General Hi-Fi post - social media

[Revolutions]

I really wanted to hear a difference when I had the chance of buying some Townshend speaker cables at a really good price. I'd have probably just jumped on them at the price, but had the chance to try them out. To me, they gave me nothing over what I was already using. So, I didn't buy them. Where does that fit in with the whole non-blind test, will hear differences based on price etc?

When it comes to psychoacoustics, you will ultimately hear what you believe to be true.

Our working memory for sound is so short, it’s rarely the case that anyone could remember how the previous clip sounded once you’ve listened to option b,

I’m sure you well know that you’ll sell far more units by giving people their favourite drink whilst listening, or that even a 2db volume increase will make a speaker shine, or tracks with acoustic instruments make everyone smile…

 

[Dave_]

Nobody posting on this forum, gets paid for doing so or, gets paid when a thread is viewed.

Doesn't change the fact that your description of social media/YT applies here equally though...

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I think that the point being made is that being paid gives an incentive to do what it takes to get views. It's entirely possible that this makes content more shouty, extreme, controversial. And quite possibly less true to what the person actually believes.

 

[Revolutions]

I think that the point being made is that being paid gives an incentive to do what it takes to get views. It's entirely possible that this makes content more shouty, extreme, controversial. And quite possibly less true to what the person actually believes.

“You wouldn’t believe what he did next…. Scandalous! Share with 10 friends to find out…”

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

“You wouldn’t believe what he did next…. Scandalous! Share with 10 friends to find out…”

Share with 10?

That's me scuppered then...

 

[davidf]

Probably wise - a bit overpriced I always thought

Was a bit of a different story back in 1983, even into the 90s.

 

[davidf]

When it comes to psychoacoustics, you will ultimately hear what you believe to be true.

Well in this case, that wasn't true.

 

[Revolutions]

Well in this case, that wasn't true.

How so?

 

[davidf]

How so?

I wanted the Townshend to be superior. It wasn't. So I didn't buy it, despite the good price.

 

[Revolutions]

I wanted the Townshend to be superior. It wasn't. So I didn't buy it, despite the good price.

Do you believe that cables in general have an audible & impactful affect on how a hifi sounds?

were you surprised that it sounded the same as the other cable?

 

[davidf]

Do you believe that cables in general have an audible & impactful affect on how a hifi sounds?

were you surprised that it sounded the same as the other cable?

In general yes.

 

[Revolutions]

In general yes.

Interesting.. Did that result lead to you challenging or changing your belief about whether cables create audible impact?

Did you explore or arrive at any logical reason why cables you expected to sound better just didn't?

Apologies, I shall stop detailing the thread with an endless stream of questions. It'd be fascinating to setup some simple listening tests & then host small focus group conversations to discuss expectations vs experience etc. (in case anyone wonders why I'm single, please refer them to this thread 🤓 )

 

[davidf]

Interesting.. Did that result lead to you challenging or changing your belief about whether cables create audible impact?

Did you explore or arrive at any logical reason why cables you expected to sound better just didn't?

Apologies, I shall stop detailing the thread with an endless stream of questions. It'd be fascinating to setup some simple listening tests & then host small focus group conversations to discuss expectations vs experience etc. (in case anyone wonders why I'm single, please refer them to this thread 🤓 )

Cable, not cables. I'm only talking about this cable, not cables in general, so no, this didn't change anything else I have experienced previously, or since.

 

[davidf]

At the end of the day, between this thread and the cable thread that's currently running, I think some people seem to forget this is a hobby, a pastime, something to enjoy. It's up to you how you enjoy it, whether you choose your equipment with your ears or by measurements - it's there to help you enjoy music. You can take it or leave it. If you're not enjoying it, you've got the wrong equipment. And if you've got the wrong equipment, that choice can only fall at your feet, no one else's.

 

[Revolutions]

Agreed @davidf

I’m sorry if my questions came across as a dig, didn’t intend that. I’m just professionally interested in interested in anything related to behaviour change & psychology.

The glorious truth around sensory perception & preferences is that no-one can be wrong about their experiences.

Every single one my friends who loves listening to music in stereo thinks I’m absolutely batshit crazy for ever wanting to spend more than a few hundred pounds on my system. Hifi nerds are a super niche group as it is.

I’m all about safe spaces for us to indulge our curiosity whether it be related to formats, technology, brand choice, county of manufacture etc… come to think of it, it’s a wonder any of us ever agree on anything when it comes to how best to listen to our favourite music 😆

 

[davidf]

Agreed @davidf
The glorious truth around sensory perception & preferences is that no-one can be wrong about their experiences.

