What do you DO while listening?

MadFloyd · Dec 30, 2014

When you're listening to music, do you typically accompany that with another activity such as reading, writing, work, surfing the web?

I find if I'm not critically listening and if the music isn't the type that demands my full attention I'm often catching up on news, email, forums etc. Sometimes the mail. Sometimes a casual iPad game.

How many of you do nothing but concentrate on the music when listening?

Asamel · Dec 30, 2014

I read WBF!

LL21 · Dec 30, 2014

i listen only to my system maybe 1% of the time...generally i listen while i work in the evenings and weekends. That's why i like the investment into the system...i can enjoy it as much as 40 hours a week in the evenings and weekends. We also enjoy music (jazz like Ella, Brubeck, Sonny Stitts, etc) during dinner.

Mike Lavigne · Dec 30, 2014

i'm 25%-33% dedicated music only (dim lights, eyes resting not quite shut) of the approximately 35-40 hours per week I listen. I would not describe this time as 'critical' listening unless I've got some sort of decision process happening. I try not to think too much about the sound, but rather allow the sound to sometimes get my attention. I like to let things happen rather than make them happen.

the balance of the listening time is combined with on-line surfing/forums/news/sports or reading (mostly fiction). some weeks mostly reading, other weeks mostly on-line. I average reading 3-6 books a month.

I have no video in my listening room (other than my lap-top). upstairs in the barn loft I have my sports watching lair, in the house I have a dedicated Home Theatre (4k projector, 10' screen).

amirm · Dec 30, 2014

Heavy multi-tasker here

. There are times when I am critically evaluating gear, or listening to a stellar reproduction and in those cases, I am focused 1000% on the music. Other times I am doing other things in addition to enjoying the music.

PeterA · Dec 30, 2014

90% of the time I do nothing but sit and listen to LPs, mostly for pleasure, but occasionally, critically when trying to learn something about a recording or analog adjustments, gear evaluation, etc. I rarely change equipment now, though. 10% of the time, we have company over for drinks in the living (listening) room followed by dinner in the dining room and an LP may be playing as background music.

I used to read while listening, but my system was much less engaging then. Now, I find I can't (or don't want to) do both at the same time.

Interesting post, Madfloyd.

esldude · Dec 30, 2014

Mostly just listen.

Next most often listen with friends with some small talk before or after dinner.

Then a little bit of listening at low level while reading.

Don't often listen while browsing the internet (and it will usually be the FM radio or internet radio those times).

MrAcoustat · Dec 30, 2014

Like PeterA 90% of the time I do nothing but sit and listen to CDs, i haven't listend to vinyl since 1983 could not stand surface noise not even one tic or pop that is the reason i chose CDs as my medium, if you can accept the surface noise good for you as for ME no way.

BlueFox · Dec 30, 2014

Right now I am using my iPad and reading various audio forums, and news sites. In a bit I will just be listening to whatever is playing. I have a classical playlist close to 5,000 selections on random play that I listen to 99% of the time. Generally, this is playing whenever I am home. The only time it is paused is when I eat dinner, and watch Big Bang Theory reruns, or watch a Blueray.

GaryProtein · Dec 30, 2014

MrAcoustat said:
. . . .i haven't listend to vinyl since 1983 could not stand surface noise not even one tic or pop that is the reason i chose CDs as my medium, if you can accept the surface noise good for you as for ME no way.

Surface noise ruins the performance. It is the largest source of noise in any system. Components are dead quiet. You hear surface noise the moment the needle drops to the time you lift it. But I digress, about a quarter of the time I am listening and not doing anything else. The rest of the time I am reading something entertaining, have friends over, going through the mail, paying bills or having dinner.

dallasjustice · Dec 30, 2014

Music is like a drug for me, notwithstanding that I don't drink or use drugs. I can forget where I am and lose time while listening. I try hard not to multitask while listening. I find multitasking to lower my musical enjoyment and reduce my concentration. Some studies suggest that chronic multitaskers have reduced IQ. I need all the help I can get.

