What is Your Test for Comparing Two Audio Components?

[wil]

When I turn off the light the soundstage always seems bigger.

Yes, but I think there is a difference between closing one’s eyes and turning off the lights. For me simply having my eyes open whether in the dark or light, creates more sense of space.

I think as Mike said, it might have something to do with a connection between peripheral vision and sense of space

 

[Lagonda]

A pre concert meal at Olive garden would be great food match for an amplified classical concert… err yum not.

Outback steak-house before an electrified rock concert any day of the week for me please !

 

[Lagonda]

Dude, you got a jones. What you gonna do about it?

Some of tha FM gear for sale on Audiomarkt right now !

 

[andromedaaudio]

Some of tha FM gear for sale on Audiomarkt right now !

Low level. Lol LLL

No im joking the 111 s are very good i have never heard the 245 though .( i think )
I did inform for prices already.

My speakers are very easy so 111 s might work .
Sounded very good combined with a 268C.

But to top my audio career of .....
i might go for the top lol

 

[Lagonda]

For me, eyes open creates more sense of space. Eyes closed, more focus. I like both. I also slide chair up or back by a foot or so for a different experience.

Listening in a dark room just feels sort of lonely.

The problem I sometimes have with listening with eyes closed is that eventually the sound of snoring may start to interfere with the music.

Stop listening too classical music !

 

[bonzo75]

When I turn off the light the soundstage always seems bigger.

Since long it is known that photons block soundstage

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Since long it is known that photons block soundstage

low blow.

 

[andromedaaudio]

Stop listening too classical music !

Yes ,.....classical music lovers always moan about SQ

 

[andromedaaudio]

When I turn off the light the soundstage always seems bigger.

Yes thats normal its a digital artifact try analogue

 

[PYP]

Then you will always be limited by what you did not know at the beginning of your journey. Because you put up your first system then. All your comparisons/what you might consider progress, was done based on that system.

Yes, but isn't that what most folks do? calibrate ears to live event, go home, simulate the feeling you get with live. try to figure out if there is room for improvement (this part improves over time with experience and research). demo gear. better? keep it. iterate.

 

[Kingrex]

I have tried closing my eyes at live events, like a symphony. Or in the mosh pit. For some reason I prefer them open.

 

[andromedaaudio]

I can tell you most audiophiles listen with their eyes open .
All those shiny boxes arm thick cables with golden connectors its a irisistable sight to behold

 

[Al M.]

I have tried closing my eyes at live events, like a symphony. Or in the mosh pit. For some reason I prefer them open.

I do too, and have my eyes open most of the time. But at select moments I close them to get a gauge on the *real* sound, without visual influence.

 

[Al M.]

I can tell you most audiophiles listen with their eyes open .
All those shiny boxes arm thick cables with golden connectors its a irisistable sight to behold

Honestly, I don't care. I just want that system to make gorgeous music.

 

[hopkins]

How on earth is listening with one’s eyes open or closed relevant in any way to sound evaluation? How did the topic degenerate into this discussion?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I can tell you most audiophiles listen with their eyes open .

there are multiple versions.

1--open eyes, in normal room light. looking actively at the performers, or front of the listening room.
2--open eyes, dim light, eyes somewhat neutrally focused.
3--open eyes, dark room with some tiny gear lights, mind trying to connect dots.
4--open eyes in normal light, but with eyes looking inward not forward (de-emphasizing our vision) accessing ears or a memory, looking up or to the left without focus. this is a typical method of concentrating on imaging with eyes open. to me not really the same as when we have our attention forward. more like eyes closed as far as state of mind. common to switch back and forth in and out of this during sessions.

All those shiny boxes arm thick cables with golden connectors its a irisistable sight to behold

we get past this part quickly. well....er......maybe not all of us.

 

[Al M.]

How on earth is listening with one’s eyes open or closed relevant in any way to sound evaluation?

That has just been discussed in the last two pages.

 

[hopkins]

That has just been discussed in the last two pages.

Yes. Are we questioning here whether instrument placement matters for the performance, and whether it matters to the composer? When it comes to classical music, I vaguely remember reading somewhere that some composers and conductors insisted on specific configurations. In any event, the layout of the musicians is important to get proper balance and “layering” of the sounds, so it is obvious that it matters.

 

[Al M.]

Yes, but isn't that what most folks do? calibrate ears to live event, go home, simulate the feeling you get with live. try to figure out if there is room for improvement (this part improves over time with experience and research). demo gear. better? keep it. iterate.

I guess Ked wants us to switch to an analog/SET/horn system, something that "transcends" our current systems. Fat chance.

 

[andromedaaudio]

PYP , just fyi ked doesnt come home to his system.
He comes home to his keyboard and starts lecturing us.