Audio Science Review = "The better the measurement, the better the sound" philosophy
"Audiophiles are Snobs" Youtube features an idiot! He states, with no equivocation, that $5,000 and $10,000 speakers sound equally good and a $500 and $5,000 integrated amp sound equally good. He is either deaf or a liar or both!
There is a site filled with posters like him called Audio Science Review. If a reasonable person posts, they immediately tear him down, using selected words and/or sentences from the reasonable poster as100% proof that the audiophile is dumb and stupid with his money. They also occasionally state that the high end audio equipment/cable/tweak sellers are criminals who commit fraud on the public. They often state that if something scientifically measures better, then it sounds better. They give no credence to unmeasurable sound factors like PRAT and Ambiance. Some of the posters music choices range from rap to hip hop and anything pop oriented created in the past from 1995.
Have any of audiogon (or any other reasonable audio forum site) posters encountered this horrible group of miscreants?
it is not about expertise nor a defensive reaction to scientific explanations. If I hear more detail, I hear more detail. Simple as that. Calling that delusional is wrong. The assumption that I really don't want to learn is incorrect. I learn everyday. From diyaudio, Agon and ASR. I am an open minded engineer. Maybe iIt is difficult to accept that some people have better hearing skills. Other people have beter measuring skills.
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@prof, I think you misunderstood some of my points. Starting with the basic assumption that, for example, power cables can sound better, that should be something that is objectively measurable. If it cannot be, why not? I personally have heard differences between cables - not all, mind you, but some. Logically that should be measurable. I heard a sonic improvement when I added an ARC REF6 instead of going DAC direct to amp, although that was counterintuitive to me. That difference should be measurable too. But ultimately, assuming that measurements do not show any difference, does that mean that I am imagining a difference or we have not developed a methodology to test differences in soundstage,for example. I am pretty sure that I am not imagining things, but always open to confirmation bias. That is why I ask the ultimate question: If it doesn’t measure differently, does that mean ipso facto that there are no sonic differences? |
@prof I admit that my friends and I are either lazy in your opinion or don't care to measure/take scientific accounting of why our equipment is sonically different from other equipment (cables, tweaks included). We don't care when we feel it is better/more enjoyable. If the change is worse, we unplug and disown it. I read measurements when available. One of ASR's long time members writes how he loves Von Schweikert speakers and now owns the VR5. I don't recall many published measurements of his past or current speaker (or any of the VR5). There are several published reviews sans measurements. That didn't stop him from purchasing it and loving it. |
Whichever side is the one that believes they are right and the other is wrong. It varies by the individual regardless of ideology.
A new Camry is a better car in every measurable way than an old bathtub Porsche. I know which one I’d rather own. A new iWatch keeps better time in every measurable way than an old Zenith chronograph. I know which one I’d rather own. A new cello or guitar is likely more “accurate” than one from 250 years ago (cello) or 50 years ago (guitar). I know which one I’d rather listen to.
I don’t need or desire to convert anyone to anything. Those that do are attempting to do so for another purpose. |
