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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: Audio Reviews posted by Dan Banquer on June 20, 2003 at 05:23:16:
I really disagree with that article's main thesis.Engineering terms are precise and rightfully so. No technical discipline could progress if it's unique terms were not widely understood.
The question is: are these terms, accurate in describing phenomena as they may be, really applicable to the end user of the product? Electrical/acoustic engineering terms may delineate performance of the product in the electrical or acoustic domains under very specific conditions, but they in no way reflect how the product will actually be used by the consumer. The end use of stereo equipment is the enjoyment of music in the home, not the verification of isolated physical parameters.
Master's complaint about the murkiness and ambiguity of the language used in subjective reviews is not a valid argument in favor of the superiority of the use of electrical specifications as performance descriptions. This is just an expression of his discomfort. A description of a "chocolaty midrange" may be difficult for a reader to get a feel for adjective wise, but it is, none the less, a description of the performance of the unit that actually relates to it's intended use. The reader knows it as a description of audible performance. If nothing else, he knows the reviewer is characterizing an aspect of product's actual sound. He may have heard the midrange performance of other gear and he can at least form some sort of mental picture for comparison. His imagery will likely be very different than the reviewers, but he now has a point reference to the audible performance of the unit regardless. Contrast this with "THD<.02% at 1Khz-1watt" Any assessment of the audible performance here cannot be related to any prior experience of the consumer (unless he has heard gear with the same specs before.) This metric contains no information on how the device will sound. It may be assumed that this is a good measurement and that therefore the unit will sound good, but this is about as useful as it can get. Any linguistic precision here is simply wasted as it has no relevance to the end use of the product.
As Master's says, it is about taste. Some folks may feel more comfortable reading reviews that highlight isolated aspects of physical performance in very accurate terms. That is their preference. I find such language obscure in the context of assessing the sound of gear, even though as an engineer I understand it. Give me 'Rock of Gibraltar bass' , 'caramel coated midranges' and 'satiny smooth highs' anytime.
Thanks,
Rob
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Follow Ups
- Language can only be accurate where it is first relevant. - dado4 10:33:24 06/22/03 (1)
- "This metric contains no information on how the device will sound." Quite right! - clarkjohnsen 07:33:54 06/23/03 (0)
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