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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: People willing to experiment find they have a much harder time hearing differences than expected posted by Richard BassNut Greene on June 11, 2006 at 13:24:39:
I don't experiment with the procedural aspects, however. I do have people listen to my system without me telling what changes I have done. If they hear a change and echo what I think has happened, fine, if not then it's back to the drawing board.The first thing to realize is that there is a vast difference in the human nature and it's individual perceptions. I have seen it posted many times here that aural memory is not long term and easily forgotten, and yet there persistent and verifiable reports of people with 'perfect pitch' (not saying that I have that unique ability). You have to actually meet and listen with such an individual and then have to sit back and evaluate where you stand in relation to what that person can do. The vast majority of us are 'tone deaf' in comparison.
That being said and acknowledged, the ability to hear things is highly variable among individuals. You may not hear certain things, but others may very well recognize it instantly.
For example, I have a friend who can hear the ultrasonic alarm systems in many department stores. He's close to 3O years old and that frequency must at least be in the 24+KHz range. I can't hear it, and most others can not either. I can hear polarity issue fairly readily: he can not, but that does not make either of us a better listener than the other. It simply points out different sensitivities of the individual.The fact that 90% may not hear a difference, but only a small percentage can, does mean that the phenomena can not exist. Look again at your test subjects. We're not testing new Coke here, where a simply subjective preference is all that is necessary. This more akin to the 'noses' who develop the best perfumes. Many of us are not qualified to pass judgement.
Oh yes, you do know what you like, and you do know what you enjoy. It does not make you necessarily fit to pass judgement on aural differences. If you don't hear it, fine, buy the cheaper stuff. Do not pass judgement and deny thse who say that they can hear something. Who cares if it is a placebo. If they are happy, that is all that counts, and in the end no one is holding a gun to their heads to force them into buying anything. If you don't hear it, don't hold it against those who say they can.
After all, if something wasn't heard, cable companies must have the key to the biggest placebo effect of all time.
YMMV, of course.Stu
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Follow Ups
- Actually I do a lot of experimentation. - unclestu52 20:54:11 06/11/06 (4)
- Are you forgetting the "Wanting to Hear Differences Bias"? - Richard BassNut Greene 10:15:44 06/13/06 (3)
- What if you didn't want to hear a difference? - unclestu52 13:44:22 06/13/06 (2)
- I've never met anyone who did not want to hear a difference - Richard BassNut Greene 09:23:38 06/14/06 (1)
- Your position has been duly noted (NT) - unclestu52 10:46:16 06/14/06 (0)
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