|
General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
|
|
|
General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
|
In Reply to: Why do most present-day audiophiles hate science? posted by middleground on January 27, 2003 at 19:50:13:
I am not sure your generalization is correct. In any case, there are a number of scientists (I am not one of them) who frequent audio sites. I do have some interest, from the point of view of a consumer, with various unproven claims for products, and hence, an interest in what is likely to be audible. This is not my sole ground for forming preferences and I have never pretended it is.Frequency response, power output, noise, distortion, input impedance, output impedance are certainly relevant measurements. In many situations, they are good enough so as to not indicate an audible difference. In other words, they often do not indicate a reason for choosing one product over another on sonic grounds.
And, amps that do measure differently into speaker loads (i.e., high output impedance) may provide a sound in a given situation which is nicer than with those with a low output impedance. But, the effect on a particular speaker would be hard to predict for a consumer. And of course, the information as to what is likely to be audible comes in the end from DBTs.
Again, as has been pointed out, measuring the equipment is not the same as measuring the reaction of a person, who may be influenced by many factors. And maybe some are not interested in separating out what is due to the performance of the equipment and what is due to their own subjective reactions.
Some work has been done on what sorts of characteristics most people prefer in speakers, under blind conditions. It seems most people with normal hearing tend to prefer speakers with the same sort of characteristics. But even if one prefers something else, I would imagine a good set of measurements might help one identify what sort of characteristics one does prefer in speakers on an individual basis. On Soundstage.com, for example, one can find the NRC measurements of a number of speakers, for example, to be used as one sees fit. I can certainly eliminate various speaker from consideration on the basis of the measurements, as there are some characteristics I know I do not like, although not make the final selection. The measurements in the mags are not detailed enough, even if I could interpret them in such detail.
It seems to me that there is no one reason among those who dislike the application of science to audio. Some, of course, maintain that they simply don't like the attitude of some other people, but I tend to think this is an excuse. One thing is a sort of Romantic reaction of the individuality of the human person as against the mass categorizations of technological society.
A number of people mix up universal statements with more particular ones. For example:
They propose that some one or other asserts that everything relevant is known about what is audible, for example, simply because they ask that assertions of some differences be proven: between interconnects, comparable speaker cables, power cords, CDPs, amplifiers, preamps, etc. No one has actually been able to point out someone who proposes that, but we have seen several remarks in this thread proposing this straw man.
Others propose that some propose that measurements should determine preference. First of all, just how one could determine what is audible without listening is not explained. This, of course, means controlled DBTs, or the data obtained from such. Second, there is the philosophical question of just how one could show that one "should" choose based on measurements. Anyone, on the whole, this is another straw man.
Others cannot seem to get their minds around scepticism, a "show me" attitude. Things must either be or not be, and scepticism is not allowed. Too bad, as life is a matter of probabilities, as I believe Bentham said, and some of us do not see why we should spend our money for things where we think the probability of a benefit is extremely low.
____________________________________________________________
"Nature loves to hide."
---Heraclitus of Ephesus (trans. Wheelwright)
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Measurement, audible differences, and preferences. - Pat D 01/28/0306:47:04 01/28/03 (3)
- Not a straw man at all. - dado5 07:50:28 01/28/03 (2)
- Every and some (universal and particular) - Pat D 16:22:55 01/28/03 (1)
- Cross purposes... - dado5 10:20:45 01/29/03 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
