2. misc-audio
  3. 1243114910

I Just Don't Hear It - I wish I did

I am frustrated because I am an audiophile who cannot discern details from so many of the methods praised by other audiophiles. I joke about not having golden ears. That said, I can easily discern and appreciate good soundstage, image, balance, tone, timbre, transparency and even the synergy of a system. I am however unable to hear the improvements that result from, say a piece of Teflon tape or a $5.00 item from the plumbing aisle at Home Depot. Furthermore, I think it is grossly unfair that I must pay in multiples of one hundred, or even one thousand just to gain relatively slight improvements in transparency, detail, timbre soundstage, etc., when other audiophiles can gain the same level of details from a ten dollar tweak. In an effort to sooth my frustration, I tell myself that my fellow audiophiles are experiencing a placebo effect of some sort. Does anyone else struggle to hear….no wait; does anyone else struggle to comprehend how someone else can hear the perceived benefits gained by the inclusion of any number of highly touted tweaks/gimmicks (brass screws, copper couplers, Teflon tape, maple hardwood, racquet balls, etc.) I mean, the claims are that these methods actually result in improved soundstage, image, detail (“blacker backgrounds”), clarity, bass definition, etc.
Am I alone in my frustration here?
2chnlben
tvad
9,467 posts
 
...be honest, that a very real and scientific phenomenon known as “the power of persuasion” (placebo effect if you will) is occurring, or that there is the phenomenon of extraordinary human achievement occurring!?

2chnlben (System | Threads | Answers)

Honestly, I believe it's pretty even between the placebo effect, and genuinely superior perception among those who can hear better than others. There's no question that once a sizable sum has been invested in a tweak, it's human nature to want to hear an improvement, and it's also human nature to viciously defend one's decision to spend the money when the decision is attacked as foolish.

I think your description of physiological superior hearing as a "phenomenon of extraordinary human achievement" is hyperbole that's unfair to the comparison you put forth, which I imagine was intended to be taken seriously.

I don't take any of this personally. It's a discussion.

However, I do believe that the discussion is either genuine, or it's mostly for fun and therefore interwoven with humor. It's unclear to me which direction this thread is taking.

Mapman, I disagree with your definition of a tweak to mean any change in a system. Perhaps, when we're discussion tweaks, we should all preface our posts with the definition of our personal definition of tweaking.
tholt
545 posts
 
Rushton, I think I speak for most if not all that we're jealous you have a spouse who is as enthusiastic about this hobby as we are! nice!
jylee
306 posts
 
Most people think they have decent hearing. Like Mapman said, it's all relative. Some people will have more sensitive hearing than others. That doesn't mean those with less sensitive hearing have tin ears.
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
Tholt, believe me, I know how fortunate I am! :-)
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Some people will have more sensitive hearing than others. That doesn't mean those with less sensitive hearing have tin ears.
Jylee (System | Threads | Answers)
Absolutely.

However, it would explain why some people report larger differences resulting from tweaks than do other people.

I think it's pretty obvious that most audiophiles have keenly attuned hearing, whether it's a result of concentration, training over time, or better physiology. It's unreasonable to assume, though, that we all hear equally well.
More to discover