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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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Critic's Corner Discuss a review. Provide constructive feedback. Talk to the industry. |
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In Reply to: RE: My Reading Comprehension Shortcomings posted by suretyguy on March 23, 2008 at 15:00:15:
Hi.
You wrote:
"Speaking of contradictions, what I find most fascinating about audio show coverage generally is that, to a man, the writers (not just for TAS, but all of them) disclaim the validity of evaluating equipment under such conditions-and then promptly proceed to do just that, producing mini-reviews and choosing "best sound" winners!
"Oh, well, who ever said audio writing has to make sense?"
The distinction is this: I believe that a positive result under hi-fi show conditions is at least more likely than not validly positive under many other conditions, whereas a negative result is not dispositive.
In other words, I walk into a room at a hi-fi show. The demonstrator is playing a recording I am familiar with. If it sounds "good"--if it sounds like the listener will have an emotionally involving experience with the music--I jump to the conclusion that it is more likely that the equipment I am listening to is "good," as opposed to, jumping to the conclusion that the equipment is in fact "bad," and that what I am hearing is a freak accident of room acoustics and system synergy.
Whereas if I walk into a room and it sounds "bad," I jump to the conclusion that what I am hearing is more likely to be the result of room acoustics or system synergy or setup or break-in or voltage drop from current starvation, or whatever.
In my own experience, these rubrics have consistently worked reliably enough for me that I shall continue to use them. I do not think that they are mutually contradictory.
To give a non-audio example: If a woman were first to see me while I was taking out the recycling after cleaning the bathroom, dressed for the occasions and all sweaty, she might have a hard time imaging that I actually do not look out of place in the lounge at Symphony Hall Boston--who would have imagined that sweaty guy knew how to tie a tie?
A single positive experience indicates that other positive experiences may be in store, whereas a single negative experience does not in and of itself mean that positive experiences under other conditions are impossible.
OK?
And, by the way, I can't remember ever disclaiming the validity of show auditions. If I have ever done so, I expect that it would have been to disclaim any dispositive finality of a bad audition, and not the converse.
JM
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Follow Ups
- I think there is a valid distinction that can be drawn... . - John Marks 03/24/0808:34:24 03/24/08 (6)
- RE: I think there is a valid distinction that can be drawn... . - Magpie 14:04:18 03/26/08 (0)
- RE: I think there is a valid distinction that can be drawn... . - suretyguy 20:45:50 03/24/08 (1)
- Mysteries of the limbic system - John Marks 07:10:53 03/25/08 (0)
- "The lounge at Symphony Hall Boston." [Sigh] In the good old days it was an art gallery, and people were... - clarkjohnsen 10:27:05 03/24/08 (0)
- Re: "Dispositive"... - Neil49 10:14:34 03/24/08 (1)
- I see your point - John Marks 11:01:17 03/24/08 (0)
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