fewtch
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2003
- Posts
- 9,559
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- 37
Been contemplating the difference between discerning and critical ears lately. One of the problems I have labeling myself an "audiophile" is that it seems too many go out of their way to find as many flaws in a piece of gear as possible, as if the sound quality of the gear consisted of the sum of its lack of weaknesses rather than the sum of its strengths.
IMO this "flaw focused" approach not only prevents a person from ever being satisfied with a piece of gear, but it could also serve as a lazy substitute for actually training one's ears. Critical ears are not necessarily discerning ones.
I fail to understand why so many people focus on the flaws of their gear rather than focusing on the strengths. Could it be that this "audiophile business" really is a sort of disease? "Dis-ease," the feeling of not being at ease. I wonder how many people are able to relax and enjoy gear without being constantly critical about what might be wrong with it. What a terrible approach to anything, audio included.
P.S. I admit to have "caught" a minor form of the disease just being around it, but hope to cure myself eventually...
IMO this "flaw focused" approach not only prevents a person from ever being satisfied with a piece of gear, but it could also serve as a lazy substitute for actually training one's ears. Critical ears are not necessarily discerning ones.
I fail to understand why so many people focus on the flaws of their gear rather than focusing on the strengths. Could it be that this "audiophile business" really is a sort of disease? "Dis-ease," the feeling of not being at ease. I wonder how many people are able to relax and enjoy gear without being constantly critical about what might be wrong with it. What a terrible approach to anything, audio included.
P.S. I admit to have "caught" a minor form of the disease just being around it, but hope to cure myself eventually...