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For Newbies: how to listen:swaps/changes

Listening to a system component change, or going out to listen to new equipment, can be confusing to someone who hasn't mastered the art. I would like to start a topic that might get others to note just what THEY listen for/ notice when modding/swapping stuff. So newer students of the art of swapping/modding (and auditioning) can learn.
I usually will listen to whatever CD has my attention lately and a few that I especially like. I WILL repeat the same parts (I don't get bored, I actually find more every time I listen) i listen, noting if any "new" sound is 'jumping out at me (a triangle I never notice as such before, or that it suddenly sparkles so dramatically) or if some sound is suddenly totaly recognizable (a tapping on a glass with a spoon!! in a P J Harvey tune). etc..
Also switching BACK and seeing if it really is different... and quitting if your "hearing" gets tired.
Any others with hints???
(I'm NOT listing all my ideas now so we all don't get bored reading just my hints!!!)
elizabeth
1439bhr
85 posts
 
Another aspect to listening is to note your initial reactions to the sound as well as to your reaction when you aren't actively trying to analyze the sound. That is, spend some time not thinking, just trying to enjoy. It's been my experience that when something is a genuine improvement, I tend to have a strong favorable impression almost immediately. Focused listening tends to reveal the reasons why. And then I know I have a winner when I unconsciously slip into a revelry just enjoying the music. This feeling is confirmed when I feel a sense of loss after switching over to the less desireable alternative. My latest experience with this was auditioning a different brand of speaker cable at home. Rather than go into my analysis of the difference, I'll simply say I wound up purchasing it because my wife and I agreed: the cable gave a "happier sound".
elizabeth OP
6,726 posts
 
P J Harvey is not for the Diva queen set. She is BRUTAL and honest/RAW. She can be totally electrifying. She is one of my favorites. You will either be amazed by her or hate her.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Hi Elizabeth; nice thread. (1) It is absolutely essential for tonal balance to be correct and if it's not, no other listening test makes much sense. (2) I listen to vocals-- either male or female, on music that I am very familiar with. They must sound natural to me, and this is a type of "critical listening". (3) I listen for the character of Pace, Rhythm, and Timing (PRT) in the music. In order to get a good sense of this I have to go into relaxed listening mode. PRT must be natural/exciting and make me want to continue listening to the music. (4) I want to know whether or not the change is fatiguing, and this takes some time, hours at least. Of course all this assumes everything is properly broken in. Cheers. Craig.
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
like garfish, i also favor male and female vocals for auditioning components. i particularly like acapella or acoustic cuts for this purpose. one thing you might look for is a recording by an artist with a wide vocal range. there are detectable points in such recordings where speakers' crossovers are taxed. thus, they offer quick tests, once you become thoroughly familiar with the performance, of coherence in all its forms.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
I'm not as theoretical or technical as some of the others, but I agree that both male and female vocals, recorded simply (not pop, rock, or other excessively processed music) are my first test. I also find well recorded piano to be a good test. Wide range in tone, quick strikes and long decays. Definately should be something you are intimately familiar with. Must admit I often make a fairly quick judgment, not very methodical with my free time.
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