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System psychology, or just psyched out?

After reading through these forums a bit, listening to what some people have to say about their systems and given my own experience, I have noticed something of a pattern:
People generally like their systems.

Now my question would be is this for psychological reasons, or purely objective?

What I mean is, after we buy something and own it we usually become comfortable and accepting of it which may affect our judgement of it. We become accustomed to and familiar to our systems, and regard it dearly and would not wish to part with it... We have a pride of ownership.

For example, I met a guy in the hi-fi shop who said he loved his Totem Mani-II speakers, but that when he first heard them he wasn't really overly impressed by them, they were simply the best he could afford. But now, he loves them and is completely satisfied with their sound. I know that speakers need to be broken in and played in your usual listening environment for a satisfactory audition, but I also think that other psychological factors like pride of ownership, familiarity and comfort with the product, etcetera, play a role in the level of enjoyment and opinion of the sound.

Now don't mock me here, but my RCA home theater in a box system along with my Bose Acoustic Wave music System(you know, the big stereo box) gives me great enjoyment when listening to music. Playing CD's from my cheap $40 Cyberhome DVD player, the sound has good, not great soundstaging and depth along with decent, good stereo imaging. Also the sound is pretty clear, certainly not the best earth challenging sonics, but still nice. I actually think my system costing just over 300 bucks, 1500 if you count the Bose, which I guess you must although I got it for free from my uncle, he owns a pawn shop, sounds better than the 20, 50, 80, 100 thousand dollar rigs I hear at Audio Lab, my Hi-end shop. Don't get me wrong, I know there's better sound out there, and I want to upgrade which is why I go there(Audio Lab), but I do enjoy my modest setup immensely.

So what's the deal? You think if people heard their own system blindfolded they would be so thrilled, or does the fact that they own it influence their views... and ears?

Oh well, just a thought I had about systems and speakers, what about you?
audio_obsessed_novic
shoe
204 posts
 
When I turned 20 ( Long time ago ) I bought a brand new motorcycle. I liked it but was not all that impressed with it at first. Then after a few months I found out how well it cornered, how fast it could go up any mountain and how quick it accelerated. It had four cylinders and was painted a dark, dark maroon with a thin blue accent around the gas tank, crome everywhere. Comfortable and smooth it was. I learned how to ride as if I were part of it. After buying some expensive tires for it the love affair was on.
So it's the same for quality audio. Every now and then I find a component or a recording that's much like that motorcycle, being everything you expect and more. Then I can sit in my living room and experience many of the same feelings I used to get on a warm clear day with the wind in my hair.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
You had me thinking right up to where you said you heard 20,30...up $100K systems that yours beats. :)

My brother has almost same stuff as you and he loves it, while my dad and I scoff about how it sounds in a way I admire him for being able to enjoy music without the money, effort, space, and trial and error that we have went through, but I also feel sorry for him because boy does it sound like ....well you know.
The Blindfold wont fly around here, many buy with their eyes and will never allow themselves to be taken in by anything cheap or mass market, mentally they are hung up on what they feel hi-end should be. Most times that gear doesnt compete so it rarely is an issue and Ofcourse there is pride of ownership, what would be the point of all this if we had no passion for getting the sound we want and enjoying the equipment?
I can remember much cheaper and simpler systems I had that I think I enjoyed more from time to time, maybe it was the simpler time in life, youth, pride in what you could afford but there are times I miss that old gear and the way it gave me such pleasure.
In closing I hope part of you never looses that enjoyment of music that doesnt cost an arm or a leg and that upgraditis never hits you...but you are sticking your feet in the water here, and if you like it you may just jump in head first, when that happens god help you!
tiger
313 posts
 
Maybe it is the law of first impressions. The first system that blew me away was a Klipschhorn and Mac electronics, in a mono system. It is like a first love, you never get over it. So, years pass and I've had many systems, including the K's and the Mac's, but funny, they all never sounded as good as the 'first'. Something going on here?
markphd
667 posts
 
I agree with what you say.

There is no objective "best" or most "true to life" equipment/system. If there was, then it would soon be recognized as such and everybody would own one, or aspire to own it. In the absence of an objective "best", preferences become personal and reside in the realm of psychology.

On the constant "upgrade-itis" that many people have, I believe that it is part of the innate curiosity of human nature. We seek new adventures and experiences and discovery, .... to boldly go where no man has gone before. Now where did I hear that phrase before? :-)

I am also reminded on the existentialist philospher Kierkegaard, who described a type of person who is never satisfied, who constantly seeks something better.

In view of this, when you say that your system of $1500 sounds better than the multi mega-buck rig, I think that what you are really saying is that you find your system more satisfying. Also, any improvement in performance that is in the more expensive system is not, in your view, worth the extra money. This is the economist's concept of marginal utility, which also has a psychological component.

Your comments identify yourself as a music lover more than an equipment lover, or some combination of the two. That's fine. We're all different. Be happy with what you are and what you enjoy. The mere fact that you raise these issues makes me wonder if you are having self doubts due to the influence/opinions of other people on the forum. Enjoy what you enjoy, Don't feel that you have to conform to other people's views or buy into other people's opinions as to what you should purchase in order to fit in with the gang who reside here. It's another psychological effect at play here when you do that. Enjoy your music. Read the forum. Learn new things and hear other opinions. Don't worry whether other people agree or approve.

This is getting way too heavy. Any good ball games on today? How about them Yankees eh?. It's only a matter of time before the Red Sox fold.
sns
3,005 posts
 
Folks, what we have here is a 1st degree Wizard, anyone who has the ability to delude themselves a $1500 system sounds better than 100k systems certainly is in posession of great magic. This goes way beyond psychology, I only wish I had the same capacity for self delusion, certainly would save me a great deal of money and angst.
It is also highly debatable that most people here "generally like their systems." If this was true there would be much less turnover of equipment in people's systems. Check the number of member transactions.
You state there is "better sound out there," yet you also say you prefer your own system to ones costing 100k, well, where did you hear this better sound?
It sounds to me like your self delusion has some cracks in the armor. If you truly believe there is "better sound out there," you may seek and discover it, what happens to your contentment then? When that surety of contentment leaves, you will be but one small step away from a decent into the subjectivist abyss. It seems you then have two choices, remaining an objectivist wizard or joining the subjectivist human hordes.
System psychology and/or psyched out, its all part and parcel of our humanity, can one exist without the other?
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