Are we training our ears right?

This subject comes up a lot, and degenerates into questions about what the human brain/ear mechanism is capable of hearing.

I want to instead discuss what we should be listening for.

Too many of us (myself often included) treat audio gear as it's own goal. We train ourselves to hear differences for no other reason than to hear differences. I got started ages ago in motion picture audio. Think 1,500 seat auditoriums, not home theater. I was constantly paying attention to dust on the film and crackling in the surround. I often couldn't tell if a movie was good or bad because I was trying to clean the film or trace down equipment which was malfunctioning. It's a terrible way to enjoy movies.

Let us assume, for the sake of argument, that you can train yourself to hear differences in a fuse. WHY would you do that? How does that let you enjoy the 45th live recording of the Grateful Dead's Truckin' ? The neighbor who 100% cannot hear a difference in fuses is going to enjoy your stereo better than you can.

I'm going to argue that learning to listen to equipment this well is for manufacturers and reviewers. Maybe we are trying to outdo them, I don't know, but it's not a road that leads us to enjoying music, is it?

erik_squires07-10-2026 3:23pm

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mapman Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 23,663 posts 07-11-2026 at 12:44am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete It’s a habit for those like me who have been intrigued with hifi sound since its inception. A lot has changed over the years and there is good reason to stay on top of things. It’s a hard habit to break. Still, lots of different good sounds out there and worth while to understand how things work. Having said that some will take it to the extreme. If that’s what they like to do then more power to them. It’s a dying breed to an extent though. It’s just not as hard to get really good sound these days as it used to be. That makes the game even harder and that makes it even more of an obsession for some. In any cases it’s not hurting anyone. Have at it. Whatever turns you on. Being able to hear a Dead song done 30 different ways is an interesting endeavor. A very good hifi helps to maximize the enjoyment.
toddalin Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 678 posts 07-11-2026 at 04:28am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Ah, and I only put 27 profiles (3^3) in my crossovers. Guess I’ll just have to miss out.
bassbuyer Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 921 posts 07-11-2026 at 10:40am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Interesting post thanks. I believe critical listening when shopping for or comparing equipment sets me up for listening for pure enjoyment later.
jji666 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 665 posts 07-11-2026 at 12:35pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Is it possible both could be valid and simply represent dual vectors by which a love of music can be explored? I’m definitely a music first person, having just come off 2 back to back 4 hour drives listening to the standard system in my GMC truck. I was singing to the tunes the whole way back and never once was my thought "this doesn’t sound resolving enough." But that doesn’t stop me from getting up off the couch to change the DAC or the amp.
hilde45 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,054 posts 07-11-2026 at 01:13pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Why would a reviewer need to learn to listen that well if it was not pertinent to the listener?