JackD201 · Dec 30, 2014

The dedicated listening room is dedicated to listening albeit I sometimes putter around in there organizing stuff and the like. In the bedroom I read and surf with music playing.

MtnHam · Dec 30, 2014

Moving out of the sweet spot only reduces the imagining, not the full timbre and enjoyment of the music, anywhere in the room with my system. I am privileged to have music in my day from early morning to late at night. A large library, both LP's & CD's and HD allow a wide choice of experiences. A lot of time is spent reading, writing and surfing. Several hours each day are spent critically listening. Since it's an open floor plan, the music also spills throughout the house. Like a private box at the concert hall of old, with all the variety, including meals and intermission. Thus, my answer is: Life

GaryProtein · Dec 30, 2014

dallasjustice said:
. . . I can forget where I am and lose time while listening. . . .

If I have to do something time dependent after listening to music, I set a timer to wake me in case I have fallen asleep.

dallasjustice said:
. . . .I try hard not to multitask while listening. I find multitasking to lower my musical enjoyment and reduce my concentration. . . .

I don't find that doing other things while listening to music lowers my musical enjoyment as much as it makes doing distasteful things like the mail and paying bills less annoying.

dallasjustice said:
. . . .Some studies suggest that chronic multitaskers have reduced IQ. I need all the help I can get.

I'm not so sure that eating dinner or going through the mail while listening to music constitutes multitasking. I would consider listening intently to music while writing medical reports, being on the telephone, texting and doing internet shopping at the same time to be more of what people consider multitasking. Not having music playing just leaves the house dead quiet except for the sound of clocks ticking.

JackD201 · Dec 31, 2014

There's one thing I like doing with music playing but then I guess I'm not listening anymore…..napping

Ronm1 · Dec 31, 2014

While listening to the main rig, it's just that, almost always critically, especially if a new piece, h/w or s/w is involved. While that may not seem it, I find that extremely relaxing and enjoyable, cuz it tends to sound so damn good. Other rooms have h/w for background while reading. Damned cold this morning, 12 above, shouldn't complain as we have been spoiled so far this winter.

PeterA · Dec 31, 2014

Like PeterA 90% of the time I do nothing but sit and listen to CDs, i haven't listend to vinyl since 1983 could not stand surface noise not even one tic or pop that is the reason i chose CDs as my medium, if you can accept the surface noise good for you as for ME no way.

I stopped attending live concerts at Symphony Hall in 1993 because I could not stand the shifting lady next to me, or the odd cough three rows back. Not one, never. Talk about surface noise. Once, someone even dropped his program on the hard wooden floor, just as the cello receded and the hall was draping in silence. And the fool who mistakenly claps between movements....It ruins the whole performance for me, I tell you. And what is with the interruption during intermission. What is that all about? It simply kills the mood. I'm happy that most others can deal with such distractions. But me, I'll never go back.

Sorry, I just could not resist. No offense intended.

FrantzM · Dec 31, 2014

dallasjustice said:
Music is like a drug for me, notwithstanding that I don't drink or use drugs. I can forget where I am and lose time while listening. I try hard not to multitask while listening. I find multitasking to lower my musical enjoyment and reduce my concentration. Some studies suggest that chronic multitaskers have reduced IQ. I need all the help I can get.

+1

Happy Holidays Fellows!!!

Happy New year ... More music, more gear.

On more serious notes. Peace on Earth. Less suffering on this planet. Let's try to do our best to cause less damage to our own home, this planet. In the name of Wealth and comfort we have hurt our planet very badly. let's try to reverse that

Johnny Vinyl · Dec 31, 2014

The only time I listen critically, whilst doing nothing else, is when I have a new piece of music or when I do a comparison between pressings. If I want to sit back and enjoy the music I usually have my tablet in front of me or I'm glancing over the record jacket. Sometimes, but not all times, I sit back and truly get immersed by it and I love that.

Joel · Dec 31, 2014

Used to enjoy critical listening in a well insulated room. Sometime enjoying the sound insulation to make love with my wife while listening to music on my favorite sofa...

What do you DO while listening?

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