When where and how often do you listen critically?
Ever since getting equipment that to me is summit fi, but I’ll be happy with calling it legit hifi… I am bothered by the fact that I just have knee jerk and background reactions to my equipment but very little critical listening.
I find that I’m either preoccupied with keeping my brain busy, or I’m relaxed and falling asleep.
I know it’s said; you listen to the music rather than the hardware (wise words), however the hardware to me is a reason to dive deeper into the music. I become enamored with the differences, nuances, and “fresh slate” of a new setup that can do something ever so slightly different than I am used to. Almost like A/B testing experiences over time. I’m no hardware analyst, and it’s certainly not a profession, but I also get a kick out of knowing what I’m talking about in the niche areas that I have “expertise” in.
For example I know for certain that the Rode NTH-100 is an amazing headphone for people on a modest budget. It doesn’t need a dac or amp, in fact it doesn’t really care; being opaque to the source equipment but not the source media. I also know that it is a double edge sword, while the lockfit has been completely solved if not direct from the factory or excellent customer support, then through third parties who can easily print you new ones. But I also have to rarely recommend this headphone to people on a budget because of longevity…. The headband and ear pads are difficult to get and basically up to the cost of buying a new headphone when shipping is included.
I am a naturally subjective person when it comes to audio, and I enjoy that aspect. However when I get situations like my R2R + tube on a comfy couch…. I’m just blown right tf away.
It’s just a shame that I’m either pre-occupied with my brain or it is going into rest mode and deletes it’s cache.
I love the idea of being able to analyze and understand the experience I am having as a way to take it on a journey more often.
If you enjoy what you are doing, there is no need for you to seek validation. It’s your hobby and only you have to know what you get out of it and how.
Good point. Headphones, more so than loudspeakers, have diverse opinions regarding performance. We all have different preferences. Some headphones, such as Grado and Ultrasone, generate passionate responses. Some praise them, whilst others really don’t like them. No one is right or wrong. Just differing perceptions about performance.
That’s an opinion, not a fact. I’m sure there are others who would assert just the opposite point of view.
There are way too many variables with headphone listening to assert that any one brand as good or bad. There are both good and not so good examples of headphones with any given brand.
The Ultrasone headphones really cause a divergence of opinions. The S-Logic is a very divisive feature. Resolve did not like it. For me, I found it to work quite well. It really depends on how they fit on the head. First, they really need to fit with a tight seal (can’t wear glasses). Second, if the listener has very large ears, may not work either.
I found a review that accurately explains the good points and bad points of the Edition 8 EX. These also apply to the Edition 15, and the Founders series.
You need to ditch the gear with some regularity and get out to hear some live music. Acoustic and small venues are best, but also get appreciation for the lack of summit fi in an outdoor concert or a big show.
I have a history of extreme social anxiety. I live a normal life now without it but that’s because I know my limits and what situations to avoid becoming anxious. I’ll start to push my safety zone a little but a concert sounds like a good way to endure a good ole fashioned panic attack. I haven’t been to a concert in 25 years, can barely remember what they’re like. But it’ll be nice if I can get out of my shell.
I’m sorry to hear about the anxiety problem. A big concert may be an issue, but try to find a small, comfortable venue. Around here, Mickey’s Black Box is the place to go. No crowds or rush, good seating and acoustics.
The sad truth is that the sound at many concerts of amplified music is abysmal. Typically it’s a line array, at an obliterative volume level, and if well mixed you are lucky.
Acoustic, classical, or jazz in a nice venue however is something else and a beautiful thing.
In any case, don’t ever let anyone tell you that “you need to listen to the music, not the gear” (or “hardware,” etc.). That’s like telling someone if he goes out to eat, he shouldn’t have anything to say about the service, the atmosphere, the seats, etc. Or that you shouldn’t care about the concert hall! You are welcome to like what you like, and if what you like is to listen to the same song five times in a row on five different headphones to hear it from five sides, wonderful. You ain’t hurting anybody, you’re having fun, and you’re learning something, and that’s a lot more that can be said about what a lot of folks do a lot of the time.
All my critical listening has been at home lately, because there aren’t any music stores in my area where I can audition the kind of gear that interests me anymore. I listen in a bedroom with my amp, headphones, computer, and TV most of the time. I’m lookin for new speakers though. And those may go in our living room, which might shift more listening there.
That’s the “where”. Re “when/how often”, there’s probably always a part of me that’s listening critically, to either the music or to the gear I’m using. I go through spurts with the gear though. When I’m pretty satisfied with the sound, then I’ll lay off playing with gear and EQ for awhile. And listen more for fun, and to assess production values of content. The latter is inevitable because there’s so much poorly produced music in genres I like (rock, pop, R&B, disco, folk…).
Occasionally though, I’ll find a few gems in the rough. And will try to share some of those with others.
Unlike some audiophiles, I’m not really into listening just because a recording’s good. If I don’t like the music, then I generally won’t listen. I’d rather listen to mediocre recordings of things I like than brilliantly produced and mastered recordings of things I don’t like, or am not that enthused by.
