After attempting to read this discussion, I got a hangover now.
The Audio Science Review (ASR) approach to reviewing wines.
Imagine doing a wine review as follows - samples of wines are assessed by a reviewer who measures multiple variables including light transmission, specific gravity, residual sugar, salinity, boiling point etc. These tests are repeated while playing test tones through the samples at different frequencies.
The results are compiled and the winner selected based on those measurements and the reviewer concludes that the other wines can't possibly be as good based on their measured results.
At no point does the reviewer assess the bouquet of the wine nor taste it. He relies on the science of measured results and not the decidedly unscientific subjective experience of smell and taste.
That is the ASR approach to audio - drinking Kool Aid, not wine.
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Here’s a very nice Tom Martin review of the Perlisten speaker. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leL1vXcKhZw Think we all know how Perlisten speakers tend to measure, pretty freaking good. But, i’d like for a reviewer to be articulate the sound of it as good as Tom. He isn’t even 'selling' anything in this review, he tells ya who it may work for and who it may not work for.. Is the ASR Reviewer (Revel/Harman dealer/sales guy, Madrona Digital) capable of doing such a review? There are speakers that measure and sound better than Harman trash, but, he’ll find a way to diss them...gotta worry about Madrona Digital sales...not to mention that he sounds like a water bottle with a hundred holes. |
Still trying to wrap my head around the need for a scale to tell me I gained 10 lbs. so, perspective is a thing, I guess if you weigh 250 lbs, 10 lbs might be gained un-noticed. Going to wine, what is your perspective? taste and flavor or getting tipsy? you have to admit, some people drink wine with the purpose of getting their buzz on, so taste is not as important as the alcohol content (measurable). They may not want to spend the $ needed for the bouquet of flowery bliss and head straight to the 5 buck chuck or even Thunderbird - it gets the job done... Comes down to what YOU are there to enjoy. Measurables only measure what you are measuring - sounds like a Zappa line - If you can't measure it, like flavor, it becomes opinion and other opinions always influence your opinions so the opinion is clouded because of your unique perspective. Ok, maybe I need to go back to work. |
Here’s my issue with ASR Several years ago when building a stereo system I discovered ASR who strongly recommended the Benchmark line. I purchased their DAC, Pre and Amp. While I found I was mostly satisfied with the result. Then after a few years I became dissatisfied with how clinical the sound seemed. I particularly was not happy with how the upper mids and lower treble were presented and found them somewhat bright and up front. So eventually over several months I replaced the Benchmak units. When I posted on ASR that I found an amplifier that sounded much better to me than the Benchmark (the Accuphase P4600) I was told there was no way any amp would sound better than the Benchmark since it tested perfectly. I was imagining it. I had convinced myself it was better since I spent the money. I told them I had compared several amps to the Benchmark (Bryston, Mac, NAD) using my speakers and DAC and the Bryston and Accuphase were noticeably superior. They refused to believe it and basically told me I was delusional. Seemed pretty rigid in thinking. Refused to believe any amp would noticeably audibly perform better than the Benchmark in my system. Seemed a little cult like to me as there are some there that can be quite hardcore. |
ASRs whole approach of anything that measures bad sounds bad, and the inability to describe how things sound or what people prefer sometimes - is a nonstarter for me. It all comes back to what people hear and what they enjoy most, and no metric tells us this very well. The human ear/brain is sophisticated, and enjoys a lot more than todays graphs demonstrate. I believe today’s sensors and tools fall short, by a lot. ---- Tube amplifiers are known for their "euphonic" distortions, which can add a pleasant warmth and richness to the sound. Tube amplifiers tend to produce even-order harmonic distortion, which is more musical and pleasing to the ear. Even-order harmonic distortion means that the distortion components are harmonically related to the original signal, creating a sound that is perceived as fuller and more natural. This type of distortion can enhance the listening experience, especially for musicians. I’d rather ask a musician what they prefer. |
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