The audiophile mindset

[audio2design]

So I'm arguing, for some bad reason, hardcore subjective audiophiles(phools) on SHF about the topics of bit depth, sampling rates, etc. I'm wondering if these guys are totally anti-physics, anti-reality in all aspects of their lives, or just audio.

As a signal processing engineer, the utter BS that's spouted be these idiots drives me absolutely nuts! I don't even dislike vinyl. It can sound great, but so can 12-bit audio.

The canned BS is "you need better equipment and more experience." I really shouldn't get so bothered, but...

The success in life they have had that allows them to buy expensive audio equipment gives them a false sense of abilities extending to anything but how they achieved that. It is highly unlikely that they only apply that false sense of superiority to just audio. Watch long enough and they will be experts on just about everything.

 

[audio2design]

Forget all that signal processing stuff, all you need is better footers... to customize sound (real post, not a joke):

View attachment 129228

Meh, this is amateur level crazy. Go check out thread on wire direction at Audiogon. Better be sitting down first. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-do-we-hear-when-we-change-the-direction-of-a-wire

Or this doozy: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/the-placebo-effect I suggest front row seat for the mental gymnastics.

Or my other personal favorite: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussi...iles-reject-blind-testing-of-audio-components

 

[Ron Texas]

I didn't know audiophiles had an identifiable common mindset. We're all different.

 

[FrantzM]

I don't buy into the more expensive sounds better. I buy into cheaper sounds better. I'm weird though

All things in moderation...
Cheaper doesn’t always sound better either.

 

[FrantzM]

I didn't know audiophiles had an identifiable common mindset. We're all different.

Or so we wish ...

 

[Blumlein 88]

I didn't know audiophiles had an identifiable common mindset. We're all different.

Every audiophile is unique, just like me.

 

[audio2design]

I didn't know audiophiles had an identifiable common mindset. We're all different.

There is a large group of mainly senior audiophiles that fit the mindset of the OP. They reject anything that disagrees with how they want the world to work, and think that our ears/brain and especially their ears/brains are imbibed with magical capabilities.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Its about getting your sense of self tied up in your audiophile self. Its okay, almost all of us do something similar in some part of life.

One common complaint about blind testing is how stressful it is? Why would that be though? Because your self is in that and you are afraid for your self. It becomes a test of your audiophile manhood.

When an undergrad, I'd volunteer for tests given by various psyche students. They paid a few bucks for 30 minutes or an hour. I tried to do the tests which were almost all blind of one sort or another as well as I could. Yet it was never nerve wracking or stressful. Because I wasn't defending my super special hearing on sound tests, I claimed no special expertise in visual/spatial testing so no stress. When audiophiles speak of the stress of blind testing they are telling you something more than they realize.

It is quite natural for any human who spends extra time, money, effort on any hobby to think they are better in that area than regular civilians. So while some audiophile myths have become very far, far out there, that such is the case in general shouldn't be a big surprise.

 

[Dialectic]

The success in life they have had that allows them to buy expensive audio equipment gives them a false sense of abilities extending to anything but how they achieved that. It is highly unlikely that they only apply that false sense of superiority to just audio. Watch long enough and they will be experts on just about everything.

A lot of them are not successful in life and acquired their audio systems through borrowing or dipping into the kids' college funds.

 

[JSmith]

I'm wondering if these guys are totally anti-physics, anti-reality in all aspects of their lives, or just audio.

JSmith

 

[jsrtheta]

Meh, this is amateur level crazy. Go check out thread on wire direction at Audiogon. Better be sitting down first. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-do-we-hear-when-we-change-the-direction-of-a-wire

Or this doozy: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/the-placebo-effect I suggest front row seat for the mental gymnastics.

Or my other personal favorite: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussi...iles-reject-blind-testing-of-audio-components

This is typical of the thinking one finds in QAnon and other logic-tight cultish groups: The belief that one is part of an "in-the-know" cohort that possesses secrets and understanding that ignorant sheeple lack due to suppression by the "elite". It's pretty close, up to and including the knowing (albeit unheard) chuckles of the indulgent. Also, the more bizarre and complex the ultimate truth, the better.

See also, The Matrix.

"There are none so blind as those who will not see!"

 

[audio2design]

This is typical of the thinking one finds in QAnon and other logic-tight cultish groups:

If you compare the activity and behavior to a cult there is shocking similarity.

 

[jsrtheta]

If you compare the activity and behavior to a cult there is shocking similarity.

The Ecstasy of the Newly Reborn.

 

[Chrispy]

Someone started a thread about why aren't there more women audiophiles. What is it about the mindset....hmmm?

 

[Blaspheme]

Arrogance is a bi-product of ignorance. In my brain I typed that backwards. What I intended to type was “Ignorance is a bi-product of Arrogance”.

If it's a bi-product, then I guess there will be two things. If it's a by-product, then that's by-the-by.

 

[DavidMcRoy]

Yea, I agree with you. But do you act like you're an expert on things you know nothing about? It takes a disfunctional level of arrogance to do that. It's a shame because I'd love to help people understand.

I think that’s it: some people do overestimate their own knowledge (and/or intelligence.) This behavior wouldn’t be so widespread if more people actually did know what they’re talking about and learned critical thinking skills in school. It isn’t just audiophiles. I would cite all the self-appointed experts who won’t get a goddamn COVID vaccine. Pride in willful ignorance is no virtue and it isn’t rewarded by nature.

 

[izeek]

Meh, this is amateur level crazy. Go check out thread on wire direction at Audiogon. Better be sitting down first. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-do-we-hear-when-we-change-the-direction-of-a-wire

Or this doozy: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/the-placebo-effect I suggest front row seat for the mental gymnastics.

Or my other personal favorite: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussi...iles-reject-blind-testing-of-audio-components

whoooiiieee.

 

[ergre]

So I'm arguing, for some bad reason, hardcore subjective audiophiles(phools) on SHF about the topics of bit depth, sampling rates, etc. I'm wondering if these guys are totally anti-physics, anti-reality in all aspects of their lives, or just audio.

As a signal processing engineer, the utter BS that's spouted be these idiots drives me absolutely nuts! I don't even dislike vinyl. It can sound great, but so can 12-bit audio.

The canned BS is "you need better equipment and more experience." I really shouldn't get so bothered, but...

I think wen we buy shampoo or beer we also buy an image, experience or brand. The content of the bottels is also mostly the same. We are probably all not very rational by default and it takes effort to be rational. I don't think those audiofiles are any different their daily live.

 

[pkane]

Meh, this is amateur level crazy. Go check out thread on wire direction at Audiogon. Better be sitting down first.

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
- Arthur C. Clarke

For an average audiophile who has little to no understanding of the technology and science behind audio, it's easy to believe in magic and in the magic rituals of aligning wires and putting them on cable lifters.

 

[Pennyless Audiophile]

Or this doozy: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/the-placebo-effect I suggest front row seat for the mental gymnastics.

One interesting observation in the post is that even a perceived improvement is an improvement, even if it has no factual backing.
Since we have this hobby for pleasure, I believe there is some merit in this observation.