Audio tip for aging male audiophiles


Frequent viewers on the Audiogon forum have the opportunity to read many, many suggestions on how to improve the sound of their audio systems. As a rule, the suggestions are directed at the general membership. Well, I can't resist starting 2002 with a suggestion for fellow 'philes who are -- how do I put this delicately? -- closing in on their golden years".

One of the best "tweaks" I have found for for improving the sound I hear (as distinct from improving my system) is (trumpet salute...): trimming my ear hair!

If you think that this public suggestion reflects a total lack of good taste, or that references to personal grooming habits are totally inappropriate for such an august forum, please consider: excess ear hair blocks the transmission of high frequencies to the inner ear.

Come on, guys, you all know you've seen gaffers with shrubs sprouting from their ears! If you happen to be an older audiophile with hirsute ears, then try this simple experiment: listen to a recording with good high-frequency content, then trim your ear hair and listen again to the same recording. I'm willing to bet money that you'll quickly hear a difference.

Yes, there's a story behind all this. For Christmas 2000, my wife gave me a "gag" geezer gift: a battery-operated, Conair ear and nose hair trimmer. Initially, I was offended, but when I actually used the trimmer and got rid of the excess ear hair, I noted a distinct improvement in the sound I heard from my audio system. During the past year, the trimmer has become a regular part of "tuning" my personal audio system.

So, a word to my fellow, older audiophiles: lose that ear hair and hear what you've been missing. It may be the best, low-cost "upgrade" you can make to your system at this point in life!
sdcampbell
This year is getting off to a great start! I see the whole gang is back, and in extra rare form. Thanks for the cheep tweak SD. Also thanks for that post on the Snow White DVD. That one would have probably slipped by me had you not mentioned it. Great stuff, what a classic!

I trust we will be getting more words of wisdom in the days ahead. Enjoy the time off, I'm sure you'll be back to work before you know it:~)
You guys think that adding a little or not trimming too much would soften the effects of these 2 bit ic's
Wow!,...what a boatload of great information. I was so excited about the ear-hair thing,...that I went to a local salon and had my ear-hair waxed! I'll admit it was a little painful, but the added highs and "air" from my vintage Bose 901's (the silver signature series) is just amazing.

Another inexpensive tweek that has been very helpful in getting rid of dust and static in and around my entire system...has been to spray my two cats with Endust(reg. tradmark of the Johnson Wax Company, Racine, Wi.) every morning. They roam the house all day,..and when I come home and stack up some Mitch Miller LP's on my BSR with the Shure M44e, the ticks and pops are much less than before I started doing this "low cost up-grade".
Be sure to use denatured alcohol when cleaning your ears with Q-Tips. Plain alcohol tends to bring out a rather acidic tone in the upper mids.
You guys jinxed me! I was crunching away on my vitamin(grape BTW, which is my favorite) this mourning and my ear popped it really hurt!