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Propeller Head Plaza Technical and scientific discussion of amps, cables and other topics. |
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Propeller Head Plaza Technical and scientific discussion of amps, cables and other topics. |
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In Reply to: ONLY THOSE WHO DON'T TRUST THIER EARS USE DBT'S. posted by thetubeguy1954 on May 17, 2006 at 09:49:49:
Regarding subjectivists vs objectivists, I am always bemused at the fervor with which each set of adherents refuses to give an inch to any point made by the other.The world would be a much poorer place for all if it weren't for the advances made by objective technical types. Technical specs play an invaluable role and provide important reference points that would be hard to do without. That said, to pretend our existing set of standards constitutes the full extent of things there are to measure with respect to the reproduction of music is folly. Anyone who believes that will end up looking like the chairman of IBM who said (=many= years ago) "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Of course, the subjectivists are also stuck in place, equally unwilling to give an inch. To pretend that the human mind cannot create expectations that influence what we hear is to ignore a vast body of research in that area. Those influences are far more complex than some suggest. (They declare they are expecting to find nothing and use that expectation as "proof" of neutrality when the do hear something.) Many of the purported "double blind" experiments I see subjectivists describe to prove their points are often jokes. They are often barely "single blind" much less double.
That said, extended listening test can provide valuable insights that are simply not easily objectified. One example would be listerner fatigue - quick A/B switching, blind or not, contributes nothing in this area. Another example: the early years of the transistor. Massive feedback loops gave transistors good specs and bad sound, and it was the subjective approach that ultimately proved right. However, the subjective viewpoint hardly has a 100% batting average. One of my favorites is reading the reviews of the Tice Clock from some years ago. The reviewers are obviously tortured; do they declare it a fraud and risk being proved wrong at a later date? Or do they announce that it is indeed a sonic improvement and later be shown to have fallen for a raw hoax? The dilemma is palpable as you read.
This is not a "why can't we all get along" post. I know better than that. Too much ego has been invested by too many to let go of hardened positions.
The ultimate goal is to find a balance where one keeps an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out. That's a hard spot to maintain. But in the meantime, thanks to all for the entertainment.
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Follow Ups
- Re: ONLY THOSE WHO DON'T TRUST THIER EARS USE DBT'S. - mls-stl 18:00:36 05/17/06 (1)
- Great post! - kerr 04:51:40 05/18/06 (0)
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