2. misc-audio
  3. 148401-20253

Well maybe it IS my hearing

Hi everyone,
Lately I've gotten into some lively debates. One thing which I'm afraid we don't take into account enough is our own personal hearing. Truth is there's now way I can hear like I did when I was 20 something. So, quite likely I hear very differently than other A'goners. Just because I personally can't hear a difference in a power cable / tweak doesn't mean you don't. I don't make that claim. 

However I think it is also unfair to accuse me of having an agenda if I can't.


Lastly, if I can't hear a difference, the financial value I place on a more expensive tweak = zero. That's just the way my wallet operates. I'm not buying to impress others. My stereo is not my Mistress whom I must serve with more and more expensive shoes.  I just made her a very pretty red and carbon fiber and aluminum power and she's going to have to be happy with that.


I do take exception to over broad, fact less claims of performance however, or people working very hard to explain to me how wrong a person I must be if I can't hear a difference.


I think this is good for you as well. Buy what your ears tell you have value, and don't be swayed by crowds.


Best,
E
erik_squires

Showing 2 responses by prof

prof
3,436 posts
 

Erik,

Wait...you mean you experienced personal attacks just by daring to question accepted audiophile dogma about items like power cords?

Welcome to the club.
;-)

Agreed.  People should buy what they like.

We also shouldn't feel personally aggrieved if someone else doesn't immediately accept what we ourselves believe.   The first things an aggrieved audiophile will attack are the old "ears or gear"  - "well, clearly you don't have the acuity to hear real differences" or "you must have substandard gear."  
prof
3,436 posts
 
bdp24,

Yes audiology test are, or would be, sobering for many.

I get tested pretty regularly.  I'm 55, can hear up to 14k.  (Good for my age, no doubt because I've worn earplugs for loud events since the 90's).    Slight notch at 4k. 


Still, it's surprising how much deviation people's hearing can exhibit while still allowing a surprising recognition of sound quality.  I have a musician friend who has some pretty bad hearing in one ear, and just ok hearing in the other, but he's able to hear and describe most of the relevant characteristics of different sound systems.


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