How do you judge audio components and speakers?


I would say - listening to music you're familiar with, and comparing. We can talk about tight/bloomy bass, midrange clarity, treble extension and things of that nature. We can also be very specific with regards to how a particular track is supposed to sound; based on high-performance gear that we were able to experience - but only if it purports to be accurate without sonic colorations. Therefore, I guess you could say we have a reference point. This part is what I would consider "objective performance." 

Along with this, measurements go hand-in-hand.

On the other side of the coin - subjective performance is how we "want our systems to sound." If the vocals are too bright or sharp, if snares or unpleasant sounding instrumentals ruin an otherwise good song, it's usually because the system is too accurate. So high-end audio is about chasing an ideal that doesn't exist in reality - but in the minds of audiophiles who are seeking a very particular kind of sonic presentation that bodes well with their music library as a whole....giving you just enough detail to keep you interested, while at the same time having a sense of realism, presence, and imaging that makes the speakers dissapear. We are seeking the illusion of a live performance.

 

The above are just my points. Feel free to share what you think. If you think I'm wrong, I don't mind. 

 

Cheers.

 

Jack

 

jackhifiguy

How to judge audio equipment?

Solely on the looks.

Just kidding. Although ... I bet quite some equipment choices get based on that.

To judge a system is largely subjective. Some like vocal jazz, some like hard rock ... they may require completely different setups.

I think @electroslacker nailed it ... if it makes you smile and feel good, then the sound is good (for you).

Oh, and reviews. I guess most of us read reviews before buying? Even though it’s a non ideal way to judge if I will like the sound, I want to know what others think of a product. I once bought a pair of earbuds solely based on reviews. Every review said they have incredible, actually unbelievable, sound for their price. I got myself a pair and guess what? They make me smile every time. Their price? Incredible indeed ... $7,95.

 

I finally looked at Mahgister’s system pictures…I am deeply concerned!  

I am not surprized that people judge on look...

It is not my actual system be the way... I know i could not post Helmholtz resonators made with cardboard rolls, straws. and plumbers pipes... 😁😊

This page is not my actual acoustic room...

Sometimes the post we put on the air described us...

My virtual page is a mirror...

Be concerned!

I finally looked at Mahgister’s system pictures…I am deeply concerned!

 

Don't lose your cold, I'm just bustin' balls.  (See I just did it again!)  And you only BB people you like.

You post a lot about what people don't understand about room acoustic that you've figured out.  Plus how misguided others are to spend so much money when your successful methods are dirt cheap and more effective.  Wouldn't a few pictures help others get to where you are?

 

 

I Am not an acoustician, but i know enough after my successful experiments to know what really matter in audiophile experience... If someone dont want to threw his money...My posts are only here to motivate some to play with simple no cost acoustic experiments...

The others will do what they do best : consume price tags...

This virtual page dates back to my beginning and many people mocked my experiments because of low price and ugliness of the no cost materials i used to...I am not crafty and no one explain how to do it...I read about acoustic not in audio sites, they dont explain what to do... The most useful information i read about was a research paper by three japanese acoustician about the use of reflection to create a better LEV/ASW ratio...They dont propose concrete way to use them in small audio room but it is not a mystery to figure it our with experiments... It was fun... Way more than throwing money on costly upgrades... it worked and i go on with that... i study how to create Helmholtz resonators after that  with books and net images... Etc Acoustic passive materials treatment is the first thing to do for sure...it is very well known this part... Mechanical adjustable  acoustic active control with resonators fine tuned is not well  known but you can tame all small room easily with that...

 

My acoustic experiments are from the last 2 years mostly...

it is meaningless to post images of hundred of devices...Why? To be mocked ?

Any people with a brain are able to figure out Helmholtz method and devices... The materials used has no importance , only their mathematical RATIOS and location matter...

Anybody with a brain can use psycho-acoustic basic fact and use a foldable screen in conjugate relation with the 2 speakers (a) and (b) for the ear A and the ear B, in a timing way with some acoustic cross talk and some acoustic crossfeed to create an intimacy rivaling any headphone...

Anybody can experiment with Schuman generators...

Anybody can learn how to clean in a simple way the electrical noise floor...

Anybody can learn how to decrease resonance and vibrations at low cost...

this is what i experimented to, at peanuts cost, because esthetic was not my concern...

My advice is simple:

dont upgrade anything BEFORE control installed in mechanical and electrical and acoustical dimensions..

 

And anyway no room need the same treatment and no one has the same freedom and will and time to experiments...

My second advice: try simple experiments at no cost, listen and learn...

 

I let this virtual page for those who judge on appearance.... 😁 i

But i will not add cardboard rolls, straws , hundred of tubes, and plumber discarded tubes to be mocked by people who dont want to understand acoustic and pscyho-acoustic..

Simple...

my best to you...

 

 

Don’t lose your cold, I’m just bustin’ balls. (See I just did it again!) And you only BB people you like.

You post a lot about what people don’t understand about room acoustic that you’ve figured out. Plus how misguided others are to spend so much money when your successful methods are dirt cheap and more effective. Wouldn’t a few pictures help others get to where you are?