Learning more about the science of sound - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadFiend 


Oh, I'm sorry. I meant that you can talk about science all day to some people, what's audible and what's not, what they're supposed to hear and what they're not, they won't believe any of it.

Double blind tests anybody? Unless somebody is stubborn enough to say a double blind test is rigged from the start....

That's why we have listening tests. If people refuse to do such tests you know what's going on..

edit: uchihaitachi beat me to it

There are so many brands and models of audio gear I don't even try to keep up with specific products. But in the grand scheme of things, all that matters for SQ are the standard parameters: frequency response, distortion, and noise. If the response is flat enough, and the distortion and noise are too low to hear, then the device is audibly transparent. All transparent devices sound the same whether they cost $50 or $5,000.

I'm not up on portable player models either. But again, the standard metrics for assessing fidelity will tell you everything you need to know. Not that all manufacturers publish all the relevant specs! But that's where I'd stat when deciding what to buy.

--Ethan

Also http://www.amazon.co.uk/FPUK-Metre-3-5mm-Stereo-Cable/dp/B001D8I668/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361926597&sr=8-2

would this product be more or less the same as a x1000 price product?

Just ordered your book :D

Mr Winer,

For an industry expert like yourself, would the sound quality of a source be determined by the lack of coloration in the sound signal (the purity?)?

Whereas for many audiophiles, some are avid about certain products that at first sound impressive due to a artificially added coloration or unique EQ'ing? 

There's a reason the ideal amp is also described as "wire with gain". No linear (frequency response) or nonlinear (THD, IMD ..) distortion, no added noise etc..

This also applies to D/A converters, even headphones.

Would such a sound be appealing to most people or not?

Also with regards to cables, http://www.head-fi.org/t/651509/review-effect-audio-custom-cables 

This review rambles on about how sub bass extends, this cable speeds stuff up etc etc. Being as frank as possible, does this mean all this is complete down to placebo and perception bias?

Quote:

Originally Posted by uchihaitachi 

This review rambles on about how sub bass extends, this cable speeds stuff up etc etc. Being as frank as possible, does this mean all this is complete down to placebo and perception bias?

For the most part, yes. There are likely small audible differences, but they are not caused by the cable itself. Whenever a cable is swapped, the headphones or IEMs have to be taken off. Small differences in their position when they are put back on can cause significant differences in frequency response. How much is dependant on the headphone. IEMs are typically very consistent if inserted properly, so the differences would be minimal. Headphones, however, often deviate 2dB or more, especially in the bass and treble reigons (look at the raw data in the InnerFidelity datasheets). This may explain some of the differences heard between cables and other placebo tweaks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepumpkin 

 

For the most part, yes. There are likely small audible differences, but they are not caused by the cable itself. Whenever a cable is swapped, the headphones or IEMs have to be taken off. Small differences in their position when they are put back on can cause significant differences in frequency response. How much is dependant on the headphone. IEMs are typically very consistent if inserted properly, so the differences would be minimal. Headphones, however, often deviate 2dB or more, especially in the bass and treble reigons (look at the raw data in the InnerFidelity datasheets). This may explain some of the differences heard between cables and other placebo tweaks.

Very informative thank you! Now knowing this, reading cable reviews for different IEMs, it is a very peculiar feeling...... (facepalm)