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The myth of "best" in audio needs to be addressed by all of us

After spending a year and half deeply immersed in audiophilia (with so much enjoyable benefit), I've identified my tendency (seemingly share by many) to chase the fantasy of "best" in this perfectionistic hobby/pursuit.  It leads to obsessiveness, second-guessing, acrimony between audio tribes, and personal insecurity when reading these forums and all the reviews.  

But, thinking about it, how could there ever be a "best" component, cable, or speaker for listening to music.  This is a subjective experience!!! 

From a purely measurement/engineering perspective -- "best" could mean a lot of things (but they don't automatically mean more enjoyable sonics). 

In listening and enjoying music, there is no "best" -- only "favorite".  And even "favorite" can change -- it certainly has for me.  I've gone back and forth multiple times on all sorts of gear preferences. You can like what you like, you don't have to defend it, and nobody should mess with it!

Anybody else want to fight the harmful myth of "best" in audio?
redwoodaudio
photon46
1,076 posts
 
Like others have already said, experienced listeners know there's no such thing as "best" and a component's excellence or lack thereof is partially dependent on system and room context. Our cultural media environment encourages dumbed down and simplistic views of every complicated and nuanced issue, audio isn't any different. 
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
1,989 posts
 
Class A, Tannoy, a tubed phono stage, and vinyl "IS" the Best! 😁
At least in my little itsy bitsy world.....
flatblackround's avatar
flatblackround
279 posts
 
MC dislikes this notion because deep down inside he knows that he owns the best and makes it even better with MC certified tweaks.   This is the only truth.  The reason his friends “best” stereo sounded like crap is because MC played his CD, contrary to his continuous crusade against all sources digital.  I am surprised MC owns a CD.
testpilot
895 posts
 
There is no universal best.....just a best for you.  
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,783 posts
 
@testpilot Here's a weird thing about the idea that the only "best" is "best for you." I thought my system was the best I had heard. Then I heard someone else's, then one at a store. My friend said (nicely), "Your system is good, but mine is better." He was right. Better for him was better for me, too. So, the notion that "best" is a completely personal standard was refuted, right there. But maybe "true" is only "true for me"? I don't think we want to go there, truly.
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