Why Are We Breaking Our Brains?

A master sommelier takes a sip of red wine, swishes it around a bit, pauses, ponders, and then announces: “…. It’s from a mountainous region … probably Argentina … Catena Zapata Argentina Malbec 2020.” Another sommelier at a fine eating establishment in a major city is asked: “What would you pair with shrimp?” The sommelier hesitates for a moment then asks the diners: “What shrimp dish are you ordering?” The sommelier knows the pairing depends on whether the shrimp is briny, crisp, sweet, or meaty. Or some other “house specialty” not mentioned here. The sommelier can probably give good examples of $10 wines and bad examples of $100 wines. And why a good $100 wine is worth … one hundred dollars.

Sommeliers do not have a master’s degree in biochemistry. And no one from the scientific world is attempting to humiliate them in public forums for “claiming to know more than a little bit about wines” with no scientific basis to back them up. No one is shouting “confirmation bias” when the “somm” claims that high end wines are better than cheap wines, and well worth the money.

Yet, guys and gals with decades of involvement in high performance audio who claim to “hear differences” in various elements introduced into audio chain are pulled thru a gauntlet of scientific scrutiny, often with a great deal of fanfare and personal invalidation. Why is there not a process for “musical discovery” for seasoned audiophiles, and a certification process? Evaluator: “Okay, I’m going to change something in the system. Tell me what you hear. The options are interconnect upgrade, anti-skate calibration, removal of acoustical materials, or change in bitrate. Choose one.”

How can those with pretty “sensitive antennas” and years of hands (and, ears) on good gear convince the technical world that they are actually qualified to hear what they are hearing?

Why is it viewed as an inferior process for seasoned professionals to just listen, "swish" it around in their brains for a bit, and comment?

waytoomuchstuff03-01-2023 2:03pm

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whart Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,965 posts 03-02-2023 at 02:52pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Interesting thread. @jpwarren58 wrote: Have any published their hearing evaluations from a medical provider? Why not?" I know my hearing has degraded at the upper frequencies due to age (I'm close to 70), But I think my judgment of what sounds like real instruments being played is as good, if not better, than ever due to a couple of things- one, lots of seat time over the years, access and exposure to well put together systems and to a large variety of recorded music (not just the audiophile 'pap'). So, I'm not sure that measure is going to tell you much- especially since much happens in the midrange. Then again, I'm not a YouTuber and don't put myself out there as a guru. (I do write, mainly about historical records and obscurities and have deep interest in the field--though not consumer audio per se). I'm a big advocate for people hearing real instruments as a reference and learning to trust their ears. I think people can learn to be astute listeners and at a minimum, can evaluate by comparison, which is an easy way to make judgments. Part of it too is having access to a wide range of material.
hilde45 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,778 posts 03-02-2023 at 03:17pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete We have only crude words with which to communicate most of these experiences. Those are musical speakers. The sound is bright. The amp has punch. Etc. Add that lack of finesse with language to a plethora of other variables, and it’s a miracle we can communicate at all. That said, what experts -- professional or amateur -- can do is nudge. What do you like? How would you describe it? Try this. Try that. Consider this measurement. Consider this subjective review. Report back and let’s talk some more. Keep experimenting and keep talking. Maybe someone gets there faster with this kind of help.
waytoomuchstuff OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 975 posts 03-02-2023 at 03:27pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I'm so glad I'm a retired peddler and not a meteorologist. I could not have predicted the s---storm this has created. I'm just happy that I don't have an oscillating fan in the room.
wsrrsw Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 874 posts 03-02-2023 at 04:14pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Gimme That Wine By Lambert, Hendricks & Ross Lyrics My wife got tired a' me runnin 'round, so she tried to keep me home- Well, she broke my nose and hid my clothes, but I continued to roam. Then she finally hit my weak spot - threatened to throw my bottle out Well, from the basement to the rooftop, everybody could hear me shout... Chorus: Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle) (3 times) 'Cause I can't cut loose without my juice. Gotta have hot lucy when I go walkin' y'know. Well, one day while crossin the avenue, a big car knocked me down. While I was stretched out tyin' up traffic and crowds came from blocks around Now the po-lice were searchin my pockets, before they sent me to the funeral parlor, But when one o' those cops took my bottle, Jack, I jumped straight up and commenced to hollar Chorus: Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle) (3 times) 'Cause I can't get well without Muskatel I only drink for medicinal purposes anyway Well, now, one real dark and dreary night as I was staggerin' home t' bed, Well, a bandit jumped from the shadows and put a blackjack 'side my head. That cat took my watch, my ring, my money, And I didn't make a sound, but when he reached 'n got my bottle, you could hear me for blocks around Chorus: Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle) (3 times) Beat m' head outta shape, but leave my grape. Watch, ring and money ain't nothin' but don mess with my wine, JIm. Well one day my house caught fire while I was layin' down sleepin' off a nap An' when I woke up everything was burnin' with a pop an' a crackle an' a snap. Now the fireman chopped up my TV set and tore my apartment apart, But when he raised his axe to my bottle, I screamed with all my heart... Chorus: Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle) (3 times) So I can drink one toast before I roast. No sense goin' out half baked, Might as well be Alll tore up You can take all those Hollywood glamor girls- Lana Turner, Rita Hayworth, Bridget Bardot, n' Lucille Ball, and all them chicks 'n line 'em upside the wall Put a GIGANTIC jug beside 'em, n' tell me to take my choice. Well, there'd be no doubt which one I chose, the minute I raised my voice. Chorus: Gimme that wine (Unhand that bottle) (3 times) Well those chicks look fine, but I love my wine. Now some folks like money, some like to dance and dine, But I'll be happy If you give me that wine
bolong Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 368 posts 03-02-2023 at 04:35pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Everything is vibration. Get over it or get into it. Most fascinating journey I have ever been on.

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