention of Julian Hirsh in marking the beginning of the chasm among us.  Your word choice illustrates how that went down.  Other publications included specifications that to this day, prove useful for many.  

Pin

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,579 posts
 

Other publications included specifications that to this day, prove useful for many.  

The measurements in Stereophile magazine back up the extensive listening tests. Not like ASR who barely listens to the equipment. I carefully read the measurements in Stereophile and have been since Stereophile started taking measurements. However, I can stare at the numbers all day long but unless the product has major flaws the measurements don't tell me how the product sounds. On top of that I don't think ASR serves the audiophile community, it serves the mass electronics market. I have never seen a statement loudspeaker tested and every speaker JBL makes gets a recommendation and I have only heard a few huge JBLs that I might live with, the L200 being one of them. How do you measure, scale and power? Rear firing drivers? Room interaction (frequency response isn't the whole story).  Like Stereophile, I listen first. 

Post removed 
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,579 posts
 

I Studied under Julian.

Very cool. I read Stereo Review for decades, it wasn't until the underground Stereophile rag came out that I saw a different way, but I learned a lot from the old man. 

More to discover