The Audiophile Debate

[AnotherSpin]

Where are the "insights"? All I see are chimpanzees flinging their feces at each other.

What's wrong with chimpanzees? They are like everyone else trying to defend what they consider to be their territory and join forces to attack outsiders.

[Spotted Horses]

Where are the "insights"? All I see are chimpanzees flinging their feces at each other.

...enters the baboon.

[DavidW]

Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert.

Nice!  Good to get more people that like the classics here (I'm being sincere and not sarcastic btw).

[AnotherSpin]

Nice!  Good to get more people that like the classics here (I'm being sincere and not sarcastic btw).

I've only been coming in here for a short time, but I've already learnt a lot of interesting things outside of the classics. For example, I've discovered Koechlin, some others.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Thank you.

I don't really feel like writing about my problems or the problems of my loved ones. I can say that I do not see my life as "survival". No matter how much external circumstances change, the essential nature of people remains unchanged always. We live as we always have. We buy groceries, cook meals, take care of the elderly and try to help the little ones grow up.

I don't know Ukrainian composers' very well. I have been listening to Valentin Silvestrov for years, but this is most likely an exception. Of his music, my favourite is Silent Songs cycle.

As a newcomer to the forum I don't write much about what I listen to, maybe I will write more. But I'm unlikely to surprise anyone, I listen to what many listen to. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert. A lot of jazz, modern, not traditional. On the unusual side, I've been loving Grateful Dead since the '70s.

That's o.k.  Write about what you like. 

I've only been coming in here for a short time, but I've already learnt a lot of interesting things outside of the classics. For example, I've discovered Koechlin, some others.

Koechlin is someone whose music I need to explore.

PD

[DavidW]

I've only been coming in here for a short time, but I've already learnt a lot of interesting things outside of the classics. For example, I've discovered Koechlin, some others.

If MI was still here to read this, I bet he would be pleased!

[Atriod]

Yeah... if you spent $1300 on headphones that measure like pure garbage, you're an audiophile.

[71 dB]

Where are the "insights"?

Do we need a "insight into the insights into Audio Gear Debate thread" thread? 

[71 dB]

Yeah... if you spent $1300 on headphones that measure like pure garbage, you're an audiophile.

Dictionary definition of the term "audiophile" is a bit obsolete, because the definition is from the era before massive audio snake oil business (which emerged in the 80's I believe). That has changed things, made them more nuanced and complex.

[AnotherSpin]

The statements of those unable to discern sound quality are reminiscent of the reasoning of the visually impaired about painting.

[Irons]

Yeah... if you spent $1300 on headphones that measure like pure garbage, you're an audiophile.

That is if an audiophile would buy headphones in the first place.

[DavidW]

Yeah... if you spent $1300 on headphones that measure like pure garbage, you're an audiophile.

There fixed it for you.

[71 dB]

That is if an audiophile would buy headphones in the first place.

I consider myself an eco-audiophile. I have 200 euros headphones + 50 euros DIY headphone adapter cross-feeder connected to my amp. I think the sound quality is pretty damn good for the money. Good frequency response and spatial properties made even better with adjustable crossfeed. No listening fatigue due to excessive channel separation at low frequencies. The bang for the buck solution that allows me to just enjoy music! 

[AnotherSpin]

Speaking of headphones, I am currently using top Sennheiser wi-fi earphones and iPhone standard wire earphones. The former sound incomparably better than the latter, with amazing resolution, ability to convey the smallest details, etc. At the same time, I have no problem listening to music through standard iPhone earphones. Most often I use the earphones outdoors, and at home I listen audio through Naim system. But I can also listen to some albums on my tiny macbook air M2, which, by the way, sounds amazing. I love great sound reproduction on sophisticated well thought sound system including also fine cables, linear power supply, vibration control, and so on, but if I have to choose between a great interpretation played on a budget device, or rubbish played on a mega system with fantastic sound, I'll choose the former without a doubt.

[Todd]

The former sound incomparably better than the latter, with amazing resolution, ability to convey the smallest details, etc.

You are comparing the two. 

[AnotherSpin]

I'm getting some bargain speakers tomorrow.  I've set up a spare room as a den, the only problem is that while I'm happy with the tv, I could do better than tv audio.

Be careful. Do the measurements. They may well show you that your audio is already perfect and nothing needs to be improved. If you still can't resist the marketing tricks of slick salesmen, never buy cables for more than a dollar per 100 feet. Get a cable from an old desk lamp or toaster so you don't have to pay that either. All cables sounds the same, remember! 

[71 dB]

Be careful. Do the measurements.

People are not expected to do measurements themselves unless they want to do them out of interest and to fine-tune their system to its full potential. These speakers are not sold at unreasonable high price with claims of mystical reasons of superiority. Were is the scam?

They may well show you that your audio is already perfect and nothing needs to be improved.

Audio is never perfect. It can only be good enough for the price. If the purchase has been informed, this means also good enough for the ears. Smart people know when to stop wasting money when something is good enough.

If you still can't resist the marketing tricks of slick salesmen, never buy cables for more than a dollar per 100 feet. Get a cable from an old desk lamp or toaster so you don't have to pay that either. All cables sounds the same, remember! 

Proper speaker cable typically costs about $0.50-$1 per feet depending on how many feet are bought and what gauge is needed. While the cable from an old toaster is probably fine (if nothing else is available), it may not be long enough for the speaker installation. The critical thing about speaker cables is the resistance, because it dictates the final damping ratio and frequency response error, but using thick enough standard speaker cable for the speaker impedance and the cable length is enough to ensure the cable does its job as expected. If the minimum speaker impedance is for example 4Ω in the case of a "6Ω speaker", and the cable is 14-gauge, the maximum cable length is about 45 feet and for 16-gauge cable it is 30 feet. If your speakers are rated 4 Ω or higher and the cables are 12 feet long, even 18-gauge cables are fine, but saving a few dollars on cables makes very little sense, so better go for the thicker option rather than the thinner.

[AnotherSpin]

I'm so blessed that my ears cannot truly tell the difference between 480p and 4k.

It doesn't matter, numbers are not important for music appreciation.

[Spotted Horses]

It doesn't matter, numbers are not important for music appreciation.

As a listener you don't have to concern yourself with numbers. The person designing the equipment has to use device specifications, engineering formulas and measurements to design equipment. The artistry involves understanding what measurements (frequency response, distortion, slew rate, linearity, output impedance) reflect perceived sound quality.

[DavidW]

I'm so blessed that my ears cannot truly tell the difference between 480p and 4k.

That was very Drogulus like, a blink and you could just miss it!