Do We Generally Hear the Same or Differently?

[PeterA]

I have also found it quite helpful to candidly discuss system changes with experienced audio friends. I learn a lot from hearing other systems and having friends over to my place to discuss various changes. These sessions also lead to some exposure to new music. Acquaintances have grown into friendships all because of a shared common interest.

Al, I've enjoyed learning from our respective system evolutions and sharing time discussing audio and music over meals and in the sofa. May it continue.

 

[tima]

Except there are often HUGE differences, which is easily highlighted by waiting outside the Focal demo room at audio shows and hearing people come out saying "That was amazing" vs "I could hardly stand to be in there, the highs were killing me!". This kind of thing is typical and sometimes the underlying reason is exactly what audiologists measure.

This is yet another issue with high end audio that has never been fully explored, but in the end it'll all come down to perfectly reasonable scientific explanations for everything... just like the entire rest of the world! Until then we should keep an open mind imo...

I may not be following. What differences do your examples establish?

 

[morricab]

Why is it so important to know or learn what other listeners are hearing? I do not see any point in others telling me how my system sounds. Or indeed, how I can improve the sound of my system. For me it seems that many members of this forum and others are very concerned about what other audiophiles think of their systems. Why care?

I have recently completely changed my (for me) very expensive "normal" high end system (retail app. USD 160.000) to full range drivers and a SET integrated amp. A much cheaper and simpler system. I needed a change after many many years with conventional high end equipment. And chasing "the perfect sound". What I learned over the years was that they all sounded more or less the same, the sound signature that is. It did not matter much if I changed speakers, amps etc.

With the new system it sounds much more open and live, more dynamic. It is not perfect, but what is?

I enjoy music at least as much as earlier, but i am enjoying the music as a hole and do not listen where the guitar is placed, the violins and so on. But I used to .

I made a similar transition a few years ago. Before that I was a planar/stat guy... it has been a long time since I was at all interested in conventional dynamic driver speakers on the whole. That said, there are some high sensitivity speakers on the market using more or less conventional direct radiators (based on pro drivers) that still holds some interest... usually the tweeter at the very least is horn though...

I also have a full range driver system...it is mostly for late night listening because it opens up at very low volumes.

 

[bonzo75]

Why is it so important to know or learn what other listeners are hearing? I do not see any point in others telling me how my system sounds. Or indeed, how I can improve the sound of my system. For me it seems that many members of this forum and others are very concerned about what other audiophiles think of their systems. Why care?

I have recently completely changed my (for me) very expensive "normal" high end system (retail app. USD 160.000) to full range drivers and a SET integrated amp. A much cheaper and simpler system. I needed a change after many many years with conventional high end equipment. And chasing "the perfect sound". What I learned over the years was that they all sounded more or less the same, the sound signature that is. It did not matter much if I changed speakers, amps etc.

With the new system it sounds much more open and live, more dynamic. It is not perfect, but what is?

I enjoy music at least as much as earlier, but i am enjoying the music as a hole and do not listen where the guitar is placed, the violins and so on. But I used to .

Jep, which SET amps are you using?

 

[XV-1]

Just like we have different tastes in music, we all hear differently as its emotional impact of music that connects one and will not connect for the other person.
I think if we are asked to listen for certain sonic treats of a song, we can generally hear that - it's importance however may be completely different depending on the person.

 

[jep123]

Jep, which SET amps are you using?

Hi there.
At the moment the Mastersound Compact 845 with 845 B, Mullard and GE tubes. Sounds quite wonderful, curious about how an integrated SET with EL 34 tubes might sound. The German Lyric Audio is frequently used with Voxativ and might be considered.

No hurry though, at the moment I am enjoying music with a system that costs 1/5 of my previous .