Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2018 12:04:54 GMT
Looks matter to a large number of people. Sad but true.
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Post by pauld on Jun 30, 2018 12:17:41 GMT
I know it’s why my wife chose me, because I’m proper pretty lol
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Post by macca on Jun 30, 2018 12:53:32 GMT
Looks matter to a large number of people. Sad but true. looks matter to all of us as does the brand name and pedigree. There's no way to avoid it because it is subconscious. Giving yourself a good talking to won't help. The more you like the look of something and the more you respect the brand the better it will sound to you. Unless you don't know what it is you are listening to. I'd love to do a blind test with some real hi end stuff against budget kit. No-one would know what was what in the first session. Second session show them the budget and expensive systems first, then hide them again and play the budget system whilst telling them it is the high end one. Everyone will have a scorecard and has to mark the sound out of 10 on each session. I reckon the results would be interesting. |
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Jun 30, 2018 13:11:49 GMT
I would like to try that too. I know my perception of sound is affected by looks and impressions of status/build/price. I have done a lazy man’s experiment which confirms this. Physically small amplifiers always seem to sound small to me, but if I visualise a bigger amp like a Krell whilst listening, it affects my perception and the impression of smallness is reduced. I studied NLP and hypnotherapy, so none of this came as a surprise.
I think the same may explain perceived cable improvements in many cases. Changes in presentation may be interpreted as improvements if the replacement looks, feels and is more expensive. Real improvements may also be exaggerated and differences may also be imagined due to visual and subconscious influences.
That’s a long way from saying all such things are illusory. I don’t think that’s the case anyway. I just think it’s a minefield which is best clarified by evaluating things again at a later stage. If you still hear it as better, then it doesn’t really matter if it’s objectively superior because all you ever have is your own perception. As long as your perception is consistent, you will get value from your purchase and whatever it measures or sounds like, to someone else is irrelevant.
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Post by macca on Jun 30, 2018 14:14:26 GMT
I agree it is not all illusory by any means. But as you say a few simple thought experiments is all it takes to realise how much psychology plays a part.
I think the influence of imagination makes tiny differences seem much greater and no difference seem like a tiny difference. It explains why people who are convinced mains cables make a clear difference cannot distinguish a difference blind. Likewise with 'hi rez' digital.
Pretty obvious really, you've got a ton of research that demonstrates there is no difference, and a ton of research that says our psychology influences our perceptions. But people still rely on the old 'science doesn't know everything' and 'blind tests are stressful' excuses to explain why they can't tell their $1000 lead apart from a cheapo one. I suppose it is hard to accept that a good chunk of our perceptions are just imagination. It is counter-intuitive to an extent.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2018 22:25:32 GMT
Those speakers are stunning Paul.
Uxbridge Audio? I was born and raised in Uxbridge but left way before the 90s and I don't remember there being a Linn dealer there. If it *were* there I would have been too scared to walk in (in case they said something like - "Hey kid - you can find the transistor radios at the toy shop").
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2018 22:40:26 GMT
Those speakers are stunning Paul. Uxbridge Audio? I was born and raised in Uxbridge but left way before the 90s and I don't remember there being a Linn dealer there. If it *were* there I would have been too scared to walk in (in case they said something like - "Hey kid - you can find the transistor radios at the toy shop"). My Dad used to go to Uxbridge Audio, back in the late 80's/early 90's. I was born in Ealing Hospital and lived in Southall for many years. Just like you I'm also a West London birth! S. |
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Post by pauld on Jul 2, 2018 0:17:44 GMT
Yep Uxbridge Audio.. can’t remember their exact location, but they were there  |
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Post by dsjr on Jul 2, 2018 23:16:02 GMT
It's changed a bit from 1975-76 when I worked a few days there to fill in for sick or vacationing staff. I went back to them in the late 90's when they were Linn-led (baaaa) and assuming they were in a similar location, I barely recognised it at all.
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Post by pauld on Jul 3, 2018 16:01:22 GMT
It was 1992 when Dad bought the Audiolab and Linn's from Uxbridge Audio.
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 3, 2018 16:12:49 GMT
It’s great to look back at the old shops.
I had a couple of trips into The Sound Org in York more recently. I hadn’t been in since the 1980s. Naturally it’s changed, but David was still there and I believe a Hamish hadn’t retired although I didn’t see him.
They keep their used stuff on the landing and upstairs, but it was all my kind of gear and my era. The main shop had little of interest but the used area brought back great memories. This shop and especially it’s window we’re such a massive influence to a 21 year old me. I wouldn’t have the passion I have today if they hadn’t existed.
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