It's called suggestibility. The makers of adverts know all about it. Just a question of planting the seed of doubt, or the seed of lust (for something bigger and better). Different people may have different levels of resistance to it, but I don't think anyone's immune.
Perception
I’ve been very happy with my system lately, since I added new speakers and a new amplifier. I felt it was totally balanced and almost anything I played on it sounded good. Then a friend came over who had greatly admired my previous system configuration. This friend owns decidedly mid fi audio equipment and listens mostly on headphones.
In short, he didn’t like my current system.
Now, I’m starting to listen to my system through HIS ears and have wondered if it was a mistake to upgrade.
I don’t know if this is a question of perception or weak-mindedness.
So much of the enjoyment of our rigs is in our head. The system didn’t change. My perception of it did.
I now have to fight off his perception and get back to my own.
I don’t think I’m a unique case. So much of what we perceive in audio is controlled by our psyches.
In short, he didn’t like my current system.
Now, I’m starting to listen to my system through HIS ears and have wondered if it was a mistake to upgrade.
I don’t know if this is a question of perception or weak-mindedness.
So much of the enjoyment of our rigs is in our head. The system didn’t change. My perception of it did.
I now have to fight off his perception and get back to my own.
I don’t think I’m a unique case. So much of what we perceive in audio is controlled by our psyches.