BoredErica
Addicted to Fun and Learning
A poll so you can tell us what you think.
There is a thread dedicated to whether measurements tell us everything here. We probably shouldn't argue at length about subjectivism vs objectivism here and just state our opinions because there's a dedicated thread for debate. Keep in mind the question is only related to audio quality... Not about your thoughts on longevity of products, aesthetics, or even things like 'SINAD tunnel vision'.
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My personal thoughts:
Personally I am a hard objectivist. Measurements to me tell me almost everything I care to know sonically. I leave some room for doubt depending on what it is we're talking about, but I take every single subjective claim with large chunks of salt, including my own. I met waaaay too many people who are so sure about their own senses crumble to pieces as soon as they are tested in a controlled environment. I'm glad the airplane I ride on was built with objective metrics and scientific thinking, and the medicine I take taken through randomized controlled trials rather than doled out to random people who showed up at the door who want to try the drug and give their impressions. Subjective opinions about how things sound are a dime a dozen and people tell me all kinds of stuff that are impossible.
Subjectivity is fine when it's tested in controlled circumstances. Controlled testing of many people have shown that people have certain preferences when it comes to sound. Those preferences can mostly be explained with measurements. Moreso with dacs/amps, a bit less so with speakers, and a bit less than that for headphones (which themselves can vary due to fit on the head). Even with headphones I value measurements highly. While not literally perfect, that are pretty darn good. I'd much rather navigate a foreign land with a compass and reading the stars in the sky versus stumbling around in the dark with no good info on where to go. I am skeptical of most subjective claims particularly when they contradict the best tools I have.
Again, I don't want people to be afraid of voting and stating their opinions so it'd be nice if we didn't get into hardcore debates in this thread.
Thanks
---
My personal thoughts:
Personally I am a hard objectivist. Measurements to me tell me almost everything I care to know sonically. I leave some room for doubt depending on what it is we're talking about, but I take every single subjective claim with large chunks of salt, including my own. I met waaaay too many people who are so sure about their own senses crumble to pieces as soon as they are tested in a controlled environment. I'm glad the airplane I ride on was built with objective metrics and scientific thinking, and the medicine I take taken through randomized controlled trials rather than doled out to random people who showed up at the door who want to try the drug and give their impressions. Subjective opinions about how things sound are a dime a dozen and people tell me all kinds of stuff that are impossible.
Subjectivity is fine when it's tested in controlled circumstances. Controlled testing of many people have shown that people have certain preferences when it comes to sound. Those preferences can mostly be explained with measurements. Moreso with dacs/amps, a bit less so with speakers, and a bit less than that for headphones (which themselves can vary due to fit on the head). Even with headphones I value measurements highly. While not literally perfect, that are pretty darn good. I'd much rather navigate a foreign land with a compass and reading the stars in the sky versus stumbling around in the dark with no good info on where to go. I am skeptical of most subjective claims particularly when they contradict the best tools I have.
Again, I don't want people to be afraid of voting and stating their opinions so it'd be nice if we didn't get into hardcore debates in this thread.
Thanks
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