And that's what people need to realise - there's way too many people on social media trying to tell others they're wrong. If you mention you heard a difference between some cables back in 1982, you're immediately pounced upon and told that's impossible because 'science says so', and in some cases, told you're an idiot. Or worse. It was once believed that everything revolved around the Earth, until that was proven wrong.

I’m all about safe spaces for us to indulge our curiosity whether it be related to formats, technology, brand choice, county of manufacture etc… come to think of it, it’s a wonder any of us ever agree on anything when it comes to how best to listen to our favourite music 😆

Nobody can tell you how best to listen to your favourite music. I've said before that I believe the industry dictating to end users that tone controls were a bad thing and removing them from their products was the start of people losing interest. All this should be fun, to utilise whichever way you feel you want to do so. Not the way someone else wants you to.

There are many reasons why people indulge in music, and maybe the audio side of it - relaxation, nostalgia, fun, or just because they hate silence. It doesn't really matter the reasons, but whatever they are, they're genuine and they'll all enjoy it. Why would anyone want to try and spoil that? Why would someone post in a negative fashion and try and destroy someone else's pleasure? There has to be some classification for such behaviour.

 

[Holt]

Share with 10?

That's me scuppered then...

You got a friend in me. 👍

 

[Jasonovich]

There has to be some classification for such behaviour.

I won't go far as narcissism but possibly an over bloated ego at play. Or even an unhealthy cynicism of high-end products based on the belief that we're being gloriously milked by greedy manufacturers 😄

Caveat:
I'm sure you'll agree as long as there are no vested interests or malice, people are free to express an opinion.
We don't always agree but as long as it is done in the spirit of the hobby.

HiFi tends to exert an element of tribalism which has polarised the essence and love of this hobby, we refer to as HiFi. 👍

 

[Jasonovich]

You got a friend in me. 👍

The theme song in Toy Story.......You got a friend in me...............aw suchs its stuck in my head now!

 

[Holt]

The theme song in Toy Story.......You got a friend in me...............aw suchs its stuck in my head now!

Mine too! 🙂

 

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

The theme song in Toy Story.......You got a friend in me...............aw suchs its stuck in my head now!

Remember the old saying: A friend in need, is a pain in the arse.

 

[Holt]

The theme song in Toy Story.......You got a friend in me...............aw suchs its stuck in my head now!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MPZRcyTrcU&list=RD1MPZRcyTrcU&start_radio=1


😛

 

[davidf]

I won't go far as narcissism but possibly an over bloated ego at play. Or even an unhealthy cynicism of high-end products based on the belief that we're being gloriously milked by greedy manufacturers 😄

Caveat:
I'm sure you'll agree as long as there are no vested interests or malice, people are free to express an opinion.
We don't always agree but as long as it is done in the spirit of the hobby.

HiFi tends to exert an element of tribalism which has polarised the essence and love of this hobby, we refer to as HiFi. 👍

All depends if people are expressing an opinion, or presenting what they say as facts. Many present things to stir, not to present balanced views. Balanced views contain neutral wording.

 

[Revolutions]

I won't go far as narcissism but possibly an over bloated ego at play. Or even an unhealthy cynicism of high-end products based on the belief that we're being gloriously milked by greedy manufacturers 😄

Caveat:
I'm sure you'll agree as long as there are no vested interests or malice, people are free to express an opinion.
We don't always agree but as long as it is done in the spirit of the hobby.

HiFi tends to exert an element of tribalism which has polarised the essence and love of this hobby, we refer to as HiFi. 👍

Nothing anywhere near as malevolent as dark triad personality issues. You hit the nail on the head with tribalism.

It's all subconscious, which I find fascinating. To oversimplify massively, it's becoming apparent that belonging & hierarchy are some of the core drivers of human behaviour - we're social animals who's advantage depends on others. We don't survive long in the wild on our own. Fear of loss around either of those two elements makes people do weird stuff.

It makes sense that when I buy something I like, sharing with others is often an attempt to increase my social capital. If you see someone sharing something that conflicts with your position, it's natural to try and point out where they're wrong etc to avoid loss. Then we use 'logic' as an afterthought to post-rationalise our actions 😁

 

[Jasonovich]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MPZRcyTrcU&list=RD1MPZRcyTrcU&start_radio=1


😛

Randy Newman's song really elevates your spirit..... I just had to play it!

Don't you justy love happy songs, here's another 🙂

View: https://youtu.be/6BH-Rxd-NBo?si=nY_9p9M-JdeHTgVE