clearthinker
I think you may be missing the point of my analogy. There is no objective or final measure or determination as to the correctness or incorrectness of the opinions of others as to certain audio issues.
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?
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@chcook, I like the title of your post, especially your comments quoted below. Because I share this 'philosophy'. ---> KISS I don't care too much about (..............). I care how it tastes. If I like it, and the value proposition works for me I purchase it. I will just have to rely on my ears with the helpful advice and experience of others. I fully recognize that this will always come with inherent confirmation bias, but as long as I am enjoying what I hear I can live with that :)
A 'live' example: Right now, I am listening to music from active bookshell speakers (Edifier 1380BD). I am sure, from an 'audiophile's' point of view, there are one million reasons why I should not (even must not) like the sound coming out from these speakers. However, right now, I like it very much. I could switch to my others, more costly stereo setup. And it would sound different (well, most certainly better). But I do not see the reason why to do it. Because for now, I like what I hear. And I do not question the 'why'. I am pleased/happy right now. For my, that is what counts. Because I want to have such moments on the plus side in my life. Certainly, this could be (over)discussed in a separate tread 😉 Greetings to all eagledriver
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@eagledriver_22 ....*G* Yup.... In the final analysis, at the end of the day... ...is the end of the day. And what made it through it... ;) |
@pmiller115 Certainly you are entirely correct when it comes to subjective judgements. My father used to say 'comparisons are odious'. I don't know where he got that from,and it isn't heard much today, but should be. |
clearthinkerYour father was and is right, This hobby would be ever more boring if everything was uniform without subjective judgments and choices coming into play. Nevertheless, from the first part of my post, even though I have no objective proof chocolate IS far better than vanilla! |
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