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Audiophile Fakery

I recently became aware of a trend in the auto world and I'm wondering if there is an audiophile analogy.

The sound of a revving engine says something primal to those who know and appreciate such sounds. The rumble of a V-8, the whine of an in-line four, that 12 cylinder growl and of course, the Harley heavy metal thunder. The newer, smaller and more efficient engines simply don't make these sounds and the auto makers have found a way around what they perceive as a problem. They simply fake the sound and run it through the car's audio system. Sometimes the engine sound is digitally synthesized and other times it's actual engine noise run through mechanical or DSP processors and then amplified. The list of manufacturers that engage in this sort of fakery includes BMW, Ford, Lexus, Volkswagen and Lotus.

I don't know if there are any high end audio equivalents of this practice, but could there be?

How about a preamp with half a dozen tubes prominently displayed, but when you examine the signal path the tubes are all bypassed. Or maybe a loudspeaker with a ribbon supertweeter that's not connected. A 160 lb. mono power amp with 120 lbs. of lead shot concealed under the circuit board. If these products existed would they be fakes or are the manufacturers just giving the people what they want, or at least what they think they want?
128x128onhwy61
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"I don't know if there are any high end audio equivalents of this practice, but could there be?"

I don't know of any, but I know who the car companies can call. I've read many AG posts that praise Robert Grost from Unity/Cerious audio. I'm a fan myself. He's a very talented designer. Its hard to believe, but he use to work for GM and was in charge of making a Corvette sound like a Corvette. The only thing is, he had to do it the hard way, for real. No running it through the stereo system. If you ask him, he'll tell you.

So just when you think the high end industry is fake, remember that when you buy a Corvette, the liquid ceramic cables go in your home audio system, and not your car.
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swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I don't recall the manufacturer but there have been some tube products on the market in the past where the tube had no apparent or audible function. As far as the "fake" engine noise, what happens when you turn the stereo off?
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,283 posts
 
the tube on the peachtree is gimmicky. it actually makes things sound slightly worse. many uniformed "audiophiles" actually think they have a tube pre amp.

czarivey, would you take that 2.0 in your subie over the 4.5 v-8 in the Ferrari 458? if so, meet at the flag pole after school.
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,283 posts
 
oh, btw, I initially thought this was a thread for an audiophile bakery and I got all excited
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